Atharvaveda and Charaka Samhita
by Laxmi Maji | 2021 | 143,541 words
This page relates ‘Sharngadhara-Samhita (Ayurveda book)’ found in the study on diseases and remedies found in the Atharvaveda and Charaka-samhita. These texts deal with Ayurveda—the ancient Indian Science of life—which lays down the principles for keeping a sound health involving the use of herbs, roots and leaves. The Atharvaveda refers to one of the four Vedas (ancient Sanskrit texts encompassing all kinds of knowledge and science) containing many details on Ayurveda, which is here taken up for study.
Śārṅgadhara-Saṃhitā (Āyurveda book)
Śārṅgadhara-Saṃhitā—Ācārya Śārṅgadhara is the author of Śārṅgadhara-Saṃhitā, written in simple and easy language the book consists of thirty-two chapters with two thousand six hundred verses in all. The first section with seven chapters and five hundred eighty-five verses; the second with twelve chapters and one thousand two hundred sixty-one verses; and the third section with thirteen chapters and six hundred eighty-two verses are available. The following descriptions are found in the chapters of the first volume. E.g., definitions, weights and measures etc. described in Paribhāṣā chapter; Principles of pharmacy described in Bhaiṣajya Vyākhyāna; Examination of pulse etc. in NāḍīParikṣādi Vidhi; Pharmacological definitions in Dīpanapāchanādi Kathanaṃ; Anatomy and Physiology in Kalādikākhyāna-Śarīraṃ; Digestion and Metabolism in Āhārādigati Kathanaṃ; and Enumeration of disease describes in Rogagaṇanā.
Madhyama khaṇḍa or second section describes the composition, method of preparation and uses of different kinds of recipes. E.g., Svarasa Adhāya (fresh juices), Quātha Kalpanā (decoctions, Infusions etc.), Phāṇṭa Kalpanā (Infusions), Hima Kalpanā (Cold Infusions), Kalka Kalpanā (Wet Pills or Bolus), Cūrṇa Kalpanā (Powders), Guṭikā Kalpanā (Pills). Avaleha Kalpanā (Confections), Sneha Kalpanā (Medicated ghee and Oils), Sandhāna Kalpanā (Galenical’s, Fermented liquids), Dhātu Śodhana-Māraṇa Kalpanā (Purification and Killing of minerals and metals) and Rasādi Śodhana-Māraṇa Kalpanā (Purification and Preparation of Mercurial).
Uttara khaṇḍa the third and last section explains the different kinds of treatment in separate chapters viz, Sneha Adhyāya (Oleation Therapy), Sveda (Sudation Therapy), Vamana Vidhi (Emesis Therapy), Virecana Vidhi (Purgation Therapy), Basti Vidhi (Enemata-oil enema Therapy), Niruha Basti Vidhi (Decoction Enemata), Uttara Basti Vidhi (Urethral and Vaginal douches), Nasya Vidhi (Nasal Medication), Dhūmapāna Vidhi (Inhalations, Fumigations Therapy), Gaṇḍūṣa-Kavala Pratisāraṇa Vidhi (Mouth gargles), Lepa-mūrdhā Taila Karṇapūraṇa Vidhi (Topical application, Oleation of the head, ears etc.), Śoṇitasrāva Vidhi (bloodletting) and Netra Prasādana Karma (Therapies for the eyes)[1].