Brihattrayee

The three texts, Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya, are collectively known as the Brihattrayi or the "Great Trilogy" of Ayurvedic texts. They form the core foundation of Ayurveda and are considered authoritative sources for Ayurvedic theory and practice.

1. Charaka Samhita: The Charaka Samhita, edited and elaborated by the sage Charaka, is one of the foundational texts of Ayurveda. It covers various aspects of Ayurvedic medicine, including diagnosis, treatment, and principles of health and disease management.

2. Sushruta Samhita: The Sushruta Samhita, attributed to the sage Sushruta, is another important Ayurvedic text. It primarily focuses on surgical knowledge in Ayurveda and covers various surgical techniques, anatomy, and general medicine.

3. Ashtanga Hridaya (or Astanga Hridayam): The Ashtanga Hridaya, composed by Vagbhata, is a concise compilation of Ayurvedic knowledge. It serves as a concise and practical guide to Ayurvedic medicine, covering a wide range of topics, including general medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, toxicology, and rejuvenation therapy (more details about this text in my previous post).

Let's now explore these texts in greater detail to gain a deeper understanding of Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita.

Charaka Samhita

Charaka Samhita is a prominent Ayurvedic text in traditional Indian medicine. Divided into eight sections called Sthanas, it covers a wide range of topics including health, disease, diagnosis, treatment, and general principles of Ayurveda. Emphasizing the importance of balancing body, mind, and spirit, the text provides comprehensive information on diseases, their causes, symptoms, and treatment methods. It includes herbal formulations, dietary recommendations, lifestyle modifications, and therapeutic practices. With its influence on Ayurvedic principles and practice, Charaka Samhita remains a valuable resource for practitioners and scholars in the field.

Sushruta Samhita

Sushruta Samhita is a significant Ayurvedic text in traditional Indian medicine that specializes in surgical procedures. Attributed to the sage Sushruta, known as the "Father of Surgery," the text covers various surgical fields such as plastic surgery, ophthalmology, orthopedics, obstetrics, and general medicine. It provides detailed explanations of surgical instruments, anesthesia methods, and step-by-step procedures for different surgeries. Sushruta Samhita emphasizes the importance of cleanliness, asepsis, and surgical expertise for successful interventions. It introduces pioneering techniques like rhinoplasty and cataract surgery. This influential text has greatly contributed to the advancement of surgical knowledge globally, making it a revered resource for surgical principles and techniques in the field of medicine.

Sections of Both Texts

The total number of Chapters in Charaka Samhita is 120 and that of Sushrutha Samhita is 186.

The number of sutras or verses in Charaka Samhita is 9295 and that of Sushrutha Samhita is 8300.

Specialties of both Samhitas

Charaka Samhita

• Charaka Samhita was translated into Arabic as 'Sharak Indianas' in the 8th century although its availability can't be confirmed now.

• The initial English translation of Charaka Samhita was undertaken by Kaviratna Avinashchandra in 1891-99, based in Kolkata. Another translation of the text was later accomplished in 1949 in Jamnagar by Dr. Pranjeevan Mehta, and this version has since undergone six editions.

• Pt. Jwala Prasad is credited with publishing the inaugural Hindi translation of Charaka Samhita in Lahore.

• 'Kaumudi' is a Telugu commentary on Charaka Samhita authored by Vishwanath Shastry.

• In terms of chronology, Charaka Samhita is believed to have been composed after the Sushruta Samhita. Therefore, references to the Dhanvantari school of thought can be found within the text.

• Within Charaka Samhita, there are descriptions of 14 deshas or locations and mentions of 68 acharyas or scholars.

• The initial 28 chapters of Sutra Sthana in Charaka Samhita are organized into seven categories, with each category containing four chapters. These categories are referred to as chatushkas. The last 2 chapters are known as 'Sangrahadvaya'.

• The Agnivesha Tantra, which consists of sutras, evolves into Charaka Samhita with the addition of Bhashya, which is a commentary.

• Charaka Samhita contains 4 different types of sutras, namely:

  1. Guru Sutra: Statements made by the expounder.

  2. Shishya Sutra: Statements made by the author or student.

  3. Pratisanskarta Sutra: Statements made by the redactor or editor.

  4. Ekeeya Sutra: Wrap-up statements that summarize the teachings.

• Charaka Samhita elucidates the scientific aspects of various medicinal preparations, also known as Bhaishajya Kalpana.

Sushrutha Samhita

• It is believed that Acharya Nagarjuna is the author of the Uttara Tantra section within the Sushrutha Samhita.

• Nineteen Sanskrit and two Hindi commentaries are recognized and documented for Sushrutha Samhita

• Sushrutha Samhita illuminates the domains of anatomy and surgical practices within the realm of Ayurveda.

• The text was rendered into Arabic under the name 'Sastrad.' The origins of a toxicology text called 'Sanan' can be traced back to Sushruta Samhita.

• Sushruta Samhita is credited with introducing the world to plastic surgery, known as Sandhana Shalya.

• Sushruta Samhita is the pioneering text that provides the earliest known description of dissection, also referred to as shavachheda.

• Sushruta Samhita also encompasses descriptions of various forensic science topics, including strangulation, death by hanging, death by drowning, and death by smoke inhalation.

• Within Sushruta Samhita, there are references to ten Acharyas or Ayurvedic scholars.

• The text reportedly contains a description of a fascinating character called "Vishakanya." Vishakanya is portrayed as a beautiful maiden who was administered small doses of venom since childhood, rendering her immune to poison but deadly to others. She is depicted as a potential weapon to assassinate kings.

• The text also encompasses details regarding emergency treatments for war injuries and defines health.

समदोषः समाग्निश्च समधातुमलक्रियः | प्रसन्नात्मेन्द्रियमनाः स्वस्थ इत्यभिधीयते ||४१|

Health is defined as Equilibrium or Balance of all physiological entities along with well-being of mind and soul.

Conclusion

The Brihattrayi, consisting of Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya, is a renowned trilogy of Ayurvedic texts. They serve as foundational sources in Ayurveda, covering diverse aspects of health, disease, diagnosis, treatment, and general principles. Charaka Samhita emphasizes holistic well-being, while Sushruta Samhita focuses on surgical knowledge. These texts have had translations in different languages and commentaries. Charaka Samhita contains chapters on locations and scholars, while Sushruta Samhita delves into dissection, forensic science, and emergency treatments. Both texts contribute significantly to Ayurvedic practice and provide insights into medicinal preparations, anatomy, and surgery. They continue to be influential resources in the field of traditional Indian medicine.

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