Changes

===Chapter 1. Fundamental principles for Longevity – [[Deerghanjiviteeya Adhyaya]] ===

===Chapter 1. Fundamental principles for Longevity – [[Deerghanjiviteeya Adhyaya]] ===

<div style="text-align:justify;">The title of Charak Samhita’s very first chapter, Deerghanjiviteeya Adhyaya, literally means the chapter on longevity. This is symbolic, because it implies that Ayurveda is not merely the science of life, but also a science of longevity. This chapter deliberates on the purpose of long life and health as the means of achieving the four primary instincts of human beings - virtue, wealth, gratification and emancipation (purushartha chatushtaya) – by way of explaining some of the basic tenets of Ayurveda and defining its scope. The chapter introduces fundamental principles of Ayurveda, including its definition, objective, concept of three bodily (sharira) doshas and their qualities, and two mental (manasa) dosha and their treatment. The samanya(similarity) and vishesha(dissimilarity) theory, pharmaco-therapeutic aspects, classification of drugs, list of herbs and other animal products useful in purification and pacification therapies are highlighted. Through these deliberations, this chapter essentially lays the foundation for building the body of knowledge on life sciences and healthcare that Charak Samhita is known for. </div>

<div style="text-align:justify;">The title of Charak Samhita’s very first chapter, Deerghanjiviteeya Adhyaya, literally means the chapter on longevity. This is symbolic, because it implies that [[Ayurveda]] is not merely the science of life, but also a science of longevity. This chapter deliberates on the purpose of long life and health as the means of achieving the four primary instincts of human beings - virtue, wealth, gratification and emancipation (purushartha chatushtaya) – by way of explaining some of the basic tenets of [[Ayurveda]] and defining its scope. The chapter introduces fundamental principles of [[Ayurveda]], including its definition, objective, concept of three bodily (sharira) doshas and their qualities, and two mental (manasa) dosha and their treatment. The samanya(similarity) and vishesha(dissimilarity) theory, pharmaco-therapeutic aspects, classification of drugs, list of herbs and other animal products useful in purification and pacification therapies are highlighted. Through these deliberations, this chapter essentially lays the foundation for building the body of knowledge on life sciences and healthcare that Charak Samhita is known for. </div>

===Chapter 2.  Dehusked Seeds of Apamarga and other medicines – [[Apamarga Tanduliya Adhyaya]] ===

===Chapter 2.  Dehusked Seeds of Apamarga and other medicines – [[Apamarga Tanduliya Adhyaya]] ===

===Chapter 4. The Classification of Six Hundred Types of Evacuatives – [[Shadvirechanashatashritiya Adhyaya]] ===

===Chapter 4. The Classification of Six Hundred Types of Evacuatives – [[Shadvirechanashatashritiya Adhyaya]] ===

<div style="text-align:justify;">This chapter provides comprehensive information about herbs and their classification by their specific activity and utility, medicinal preparations for evacuation (or evacuatives), and specific therapeutic regimen such as cleansing regimen (samshodhana) and pacification regimen (samshamana). Ayurveda emphasizes upon removing body impurities, like metabolic waste products, toxins, and undigested foods from various tissues and organs before treating any disease or applying measures for preservation, protection, and rejuvenation of health. There are six hundred preparations used for cleansing the body by therapeutic emesis (vamana) and therapeutic purgation (virechana), five hundred herbs, and fifty groups of herbs with similar activity profile (mahakashaya) used in their preparations. A physician should have complete knowledge of special/selective actions of various preparations meant for removal of impurities from the body. Each of the fifty mahakashaya comprises ten herbs. This chapter also describes six types of plant-based evacuatives (virechana ashraya), their basic sources as per taste (five kashaya yoni), and five medicinal forms like juice, paste, decoction, cold effusion and hot effusion. </div>

<div style="text-align:justify;">This chapter provides comprehensive information about herbs and their classification by their specific activity and utility, medicinal preparations for evacuation (or evacuatives), and specific therapeutic regimen such as cleansing regimen (samshodhana) and pacification regimen (samshamana). [[Ayurveda]] emphasizes upon removing body impurities, like metabolic waste products, toxins, and undigested foods from various tissues and organs before treating any disease or applying measures for preservation, protection, and rejuvenation of health. There are six hundred preparations used for cleansing the body by therapeutic emesis (vamana) and therapeutic purgation (virechana), five hundred herbs, and fifty groups of herbs with similar activity profile (mahakashaya) used in their preparations. A physician should have complete knowledge of special/selective actions of various preparations meant for removal of impurities from the body. Each of the fifty mahakashaya comprises ten herbs. This chapter also describes six types of plant-based evacuatives (virechana ashraya), their basic sources as per taste (five kashaya yoni), and five medicinal forms like juice, paste, decoction, cold effusion and hot effusion. </div>

===Chapter 5. The proper quantity of food and daily regimen for preserving health –[[Matrashiteeya Adhyaya]]===

===Chapter 5. The proper quantity of food and daily regimen for preserving health –[[Matrashiteeya Adhyaya]]===

===Chapter 12.The merits and demerits of Vata – [[Vatakalakaliya Adhyaya]]===

===Chapter 12.The merits and demerits of Vata – [[Vatakalakaliya Adhyaya]]===

<div style="text-align:justify;">This last chapter of the Nirdesha Chatushka is based on the findings of an assembly of expert practitioners of Ayurveda, headed by Atreya, that analyzed the normal and abnormal functions of tridosha. Among the three doshas, the vata dosha is discussed in more detail, considering its supremacy as the initiator of all functions in the body. In the environment, Vata is also responsible for many weather conditions like extreme heat, extreme rain or extreme cold.  The important normal and abnormal functions of Vata in environment are also mentioned in this chapter. Consequently, brief descriptions of pitta and kapha dosha’s normal and abnormal functions have been provided. </div>

<div style="text-align:justify;">This last chapter of the Nirdesha Chatushka is based on the findings of an assembly of expert practitioners of [[Ayurveda]], headed by Atreya, that analyzed the normal and abnormal functions of tridosha. Among the three doshas, the vata dosha is discussed in more detail, considering its supremacy as the initiator of all functions in the body. In the environment, Vata is also responsible for many weather conditions like extreme heat, extreme rain or extreme cold.  The important normal and abnormal functions of Vata in environment are also mentioned in this chapter. Consequently, brief descriptions of pitta and kapha dosha’s normal and abnormal functions have been provided. </div>

===Chapter 13. Oleation therapies – [[Snehadhyaya]] ===

===Chapter 13. Oleation therapies – [[Snehadhyaya]] ===

===Chapter 14. Sudation Therapies – [[Swedadhyaya]]===

===Chapter 14. Sudation Therapies – [[Swedadhyaya]]===

<div style="text-align:justify;">This chapter deals with sudation (Swedana) therapy, essentially followed after oleation therapy. Swedana (sudation) is a process in which the individual is subjected to therapeutic sweating. It is considered an essential prerequisite to Panchakarma (purification therapy involving five procedures) in Ayurveda. Swedana is intended to remove excessive vata and kapha dosha and is contraindicated in pitta disorders. The extent and intensity of swedana depends upon various factors such as physical strength, severity of dosha, season, site, age etc. There are specific indications and contraindications for swedana karma and the optimal signs should be strictly followed for the procedure. There are many agents to induce sweating which can be broadly divided into sagni sweda (sweating induced with the help of fire) and niragni sweda (induced without using fire). Bolus fomentation, steam fomentation, tub fomentation and poultice fomentation are some of the very common types of swedana procedures. There are thirteen varieties of fomentations (prevalent in the olden days) that involve direct usage of heat derived from fire, and ten methods without fire. Swedana is an effective therapeutic method in Ayurveda and is the focus of study in this chapter. </div>

<div style="text-align:justify;">This chapter deals with sudation (Swedana) therapy, essentially followed after oleation therapy. Swedana (sudation) is a process in which the individual is subjected to therapeutic sweating. It is considered an essential prerequisite to Panchakarma (purification therapy involving five procedures) in [[Ayurveda]]. Swedana is intended to remove excessive vata and kapha dosha and is contraindicated in pitta disorders. The extent and intensity of swedana depends upon various factors such as physical strength, severity of dosha, season, site, age etc. There are specific indications and contraindications for swedana karma and the optimal signs should be strictly followed for the procedure. There are many agents to induce sweating which can be broadly divided into sagni sweda (sweating induced with the help of fire) and niragni sweda (induced without using fire). Bolus fomentation, steam fomentation, tub fomentation and poultice fomentation are some of the very common types of swedana procedures. There are thirteen varieties of fomentations (prevalent in the olden days) that involve direct usage of heat derived from fire, and ten methods without fire. Swedana is an effective therapeutic method in [[Ayurveda]] and is the focus of study in this chapter. </div>

===Chapter 15. Guidelines for Hospital Management and Purification Treatment- [[Upakalpaniya Adhyaya]] ===

===Chapter 15. Guidelines for Hospital Management and Purification Treatment- [[Upakalpaniya Adhyaya]] ===

===Chapter 24. Characteristics of Shonita (Blood), its vitiation and disorders – [[Vidhishonitiya Adhyaya]]  ===

===Chapter 24. Characteristics of Shonita (Blood), its vitiation and disorders – [[Vidhishonitiya Adhyaya]]  ===

<div style="text-align:justify;">Blood is important for maintaining vitality of individual. It is also the most influential factor in patho-physiology of any disease as it carries vitiated dosha leading to disease. This chapter focuses on rakta dhatu (blood tissue), delineating the characteristic features of pure blood as well as the factors influencing the formation of blood. Pure blood (Shuddha rakta)  is formed by following proper dietary habits as described in Ayurveda. Therefore, characteristics of pure blood, the causative factors for vitiation of blood, dosha specific features of vitiated blood, their treatment and procedure of bloodletting are described in this chapter. Since blood plays an important role in the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases, a description of ailments such as mada (intoxication/confusion), murchha (syncope), and sanyasa (coma), their pathology and courses of treatment, and mind’s role in the pathogenesis of some of these diseases have also been provided. </div>

<div style="text-align:justify;">Blood is important for maintaining vitality of individual. It is also the most influential factor in patho-physiology of any disease as it carries vitiated dosha leading to disease. This chapter focuses on rakta dhatu (blood tissue), delineating the characteristic features of pure blood as well as the factors influencing the formation of blood. Pure blood (Shuddha rakta)  is formed by following proper dietary habits as described in [[Ayurveda]]. Therefore, characteristics of pure blood, the causative factors for vitiation of blood, dosha specific features of vitiated blood, their treatment and procedure of bloodletting are described in this chapter. Since blood plays an important role in the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases, a description of ailments such as mada (intoxication/confusion), murchha (syncope), and sanyasa (coma), their pathology and courses of treatment, and mind’s role in the pathogenesis of some of these diseases have also been provided. </div>

===Chapter 25. Origin of Human Beings and the best things for life – [[Yajjah Purushiya Adhyaya]] ===

===Chapter 25. Origin of Human Beings and the best things for life – [[Yajjah Purushiya Adhyaya]] ===

<div style="text-align:justify;">This chapter, the first within the annapana chatushka (tetrad of guidelines on food and beverages), is based on the findings of a congregation of ancient Ayurveda practitioners and sages, assembled to understand the origin of Purusha (conscious/sentient being) and causes of diseases that afflict the purusha. Different theories to understand various aspects that influence the purusha are postulated, such as those of atma (spirit), mana (mind), rasa (nutrient fluid), shad dhatu (six elements), matru-pitru(parents), karma (past deeds), swabhava (nature), Prajapati (creator), and Kala (time). After considering all these postulations, it is concluded that the same factors that are responsible for the origin of humans are responsible for diseases too. The wholesome diet is responsible for proper growth and development of holistic human being, while the unwholesome diet for diseases. The most commonly applicable wholesome (and unwholesome) diet is discussed with examples. A specific collection called agrya samgraha (collection of definitive and first choice of medication or treatment) is introduced. In all, one hundred fifty-six drugs and therapies have been enumerated in this chapter. Also ingredients used in 84 naturally fermented preparations named ‘asava’ that help in strengthening the patient’s mind, body and digestive power (agni) are listed. </div>

<div style="text-align:justify;">This chapter, the first within the annapana chatushka (tetrad of guidelines on food and beverages), is based on the findings of a congregation of ancient [[Ayurveda]] practitioners and sages, assembled to understand the origin of Purusha (conscious/sentient being) and causes of diseases that afflict the purusha. Different theories to understand various aspects that influence the purusha are postulated, such as those of atma (spirit), mana (mind), rasa (nutrient fluid), shad dhatu (six elements), matru-pitru(parents), karma (past deeds), swabhava (nature), Prajapati (creator), and Kala (time). After considering all these postulations, it is concluded that the same factors that are responsible for the origin of humans are responsible for diseases too. The wholesome diet is responsible for proper growth and development of holistic human being, while the unwholesome diet for diseases. The most commonly applicable wholesome (and unwholesome) diet is discussed with examples. A specific collection called agrya samgraha (collection of definitive and first choice of medication or treatment) is introduced. In all, one hundred fifty-six drugs and therapies have been enumerated in this chapter. Also ingredients used in 84 naturally fermented preparations named ‘asava’ that help in strengthening the patient’s mind, body and digestive power (agni) are listed. </div>

===Chapter 26. Pharmacological principles of wholesome and unwholesome diet – [[Atreyabhadrakapyiya Adhyaya]] ===

===Chapter 26. Pharmacological principles of wholesome and unwholesome diet – [[Atreyabhadrakapyiya Adhyaya]] ===

===Chapter 30. The Ten great vessels arising from Heart and aspects of healthy life – [[Arthedashmahamooliya Adhyaya]]  ===

===Chapter 30. The Ten great vessels arising from Heart and aspects of healthy life – [[Arthedashmahamooliya Adhyaya]]  ===

<div style="text-align:justify;">The last chapter emphasizes some of the fundamental principles of life, health and disease. The chapter begins with a description of the heart and ten great vessels attached to it and talks about several aspects of vital importance such as shira, dhamani, srotas, ojas, etc. The salient features of good Ayurvedic practitioner, complete definition of Ayu and Ayurveda are provided in this chapter. The specific characteristics of quality of life are described in this chapter under the heading of hitayu(beneficial life). Further non-beneficial, happy and unhappy kinds of life have also been described in the chapter.  The most important objective of Ayurveda about preservation of health of the healthy and pacification of diseases in the patients is highlighted in this chapter.  The structure of treatise, its sections, means to study and understand are narrated. At last, a comprehensive list of all chapters in this entire treatise has been provided. </div>

<div style="text-align:justify;">The last chapter emphasizes some of the fundamental principles of life, health and disease. The chapter begins with a description of the heart and ten great vessels attached to it and talks about several aspects of vital importance such as shira, dhamani, srotas, ojas, etc. The salient features of good Ayurvedic practitioner, complete definition of Ayu and [[Ayurveda]] are provided in this chapter. The specific characteristics of quality of life are described in this chapter under the heading of hitayu(beneficial life). Further non-beneficial, happy and unhappy kinds of life have also been described in the chapter.  The most important objective of [[Ayurveda]] about preservation of health of the healthy and pacification of diseases in the patients is highlighted in this chapter.  The structure of treatise, its sections, means to study and understand are narrated. At last, a comprehensive list of all chapters in this entire treatise has been provided. </div>