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The Charak Samhita New Edition project is about publication of contemporary edition of [[Ayurveda]] medical text [[ Charak Samhita]].

The Charak Samhita New Edition project is about publication of contemporary edition of [[[[Ayurveda]]]] medical text [[ Charak Samhita]].

=Project Background=

=Project Background=

As a text, the [[Charak Samhita]] epitomizes one of the finest examples of teacher-student interactions ever recorded and written, either in ancient or modern times. The [[Charak Samhita]] is considered the best compendium among all available Ayurvedic classic texts as a resource for the medical practitioner. It is not merely a text for the management of diseases  - rather it is of the only texts available worldwide on restorative science, emphasizing the promotion of health and prevention of disease as the actual solution for controlling diseases, which is especially relevant in modern times. Further, it also seriously dwells upon the concept of longevity and healthy aging, as described in its chapters on Swasthavritta Chatushka and four parts of Rasayanadhyaya. Charak integrates the science of Yoga with body-mind connections described in Sankhya philosophy and the world view of ecosystems.

As a text, the [[Charak Samhita]] epitomizes one of the finest examples of teacher-student interactions ever recorded and written, either in ancient or modern times. The [[Charak Samhita]] is considered the best compendium among all available Ayurvedic classic texts as a resource for the medical practitioner. It is not merely a text for the management of diseases  - rather it is of the only texts available worldwide on restorative science, emphasizing the promotion of health and prevention of disease as the actual solution for controlling diseases, which is especially relevant in modern times. Further, it also seriously dwells upon the concept of longevity and healthy aging, as described in its chapters on Swasthavritta Chatushka and four parts of Rasayanadhyaya. Charak integrates the science of Yoga with body-mind connections described in Sankhya philosophy and the world view of ecosystems.

The treatise was a living document for 1500 years before it went through a “dark age” of relative stagnation. The darkest period for the Samhita in particular, and Ayurveda in general, was the advent of western allopathy through British imperial rule of India. This somewhat long disruption in the process of inquiry and revision of Ayurvedic texts explains why any modern-day reviewer or commentator does not find any evidence of any interaction between Ayurveda and modern medical science.

The treatise was a living document for 1500 years before it went through a “dark age” of relative stagnation. The darkest period for the Samhita in particular, and [[Ayurveda]] in general, was the advent of western allopathy through British imperial rule of India. This somewhat long disruption in the process of inquiry and revision of Ayurvedic texts explains why any modern-day reviewer or commentator does not find any evidence of any interaction between [[Ayurveda]] and modern medical science.

==Why does it need a revision now?==

==Why does it need a revision now?==

Modern medicine or allopathic medicine has, over the past few decades, made significant strides in the area of disease management. However, in spite of the significant breakthroughs that it has witnessed, modern medicine continues to be primarily an “offense strategy” for managing ailments. It does not stress upon disease prevention because the etiology of chronic diseases is unknown. In contrast to this, Ayurveda (or Knowledge of Life) system primarily utilizes the “defense strategy” in health management- as detailed and described in the treatise. Ayurveda prescribes a holistic approach towards managing health, and diseases and is very pertinent in today’s world. However, the treatise in its existing form needs to be updated in today’s context, and for a wider audience. Realizing this critical need, Dr. Gopal Basisht, MD in alliance with Ayurveda scholars in India conceptualized the [[Charak Samhita]] New Edition and Update initiative in 2013.</div>

Modern medicine or allopathic medicine has, over the past few decades, made significant strides in the area of disease management. However, in spite of the significant breakthroughs that it has witnessed, modern medicine continues to be primarily an “offense strategy” for managing ailments. It does not stress upon disease prevention because the etiology of chronic diseases is unknown. In contrast to this, [[Ayurveda]] (or Knowledge of Life) system primarily utilizes the “defense strategy” in health management- as detailed and described in the treatise. [[Ayurveda]] prescribes a holistic approach towards managing health, and diseases and is very pertinent in today’s world. However, the treatise in its existing form needs to be updated in today’s context, and for a wider audience. Realizing this critical need, Dr. Gopal Basisht, MD in alliance with [[Ayurveda]] scholars in India conceptualized the [[Charak Samhita]] New Edition and Update initiative in 2013.</div>

==Objectives==

==Objectives==

<div>The Charak Samhita New Edition Project was initiated in 2013 with mainly two Objectives:

<div>The Charak Samhita New Edition Project was initiated in 2013 with mainly two Objectives:

*To Create a Charak Samhita live edition with updates which can serve as reference manual on [[Ayurveda]](Knowledge of life) that will help interactions between practitioners and researchers globally

*To Create a Charak Samhita live edition with updates which can serve as reference manual on [[[[Ayurveda]]]](Knowledge of life) that will help interactions between practitioners and researchers globally

*Promote [[Ayurveda]] as one of the best Preventive Healthcare Systems available.

*Promote [[[[Ayurveda]]]] as one of the best Preventive Healthcare Systems available.

   

   

==Methods==

==Methods==

*Tattva vimarsha having the fundamental principles of the chapter

*Tattva vimarsha having the fundamental principles of the chapter

*Vidhi vimarsha including clinical applications with evidence and experience based practices and references.  

*Vidhi vimarsha including clinical applications with evidence and experience based practices and references.  

Each chapter was allotted to Ayurveda expert for writing in the specified template.   

Each chapter was allotted to [[Ayurveda]] expert for writing in the specified template.   

==Milestones and phases==  

==Milestones and phases==  

The work has been done in four phases, first writing phase, second blinded reviewing phase, third editing phase and fourth online pre-final publication phase.  

The work has been done in four phases, first writing phase, second blinded reviewing phase, third editing phase and fourth online pre-final publication phase.  

After starting the project on 7th April 2013 with nine senior Ayurveda experts, the writing phase lasted for nearly two years till December 2014. In this phase, chapters of different sections were allotted to different experts and their drafts were received. 112 authors and academic associates were members of this project. The unique feature of this text is to have variety in writing style and views of Ayurveda experts.   

After starting the project on 7th April 2013 with nine senior [[Ayurveda]] experts, the writing phase lasted for nearly two years till December 2014. In this phase, chapters of different sections were allotted to different experts and their drafts were received. 112 authors and academic associates were members of this project. The unique feature of this text is to have variety in writing style and views of [[Ayurveda]] experts.   

   

   

In the next phase of reviewing from 2015-16, a plan for review was drafted.  12 teams of 46 members were created. All chapters were reviewed and comments were sent to authors.   

In the next phase of reviewing from 2015-16, a plan for review was drafted.  12 teams of 46 members were created. All chapters were reviewed and comments were sent to authors.   

Next phase started in 2016 and revised chapters were sent to section editors. This phase lasted till end of the year 2016. After that the chapters were critically reviewed.This review process lasted two years (2017-2018) and preliminary publication and release was held at 8th World Ayurveda Congress, Ahmedabad on Dec. 17, 2018.

Next phase started in 2016 and revised chapters were sent to section editors. This phase lasted till end of the year 2016. After that the chapters were critically reviewed.This review process lasted two years (2017-2018) and preliminary publication and release was held at 8th World [[Ayurveda]] Congress, Ahmedabad on Dec. 17, 2018.

==[[Contributors]]==

==[[Contributors]]==

Future additional resources of the new edition of [[Charak Samhita]] will include:

Future additional resources of the new edition of [[Charak Samhita]] will include:

#Special pages on specific concepts in Charak Samhita and Ayurveda.

#Special pages on specific concepts in Charak Samhita and [[Ayurveda]].

#Case reports and case series on preservation of health and treatment of diseases through Ayurveda  

#Case reports and case series on preservation of health and treatment of diseases through [[Ayurveda]]

#Video recordings of selected discussions between clinicians on the classic texts and their application in the modern world  

#Video recordings of selected discussions between clinicians on the classic texts and their application in the modern world  

#A widely useful glossary of ''Ayurvedic'' terms in the biomedical language.

#A widely useful glossary of ''Ayurvedic'' terms in the biomedical language.

#Illustrations wherever necessary.

#Illustrations wherever necessary.

#A recompiled Uttar Tantra section.  The Uttar Tantra is thought to have existed and believed to have been destroyed or lost from the older editions of the [[Charak Samhita]]. The newly introduced disease and their management, as well as modern terminologies for diseases enlisted in the [[Charak Samhita]], will be included. This section will be recompiled to contain modern treatment of diseases in which the offense/defense or Allopathy/Ayurveda strategy for better treatment of disease is utilized.

#A recompiled Uttar Tantra section.  The Uttar Tantra is thought to have existed and believed to have been destroyed or lost from the older editions of the [[Charak Samhita]]. The newly introduced disease and their management, as well as modern terminologies for diseases enlisted in the [[Charak Samhita]], will be included. This section will be recompiled to contain modern treatment of diseases in which the offense/defense or Allopathy/[[Ayurveda]] strategy for better treatment of disease is utilized.