Changes

                                               '''(Section on Fundamental Principles)'''

                                               '''(Section on Fundamental Principles)'''

श्लोकस्थानं समुद्दिष्टं तन्त्रस्यास्य शिरः शुभम्   

                                                  श्लोकस्थानं समुद्दिष्टं तन्त्रस्यास्य शिरः शुभम्   

''Shlokasthanam samuddishtam tantrasyasya shirah shubham [Cha. Chi. 30/45]''

                          ''Shlokasthanam samuddishtam tantrasyasya shirah shubham [Cha. Chi. 30/45]''

Per the above verse, the ''Sutra sthana'' (Section on fundamental principles) of [[Charaka Samhita]] deserves the same place as the head deserves in the human body. In ancient times, the ''Sutra sthana'' was always placed first among ''Samhitas''(ancient reference texts of Ayurveda).Thus, this important section lays the foundation for the whole [[Charaka Samhita]] by means of the basic principles documented in it.  

Per the above verse, the ''Sutra sthana'' (Section on fundamental principles) of [[Charaka Samhita]] deserves the same place as the head deserves in the human body. In ancient times, the ''Sutra sthana'' was always placed first among ''Samhitas''(ancient reference texts of Ayurveda).Thus, this important section lays the foundation for the whole [[Charaka Samhita]] by means of the basic principles documented in it.  

From the standpoint of its structure, the ''Sutra sthana'' consists of thirty chapters, grouped into eight logical groupings. The first seven are ''chatushkas''(or tetrads, i.e., groups of four), while the last one is a ''sangrahadvaya''(a group of two chapters).

From the standpoint of its structure, the ''Sutra sthana'' consists of thirty chapters, grouped into eight logical groupings. The first seven are ''chatushkas''(or tetrads, i.e., groups of four), while the last one is a ''sangrahadvaya''(a group of two chapters).

The first ''chatushka'' is also known as ''Bheshaja'' or the ''Aushadha''(medicine) ''Chatushka''. This tetrad deals with various medicines to be used in various forms either externally or internally (i.e., ''bheshaja''). The very first chapter of this ''chatushka''(also the first chapter of the [[Charaka Samhita]] itself), the [[''Deerghanjiviteeya Adhyaya'']], establishes technical concepts such as ''vata'', ''pitta'', ''kapha'', ''rasa''(taste), ''shat karana'' (six causes), etc. which are integral to Ayurveda and used extensively throughout [[Charaka Samhita]]. Besides these technical terms, the first chapter also describes various medicines, like ''Phalini Dravya'' (a group of drugs having therapeutically useful fruits), ''Moolini Dravya''(a group of drugs having therapeutically useful roots), ''Mahasneha'' (four kinds of fats), ''Lavana''(salts), various types of mutra(urine) and ksheera(milk). This chapter also emphasizes on the rational use of medications, since irrational use of even good medicines can cause more harm than good. The chapter then goes on to explain the important concept of Trisutra (three principles ofAyurveda) i.e. hetu (causes), linga(sign and symptoms) and aushadha (medicine).  

The first ''chatushka'' is also known as ''Bheshaja'' or the ''Aushadha''(medicine) ''Chatushka''. This tetrad deals with various medicines to be used in various forms either externally or internally (i.e., ''bheshaja''). The very first chapter of this ''chatushka''(also the first chapter of the [[Charaka Samhita]] itself), the [[''Deerghanjiviteeya Adhyaya'']], establishes technical concepts such as ''vata'', ''pitta'', ''kapha'', ''rasa''(taste), ''shat karana'' (six causes), etc. which are integral to Ayurveda and used extensively throughout [[Charaka Samhita]]. Besides these technical terms, the first chapter also describes various medicines, like ''Phalini Dravya'' (a group of drugs having therapeutically useful fruits), ''Moolini Dravya''(a group of drugs having therapeutically useful roots), ''Mahasneha'' (four kinds of fats), ''Lavana''(salts), various types of mutra(urine) and ksheera(milk). This chapter also emphasizes on the rational use of medications, since irrational use of even good medicines can cause more harm than good. The chapter then goes on to explain the important concept of Trisutra (three principles ofAyurveda) i.e. hetu (causes), linga(sign and symptoms) and aushadha (medicine).  

The second chapter (Apamarga Tanduliya Adhyaya) of the Bheshaja chatushka deals specifically with herbs and medicines to be used during and after Panchakarma (five methods of biopurification). Thus, the first two chapters of this tetrad describe various medicines to be used internally.  

The second chapter ([[Apamarga Tanduliya Adhyaya]]) of the [[Bheshaja Chatushka]] deals specifically with herbs and medicines to be used during and after ''Panchakarma'' (five methods of biopurification). Thus, the first two chapters of this tetrad describe various medicines to be used internally.  

The third chapter (Aragvadhiya Adhyaya) advocates the use of topical medications, or medicines to be applied externally, i.e.,lepa(, topical medicines, etc).  

The third chapter ([[Aragvadhiya Adhyaya]]) advocates the use of topical medications, or medicines to be applied externally, i.e.,''lepa''(topical medicines, etc).  

The fourth chapter (ShadvirechanashatashriteeyaAdhyaya) provides details of fifty Mahakashaya(or five classes of ten medicines each, and six hundred evacuatives) to be used in various diseases. Overall, this chatushka provides a list of drugs to be used in various forms in a variety of diseases.

The fourth chapter ([[Shadvirechanashatashritiya Adhyaya]]) provides details of fifty ''Mahakashaya''(or five classes of ten medicines each, and six hundred evacuatives) to be used in various diseases. Overall, this Chatushka provides a list of drugs to be used in various forms in a variety of diseases.

The second tetrad is the Swastha Chatushka that deals with important guidelines to be followed by healthy individuals to maintain their health. The first chapter of this tetrad, Matrashiteeya, deals with daily regimen to be followed by healthy individuals to maintain their health. The next chapter, Tasyashiteeya, recommends changes one should make in his/her daily habits and lifestyle i.e. clothing, food habits, exercise etc., depending upon the season, to stay healthy. The seventh chapter in the Charaka Samhita, Na Vegannadharaneeya, explains the importance of suppressible and non-suppressible urges in the human body, diseases due to non-suppressible urges and their treatment. Indriyopakramaneeya is the last chapter in this tetrad, dealing with sadvritta (general code of conduct). Besides maintaining his own health, sadvritta also helps the individual in maintaining healthy relations with other individuals, thus helping maintain harmony in the society at large.

The second tetrad is the ''Swastha Chatushka'' that deals with important guidelines to be followed by healthy individuals to maintain their health. The first chapter of this tetrad, [[Matrashiteeya]], deals with daily regimen to be followed by healthy individuals to maintain their health. The next chapter, [[Tasyashiteeya]], recommends changes one should make in his/her daily habits and lifestyle i.e. clothing, food habits, exercise etc., depending upon the season, to stay healthy. The seventh chapter in the [[Charaka Samhita]], [[Na Vegannadharaneeya]], explains the importance of suppressible and non-suppressible urges in the human body, diseases due to non-suppressible urges and their treatment. [[Indriyopakramaneeya]] is the last chapter in this tetrad, dealing with ''sadvritta'' (general code of conduct). Besides maintaining his own health, sadvritta also helps the individual in maintaining healthy relations with other individuals, thus helping maintain harmony in the society at large.

The third tetrad, Nirdesha chatushka, is about instructions to health care providers. The first chapter of this chatushka, Khuddakchatushpada, deals with the chikitsachatushpada (or the Four Pillars of Therapeutics) - vaidya (physician), dravya (medicine), upasthata (nurse) and rogi (patient). Four qualities of each of these “pillars” and the importance of the physician amongst all of them have been detailed in this chapter. The next chapter, Mahachatushpada, explains the classification of diseases on the basis of prognosis. It is recommended in this chapter that the treatment should only be initiated after thorough diagnosis and identification of the disease, and the physician should refrain himself from treating the incurable diseases. The third chapter in this chatushka (Tistraishaneeya) deals with topics such as the three types of desires, strength, causes of diseases, diseases themselves, paths, physicians and therapies. The last chapter of this tetrad (Vatakalakaliya) deals with the good and bad qualities/functions of vata, pitta and kapha. A physician should have a thorough knowledge of the guidelines provided in this chatushka to succeed in his field.

The third tetrad, Nirdesha Chatushka, is about instructions to health care providers. The first chapter of this Chatushka, [[Khuddakachatushpada]], deals with the ''Chikitsa Chatushpada'' (or the Four Pillars of Therapeutics) - ''vaidya'' (physician), ''dravya'' (medicine), ''upasthata'' (nurse) and ''rogi''(patient). Four qualities of each of these “pillars” and the importance of the physician amongst all of them have been detailed in this chapter. The next chapter, [[Mahachatushpada]], explains the classification of diseases on the basis of prognosis. It is recommended in this chapter that the treatment should only be initiated after thorough diagnosis and identification of the disease, and the physician should refrain himself from treating the incurable diseases. The third chapter in this Chatushka ([[Tistraishaneeya]]) deals with topics such as the three types of desires, strength, causes of diseases, diseases themselves, paths, physicians and therapies. The last chapter of this tetrad ([[Vatakalakaliya]]) deals with the good and bad qualities/functions of vata, pitta and kapha. A physician should have a thorough knowledge of the guidelines provided in this Chatushka to succeed in his field.

The next tetrad in Sutra sthana, Kalpanachatushka, deals with application of medicines in the form of various procedures either in healthy or in diseased individuals. Shodhana (biopurification procedures) is an important concept of Ayurveda prescribed for removal of toxic wastes from the body. To prepare the patient for shodhana, he has to go through specific pre-shodhana procedures, such as snehana(internal application of sneha (fat)) and swedana(sweating), to mobilize toxic wastes within the body and excrete them out of the body.  The first chapter of this chatushka, Snehadhyaya, provides the guidelines for proper use of sneha either for shodhana or for shamana (to appease/palliation) purposes. A patient who has successfully completed the snehana procedure is now subjected to swedana procedure. The next chapter, Swedadhyaya, explains the various types of swedana recommended for various diseases. Snehana and swedana help the toxins to move towards the gut from where they will be expelled out of the body either through vamana(medicated emesis) or virechana(medicated purgation). The next chapter, Upakalpaneeya, emphasizes on how a physician should be well equipped before administering any shodhana procedure to any of the patient. This chapter provides the outline for a fully equipped hospital and standard vamana and virechana procedures. The last chapter of this tetrad, Chikitsaprabhriteeya, depicts the importance of shodhana over shamana therapy. The details of properly / improperly administered shodhana procedures are discussed here. Important concepts like shuddhachikitsa (pure form of treatment)and Svabhavoparamavada(theory of natural destruction) etc. have also been described in this chapter.

The next tetrad in Sutra Sthana, ''Kalpanachatushka'', deals with application of medicines in the form of various procedures either in healthy or in diseased individuals. ''Shodhana'' (biopurification procedures) is an important concept of Ayurveda prescribed for removal of toxic wastes from the body. To prepare the patient for ''shodhana'', he has to go through specific pre-shodhana procedures, such as ''snehana''(internal application of ''sneha'' (fat)) and ''swedana''(sweating), to mobilize toxic wastes within the body and excrete them out of the body.  The first chapter of this ''Chatushka'', [[Snehadhyaya]], provides the guidelines for proper use of ''sneha'' either for ''shodhana'' or for ''shamana'' (to appease/palliation) purposes. A patient who has successfully completed the ''snehana'' procedure is now subjected to ''swedana'' procedure. The next chapter, [[Swedadhyaya]], explains the various types of ''swedana'' recommended for various diseases. ''Snehana'' and ''swedana'' help the toxins to move towards the gut from where they will be expelled out of the body either through ''vamana''(medicated emesis) or ''virechana''(medicated purgation). The next chapter, [[Upakalpaneeya]], emphasizes on how a physician should be well equipped before administering any ''shodhana'' procedure to any of the patient. This chapter provides the outline for a fully equipped hospital and standard ''vamana'' and ''virechana'' procedures. The last chapter of this tetrad, [[Chikitsaprabhriteeya]], depicts the importance of shodhana over shamana therapy. The details of properly / improperly administered shodhana procedures are discussed here. Important concepts like shuddhachikitsa (pure form of treatment)and Svabhavoparamavada(theory of natural destruction) etc. have also been described in this chapter.

The fifth chatushka is about roga (disease). As the name suggests, this chatushka provides a (brief) list of diseases that are extensively mentioned throughout Charakasamhita. The first chapter Kiyanta Shiraseeya, provides the details of diseases like shiroroga(diseases of the head), hridroga(cardiac diseases), eighteen types of kshaya(lossof body tissues), vidradhi (abscess) and madhumeha(a clinical condition similar to diabetes mellitus). The next chapter, Trishotheeya, elucidates various types of edema. The third chapter of this tetrad, Ashtodariya, reveals the types of about 48 diseases that are caused by a combination of doshas. The last chapter of this tetrad, Maharoga, is exclusively dedicated to the diseases caused by single doshas (vata, pitta or kapha).

The fifth chatushka is about roga (disease). As the name suggests, this chatushka provides a (brief) list of diseases that are extensively mentioned throughout Charakasamhita. The first chapter Kiyanta Shiraseeya, provides the details of diseases like shiroroga(diseases of the head), hridroga(cardiac diseases), eighteen types of kshaya(lossof body tissues), vidradhi (abscess) and madhumeha(a clinical condition similar to diabetes mellitus). The next chapter, Trishotheeya, elucidates various types of edema. The third chapter of this tetrad, Ashtodariya, reveals the types of about 48 diseases that are caused by a combination of doshas. The last chapter of this tetrad, Maharoga, is exclusively dedicated to the diseases caused by single doshas (vata, pitta or kapha).

The sixth chatushka, Yojanachatushka, deals with aspects of treatment of various diseases. The first chapter of this tetrad, Ashtauninditiya, describes eight types of people who are marginalized (or ridiculed) in the society due to their physical features. Out of these eight, only two i.e. atisthoola (morbidly obese) and atikrisha (emaciated) are described in detail because of their clinical significance along with their symptomatology and treatment. The next chapter, Langhanabrimhaniya, describes six types of treatment i.e. langhana(fasting), brimhana(nourishing therapy), snehana, svedana, rukshana(medical treatment for reducing fat/corpulence) and stambhana(astringent therapy) – primarily for managing atisthoola or atikrisha conditions, but also indicated for various other conditions described later in Charaka Samhita. Out of these six, mainly two therapies i.e. langhana and brimhana have been described in greater detail. The third chapter, Santarpaniya, deals with diseases caused due to over-nourishment or malnourishment along with their treatment. The last chapter of this chatushka, Vidhishonitiya, deals with diseases that are not cured by any of the above mentioned therapies and termed as diseases due to vitiation of rakta (blood). Such diseases, along with their etiology, symptomatology and treatment have been described in this chapter. Overall this chatushka deals with all types of treatment modalities that find extensive reference across Charaka Samhita.

The sixth chatushka, Yojanachatushka, deals with aspects of treatment of various diseases. The first chapter of this tetrad, Ashtauninditiya, describes eight types of people who are marginalized (or ridiculed) in the society due to their physical features. Out of these eight, only two i.e. atisthoola (morbidly obese) and atikrisha (emaciated) are described in detail because of their clinical significance along with their symptomatology and treatment. The next chapter, Langhanabrimhaniya, describes six types of treatment i.e. langhana(fasting), brimhana(nourishing therapy), snehana, svedana, rukshana(medical treatment for reducing fat/corpulence) and stambhana(astringent therapy) – primarily for managing atisthoola or atikrisha conditions, but also indicated for various other conditions described later in Charaka Samhita. Out of these six, mainly two therapies i.e. langhana and brimhana have been described in greater detail. The third chapter, Santarpaniya, deals with diseases caused due to over-nourishment or malnourishment along with their treatment. The last chapter of this chatushka, Vidhishonitiya, deals with diseases that are not cured by any of the above mentioned therapies and termed as diseases due to vitiation of rakta (blood). Such diseases, along with their etiology, symptomatology and treatment have been described in this chapter. Overall this chatushka deals with all types of treatment modalities that find extensive reference across Charaka Samhita.