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

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

<div style="text-align:justify;">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 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda Ayurveda]).Thus, this important section lays the foundation for the whole [[Charaka Samhita]] by means of the basic principles documented in it.  

<div style="text-align:justify;">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.  

Besides the foundation principles, this section also establishes various technical terms that are used in subsequent sections of the [[Charaka Samhita]]. This helps in providing a base to not just [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda Ayurveda] practitioners, but also teachers, researchers, and scholars.  

Besides the foundation principles, this section also establishes various technical terms that are used in subsequent sections of the [[Charaka Samhita]]. This helps in providing a base to not just Ayurveda practitioners, but also teachers, researchers, and scholars.  

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 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 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda 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 indiscriminate 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 of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda Ayurveda]a) i.e. hetu (causes), linga(sign and symptoms) and aushadha (medicine).  

* 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 indiscriminate 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 of Ayurveda) 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 bio-purification). 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 bio-purification). 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 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 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 the application of medicines in the form of various procedures either in healthy or in diseased individuals. ''Shodhana'' (bio-purification procedures) is an important concept of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda 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 next tetrad in [[Sutra Sthana]], ''Kalpanachatushka'', deals with the application of medicines in the form of various procedures either in healthy or in diseased individuals. ''Shodhana'' (bio-purification 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 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, [[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 last two chapters are termed as ''Sangrahadvaya''.  

The last two chapters are termed as ''Sangrahadvaya''.  

* The first of these two chapters, [[Dashapranayataneeya]], deals with the ten locations in the human body where ''Prana''(life) resides. Besides this important concept, the chapter also details the attributes of a ''pranabhisaravaidya''(a physician who protects the life) and a ''rogabhisaravaidya'' (a physician who aggravates the disease and takes away the life of the patient).  

* The first of these two chapters, [[Dashapranayataneeya]], deals with the ten locations in the human body where ''Prana''(life) resides. Besides this important concept, the chapter also details the attributes of a ''pranabhisaravaidya''(a physician who protects the life) and a ''rogabhisaravaidya'' (a physician who aggravates the disease and takes away the life of the patient).  

* The last chapter of [[Sutra Sthana]], [[Arthedashmahamooliya]], deals with a variety of subjects such as the importance of ''Arth'' (hridaya-heart), ten major blood vessels or channels from the heart, the definition of ''ayu'' (combination of four entities i.e. body, mind, soul and senses) and its four types, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda Ayurveda], the aim of Ayurvedic science,and its method of study etc.

* The last chapter of [[Sutra Sthana]], [[Arthedashmahamooliya]], deals with a variety of subjects such as the importance of ''Arth'' (hridaya-heart), ten major blood vessels or channels from the heart, the definition of ''ayu'' (combination of four entities i.e. body, mind, soul and senses) and its four types, Ayurveda, the aim of Ayurvedic science,and its method of study etc.

The name of each chapter of [[Sutra Sthana]] has its own significance. It either describes the main content of the chapter, the first topic described in that chapter, or the first word of that chapter. All the chapters are written in the same prose and poetry format. Each chapter ends with a summarizing verse or ''Tatrashloka''(chapter summary). In some places, the prose is followed by poetry describing the same topic, such as ''Bhavati Cha Atra''(the topic first described in prose is then described in poetry format). Various parameters have been used while constructing the ''shlokas'' of the [[Sutra Sthana]], denoting the command of the author over Sanskrit. The chapters of [[Charaka Samhita]] are written in various styles, including as a dialogue (or a question-answer session) between the sage Atreya and his protégé, Agnivesha, or discussions among an assembly of sages. In fact, on reading the [[Charaka Samhita]], one can find four type of ''sutras'' - ''Guru sutras'' (by the sage Atreya), ''Shishyasutras'' (by Agnivesha, the disciple or ''shishya'' of Atreya), ''Pratisankartu sutras'' (by Charaka), and ''Ekiyasutras''(anonymous).  

The name of each chapter of [[Sutra Sthana]] has its own significance. It either describes the main content of the chapter, the first topic described in that chapter, or the first word of that chapter. All the chapters are written in the same prose and poetry format. Each chapter ends with a summarizing verse or ''Tatrashloka''(chapter summary). In some places, the prose is followed by poetry describing the same topic, such as ''Bhavati Cha Atra''(the topic first described in prose is then described in poetry format). Various parameters have been used while constructing the ''shlokas'' of the [[Sutra Sthana]], denoting the command of the author over Sanskrit. The chapters of [[Charaka Samhita]] are written in various styles, including as a dialogue (or a question-answer session) between the sage Atreya and his protégé, Agnivesha, or discussions among an assembly of sages. In fact, on reading the [[Charaka Samhita]], one can find four type of ''sutras'' - ''Guru sutras'' (by the sage Atreya), ''Shishyasutras'' (by Agnivesha, the disciple or ''shishya'' of Atreya), ''Pratisankartu sutras'' (by Charaka), and ''Ekiyasutras''(anonymous).