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{{Infobox
{{Infobox
|title = [[Charaka Samhita]] Sutra Sthana
|title = [[Charak Samhita]] Sutra Sthana
|header1 = Sections
|header1 = Sections
''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 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 [[Charak 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 [[Charak 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 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 [[Charak 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 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 very first chapter of this ''chatushka''(also the first chapter of the [[Charak 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 [[Charak 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).