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<div style="text-align:justify;">The [[Sutra Sthana]] (Section on fundamental principles) deserves the same place as the head deserves in the human body. This important section lays the foundation for the whole Samhita by describing the basic principles. The word ''Sutra'' literally means a short sentence which has deep meaning. The name of section suggests that it is a chain of important principles in concise form.  Besides the fundamental principles, this section also establishes various technical terms that are used in subsequent sections of the samhita. This helps in providing a base to not just Ayurveda practitioners, but also to teachers, researchers, and scholars.  

<div style="text-align:justify;">The [[Sutra Sthana]] (Section on fundamental principles) deserves the same place as the head deserves in the human body. This important section lays the foundation for the whole Samhita by describing the basic principles. The word ''Sutra'' literally means a short sentence which has deep meaning. The name of section suggests that it is a chain of important principles in concise form.  Besides the fundamental principles, this section also establishes various technical terms that are used in subsequent sections of the samhita. This helps in providing a base to not just Ayurveda practitioners, but also to teachers, researchers, and scholars.  

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

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

===Bheshaja Chatushka (four chapters on medicines)===

===Bheshaja Chatushka (four chapters on medicines)===

The first tetrad 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.  

The first tetrad 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.  

* The first chapter [[Deerghanjiviteeya Adhyaya]], explains important concepts such as Tridosha (Vata, Pitta and 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 describes various medicines, like ''Phalini Dravya'' (therapeutically useful fruits as drugs), ''Moolini Dravya''(therapeutically useful roots as drugs), ''Mahasneha'' (four kinds of fats), ''Lavana''(salts), various types of ''mutra''(urine) and ''ksheera''(milk). The chapter 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 first chapter [[Deerghanjiviteeya Adhyaya]], explains important concepts such as Tridosha (Vata, Pitta and 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 describes various medicines, like ''Phalini Dravya'' (therapeutically useful fruits as drugs), ''Moolini Dravya''(therapeutically useful roots as drugs), ''Mahasneha'' (four kinds of fats), ''Lavana''(salts), various types of ''mutra''(urine) and ''ksheera''(milk). The chapter 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''(signs and symptoms) and ''aushadha'' (medicine).  

* The second chapter ([[Apamarga Tanduliya Adhyaya]]) 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]]) 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'' etc.  

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

* The fourth chapter ([[Shadvirechanashatashritiya Adhyaya]]) provides details of fifty ''Mahakashaya''(or five classes of groups of ten medicines, 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 groups of ten medicines, 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 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 the daily regimen to be followed by healthy individuals to maintain their health.  

* The first chapter of this tetrad, [[Matrashiteeya]], deals with the 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 second 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, [[Naveganadharaniya]], explains the importance of suppressible and non-suppressible urges in the human body, diseases due to non-suppressible urges and their treatment.  

* The third chapter, [[Naveganadharaniya]], explains the importance of suppressible and non-suppressible urges in the human body, diseases due to non-suppressible urges and their treatment.  

* [[Indriyopakramaniya]], the last chapter in this tetrad, deals 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.

* [[Indriyopakramaniya]], the last chapter, deals 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.

===Nirdesha Chatushka (four chapters on guidelines for healthcare management)===

===Nirdesha Chatushka (four chapters on guidelines for healthcare management)===

The third tetrad, ''Nirdesha Chatushka'', is about instructions to health care providers.  

The third tetrad, ''Nirdesha Chatushka'', is about instructions to health care providers.  

* The first chapter [[Khuddakachatushpada]], deals with four aspects of therapeutics) - ''vaidya'' (physician), ''dravya'' (medicine), ''upasthata'' (nurse) and ''rogi''(patient). Four qualities of each of these aspects and the importance of the physician among all of them.  

* The first chapter [[Khuddakachatushpada]], deals with four aspects of therapeutics) - ''vaidya'' (physician), ''dravya'' (medicine), ''upasthata'' (nurse) and ''rogi''(patient). Four qualities of each of these aspects and prime importance of the physician among all of them.  

* 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 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, ([[Tistraishaniya]]) deals with topics such as the three types of desires, strength, causes of diseases, diseases themselves, paths, physicians, and therapies.  

* The third chapter, ([[Tistraishaniya]]) deals with topics such as the three types of desires, strength, causes of diseases, diseases themselves, paths, physicians, and therapies.  

===Roga Chatushka (four chapters on disease classification)===  

===Roga Chatushka (four chapters on disease classification)===  

The fifth ''Chatushka'' is about ''roga'' (disease). As the name suggests, this tetrad provides a (brief) list of diseases that are extensively mentioned throughout [[Charak Samhita]].  

The fifth ''Chatushka'' is about ''roga'' (disease). As the name suggests, this tetrad provides a (brief) list of diseases that are extensively mentioned throughout Charak Samhita.  

* The first chapter [[Kiyanta Shiraseeya]], provides the details of diseases like ''shiroroga''(diseases of the head), ''hridroga''(cardiac diseases), eighteen types of ''kshaya''(loss of body tissues), ''vidradhi'' (abscess) and ''madhumeha''(a clinical condition similar to diabetes mellitus).  

* The first chapter [[Kiyanta Shiraseeya]], provides the details of diseases like ''shiroroga''(diseases of the head), ''hridroga''(cardiac diseases), eighteen types of ''kshaya''(loss of body tissues), ''vidradhi'' (abscess) and ''madhumeha''(a clinical condition similar to diabetes mellitus).  

* The next chapter, [[Trishothiya]], 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 next chapter, [[Trishothiya]], elucidates various types of edema.  

*The third chapter, [[Ashtodariya]], reveals the types of about 48 diseases that are caused by a combination of ''doshas''.  

*The last chapter, [[Maharoga]], is exclusively dedicated to the diseases caused by single ''doshas''(''vata'', ''pitta'', or ''kapha'').

===Yojana Chatushka (four chapters on guidelines for management of diseases)===

===Yojana Chatushka has four chapters on guidelines for management of diseases===

The sixth ''Chatushka'', ''Yojanachatushka'', deals with aspects of treatment of various diseases.  

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 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 the Samhita. Out of these six, mainly two therapies i.e. ''langhana'' and ''brimhana'' have been described in greater detail.  

* The next chapter, [[Langhanabrimhaniya]], describes six types of treatment i.e. ''langhana''(fasting), ''brimhana''(nourishing therapy), ''snehana'', ''svedana'', ''rukshana''(medical treatment for reducing fat) and ''stambhana''(astringent therapy) – primarily for managing ''atisthoola'' or ''atikrisha'' conditions, but also indicated for various other conditions described later in the 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 under-nourishment along with their treatment.  

* The third chapter, [[Santarpaniya]], deals with diseases caused due to over-nourishment or under-nourishment 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 tetrad deals with all types of treatment modalities that find extensive reference across the Samhita.

* 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 tetrad deals with all types of treatment modalities that find extensive reference across the Samhita.