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The title of Charaka Samhita’s very first chapter, Deerghanjivitiya Adhyaya, literally means the chapter on longevity.  This is symbolic, because it implies that Ayurveda is not merely the science of life, but also a science of longevity. This chapter deliberates on the purpose of long life and health as the means of achieving purushartha chatustaya or the four primary instincts of human beings (virtue, wealth, gratification and emancipation) – by way of explaining some of the basic tenets of Ayurveda and defining the scope of Ayurveda. The chapter introduces fundamental principles of Ayurveda, including its definition, objective, concept of three sharira (bodily) doshas and their qualities, and two manasa (mental) dosha and their treatment. The samanya(similarity) and vishesha(dissimilarity) theory, pharmaco-therapeutic aspects, classification of drugs, list of herbs and other animal products useful in purification and pacification therapies are highlighted. Through these deliberations, this chapter essentially lays the foundation for building the body of knowledge on life sciences and healthcare that Charaka Samhita is known for.

The title of Charaka Samhita’s very first chapter, Deerghanjivitiya Adhyaya, literally means the chapter on longevity.  This is symbolic, because it implies that Ayurveda is not merely the science of life, but also a science of longevity. This chapter deliberates on the purpose of long life and health as the means of achieving ''purushartha chatustaya'', or the four primary instincts of human beings (virtue, wealth, gratification and emancipation) – by way of explaining some of the basic tenets of Ayurveda and defining the scope of Ayurveda. The chapter introduces fundamental principles of Ayurveda, including its definition, objective, concept of three ''sharira'' (bodily) ''doshas'' and their qualities, and two ''manasa'' (mental) ''dosha'' and their treatment. The ''samanya''(similarity) and ''vishesha''(dissimilarity) theory, pharmaco-therapeutic aspects, classification of drugs, list of herbs and other animal products useful in purification and pacification therapies are highlighted. Through these deliberations, this chapter essentially lays the foundation for building the body of knowledge on life sciences and healthcare that [[Charaka Samhita]] is known for.

Keywords: Longevity, Ayurveda, science of life, Dravya, material, Mahabhuta, Samanya, Vishesha, Guna, Karma, Rasa, Dosha, Vata, Pitta, Kapha, Rajas, Tamas, Sattva, qualities of good and bad physicians.  

'''Keywords''': Longevity, Ayurveda, science of life, ''Dravya'', material, ''Mahabhuta'', ''Samanya'', ''Vishesha'', ''Guna'', ''Karma'', ''Rasa'', ''Dosha'', ''Vata'', ''Pitta'', ''Kapha'', ''Rajas'', ''Tamas'', ''Sattva'', qualities of good and bad physicians.  

Introduction

===Introduction===

The Charaka Samhita begins with a chapter detailing the means to attaining a long, healthy and happy life, explaining certain basic tenets of Ayurveda and the consequent foundational concepts necessary to build a body of knowledge. This chapter provides a description of the origin, definition, and scope of Ayurveda. It further deliberates on the critical concepts of Ayu (or the life-span of a human being) and its qualitative dimensions, and arogya (or health) as a means of achieving the four fundamental instincts (virtue, wealth, gratification and emancipation) of life on this earth.  

The Charaka Samhita begins with a chapter detailing the means to attaining a long, healthy and happy life, explaining certain basic tenets of Ayurveda and the consequent foundational concepts necessary to build a body of knowledge. This chapter provides a description of the origin, definition, and scope of Ayurveda. It further deliberates on the critical concepts of Ayu (or the life-span of a human being) and its qualitative dimensions, and arogya (or health) as a means of achieving the four fundamental instincts (virtue, wealth, gratification and emancipation) of life on this earth.