Charaka Samhita

चरकसंहिता

Charaka Samhita is the foundational text of Kayachikitsa (internal medicine). Redacted by Acharya Charaka and completed by Dridhabala, it explains the principles of health, diagnosis and treatment in eight sthanas.

  • 120 Chapters
  • 8 Sthanas
  • c. 2nd Century BCE
Charaka Samhita

The 8 Sthanas

Sutra Sthana 30 Chapters Basic principles, daily regimen, diet and drugs. Nidana Sthana 8 Chapters Causes and diagnosis of eight major diseases. Vimana Sthana 8 Chapters Specific measures: tastes, epidemics, examination. Sharira Sthana 8 Chapters Anatomy, embryology and the nature of the self. Indriya Sthana 12 Chapters Signs of prognosis and fatal conditions. Chikitsa Sthana 30 Chapters Treatment of diseases and rejuvenation. Kalpa Sthana 12 Chapters Emetic and purgative preparations. Siddhi Sthana 12 Chapters Success in Panchakarma therapies.

Topics Covered

About the Author

Acharya Charaka · c. 2nd Century BCE

Acharya Charaka is regarded as the father of Indian internal medicine. He revised the Agnivesha Tantra, the teachings of Punarvasu Atreya, into the Charaka Samhita.