Library · Ayurveda
Carakasaṃhitā
चरकसंहिता
- Author
- Charaka, redacting Agnivesha's work; completed by Dridhabala
- Period
- Core layers around the turn of the Common Era; later additions (dating debated)
- Tradition
- Ayurveda
Summary
The foundational compendium of Ayurvedic internal medicine, setting out theory of the body, diagnosis, the qualities of substances, ethics of the physician and methods of reasoning. It is also an important source for early Indian logic and debate. We present it as a historical text, not as health guidance.
Structure
Eight sections (sthanas), 120 chapters.
Where to read
English translations by P. V. Sharma and by R. K. Sharma with Bhagwan Dash; the Clay Sanskrit Library has published portions.