Carakasaṃhitā Part I - Online Course

At a Glance

Comprehensive Coverage of the Principles (Tatva), Theory (Sastra) and Practice (Vyavahara) of Āyurveda

The Carakasaṃhitā is one of the oldest textbooks of Ayurveda representing the school of medicine.
The Carakasaṃhitā has been preserved for over a period of more than 1500 years being edited, reconstructed, and expanded in the process. The source of this text is the Agniveśatantra, of which the date of the composition is unknown. Agniveśatantra itself is based on the teachings of Ātreya, who is the founder of the school of medicine in Ayurveda. Around the 2nd century BCE, Caraka is said to have extensively edited the work of Agniveśa. He made substantial revisions to the original text that came to be known henceforth as the Carakasaṃhitā. In the 4th century CE, another scholar Drdhabala, a Carakasaṃhitā scholar, also restored missing sections of text.

The Carakasaṃhitā is important for its comprehensive coverage of the principles (tatva), theory (sastra) and practice (vyavahara) of Āyurveda. It also covers the entire scope of Ayurveda in terms of medical treatment as well as spiritual wellbeing, coining the term naiṣṭhikĪcikitsā, or self-transformation as the ultimate solution for all pain and disease. It is an ideal textbook for those who want to explore deeper into the theoretical foundations and philosophy of Ayurveda apart from understanding the principles of treatment.

The Sūtrasthāna is the first section of the Carakasaṃhitā with 30 chapters arranged into 7 quartets of four chapters each. Out of the last two chapters, one chapter is a summary of the section, and the last one is a summary of the entire text itself. The general topics covered in this section are: treatment, preservation of health, guidelines for healthcare management, cleansing procedures, classification of diseases, guidelines for the management of diseases, food and beverages, and the vital organs supporting life.

Some of the chapters are a chronicle of interesting debates between experts of Ayurveda on specific topics. The Carakasaṃhitā is composed in a mixture of verses and prose. It is voluminous compared to other texts like Aṣṭāṅgahṛdayaṃ but gives deeper insights into the theories and philosophy of Ayurveda.

The Carakasaṃhitā is a very interesting read for those who are interested in advanced learning of Ayurveda and the study of Sūtrasthāna is a good preparation to lay the foundation for a learning expedition in the world of Ayurveda. The Carakasaṃhitā Part I includes four chapters from the first quartet– Bhesajacatuska dealing with medicines.

Course Schedule

This course is delivered 100% online with set attendance times every Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. PST. The course runs for 15 weeks.