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Journal of Indian Medical Heritage 2009 July-Dec ; 39 (2) :137-152
Maharsi Caraka and his contribution to Ayurveda

Abstract
Maharsi Caraka, the author of carakasamhita was a sage, physician of great culture and intellect. He redacted and improved the treatise, Agnivesatantra. It was known as Carakasamhita after his redaction and considered as the best treatise of Kayacikitsa (General medicine). Maharsi Caraka was not only a great physician but also an eminent scientist, a great preceptor and an efficient editor. He was a naturalist, philosopher, founder of basic principles of Ayurveda, pharmacologist, pharmacist, pancakarma specialist, dietician and also a great poet. Caraka means a person who travels from place to place for transmitting the art of medical practice and principles related to Ayurvedic medicine. Maharsi Caraka did not mention any details about his life, time or identity except his name in his treatise, Carakasamhita. Cakrapanidatta, the commentator of Carakasamhita and Bhavamisra, the author of Bhavaprakasa described him as an incarnation of Lord Sesa. They opined that Lord Sesa incarnated to eliminate afflictions of mankind through Carakasamhita. Priyavrat Sharma in his book Ayurveda ka Vaijnanika Itihasa, on the basis of Dharmic and social conditions decribed in Carakasamhita opined that the time of Caraka was about 200 B.C., between the period of Sunga and Mauryasunga. This article attempts to throw light on the towering personality of Maharsi Caraka as a great physician.

DHARA ID: D006021


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