HISTORY OF AYURVEDA
History of medicine is a fascinating subject
as it is a saga of
man’s struggle against disease
The origin of ayurveda is attributed to Atharva Veda where mention is made several diseases
With there treatments. Later, from the 6th century BC to 7th century AD there was systematic
Development of science and it is called Samhita Period.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
HISTORY OF AYURVEDA
• The evolution of Indian healing and living a healthy life comes from
Vedas namely:-
1. Rig Veda
2. Sama Veda
3. Yajur Veda &
4. Atharva Veda
Chronology of History of Ayurveda
CHARKA
• Meaning of Charaka i.e. the physician who wonders from place to
• Place offering medical service to the people
• Acharya Charaka redacted the treatise, Agnivesh tantra has become
popular as Charaka Sam
BRIEF HISTORY Of AYURVEDIC MEDICINE
• Early health-care was considered a part of a spiritual tradition
• The early Sages:
• Deeply devoted to god
• Received knowledge of ayurveda through divine revelation
• Knowledge transmitted orally and eventually transcribed into books
• 600 BC two Schools of Ayurveda formed:
• School of Physicians &
• The School of Surgeons
• They established a strong empirical foundation for Ayurveda
SUSHRUTA
• Son of Vishwamitra & learned Ayurveda from Kasiraj Devodas
• Panini told derivation of word Sushruta as
“ A person skilled in surgery “
• Sushruta is considered as father of surgery
• Sushruta – Sushruta Samhita
VAGBHATTA
• He was Son- Simhagupta & Grandson – Vagbhatta
• He belongs to the region of river Sindhu
• He Father & Grandfather were great scholar of Ayurveda
• He was disciples of Avalokita
• Author of Astanga sanghraha & Astangahrudaya – 5th C AD
• Some says
• AS- Vridhha Vagbhata
• AH- Laghu Vagbhata
THUS THE THREE MAIN ANCIENT AYURVEDA
TEXTS :-
• Charaka Samhita
• Sushrurta Samhita
• Vagbhata Samhita
BRIEF HISTORY OF AYURVEDIC MEDICINE
• Early health care was considered a part of a spiritual tradition
• The early Sages :
-Deeply devoted to God
-received knowledge of Ayurveda through divine revelation
- Knowledge transmitted orally & eventually transcribed into books
- 600 B.C. two school of Ayurveda formed : School of Physicians & the
School of Surgeons
- They established a strong empirical foundation for Ayurveda
- Consequently, Ayurveda grew into a respected & widely used system
- of healing in India.
Recent History
• Before Ayurveda began its recent renewal in the West, it went through a
period of decline in India when Western medical education became
dominant during the era of British rule. Ayurveda became a second-class
option used primarily by traditional spiritual practitioners and the poor.
After India gained its independence in 1947, Ayurveda gained ground and
new schools began to be established. Today more than five hundred
Ayurvedic companies and hospitals have opened in the last ten years, and
several hundred schools have been established. Although Ayurveda
remains a secondary system of health care in India, the trend toward
complementary care is emerging, and Western and Ayurvedic physicians
often work side by side. Interest in Ayurveda in the West began in the mid
1970's as Ayurvedic teachers from India began visiting the United States
and Europe. By sharing their knowledge they have inspired a vast
movement toward body-mind-spirit medicine. Today Ayurvedic colleges are
opening throughout Europe, Australia, and the United States.
• The knowledge we have now is by three surviving texts of Charaka,
Sushruta and Vaghbata. Charaka (1st century A.D.) wrote Charaka
Samhita (samhita- meaning collection of verses written in Sanskrit).
Sushruta (4th century A.D.) wrote his Samhita i.e Sushruta Samhita.
Vaghbata (5th century A.D.) compiled the third set of major texts
called Ashtanga Hridaya and Ashtanga Sangraha. Charaka’s School of
Physicians and Sushruta’s School of Surgeons became the basis of
Ayurveda and helped organize and systematically classify into
branches of medicine and surgery.
• Sixteen major supplements (Nighantus) were written in the ensuing
years – Dhanvantari Bahavaprakasha, Raja and Shaligrama to name a
few – that helped refine the practice of Ayurveda. New drugs were
added and ineffective ones were discarded. Expansion of application,
identification of new illnesses and finding substitute treatments
seemed to have been an evolving process. Close to 2000 plants that
were used in healing diseases and abating symptoms were identified
in these supplements
• Dridhabala in the 4th century revised the Charaka Samhita. The texts of
Sushruta Samhita were revised and supplemented by Nagarjuna in the 6th
century.
• There developed eight branches/divisions of Ayurveda:
• 1. Kaya-chikitsa (Internal Medicine)
• 2. Shalakya Tantra (surgery and treatment of head and neck,
Ophthalmology and ear, nose, throat)
• 3. Shalya Tantra (Surgery)
• 4. Agada Tantra (Toxicology)
• 5. Bhuta Vidya (Psychiatry)
• 6. Kaumara bhritya (Pediatrics)
• 7. Rasayana (science of rejuvenation or anti-ageing)
• 8. Vajikarana (the science of fertility and aphrodisiac)
CONCLUSION
• Ayurveda is a heritage of our ancient scriptures and ancient Indian
• Knowledge and we should conserve it and use it in our daily routine
to maintain healthy lifestyle.
