Gradual development of Ahara Kalpana In Bhavaprakash and Astang hridaya

Abstract

History of Ayurveda is as ancient as history of the universe. It is mentioned in classical texts of Ayurveda that the stream of the knowledge of Ayurveda was started from the Brahma – the creator of the universe [1]. This stream reached to the present era through the Samhitas (classical ancient texts) which were created by the ancient Rishis. Around 1500 B.C two school of thoughts existed and those made Ayurveda a systematically provable and classified medical system. 1. Atreya School: The School of Physicians. 2. Dhanwantari School: The School of Surgery. Both school thoughts had their own philosophy, diagnostic patterns, treatments and medicines. They had different followers and the texts were written by the school accordingly. These texts are divided into two major categories namely 1.Brihattrayi 2.Laghutrayi. Brihattrayi includes Charaka Samhita, Sushrut Samhita and Ashtanga Samgraha / Ashtanga Hridaya. Brihattrayi means "the triad of the old/mature (classics or authors)"[2]. These texts describe the basic principles and theories from which the treatment part of Ayurveda has evolved. They also include vast clinical information of many diseases and their management. Brihattrayi have been considered as the most important classical texts for treatment in Ayurveda. It is in use since long time for pursuing health among India and worldwide. Among these three books, Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita have been developed by their original fundamental principles related to their subjects; while Ashtanga Samgraha and Ashtanga Hridaya are created with compilation of the principles and therapeutics of both Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita with specific aim of describing entire knowledge of Ayurveda at one place[3]. Apart from this, both of these Ashtanga texts have also described few newer drugs and treatment protocols according to their time period of creation. Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita passed through different procedures like Pratisamskara, Pathashuddhi and Sampurana.