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→Bheshaja Chatushka (four chapters on medicines)
== Preamble of Sutra Sthana (Section on Fundamental Principles) ==
== Preamble of Sutra Sthana (Section on Fundamental Principles) ==
<div style="text-align:justify;">The [[Sutra Sthana]] (Section on fundamental principles) deserves the same place as the head deserves in the human body.[Cha. Chi. 30/45] This important section lays the foundation for the whole Samhita by describing the basic principles. The word ''Sutra'' literally means a short sentence which has deep meaning. The name of section suggests that it is a chain of important principles in concise form. Besides the fundamental principles, this section also establishes various technical terms that are used in subsequent sections of the samhita. This helps in providing a base to not just [[Ayurveda]] practitioners, but also to teachers, researchers, and scholars.
<div style="text-align:justify;">The [[Sutra Sthana]] (Section on fundamental principles) deserves the same place as the head deserves in the human body. This important section lays the foundation for the whole Samhita by describing the basic principles. The word ''Sutra'' literally means a short sentence which has deep meaning. The name of section suggests that it is a chain of important principles in concise form. Besides the fundamental principles, this section also establishes various technical terms that are used in subsequent sections of the samhita. This helps in providing a base to not just Ayurveda practitioners, but also to teachers, researchers, and scholars.
From the standpoint of its structure, the Sutra Sthana consists of thirty chapters, grouped into eight logical contexts. The first seven ''Chatushkas'' (or tetrads, i.e., groups of four), while the last one is a a group of two chapters (sangrahadvaya).
From the standpoint of its structure, the Sutra Sthana consists of thirty chapters, grouped into eight logical contexts. The first seven ''Chatushkas'' (or tetrads, i.e., groups of four), while the last one is a a group of two chapters (sangrahadvaya).
The first tetrad is also known as ''Bheshaja'' or the ''Aushadha''(medicine) ''Chatushka''. This tetrad deals with various medicines to be used in various forms either externally or internally.
The first tetrad is also known as ''Bheshaja'' or the ''Aushadha''(medicine) ''Chatushka''. This tetrad deals with various medicines to be used in various forms either externally or internally.
* The first chapter [[Deerghanjiviteeya Adhyaya]], explains important concepts such as [[Deerghanjiviteeya Adhyaya#Three Sharira Dosha and two Manas Dosha|''Tridosha'' (''Vata, Pitta and Kapha'')]], [[Deerghanjiviteeya Adhyaya#Rasa (taste sensations)|''Rasa''(taste)]], [[Deerghanjiviteeya Adhyaya#Six Basic Principles for direct knowledge|''Shat siddhanta'' (six basic principles)]], etc. which are integral to Ayurveda and used extensively throughout [[Charak Samhita]]. Besides these technical terms, the first chapter describes various medicines, like ''Phalini Dravya'' (therapeutically useful fruits as drugs), ''Moolini Dravya''(therapeutically useful roots as drugs), ''Mahasneha'' (four kinds of fats), ''Lavana''(salts), various types of ''mutra''(urine) and ''ksheera''(milk). The chapter emphasizes on the rational use of medications, since indiscriminate use of even good medicines can cause more harm than good. The chapter then goes on to explain the important concept of ''Trisutra'' (three principles of Ayurveda) i.e. ''hetu'' (causes), ''linga''(signs and symptoms) and ''aushadha'' (medicine).
* The first chapter [[Deerghanjiviteeya Adhyaya]], explains important concepts such as [[Deerghanjiviteeya Adhyaya#Three Sharira Dosha and two Manas Dosha|''Tridosha'' (''Vata, Pitta and Kapha'')]], [[Deerghanjiviteeya Adhyaya#Rasa (taste sensations)|''Rasa''(taste)]], [[Deerghanjiviteeya Adhyaya#Six Basic Principles for direct knowledge|''Shad padartha siddhanta'' (six basic principles)]], etc. which are integral to [[Ayurveda]] and used extensively throughout [[Charak Samhita]]. Besides these technical terms, the first chapter describes various medicines, like ''Phalini Dravya'' (therapeutically useful fruits as drugs), ''Moolini Dravya''(therapeutically useful roots as drugs), ''Mahasneha'' (four kinds of fats), ''Lavana''(salts), various types of ''mutra''(urine) and ''ksheera''(milk). The chapter emphasizes on the rational use of medications, since indiscriminate use of even good medicines can cause more harm than good. The chapter then goes on to explain the important concept of ''Trisutra'' (three principles of [[Ayurveda]]) i.e. ''hetu'' (causes), ''linga''(signs and symptoms) and ''aushadha'' (medicine).
* The second chapter ([[Apamarga Tanduliya Adhyaya]]) deals specifically with herbs and medicines to be used during and after [[Panchakarma]] (five methods of bio-purification). Thus, the first two chapters of this tetrad describe various medicines to be used internally.
* The second chapter ([[Apamarga Tanduliya Adhyaya]]) deals specifically with herbs and medicines to be used during and after [[Panchakarma]] (five methods of bio-purification). Thus, the first two chapters of this tetrad describe various medicines to be used internally.
* The third chapter ([[Aragvadhiya Adhyaya]]) advocates the use of topical medications, or medicines to be applied externally, i.e.,''lepa'' etc.
* The third chapter ([[Aragvadhiya Adhyaya]]) advocates the use of topical medications, or medicines to be applied externally, i.e.,''lepa'' etc.
===Kalpana Chatushka (four chapters on therapeutic purification procedures)===
===Kalpana Chatushka (four chapters on therapeutic purification procedures)===
The next tetrad, ''Kalpanachatushka'', deals with the application of medicines in the form of various therapeutic purification procedures either in healthy or in diseased individuals. ''Shodhana'' (bio-purification procedures) is an important concept of Ayurveda prescribed for removal of toxic wastes from the body. To prepare the patient for bio-purification, he has to go through specific pre-shodhana procedures, such as ''snehana''(internal application of ''sneha'' (fat)) and ''swedana''(sweating), to mobilize toxic wastes within the body and excrete them out of the body.
The next tetrad, ''Kalpanachatushka'', deals with the application of medicines in the form of various therapeutic purification procedures either in healthy or in diseased individuals. ''Shodhana'' (bio-purification procedures) is an important concept of [[Ayurveda]] prescribed for removal of toxic wastes from the body. To prepare the patient for bio-purification, he has to go through specific pre-shodhana procedures, such as ''snehana''(internal application of ''sneha'' (fat)) and ''swedana''(sweating), to mobilize toxic wastes within the body and excrete them out of the body.
* The first chapter, [[Snehadhyaya]], provides the guidelines for proper use of ''sneha''(lipids) either for ''shodhana'' or for ''shamana'' (to appease/palliation) purposes. A patient who has successfully completed the ''snehana'' procedure is now subjected to ''swedana'' procedure.
* The first chapter, [[Snehadhyaya]], provides the guidelines for proper use of ''sneha''(lipids) either for ''shodhana'' or for ''shamana'' (to appease/palliation) purposes. A patient who has successfully completed the ''snehana'' procedure is now subjected to ''swedana'' procedure.
* The next chapter, [[Swedadhyaya]], explains the various types of ''swedana''(fomentation) recommended for various diseases. ''Snehana'' and ''swedana'' help the toxins to move towards the gut from where they will be expelled out of the body either through ''vamana''(therapeutic emesis) or ''virechana''(therapeutic purgation).
* The next chapter, [[Swedadhyaya]], explains the various types of ''swedana''(fomentation) recommended for various diseases. ''Snehana'' and ''swedana'' help the toxins to move towards the gut from where they will be expelled out of the body either through ''vamana''(therapeutic emesis) or ''virechana''(therapeutic purgation).
* The first of these two chapters, [[Dashapranayataneeya]], deals with the ten locations in the human body where ''Prana''(life) resides. Besides this important concept, the chapter also details the attributes of a ''pranabhisaravaidya''(a physician who protects the life) and a ''rogabhisaravaidya'' (a physician who aggravates the disease and takes away the life of the patient).
* The first of these two chapters, [[Dashapranayataneeya]], deals with the ten locations in the human body where ''Prana''(life) resides. Besides this important concept, the chapter also details the attributes of a ''pranabhisaravaidya''(a physician who protects the life) and a ''rogabhisaravaidya'' (a physician who aggravates the disease and takes away the life of the patient).
* The last chapter, [[Arthedashmahamooliya]], deals with a variety of subjects such as the importance of ''Arth'' (hridaya-heart), ten major blood vessels or channels from the heart, the definition of ''ayu'' (combination of four entities i.e. body, mind, soul and senses) and its four types, Ayurveda, the aim of Ayurvedic science,and its method of study etc.
* The last chapter, [[Arthedashmahamooliya]], deals with a variety of subjects such as the importance of ''Arth'' (hridaya-heart), ten major blood vessels or channels from the heart, the definition of ''ayu'' (combination of four entities i.e. body, mind, soul and senses) and its four types, [[Ayurveda]], the aim of Ayurvedic science,and its method of study etc.
===Logical format of section===
===Logical format of section===
'''Researches on Chatushka in Sutra Sthana:'''
'''Researches on Chatushka in Sutra Sthana:'''
#Madhymati Dhamale, The study of Yojana Catuska of Caraka and Yojana for the management of Raktasrita Vyadhi (Hypertension). 2001. M.D. Thesis. I.P.G.T.R.A., Jamnagar
#Madhumati Dhamale, The study of Yojana Catuska of Caraka and Yojana for the management of Raktasrita Vyadhi (Hypertension). 2001. M.D. Thesis. I.P.G.T.R.A., Jamnagar
#Dandavate B.D., A comparative study of the sutrasthanam of Caraka Samhita. Ph.D. Thesis. Pune
#Dandavate B.D., A comparative study of the sutrasthanam of Caraka Samhita. Ph.D. Thesis. Pune
#Mallika K.J. Critical study of Svastha-Chatushka of Charaka w.s.r. to biophysical and biochemical changes in Ritu Sandhi. 2002. M.D. Thesis. I.P.G.T.R.A., Jamnagar
#Mallika K.J. Critical study of Svastha-Chatushka of Charaka w.s.r. to biophysical and biochemical changes in Ritu Sandhi. 2002. M.D. Thesis. I.P.G.T.R.A., Jamnagar