Dvadasharnaychakram Part 4

Author(s): Mallavadi Kshamashraman, Labdhisuri
Publisher: Chandulal Jamnadas Shah

Page 80

99
Carakasamhita In this 'Nayacakra' we come across some quotations from Caraka' (samhita ) and Susruta' (samhita). These two 'samhitas' are the most ancient works of medical science, are authoritative and are the basis for the subsequent works of this science. Prior to (the composition of these two works there existed some 'Sutras'' (aphorisms ) and scriptures pertaining to 'Ayurveda. Punarvasu Atreya had taught 'Ayurveda' to his six pupils. Caraka has composed this (Caraka) 'samhita' by making 'pratisamiskara' (adoptations) of the 'tantra' (scientific work ) composed by Agnivesa. For in this 'samhita' every chapter begins with
37199 39 ' and in many places of this 'samhita') it is said. Agnivesa asks a question and Punarvasu Atreya replies. Such being the nature of this "Samhita', Punarvasu Atreya is its original preacher. It is not possible to say that after separating statements of Agnivesa all these remaining statements are those of Punarvasu for at the end of chapters the following line occurs ;
“ Bifuerige at p arand"
Thus Punarvasu Atreya gave a sermon. Caraka made 'pratisamiskara' of the tantra composed by Agnivesa and composed 'Carakasamhita.' 'Pratisamiskara' means amplification of conciseness or abbreviation of expatiation. Even later on, Drdhabala added 41 chapters of his own. Thus there are 120 chapters in Carakasamhita.'
In ancient times we come across, three persons, each named as 'Atreya'. They are : (1) Punarvasu Atreya (II) Krsna Arteya and (III ) Bhiksu Atreya. From the following line occuring in Mahabharata''santi' Paravan Ch. 210, it appears that the original Acarya ( author) of Ayurveda' must be Krsna Atreya ;
'गान्धर्व नारदो वेदं कृष्णाात्रेयश्चिकित्सितम्'
The commentator Srikantha says co2: 90' and thus he names as Punarvasu, none else but Krasnatreya. The following sentences indicate that Punarvasu Atreya and non else is called 'Krasnatreya.
(caraka cikitsa sthana, ch, XXIII v-153) 'अग्निवेशाय गुरूणा कृष्णात्रेयेण भाषितम्। कृणात्रेयेण गुरुणा भाषितं वैद्यपूजितम् ॥
From all these sentences it follows that "Punarysu Atreya' and none elsee is called Krsna Atreya.' Hence it gets settled that Punarvaasu' Atreya and Krsna Atreya are names of one and the same individual.
Bhiksu Atreya In the Buddhist Jatak it is said that in the time of Buddha or some time earlier than that the principal teacher of medical lore in Taksasila was Bhiksu Atreya Jivaka Kumarabhrtya, a physician of Buddha, Pradyota and Bimbasara, had learnt medical science from
s offa FEIRATTATTAM:” Caraka' vimana sthana “विप्रतिपत्तिवादास्त्वत्र बहुविधाः सूत्रकाराणामृषीणां सन्ति सर्वेषाम् ॥"
Caraka, 'Sarlra' Sthana (Ch. VIII)
ae" araga R RTEFOTTERES ” Caraka, Vimana sthana ch.8 1. This Punaryasu Atreya is made known even by the name 'Candrabhagin (Caraka
st. XII, 'Bhela--Samhita' p. 39.) This name suggests that this Atreya may have been a resident of a place named 'Candrabhaga.'