Dvadasharnaychakram Part 4

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

Page 82

31
(date of) adaptation of 'Caraka' is posterior to the date of) Kanada sage and anterior to that of Patanjali. the author of 'Mahabhasya. There was a physician named Caraka in the court of renouned Kaniska, a king of kings. Some historians believe that this very Caraka is the adaptor of Agnivesa tantra'. But there is no clear proof to identify them except that both have the same. name This Kaniska' flourished about 50 years before the vikrama era. Even Asvaghosa refers to Atreya's sermons as 'Samhita' in Buddhacarita' by way of the following verse :--
"चिकित्सितं यच्च चकार नात्रिः पश्चात्तदात्रेय महषिर्जगाद"
He believes that Caraka is only an adopter and not an author. Consequently since its author (Atreya ) is prior to Asvaghosa he cannot be Caraka, a contemporary of Kaniska.
Drdhabala who has added 41 chapters in 'Caraka samhita,' was born in Pancanadapura in the Kashmir province Scholars such as Cakrapani. Datta Vijyaraksita and others who have extracted pathas added by him refer to these pathas as Kashmira-patha'. Vagbhata has extracted a 'patha' added by Drdhabala and one 'patha' of Vagbhata is cited by Varahamihira in his Kandarpika 'Prakrana Hence Vagbhata is anterior to Varahamihira, and Dradhabala is anterior to *Vagbhata, Vagbhata is believed to have flourished in the fifth century A. D. There is no hitch in believing the date of Drdhabala as 300 A. D. to 400 A D. Drdhabala is son of Kapilabala. This Kapilabala is mentioned by Vagbhata in his Astangasangraha.
Susrutasa mihita
Susruta has composed this tantra by collecting sermons delivered by Divodasa Dhanvantarion Salyatantra. But in Susrutasamihila as available to-day, there is an exposition of all the eight 'angas' (limbs) of Ayurveda The first five 'sthanas' consist of 120 chapters. They are collectively known as 'Sansrutatantra' and 'Vrddhasusruta' as well. To this is added Uttaratantra having 66 chapters. In this Uttaratantra are incorporated topics treated by Agnivesa, Bhela, Videha, Parvataka. Jivaka and others in tleir respective tantras. It is difficult to say whether the author of Utta atantra while adding Uttaratantra, has made emendations and additions in the previous five sthanas' or not.
Adapted Susrutasanihita as available to-day is silent regarding the following questions ;
(1) Who added this Uttaratantra ?
(ID) Had anyone adapted Susrutasamihita, prior to one who edded. For, 'pathas' extracted from Vrddhasus ruta by many commentators are not to be found in this Susruta.
1. Nagarjuna has not however mentioned the name of Kaniska in (any one of) his works, We find that Samvats 3 to 41 are written on coins cf Kaniska obtaine.l froin Saranath, Sanchi Mathura, etc. If this Samvat is looked upon as that of Kaniska. Nagarjuna cannot be taken to be a contemperary of Kaniska. Further Kumaralata who is believed to be a contem-porary of Nagarjuna, and as a predominent Acarya of the 'Sautrantika' school has described Kaniska as a king of ancient times in his work.
2. Carak
cikitsasthana XXX 290.