________________ INTRODUCTION The Susruta samhita is a representative work of the dhanwantariya sampra daya ( surgical school) of Ayurveda. As Atreya preached the concept of medical school, Dhanwantari delivered the ideas of the surgical school. Among the disciples of Kasiraja Divodasa Dhanwantari Aupadhenava, Vaitarana, Aurabhra Pauskalavata, Karavirya, Gopuraraksita and Susruta etc. were prominent ones. The texts composed by Aupadhenava, Aurabhra, Susruta and Pauskalavata were the original ones and as sources of other surgical treatises.? Even among these, four Susruta samhita gained greatest popularity and was given place in the great triad. Vagbhata mentions only two-Caraka and Susruta. Caraka and Susruta are not only representative works of the schools of medicine and Surgery, but they also represent the traditions of northern and southern parts of India respectively. All the later works were composed in the form of compilation from these two works mainly, the process led by Vagbhata and followed by other later authors. The poetical work 'Naisadhiya-caritam' of Shri Harsa mentions both these works which shows their popularity at that time. In the edict of Yasovarman ( 888-910 A.D.), King of Cambodia, Susruta is mentioned respectfully. In the ninth cent. A.D. the Susruta samhita was translated into Arabic by the orders of Barmak Khalifa Yahia Ibn Khalid (805 A D.). This has been quoted in the works of the famous physician Rhazes. Even in Navanitaka, there is dialouge between Kasiraja and Susruta which shows the popularity of the Susruta samhita. Owing to its popularity, the Susruta samhita was translated in various languages like Arabic (9th cent. A.D. ), Latin (Hessler, 1844 ), German ( Vellurs ) and English (U.C. Dutt 1883, A.C. Chattopadhyaya 1891, Hoernle 1897, Kanjilal 1907, Singhal under publication ). After Dhanwantari, there are four strata of authorship in the Susruta samhita, Vrddha Susruta, Susruta, Nagarjuna and Candrata. Let us consider them one by one. DHANWANTARI Dhanwantari is a mythical deity coming out of the milk-ocean after churning * but Kasiraja Divodasa is a real teacher maintaining an asrama and imparting training of Ayurveda (surgery) to Susruta and his colleagues. Genealogically Divodasa 1. S. Su. 1.3. 2. S. Su. 4.9.
