MAHARSHI CHARAKA- FATHER OF AYURVEDA

Lisa Roy

MAHARSHI CHARAKA- FATHER OF AYURVEDA

India is often regarded as the birthplace of Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda, or "science of life," is a holistic wellness system that dates back over 5,000 years in India, making it the world's oldest medical practice. The medical science of ancient India is recognized throughout the world. However, many people around the world are unaware of Maharishi Charaka, Ayurveda's founder and father. While current scientists are struggling with anatomy, Charaka was an expert in human anatomy, embryology, pharmacology, blood circulation, and diseases such as diabetes, tuberculosis, and cardiovascular disease throughout his lifetime.

Maharishi Charak, the father of Ayurveda; Image Source- Kerala tourism.

Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that combines the words "Ayur" and "Veda" to represent "life" and "knowledge." The science of life is known as Ayurveda. This wellness philosophy, which began in India over 5000 years ago, focuses on a mindful diet, stress reduction, and the cultivation of a balanced lifestyle. It is the world's oldest kind of medical practice. People all around the world admire this ancient Indian medical science for its effectiveness in healing diseases without causing negative effects. However, few people are familiar with Acharya Charak, also known as Maharishi Charaka, who was crowned as the father of Ayurveda for his contribution to Ayurveda and was born in 300 BC.

While the rest of the world is still struggling with anatomy, Acharya Charaka was already an expert in human anatomy, embryology, pharmacology, blood circulation, and diseases including diabetes, tuberculosis, and heart disease in his time.

He was a major contributor to the science of Ayurveda and helped to build the art of Ayurvedic culture. The compilation of the Sanskrit medical treatises known as the Charaka Samhita represents the golden age of Indian medicine, which lasted from 800 BCE to around 1000 CE. This 'Charaka Samhita' is regarded in the Ayurvedic Encyclopedia.

The Charaka Samhita is one of two fundamental texts of Ayurveda, the other being the Sushruta Samhita. It remained a standard text on the subject for two millennia and was translated into various foreign languages, including Arabic and Latin. The contemporary Charaka-Samhita is thought to have been written in the first century CE.

Ayurveda is now recognized by 16 nations around the world as a proper medical system. Furthermore, the Indian government is taking substantial steps to expand traditional medicine's reach. The government formed the Ministry of AYUSH, which emphasizes the utilization of ancient recipes for health and wellness.

While Charaka studied all parts of medicine, including the logic and philosophy underlying the Indian medicinal system, he placed great focus on disease diagnosis and regarded Ayurveda as a holistic system of health care that addressed both preventive and curative components. He also dealt elaborately with subjects such as fetal generation and development, anatomy of the human body, and function and malfunction of the body according to the tridosha (the three humours of the body)—Vata, pitta, and Kapha. He also discussed the classification of various diseases.

Health and disease are not predetermined, according to Charaka's translations. Our lifestyle and surroundings have a significant impact on our health and well-being. His writings emphasized that living in touch with nature might lead to a healthy and serene life. The Ayurvedic method offers prevention and treatment for a wide range of illnesses and conditions. It teaches us how to rearrange our lives so that they are more in line with the natural order of things. This ensures total well-being.