Chakradatta

• Chakradatta, also popularly known as Chakrapani, has composed a landmark publication on Ayurved a medical management entitled as ‘Chikitsasangraha’.
• Chakrapani belonged to the Eastern part of India in the 11th century AD era.
• Chakrapani has contributed at least five compendia viz. Ayurveda-dipika a commentary on Charaka samhita, Bhanumati a commentary on Sushruta samhita, Chikitsasangraha, Vyagradaridrashubhankara and Dravyaguna.
• The uniqueness of Chakradatta is in the description of several metallic and mercurial preparations for the purpose of internal use as medications e.g. Rasaparpati made from purified and processed mercury and sulphur. These are used by experienced and successful Ayurvedic physicians even today. 
• Chakradatta, also popularly known as Chakrapani, has composed a landmark publication on Ayurved a medical management entitled as ‘Chikitsasangraha’.
• Chakrapani belonged to the Eastern part of India in the 11th century AD era.
• Chakrapani has contributed at least five compendia viz. Ayurveda-dipika a commentary on Charaka samhita, Bhanumati a commentary on Sushruta samhita, Chikitsasangraha, Vyagradaridrashubhankara and Dravyaguna.
• The uniqueness of Chakradatta is in the description of several metallic and mercurial preparations for the purpose of internal use as medications e.g. Rasaparpati made from purified and processed mercury and sulphur. These are used by experienced and successful Ayurvedic physicians even today. 
• Many new herbs especially from the flora of Bengal were introduced by Chakradatta in the Ayurvedic preparations such as Ashtisamhara i.e. Asthisandhana (Cissus quadrangularis) commonly used in traditional practices and is a plant of interest being investigated for its bone healing activity with current methods of science.
• Chakradatta has proposed principal line of treatment pertinent to various diseases.
• He recommends six therapeutic modalities for Amavata (polyarticular inflammatory disease) viz. Langhana (fasting), Swedana (sudation), Tikta-Deepana-Katu dravya (medicinal substances with bitter, pungent taste and digestion-metabolism facilitators), Virechana (laxation), Snehapana (use of medicinal oils), and Basti (medicated enemas) which are to be employed sequentially if the patient reports at an early stage of the disease.
• Several herbal and herbo-mineral formulations are prescribed for Amavata which are still popular among the Ayurvedic practitioners such as Yograj Guggulu, Sinhanad Guggulu, Rasnasaptak kwath, Panchakola kashayam, Nagarchoorna, Eranda taila etc.

Subject Matter of Chakradatta

• Entire Chakradatta is composed of 4800 verses which are divided into 79 chapters.
• More than 50 sources have been acknowledged from where Chakrapani was inspired for these verses.
• The chapters are divided as per the diseases, clinical syndromes, therapeutic procedures and include also a chapter on preventive medicine.
• First 65 chapters are in the order of Madhava-Nidan who had dealt only with the diagnostics whereas Chakradatta only deals with therapeutics.

Chapter 66 & 67 deals with the rejuvenative therapy (Rasayana & Vajikarana).

• Various purificative procedures (Panchakarma) and various formulations for those procedures are mentioned in chapter 68 to 77.
• Last two chapters are about Siravedha (venesection) and Dincharya, Ritucharya etc. (routine for healthy).
• Various divine therapies (Daivavyapashraya chikitsa) and various Mantras are also mentioned in the text.
• Two commentaries are available on Chakradatta, one Ratnaprabha authored by Nischalakara in 13th century A.D. and another authored by Shivadasa Sen in 15th century A.D.
• The legacy of therapeutic principles specific for the disease recommended by Chakradatta has continued even today among the practitioners of Ayurveda and in the Ayurvedic medical colleges.

Chapter 1 (Jvara chikitsa)

• The text has been started with the Jvara chikitsa (Fever) which is always present in many diseases.
• Chakrapani mentioned that, this great work of compiling most effective Yogas (the medicinal formulation) from various medical texts for various diseases/disorders was undertaken by Chakrapani in the interest of ailing human kind duly incorporation his own clarification, explanation etc. wherever required.
• He mentioned the treatment procedure as physician should examine the patient first before considering about medicine.
• Chapter 2 & 3 (Jvaratisara and Atisara–chikitsa)
• Treatment of diarrhea associated with fever is mentioned.
• Langhana is mentioned first. Then various dietic items (Peya, Vilepi etc) are prescribed.
• Line of treatment for diarrhea is given and various formulation as well as diet is prescribed.
• Chapter 4 (Grahani chikitsa)
• Line of treatment for Grahani vikara is described. ·
• Amapachana, Langhana, purificative procedures (Vamana virechana etc.), light diet of Panchakola  peya should be given first followed by other appetizers.
• Various herbals & metallic preparations are described.
•  Rasaparpati made by purified and processed mercury and sulphur is the characteristic of the text.
• Chapter 2 & 3 (Jvaratisara and Atisara–chikitsa)
• Treatment of diarrhea associated with fever is mentioned.
• Langhana is mentioned first. Then various dietic items (Peya, Vilepi etc) are prescribed.
• Line of treatment for diarrhea is given and various formulation as well as diet is prescribed.
• Chapter 4 (Grahani chikitsa)
• Line of treatment for Grahani vikara is described. ·
• Amapachana, Langhana, purificative procedures (Vamana virechana etc.), light diet of Panchakola  peya should be given first followed by other appetizers.
• Various herbals & metallic preparations are described.
•  Rasaparpati made by purified and processed mercury and sulphur is the characteristic of the text.

Chapter 5 to 55

• Same as the above 4 chapters. Line of treatment according to diseases / disorders is described.
• Various herbal and herbomineral formulation are mentioned for the treatment.
• Chapter 56 to 60
• These chapters are on various ENT diseases in these chapters line of treatment for the diseases of throat and tongue is prescribed.
• Line of treatment for the diseases of ear, nose, eyes and head is mentioned.
• Various formulations and procedures like Kavala, Gandusha (methods of gargling), Ashchotan, anjan (eye drops collyrium), Shirobasti etc. are prescribed.
• Chapter 61 to 63
• These chapters are on the gynecological problems.
• Line of treatment for Asrugdara (menorrhagia), Yonivyapad (diseases of female genital treat).
• Herbal preparation like Siddha ghrita, Taila (ghee and oil), Kwath (decoction) are prescribed for internal and external use.

Chapter 64 (Balroga chikitsa) (Pediatrics)

• Treatment for various children’s diseases is prescribed in this chapter.
• Treatment of various umbilical problems / diseases is described.
• Daivavyapashraya karma (divine therapy) to pacify Grahas by chanting the mantra (hymn) is mentioned in this chapter.
• Features of Grahadoshas and their treatment are compiled from ‘Kumartantram’ of Ravana.

Chapter 65 (Visha chikitsa)

• In this chapter treatment of poisoning is described.
• General treatment for snake bite, ingested poison, Garavisha,etc. is described.

Chapter 66 (Rasayanadhikara)

• The therapy which slows down ageing process and related disorders is known as Rasayana.This should be administrated in early or middle youthful age after Shodhana(purification) of the body.
• Various herbal Rasayanas are mentioned in the text, like Pippali rasayana, Ashwagandha rasayana.
• Chapter 67 (Vrushyadhikar) Aphrodisiacs
• In this chapter formulation which acts as aphrodisiacs are described.
• It includes various Churnas (powders),Ghrita, (ghee), oils, Lepa(ointments) etc.