This is a classical Ayurveda Samhita (treatise or compendium) authored by Acharya Sharangadhara.
This Samhita primarily focuses on pharmacology and pharmaceutical methods in Ayurveda.
It is one of the 3 members of Laghutrayee. Understanding of the pharmaceutical preparations in Ayurveda without going through the work of Acharya Sharangadhara is impossible.
Among various classical treatises on Ayurveda, Sharangadhara Samhita is popular as the textbook of Bhaishajyakalpana. Bhaishajyakalpana refers to the specialty arm of Ayurveda dealing with pharmacology and pharmaceutics in Ayurveda.
Ayurveda acharyas have meticulously designed various preparations and formulations of medicinal and dietary substances while keeping in mind status of multiple factors like Doshas, Agni and Prakrti of the individual etc.
The development of various formulations, details of preparation methods, their appropriate application etc. can be found in Sharangadhara Samhita for the first time in detail.
Thus, Sharangadhara Samhita is widely referred treatise of Ayurveda in Ayurveda fraternity.
This classic has been written in Sanskrit language and the most popular and widely referred treatise on Bhaishajyakalpana (Ayurvedic Pharmacology and Pharmaceutics), various Ayurveda scholars have translated it in multiple Indian as well as foreign languages for easy understanding of the text.
Sharangadhara Samhita lays special emphasis on Kayachikitsa (internal medicine) branch of Ayurveda by offering details of various formulations, combinations and their preparation methods.
This treatise also throws light on some special topics in the field of Bhaishajyakalpana (pharmaceutics) and Shaariram (anatomy and physiology in Ayurveda).
About the Author
This text has been named after its author Acharya Sharangadhara. He was a good physician, author and a poet. He has clearly mentioned his name as well as his family background in this treatise.
Sharangadhara has also stated the purpose of his work in the beginning of the treatise. He has mentioned that Sharangadhara Samhita is created with the concept of simplification of Ayurveda treatises and clarification on certain aspects like pharmaceutics.
The author Acharya Sharangadhara has also written a treatise on Neeti Shastra known as ‘Sharangadhara Paddhati’.
Structure
Sharangadhara Samhita is divided into three parts, which are called Khanda.
The Khanda includes
Prathama Khanda (first part)-7 chapters
Madhyama Khanda (second part)-12 chapters
Uttara Khanda (last part)-13 chapters
Sharangadhara Samhita has total of 32 chapters having 2600 verses divided in 3 parts.
The context of reference like Shodhana (purification), Marana (incineration) and Yogas (formulations) were also documented. The contexts of mentioning of mineral and metals as ingredients, as Anupana (adjuvant), utility as vessel for cooking and storage were recorded and tabulated according to the chapter in each Khanda.
In Prathama Khanda, Acharya Sharangadhara has not mentioned any formulation, method of purification, incineration related to metals and minerals. Only Shilajatu is explained as mineral drug.
The chapters of Madhyama Khanda are Dhatu Shodhana, Marana and Rasadi Shodhana. Marana are exclusively related to minerals and metals. Dhatu Shodhana deals with Dhatus (metals), its purification and incineration process. Rasadi Shodhana deals with the explanation of Rasa (Parada) and 47 Rasa formulations.
In Uttarakanda, panchkarma, the external applicable formulations for nose, eye and ear were described.
Unique Features
Examination of pulse or nadi pariksha has been detailed.
Detailed classification of the diseases has been given.
Single herb formulations has been given.
Panchakarma techniques and their importance in treatment has been explained.
Weights and measurement of raw materials is the integral part of any procedure that involves preparing any formulation.
Thus, Acharya Sharangadhara has described these systems of measurements in detail. All the measures used in formulations described in Ayurveda can be thus understood only after studying these systems of measurements.
Ayurveda medicines are designed on the basis of 5 basic formulation methods. All other formulations are derived from these 5 basic methods known as Panchavida Kashaya Kalpanas. Details on these methods are found in Sharangadhara Samhita.
For the first time in the classical treatises of Ayurveda, popular Nadipariksha (Pulse examination) is described in this compendium under the 8-fold assessment method of a diseased.
First time in Ayurveda classics, methods of Shodhana (Purification) & Marana of metals/minerals (procedure of making their ash for use in orally administered formulations) have been described by Acharya Sharangadhara.
