The Academy of Yoga and Oriental Studies (AYOS) organised a lecture on “Charaka Samhita and Indian System of Medicine” at the Fakir Mohan Bhavan in Nayapalli here with Dr Ajit Kumar Nayak, Assistant Professor, OUAT being the speaker of the occasion.
Renowned Sanskrit scholar Arun Kumar Upadhyaya presided over the meeting. AYOS member Mihir Kumar Mishra extended a hearty welcome to the guests and the audience.
In his speech Dr Nayak said medicines, according to Indian tradition, were created before the creation of living beings. Ayurveda means the knowledge to lead one’s life properly. Dhanwantari is believed to be the god of Ayurveda. Charaka is a very famous name in Ayurveda.
Charaka, he said, redacted the book named Agnivesa Tantra which was later known as Charaka Samhita. Charaka attaches importance on both food and regimen. Samana (alleviation) and Samsodhana (purification) are the two important methods of Ayurvedic treatment.
There was a question-answer session after the speech in which many scholars participated and enriched the discussion. The discussion was mainly focused on the science of Nadis in Ayurvedic treatment.
In his presidential address, Upadhyaya said Charaka traditionally is identified with Patanjali, the great doyen of yoga. There is also a difference of opinion about whether there was one Charka or a group of Ayurvedic Vaidyas were known as Charakas.