This Atharvaveda layer of text was likely compiled contemporaneously with Samaveda and Yajurveda, in about 1200 BCE–1000 BCE. The Atharvaveda contains chapters relating to medicine, surgery and magico-religious rites. Their texts have not survived into the modern era, but manuscripts from two competing schools – Paippalada and Saunakiya, have. The name of this school literally means 'wandering physicians'. Surendranath Dasgupta states that the medical tradition of wandering physicians are traceable to the Atharvaveda, particularly the Caranavaidya shakha – one of the nine known shakha of Atharvaveda-based Vedic schools. In Sanskrit, charak is a term for a wanderer, sannyasi (ascetic), and sometimes used in the context of the ancient tradition of wandering physicians who brought their medical expertise and magico-religious rites from village to village. The Dṛḍhabala revision and completion, the source of current texts, is dated to the 6th century CE. Meulenbeld's History of Indian Medical Literature dates it to be between fourth century BCE to the second century CE, with Charaka's compilation likely between 100 BCE and 200 CE. Date ĭates of composition of the Charaka Samhita are uncertain. Vishwakarma and Goswami state that the text exists in many versions and entire chapters are missing in some versions. īased on textual analysis, and the literal meaning of the Sanskrit word charak, Chattopadhyay speculated that charak does not refer to one person but multiple people.

Dṛḍhabala stated in the Charaka Samhita that he had to write one third of the book himself because this portion had been lost, and that he also re-wrote the last part of the book.

The Charaka Samhita states that the content of the book was first taught by Atreya, and then subsequently codified by Agniveśa, revised by Charaka, (a Kashmiri by origin) and the manuscripts that survive into the modern era are based on one completed by Dṛḍhabala. He should be of a mild disposition, noble by nature, never mean in his acts, free from pride, strong memory, liberal mind, devoted to truth, likes solitude, of thoughtful disposition, free from anger, of excellent character, compassionate, one fond of study, devoted to both theory and practice, who seeks the good of all creatures.

E samhita charaka