Long before modern medicine found its foothold, India had already written down alleviating healing legacy— the Charaka Samhita, a traditional Sanskrit text that continues to stimulate physicians, scholars, and healers across the globe.
Written around 2,000 years ago, the Charaka Samhita is often praised as the basis of Ayurveda, India’s comprehensive system of medicine. It’s more than a assemblage of herbal formulas — it’s a philosophy of life, where the human body, brain, and soul are seen as one consolidated system.
Charaka prioritized stability — between body and environment, diet and behaviour, action and relax. His teachings examined anatomy, pathology, diagnosis, and even preventive care — centuries before “wellness” became an international trend. He believed that a great physician heals not just the illness, but the person.
What makes the Charaka Samhita classic is its deep understanding of morality, imperishable and patient-centred care. It recollects us that real medicine is not just about curing but about renovating harmony — within and beyond.
In a period, moving toward AI-driven healthcare, the Charaka Samhita murmurs a gentle reminder from the past: “He who knows the cause of disease and health, knows medicine.”