Medicine & Surgery intro part-2
🧭 Ashtanga Ayurveda – The Eight Limbs of Healing
“Ayurveda is not only a medical science but a complete way of life that encompasses physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.”
The eight branches (ashta + anga = eight limbs) of Ayurveda provide a holistic framework for treating the body and mind across all ages and diseases.
1. Kāya Chikitsā (काय चिकित्सा) – Internal Medicine
Focus: Treatment of systemic diseases and general medicine.
- “Kāya” means body, and “Chikitsā” means treatment. This branch deals with imbalance of doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) and diseases that affect the whole body or internal organs.
- Includes diagnosis, nidāna (etiology), lakṣaṇa (symptoms), and cikitsā (treatment) of:
- Fever (Jvara)
- Diabetes (Prameha)
- Digestive disorders
- Respiratory issues
- Skin diseases
Key Texts:
Charaka Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya
2. Shalya Tantra (शल्य तन्त्र) – Surgery
Focus: Surgical techniques and operative treatments.
- “Shalya” refers to foreign bodies (like thorns, bones, or tumors) or diseases requiring surgical intervention.
- Includes major and minor surgical operations, such as:
- Rhinoplasty (nasal reconstruction)
- Cataract surgery
- Lithotomy (bladder stones)
- Fractures, wounds, and burns
- Extraction of foreign bodies
Contributions:
- Ancient Indian surgeons like Sushruta detailed over 300 surgical procedures and 120+ instruments.
- Descriptions of anesthesia, sterilization, post-operative care.
Key Texts:
Sushruta Samhita
3. Shālākya Tantra (शालाक्य तन्त्र) – ENT & Ophthalmology
Focus: Diseases of the head and neck region – eyes, ears, nose, throat, and mouth.
- Derived from the word Shalaka (a probe or rod), this branch includes:
- Eye disorders (Netra roga)
- Ear problems (Karna roga)
- Nasal congestion (Nasa roga)
- Throat and dental diseases
Notable Therapies:
- Netra tarpana – nourishing eye therapy
- Nasya – nasal medication
- Karna purana – ear oiling
Key Texts:
Sushruta Samhita (Uttara Tantra), Ashtanga Hridaya
4. Kaumāra Bhritya (कौमारभृत्य) – Pediatrics & Obstetrics
Focus: Childcare, pediatrics, gynecology, and prenatal care.
- “Kaumāra” = child, “Bhritya” = nourishment/protection.
- Deals with:
- Infant nutrition and immunization
- Childhood diseases
- Growth monitoring
- Behavioral issues and congenital diseases
- Pregnancy care and postnatal health
Highlights:
- Emphasizes the mental, physical, and spiritual development of the child.
- Describes breastfeeding, naming ceremony, and seasonal regimens for children.
Key Texts:
Kashyapa Samhita (primary), Charaka Samhita (select chapters)
5. Agada Tantra (अगद तन्त्र) – Toxicology
Focus: Poisons and their antidotes.
- “Agada” means anti-toxin. This branch focuses on:
- Insect, snake, and animal bites
- Plant-based and mineral poisons
- Food poisoning
- Environmental and chemical toxins
- Protection against biological warfare (referenced in ancient times)
Subdivisions:
- Jangama visha – animal poisons
- Sthavara visha – plant poisons
- Krita visha – artificial poisons
Key Texts:
Sushruta Samhita (Kalpa Sthana), Agada Tantra chapters in Ashtanga Hridaya
6. Rasāyana Tantra (रसायन तन्त्र) – Rejuvenation Therapy
Focus: Promoting longevity, vitality, and mental clarity.
- “Rasa” = essence, “Ayana” = path — the path to ultimate vitality.
- Rejuvenating therapies for:
- Strengthening ojas (vital essence)
- Boosting immunity and memory
- Slowing down aging
- Enhancing spiritual consciousness
Popular Rasayanas:
- Chyavanprash
- Brahmi, Ashwagandha, Amalaki
- Gold-based preparations (swarna bhasma)
Key Texts:
Charaka Samhita (Rasayana Adhyaya), Ashtanga Hridaya
7. Vājīkaraṇa Tantra (वाजीकरण तन्त्र) – Aphrodisiac & Fertility
Focus: Enhancing reproductive health and vitality.
- “Vājī” = stallion, symbolizing sexual vigor.
- This branch deals with:
- Fertility enhancement for both men and women
- Sexual health and vitality
- Treatment of infertility and sexual disorders
- Moral and spiritual importance of gṛhastha dharma (householder life)
Popular Vajikarana Herbs:
- Kapikacchu
- Shatavari
- Gokshura
- Safed Musli
Key Texts:
Charaka Samhita (Vajikarana Adhyaya), Ashtanga Hridaya
8. Bhūta Vidyā (भूत विद्या) – Psychiatry & Spiritual Healing
Focus: Psychological disorders and possession-based conditions.
- “Bhūta” means spirit or subtle entity — this branch treats:
- Mental illnesses (depression, anxiety, delusions)
- Sleep disorders
- Spiritual afflictions (believed to be caused by ghosts, curses, or negative energy)
- Use of mantras, meditations, rituals, and herbal preparations
Relevance:
- Modern psychiatry is beginning to explore Ayurveda’s approach to mental wellness.
- Deep integration of spiritual, emotional, and social well-being.
Key Texts:
Charaka Samhita (Unmada chapters), Ashtanga Hridaya
📌 Summary Table of Ashtanga Ayurveda
| Branch | Sanskrit Name | Area of Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Internal Medicine | Kāya Chikitsā | Systemic diseases, doshic imbalance |
| 2. Surgery | Shalya Tantra | Surgical procedures and techniques |
| 3. ENT & Eye | Shālākya Tantra | Head, neck, eye, ear, nose, throat |
| 4. Pediatrics & OB-GYN | Kaumāra Bhritya | Child care and women’s health |
| 5. Toxicology | Agada Tantra | Poisons, bites, antidotes |
| 6. Rejuvenation | Rasāyana | Anti-aging, immunity, vitality |
| 7. Fertility & Aphrodisiacs | Vājīkaraṇa | Reproductive health |
| 8. Psychiatry | Bhūta Vidyā | Mental health and spiritual healing |
🕯️ Final Thought
The eight branches of Ayurveda are not merely medical disciplines — they are holistic paths to maintain balance, purpose, and vitality at every stage of life. From the physical to the metaphysical, Ayurveda recognizes the interconnectedness of all life and offers timeless tools for healing.