Introduction

• Āyurveda, literally meaning the “Science of Life,” is widely regarded as an Upaveda (subsidiary branch) of the Vedas—India’s oldest extant scriptures.
• While all four Vedas (Ṛg, Yajur, Sāma, and Atharva) contain rudimentary references to health and disease, Atharva Veda is often cited as the primary source of therapeutic and healing practices that matured into the system we know as Āyurveda.

Roots in the Vedic Tradition

References in the Vedas

1. Ṛg Veda (c. 1500–1200 BCE)
   • Contains hymns referencing the use of medicinal herbs. Deities like Rudra (connected to healing aspects) and the Aśvin Twins (divine physicians) are mentioned.
   • Outlines the concept of balancing internal and external cosmic forces.
2. Yajur Veda and Sāma Veda
   • Primarily focus on ritualistic aspects; however, occasional references to mantras and oblations for disease alleviation can be found.
3. Atharva Veda (c. 1200–1000 BCE)
   • Considered the core textual source for medical and healing knowledge.
   • Contains mantras, chants, and references to using herbs, amulets, and rituals to combat diseases.
   • Recognizes the idea of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Key Point: Early Vedic healing practices combined spiritual (mantras, rituals) and empirical (herbs, dietary guidelines) dimensions.

Āyurveda as an Upaveda of Atharva Veda

• Classical authorities like Suśruta and Caraka affirm that Āyurveda is rooted in the knowledge passed down from the Vedic seers, especially within Atharva Veda.
• This connection underlines Ayurveda’s holistic approach, blending philosophy, spirituality, and practical healing.

Development Through Saṃhitās and Early Texts

Mythical Transmission

• According to tradition, Brahmā (the Creator) first conceptualized Āyurveda, which was then transmitted to Dakṣa Prajāpati and Indra.
• Indra taught this knowledge to sages like Bharadvāja and Ātreya, who then disseminated it among their disciples, including Caraka, Agniveśa, etc.

Classical Saṃhitās

1. Agniveśa Tantra (pre-Caraka era, c. 8th–6th century BCE?)
   • An original compendium of medical knowledge compiled by sage Agniveśa under the guidance of Punarvasu Ātreya.
   • Lost in its entirety; its later redaction is the Caraka Saṃhitā.
2. Caraka Saṃhitā (c. 2nd century BCE–2nd century CE)
   • Attributed to Acharya Caraka, a redactor/reviser of Agniveśa’s work.
   • Focus: Internal medicine (Kāya Chikitsā), pathophysiology, pharmacology, and therapeutic guidelines.
   • Emphasizes the concepts of doṣa-dhātu-mala theory, the role of agni, and a rational approach to diagnosis.
3. Suśruta Saṃhitā (c. 6th century BCE or later compilations)
   • Attributed to Acharya Suśruta, traditionally regarded as a disciple of Dhanvantari (mythical founder of surgical science).
   • Focus: Surgical procedures (Śalya Tantra), anatomy, marma (vital points), and specialized therapies.
   • Considered foundational in plastic surgery, dissection, and marma-based knowledge.
4. Bhela Saṃhitā (contemporary to Agniveśa)
   • Another recension of Ātreya’s teachings.
   • Some manuscripts exist in fragmentary form, offering insights into early Ayurvedic concepts parallel to Caraka’s approach.
5. Kāśyapa Saṃhitā (possibly c. 6th–4th century BCE)
   • Credited to sage Kāśyapa.
   • Focus: Pediatrics (Kaumāra Bhṛtya), obstetrics, and gynecology, though large portions are lost or partially available.

Later Expansions and Medieval Consolidation

Vāgbhaṭa and the Aṣṭāṅga Tradition

1. Aṣṭāṅga Saṅgraha and Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya Saṃhitā (c. 7th century CE)
   • Composed by Vāgbhaṭa (some scholars distinguish between Vāgbhaṭa I and Vāgbhaṭa II).
   • Integrated Caraka’s and Suśruta’s teachings, harmonizing internal medicine and surgery into a concise framework.
   • Divides Ayurveda into eight branches (aṣṭāṅga): e.g., Śalya (surgery), Śālākya (ENT), Kāya Chikitsā (medicine), Kaumāra Bhṛtya (pediatrics), etc.

Madhava, Bhāvamiśra, Śārṅgadhara, and Others

• Mādhava Nidāna (c. 8th century CE): A seminal text on diagnosis (nidāna) and classification of diseases.
• Bhāvaprakāśa by Bhāvamiśra (16th century CE): Emphasized materia medica, diet, and multi-therapeutic approaches.
• Śārṅgadhara Saṃhitā (13th–14th century CE): Detailed pharmaceutical preparations and the importance of pulse diagnosis (nāḍī-parīkṣā).

Influence of Buddhism and Other Schools

• The University of Nālandā and other Buddhist centers (4th–12th century CE) helped disseminate Ayurvedic knowledge beyond India’s borders, impacting Tibetan and Chinese medicine.
• Commentaries and translations flourished, leading to cross-pollination of medical ideas across Asia.

Synopsis of Chronological Milestones

1. Vedic Period (c. 1500–500 BCE): Early references to healing in the four Vedas, especially Atharva Veda.
2. Pre-Caraka/Suśruta Era (8th–6th century BCE): Agniveśa Tantra, Bhela Saṃhitā (formative period).
3. Caraka and Suśruta Era (c. 2nd century BCE–2nd century CE + older traditions): Systematic codification of internal medicine and surgery.
4. Kāśyapa Saṃhitā (c. 6th–4th century BCE): Specialized in pediatrics and obstetrics, though partly lost.
5. Medieval Period (c. 7th–16th century CE): Vāgbhaṭa’s Aṣṭāṅga Saṅgraha/Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya, Madhava Nidāna, Bhāvaprakāśa, etc.—consolidation and commentary phase.

Conclusion

• Āyurveda’s lineage begins in the Vedic tradition, where spiritual and empirical roots converge. Over centuries, sages, physician-seers, and scholars expanded and refined this knowledge through Saṃhitās and extensive commentaries.
• The chronological growth from mantra-based healing in Vedic hymns to systematic tri-doṣa theory, detailed surgical procedures, and pharmacological formulations epitomizes Āyurveda’s adaptive and integrative nature.
• Today, Ayurveda remains a holistic medical system, embodying millennia of cultural, clinical, and philosophical evolution, still revered for its emphasis on prevention, individual constitution (prakṛti), and the mind-body-spirit nexus.

Key Takeaway

The Vedic origin of Āyurveda illustrates its ancient, scriptural roots, while the chronological development showcases how it matured through seminal texts—Caraka, Suśruta, Vāgbhaṭa, and others—into a comprehensive science of healing that thrives in modern times.