Chikitsanjana: A 17th century book of Ayurveda therapeutics

Abstract

ABSTRACT Ayurvedic literature has been flowing steadily since the Vedic era. This also includes pretty little books, extending from 100 to 300 verses that described merely the diagnosis of diseases and treatment with simple but experienced remedies. To introduce and assess the text Chikitsanjana, authored by Vidyapati, for its originality and importance in Ayurvedic practice. The text Chikitsanjana has been published only twice. The first publication was published by Vaidyaka jnana prasaraka sabha, Mumbai in 1894. The second and presently available publication was published in the year 1979 by Sastu sahitya vardhaka karyalaya, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, which is considered to review in this attempt. The author, Vidyapati, is a relatively unknown name in Ayurveda literature, and he makes no attempt to introduce himself in the work. This text describes the treatment of total of 42 diseases. The author discusses treatments from all eight branches of Ayurveda but concentrates primarily on Kayachikitsa. The text has 267 stanzas. Out of 267 verses of the text, 24 verses are word-to-word similar to the verses of other popular texts of Ayurveda. Chikitsanjana mainly focuses on Yukti vyapashraya chikitsa (~ logic-based treatment). Almost all kinds of Kashaya kalpana (~dosage forms) are mentioned while describing the treatment of diseases. The most commonly used forms are Churna (~powder) and Kwatha (~decoction) for internal use and Lepa (~ointment or paste) for external use. The text Chikitsanjana which is in the form of a Samgraha text can be considered handbook or ready reference book for general practitioners of Ayurveda.