Sushruta Samhita Chapter 3 Adhyayana Sampradaya

This article explains Sushruta Samhita Sutrasthana Chapter 3 “Adhyayana Sampradaya” – Facilitating the study.

Adhyayana Sampradaya

We shall now expound the chapter-adhyayana sampradaya-facilitating the study (of the treatise); as revealed by the Venerable Dhanvantari.

Contents of the chapter

Contents and sections of the chapter
s was stated earlier (ch.1/39) this treatise (Sushruta Samhita) consists of one hundred and twenty Adhyayas (chapters). These chapters are arranged in five sthanas (sections). The division is as mentioned below –

• Sutra Sthana (section of doctrines) – In this section there are forty-six chapters
• Nidana Sthana (section on diagnosis of diseases) – In this section there are sixteen chapters
• Sharira Sthana (section on cosmology, human anatomy and physiology) – In this section there are ten chapters
• Chikitsa Sthana (section on therapeutics) – In this section there are forty chapters
• Kalpa Sthana (section on toxicology) – In this section there are eight chapters

Uttara Tantra (section on other diseases) – Apart from the above said one hundred and twenty chapters, there are sixty-six chapters in Utttara Tantra section which deals with other diseases not mentioned in the above-mentioned sections.
Read – Acharya Sushruta: Work, Samhita, Legacy, Amazing Facts

1. Chapters of Sutra Sthana (section on basic principles):- 

 Why is this section called Sutra Sthana?
Since these forty-six chapters briefly point out the principles of the science (Ayurveda) and are arranged in a cogent / aphoristic manner so as to give a clear meaning, this section is  named as Sutra Sthana (section of Aphorisms).
Read – Understanding The Principles of Ayurveda

2. Chapters of Nidana Sthana – Section on diagnosis of diseases

Since these sixteen chapters describe the etiological factors (causes) and symptoms etc of the diseases, this section comprising these chapters is named as Nidana Sthana (Section of diagnosis / Nosology).
Read – Relationship Of Doshas With Nidana Panchakas

3. Chapters of Sharira Sthana – section on anatomy etc

These ten chapters describing the features of the human body have been included in this Sharira sthana by the sages (Lord Dhanvantari), for better understanding of the body by the physicians, as well as by yogis (who practice control of the mind for attaining salvation).

4. Chapters of Chikitsa Sthana – section on therapeutics:-

Prayascita, Prashamana, Cikitsa and Shanti karma are synonyms of each other and all these share common meanings also. They are also used interchangeably. Since these are defined in the chapters of this section, this section is named as ‘Cikitsa Sthana’.
Read – Ways To Improve Knowledge, Intelligence As Per Sushruta

5. Chapter of Kalpa sthana( section on toxicology)

Since these (eight) chapters deal with treatment of poisons, this section is called Kalpa sthana. Thus, are described one hundred and twenty chapters.
Read – Rhinoplasty and Congenital Megacolon By Acharya Sushrutha

6. Chapters of Uttara Sthana-Last section
Further on will be described the Uttara Tantra in its own name. Since it deals mainly with upadrava (complications or secondary diseases) it (the first chapter) is also called as Aupadravika Tantra.

These twenty-six chapters constitute Shalakya Tantra (diseases of the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and head).
Read – Eye Diseases Causes, Pathogenesis, Symptoms, Treatment, Herbs

These twelve chapters together with those described in Sarira Sthana (the first three chapters) constitute Kumara Tantra (diseases of Children / paediatrics).

 These twenty-one chapters constitute Kaya Cikitsa (inner medicine).
Read – Shuddha Chikitsa Meaning, Importance In Clinical Practice

These three chapters are from Bhuta vidya (demonology).
Read – Apasmara Meaning And Understanding

 These four chapters are from Tantrabhusana (merits of the treatise).
Read – Tantra Yukti: Tools For Composing And Understanding Treatises

Why is this section is called Uttara Tantra or Pascima Tantra?
Sages have named this section as ‘Uttara Tantra’ because this section is highly meritorious and is a compilation (collection) of meanings of many branches of Ayurveda. Pascima means ending. Since this section comes at the end (last section), it is called as Uttara Tantra or Pascima Tantra.

Inclusion of Ashtangas (eight sections / branches of Ayurveda) in Sushruta Samhita
Salakya Tantra, Kumara Tantra, Kaya Cikista and Bhuta Vidya are described (present, included) in this Uttara Tantra (sixth and last section of the treatise).
Vajikarana and Rasayana are described in Chikitsa Sthana.
Visatantra is included and explained in Kalpa sthana.
Salyatantra is included everywhere in the treatise.

Thus, the treatise consists of all the Astanga (eight branches) of Ayurveda) as propounded by the Adideva (Dhanvantari). He (the physician) who studies this treatise assiduously and puts into practice faithfully, becomes a best ‘giver and protector of life’ for the patients in the world.
Read – Ashtanga Ayurveda – The Eight Branches of Ayurveda

Qualities to become a Royal Physician

This treatise must be studied essentially. After studying, it should be practised diligently. He who does (study and practice) both shall become eligible to become a royal physician.

Some verses here:-
He who knows the science only (in theory) but is not skilled in practice becomes confused when approaching the patient just like a coward in a battlefield.
He who is skilled in practice through audacity and acts apart from the dictates of science, does not get respect from the wise and deserves killing by the king.
Both these kinds of persons (physicians) are unqualified and incapable of performing their duties (satisfactorily), science they possess half knowledge of the science, like a poison; hence such persons (physicians) should be avoided.
Medicine is like nectar, but when used by the ignorant, acts like a sharp weapon, fire or poison; hence such persons(physicians)should be avoided.

He who is not well versed in oleation etc (procedure of different therapies) and in acts such as excision etc (surgical techniques) kills the people by this greed; such Vaidya (quack physicians) thrive due to the inefficiency of the king.
He who possesses good knowledge of both (theory and practice) and is intelligent, such a person (physician) only capable of achieving the aims, just like a chariot of two wheels is capable of performing all its functions in the battlefield.

Method of study

So, dear son, listen attentively to the method of study which I am going to tell you now.
After the students have become clean (by performing  morning ablutions, bath etc). having put on an upper garment (in the customary fashion) having a steady mind and sit near, the  teacher should instruct them every word, part of a verse or  a full verse, according to their ability (of grasping) and make them repeat every word, part of the verse and the complete verse many times; each student made to act similarly, himself (teacher) repeating these  later; chanting should not be very fast, not very slow, not tiresome, not in the nasal voice, not making unnecessary movements of  brows, lips and hands, in a cultured way (Manner of speaking by educated and cultured people), neither very loud, nor very low; none should be allowed to move in between (the teacher and the taught) while they are engaged in study.
Read – Hoarse Voice Causes, Ayurvedic Treatment, Home Remedies

Some verses here:-
The student who is clean (in body and mind), devoted to the teacher, efficient, devoid of laziness and sleep and studies in this manner reaches the end of the science(gains deep and wide knowledge).
He who has completed the study should strive for achieving clarity of speech, correct understanding (of the implications of the teaching), boldness, efficiency in work, constant practice and success.
This ends the Third chapter, by the name Adhyayana Sampradaya in sutra Sthana of Sushruta Samhita.