A History of Indian Medical Literature v1.c23.s5.6

v1.c23.s5.6

An interesting detail, noticed by Atrideva, 330 may throw light on the relationship between Caraka- and Suśrutasaṃhitā. A passage occurring in the viśikhānupraveśanīya chapter of the Suśrutasaṃhitā (Sū.10.4) rejects the view, said to be held by some, that the number of means to acquire knowledge about diseases is three, replacing this number by six. This may show familiarity with the doctrines of the Carakasaṃhitā, where indeed the three means referred to are described (Ca.Ci.25.22). Caution is, however, required, for it cannot be excluded that the Carakasaṃhitā shared the doctrine in question with other treatises belonging to the same school.