A History of Indian Medical Literature v1.c26.s3.73

v1.c26.s3.73

The Carakasaṃhitā is one of the works to which the Saṃgraha is heavily indebted. The chapters of both begin in a similar way, but the second half of this opening differs. The Carakasaṃhitā has: thus spoke the venerable Ātreya, whereas the Saṃgraha says: thus spoke Ātreya and the other great sages (maharṣi). The names of these great sages, to whom Indra revealed the āyurveda, are enumerated in the story about the descent of āyurveda to the world of human beings (Sū.1.4–13ab). The list begins with Punarvasu (= Ātreya) and Dhanvantari, who are known as the representatives of kāyacikitsā and śalya, and proceeds with the names of specialists in other branches of āyurveda.