Word Ayurveda originates
More than a thousand years after the advent of the Atharva Veda came the age of the Samhitas (compendiums). Regarding the origin of the word Ayurveda, the term Ayurveda first appears in the Samhitas, the earliest recorded works on Indian medicine and health.
In Sanskrit, Ayur means ‘pertaining to life’ and Veda ‘science’ or ‘wisdom’. For the purpose of specialization, this science was divided into eight sections – the Ashtanga. The age of compilation witnessed the production of immense amounts of classical medical literature.
The important works of this period were Susruta Samhita, Kashyapa Samhita, Agnivesa Samhita, Bhela Samhita and so on. The Agnivesa Samhita, later redacted by Charaka and the Susruta Samhita revised by Nagarjuna are considered to be masterpieces.
In Sanskrit, Ayur means ‘pertaining to life’ and Veda ‘science’ or ‘wisdom’. For the purpose of specialization, this science was divided into eight sections – the Ashtanga. The age of compilation witnessed the production of immense amounts of classical medical literature.
The important works of this period were Susruta Samhita, Kashyapa Samhita, Agnivesa Samhita, Bhela Samhita and so on. The Agnivesa Samhita, later redacted by Charaka and the Susruta Samhita revised by Nagarjuna are considered to be masterpieces.
