Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana Made Easy- QnA With Janardhana Hebbar.

Dr Janardhana V Hebbar, is an Ayurvedic practitioner and an active expert on CureJoy’s esteemed Experts panel. He has authored many books on Ayurveda and also co-authored books on Ayurvedic mineralogy.

One of the brightest, young Ayurvedic practitioners of our time, Dr. Hebbar believes in spreading awareness of the ancient science of Ayurveda, through social media, and his engaging and informative blogs. We caught up with Dr. Hebbar in between his consulting sessions, and came out enriched with more insights into this mystical and profound science.

Today we talk to Dr. Hebbar on the sidelines of the release of his new book “Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana Made Easy“. The book is about first (among eight) section of Charaka Samhita, which explains basic principles of Ayurveda in detail.  While explaining the 30 chapters of Charaka Samhita, he has included original sanskrit texts, with in line IAST transliteration of Sanskrit to English and in line English translation. Excerpts from this enlightening interview:

Q. What is the Charaka Samhita?

When we look at the origin of Ayurveda, two main text books form the foundation. Charaka Samhita, written by Master Charaka, Sushruta Samhita, written by Master Sushruta. If one analyzes these text books deeply, Sushruta’s work emphasizes more on surgical practices and Charka’s work on medicinal practice.

It is written in between the period of 900 BCE – 700 BCE. In later centuries, it was further developed into the form of a full text book.

Q. Why is Charaka Samhita considered an important scripture in Ayurveda?

For Ayurveda practice, most of the things that we know about Ayurveda come from Charaka Samhita itself.

All the later text books of Ayurveda written are based on principles explained in great detail in Charaka Samhita.

Q. Tell us about your new book “Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana Made Easy “. 

Sutrasthana is the first among 8 parts of Charaka Samhita. Sutra means basic formula. So, all the basic principles of Ayurveda are explained in this section.

Because it is written thousands of years ago, in Sanskrit language, there are many aspects of the book that require explanation. These explanations have to be made with examples of current health scenario. So, I have tried to do following things with my ebook – Charaka Samhita Made Easy –

1. Put all the Sanskrit verses of Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana as it is.
2. Transliterate all of them, in line with the Sanskrit version, so that it becomes easy to read, especially for people who do not know Sanskrit.
3. Write the English translation of those verses in simplest possible style so that it is very easy for even a non-Ayurveda person to understand and adopt the principles.
4. There are certain topics which need elaboration for complete understanding. So, I have written about 70 such topics of Charaka Samhita and have embedded them, right next to the respective chapters.

So, if a person goes through the actual text chapter and then if he reads the next set of articles written about the principles of that chapter, he will get complete knowledge of Ayurveda.

In total, the 1,384 page ebook contains 30 chapters of Sutrasthana of Charaka Samhita along with 70 articles written to explain them in great detail.

For the benefit of readers (exclusively for CureJoy) I have created a 100 page book that has selected chapters of Charaka Samhita Made Easy. This will give an insight into what they can expect from the book. You can use the links below to download.

If you are CureJoy registered member click here =>    

If you haven’t registered yet, register here and then download.

Q. What was your inspiration to work on this ancient scripture?

To take the science of Ayurveda forward, learning it in the exact way, it has been explained in ancient scriptures is very crucial. If we get the basic principles wrong, then the whole understanding of Ayurveda and the practice.. everything will be wrong. So, it highly energizes me to put the basic principles of Ayurveda in a very simple and easy way in front of people.
Unfortunately, we cannot interact with those ancient seers – Charaka and Sushruta anymore. But writing about their work is my form of offering tribute to them.

Q. Who do you feel can benefit from your e-book?

Ayurveda or Charaka Samhita is not meant only for herbalists and Ayurvedic practitioners. It is for every health conscious person. What is the right time to sleep? What is the right time for exercise, who should exercise, who should not? What is the best time to have a nap? Who can have a nap? Who cannot? All these information is useful for everyone. So also is this e-book.

Q. Why do you feel these ancient guidelines work in today’s times as well?

Simply because those guidelines still work!
True knowledge is true at present tense. But Truth is true in all tenses.
Amla is still a rejuvenative fruit, Chyawanprash still is the best anti aging product, having oil massage still is relaxing and so on.

To see all the chapters and to BUY Dr. Janardhana Hebbar’s new book “Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana Made Easy” click the “Download Ebook” button below: