Cakradatta Originally Known Cikitsa Sangraha

A series of books on Ayurveda therapeutics started with ‘Siddhayoga’ by vrnda in the gth century and followed by ‘Cakradatta’, Gada Nigraha, Sarangadhara sanihita, Bhavaprakasa, Yogaratnakara and Bhaisajyaratnavali. These works incorporated many new concepts, thoughts and therapeutics and further enriched Ayurveda as result of exchange and sharing of different medical thoughts entered in to India along with foreign rulers.

Cakradatta is one such great treatise composed by Sri Cakrapanidatta, the well known Tika karta of caraka samhita. Actually this book was named as Cikitsa Sangraha by the author, but because of immense popularity it gained and also due to towering personality of Sri Cakrapani datta, in later times it is transformed as “Chakra datta”. This shows the authority, popularity of Cakrapani.

The principle source of this book, as stated by the author himself at the end of the work is vrnda’s siddhayoga and cakrapani datta made a number of additions there to these inputs were necessary in tune with the changing medical scenario like genesis of Rasa cikitsa etc. Cakrapani datta’s main aim was to present it as an up to date text of Ayurveda medicine for the benefit of ailing mankind.

Niscala kara, the commentator of Cakradatta (Ratna prabha) has traced the sources of many verses of carakadatta according to him it derived verses from about forty nine sources apart from siddha yoga this shows the tremendous effort he put on this project, that is why Cakradatta, with-stood like a rock against the waves of changing times and situations and even today it is admired followed by many scholars, physicians and Teachers of Ayurveda. While translating an effort has been made to make it simple and short in a scholar-friendly language, where-ever necessary an explanatory note is also added.

Some of the yogas (formulations) of this classic, are taken up for clinical research under post graduation study program at Hyderabad and Gadag inputs of these studies are also incorporated in the relevant context. Few appendixes are also added on drug formulation - index, technical terms and ingredients etc. for ready reference.

Finally, there are many people who helped me in completing this task. Sri Brij Mohanadas Gupta, Kamlesh Gupta and Sachin Gupta of M/S Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi who made me to complete this through constant reminders as such I am very much thankful to them. My family members also helped enormously in this work, expecially my son Naveen Shetti who typed the manuscript, designed the cover page, Smt. Kalavathi my wife, who made me comfortable enough to complete the project. My heart felt thanks for their coopperation. I am also thankful to Post graduate scholars of DGM Ayurvedic Medical College, Gadag for helping me directly or indirectly in the process of writing.