ACHARYA CHARAK (600 BCE)
FATHER OF MEDICINE
Acharya
Charak has been crowned as the Father of Medicine. His renowned work,
the " Charak Samhita ", is considered as an encyclopedia of Ayurveda.
His principles, diagoneses, and cures retain their potency and truth
even after a couple of millennia. When the science of anatomy was
confused with different theories in Europe , Acharya Charak revealed
through his innate genius and enquiries the facts on human anatomy,
embryology, pharmacology, blood circulation and diseases like diabetes,
tuberculosis, heart disease, etc. In the " Charak Samhita " he has
described the medicinal qualities and functions of 100,000 herbal
plants. He has emphasized the influence of diet and activity on mind and
body. He has proved the correlation of spirituality and physical health
contributed greatly to diagnostic and curative sciences. He has also
prescribed and ethical charter for medical practitioners two centuries
prior to the Hippocratic oath. Through his genius and intuition, Acharya
Charak made landmark contributions to Ayurvedal. He forever remains
etched in the annals of history as one of the greatest and noblest of
rishi-scientists.
