History of Ayurveda — From Brahma to Modern Era

Three Epochs of Ayurveda

1. Vedic Period (~3000-1500 BCE) Earliest references to healing are in **Atharvaveda**, which Sushruta calls the *upaveda* (sub-veda) from which Ayurveda derives. Atharvaveda has hymns to specific diseases, herbs, and surgical procedures. Rigveda mentions Ashwini Kumaras — the divine physicians who performed the first recorded organ transplant (replacing Chyavana's head).

2. Samhita Kala (~1500 BCE - 500 CE) — Classical Period

This is when the foundational texts were compiled:

• **Charaka Samhita** (~1st century CE) — by Agnivesha, redacted by Charaka. Focus on **Kayachikitsa** (internal medicine). 8 sthanas, 120 chapters.
• **Sushruta Samhita** (~6th century BCE - 4th century CE) — by Sushruta, son of Vishvamitra. Focus on **Shalya** (surgery). Includes rhinoplasty, cataract surgery, lithotomy.
• **Bhela Samhita** — fragmentary; Bhela was Agnivesha's classmate.
• **Harita Samhita** — focused on Kaumarabhritya (paediatrics).
• **Kasyapa Samhita** — also paediatric focus; mentions vaccination-like immunisation.

3. Sangraha Kala (~500 - 1500 CE) — Compendium Period

Synthesised the earlier samhitas:

• **Vagbhata's Ashtanga Sangraha** (7th century) — encyclopaedic.
• **Vagbhata's Ashtanga Hridaya** (7th century) — concise version; the practical clinical textbook in Kerala tradition.
• **Madhava Nidana** (8th century) — the diagnostic textbook; pure roga-nidana focus.
• **Sharangadhara Samhita** (13th century) — pharmaceutical text; defined classical formulations (vati, kashaya, ghrita, taila).
• **Bhavaprakasha** (16th century) — by Bhavamishra; the nighantu (materia medica) and chikitsa hybrid; standard for dravya identification.

Kerala Tradition

Kerala developed its own distinct lineage starting ~10-12th century:

• **Ashtavaidya families** — 8 brahmin families who became hereditary physicians: Alathiyur, Chirattamon, Elayidath, Kuttanchery, Pulamanthole, Thaikkattu Mooss, Thrissur, Vayaskara. Some lineages continue today.
• **Sahasrayogam** (anonymous, ~14th century, Malayalam) — Kerala's practical formulary with 1000+ formulations. Still used clinically today.
• **Chikitsa-manjari** by Chathukutty Pillai (~17th century).
• **Vaidya-manorama**, **Yoga-tarangini** — later Kerala texts.

Kerala's unique contributions: - Strong **Panchakarma** tradition (Pizhichil, Njavarakizhi developed here) - Classical **bala chikitsa** (paediatric Ayurveda) - **Visha chikitsa** — Kerala has the most refined snake-bite Ayurveda tradition - **Marma chikitsa** linked to Kalaripayattu martial tradition

Modern Era

• **1822**: First documented colonial-era encounter; British East India Co. dismissed Ayurveda
• **1898**: Maharaja's Sanskrit College, Thiruvananthapuram, started Ayurveda teaching
• **1917**: Ayurveda College, Thiruvananthapuram — first state-recognised college
• **1947-50**: Independence + Constitution recognises traditional medicine
• **1970**: **Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) Act** — regulated practice nationally
• **1978-79**: WHO Alma Ata Declaration recognised traditional medicine globally
• **2014**: **Ministry of AYUSH** created — Ayurveda gets cabinet-rank ministry
• **2020**: **NCISM Act** replaces CCIM — National Commission for Indian System of Medicine
• **2024**: International licensing pathways open (DHA, DOH, QCHP, SCFHS)

Contemporary Position

Today Ayurveda has: - 300,000+ registered practitioners in India - 500+ BAMS colleges - Statutory licensing in UAE, parts of Russia, Bali, Sri Lanka, Nepal - WHO collaboration centres at AIIMS Jodhpur, Banaras Hindu University - Growing research base (CCRAS, NMPB, AYUSH research councils) - Annual revenue of the Indian Ayurveda industry ~₹70,000 crore (2025 estimate)

Self-test

• Name the three epochs of Ayurveda and the key texts of each.
• List 4 of Kerala's 8 Ashtavaidya families.
• What does the 2020 NCISM Act replace? Why was the change made?
• Name 3 unique Kerala contributions to Ayurveda practice.