# Sharangadhara Samhita

> Sharangadhara Samhita is a substance used in the Ayurvedic materia medica. 3 Khandas (sections), 32 chapters, ~2,600 verses: Terminology, measurement systems (units, weights) Nadi-pariksha (pulse diagnosis) — first Ayurvedic text to codify pulse examination in detail Dosha-dhatu-mala theory in pedagogical-compact form The core of the text.

Composed by **Sharangadhara** circa 13th–14th century CE in Rajasthan, *Sharangadhara Samhita* is one of the three texts of the **Laghu Trayi** ("lesser triad" — complementing the Brihat Trayi of Charaka, Sushruta, and Vagbhata). It is the **definitive classical text of Ayurvedic pharmaceutics (Bhaishajya Kalpana)** — the treatise that most systematically codifies the preparation methodology of medicinal formulations across dosage forms.

## Structure

**3 Khandas (sections)**, 32 chapters, ~2,600 verses:

### Purva Khanda (Fundamentals) — 7 chapters
- Terminology, measurement systems (units, weights)
- Nadi-pariksha (pulse diagnosis) — first Ayurvedic text to codify pulse examination in detail
- Dosha-dhatu-mala theory in pedagogical-compact form

### Madhyama Khanda (Pharmaceutics) — 12 chapters
The core of the text. One chapter per **kalpana** (dosage form):

| Chapter | Kalpana | English |
|---------|---------|---------|
| 1 | Swarasa | Fresh juice |
| 2 | Kalka | Paste |
| 3 | Kashaya | Decoction |
| 4 | Hima | Cold infusion |
| 5 | Phanta | Hot infusion |
| 6 | Kshira-paka | Milk decoction |
| 7 | Sandhana | Fermentation (Arishta, Asava) |
| 8 | **Avaleha** | **Medicated confections / Lehyas** |
| 9 | Churna, Gutika, Vati | Powders, pills, tablets |
| 10 | Sneha (Ghrita, Taila) | Medicated ghees and oils |
| 11 | Dhatu-shodhana, marana | Metal purification and calcination |
| 12 | Rasa-kalpana | Mercurial preparations |

### Uttara Khanda (Therapeutics) — 13 chapters
Panchakarma, basti, nasya, and therapeutic applications.

## Why it matters for Chyawanprash

**Madhyama Khanda Chapter 8 (Avaleha Kalpana)** is the canonical classical source for the 4-phase Avaleha manufacturing protocol used in [Chyawanprash](/formulation/chyawanprash/) and Chyawanprash Royale:

1. Kashaya preparation
2. Paka (the long cook) — with pakva (consistency) tests defined: *mridu paka*, *madhyama*, *kharatara*, *khara*, *atikhara*
3. Prakshep (lukewarm fine-powder addition) — naming Pippali, Twak, Ela, Patra, Nagakesara and Vamshalochana as the classical aromatic layer
4. Cold madhu addition — respecting Vagbhata's viruddha rule

The **pakva stages** Sharangadhara defines (thread-tests between fingers) are still the basis of modern Avaleha QC — the *kharatara paka* (two-thread test) is the classical endpoint for Chyawanprash batch cooking.

## Commentaries

- **Gudhartha-dipika** by Adhamalla (ca. 1350 CE)
- **Dipika** by Kasirama Vaidya
- Modern English translations: Srikantha Murthy (Chowkhamba), P. Himasagara Chandra Murthy

## See also

- [Ashtanga Hridaya](/text/ashtanga-hridaya/)
- [Chyawanprash](/formulation/chyawanprash/)
- Chyawanprash Royale
- Formulation SOP
- [Avaleha](/formulation/avaleha/)

*Classical-text reference hub. The definitive pharmaceutics source for all [Avaleha kalpana](/formulation/avaleha/) work in this catalogue.*

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Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.