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.
| Also known as | Sharangadhara Samhita, Sharangadhara-Samhita, Sarngadhara Samhita, Sharngadhara Samhita, SS |
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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 and Chyawanprash Royale:
- Kashaya preparation
- Paka (the long cook) — with pakva (consistency) tests defined: mridu paka, madhyama, kharatara, khara, atikhara
- Prakshep (lukewarm fine-powder addition) — naming Pippali, Twak, Ela, Patra, Nagakesara and Vamshalochana as the classical aromatic layer
- 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
- Chyawanprash
- Chyawanprash Royale
- Formulation SOP
- Avaleha
Classical-text reference hub. The definitive pharmaceutics source for all Avaleha kalpana work in this catalogue.
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