Charaka was a physician who flourished probably around the 3rd and 2nd century B.C. No absolute information regarding the time or place of birth of Charaka is documented.
The Buddhist scripture Tripitaka describes Charaka to be the court physician of Kanishka, the Kushana King. The medical system known as 'Kaya Chikitsa' was advocated by Charaka. He is famous for his redaction of'Agnivesha Samhita' which was composed by Agnivesha, the student of sage Atreya. The redacted version of Agnivesha Samhita is called the 'Charaka Samhita', the earliest medical treatise in India. It is divided into eight parts which deal with plant, animal and mineral resources for treating diseases. It also describes the medical views of sixty earlier medical authorities. Numerous commentaries on this treatise include the celebrated commentary by Chakrapanidatta called Ayurveda Dipika'. Charaka is also credited with the authorship of 'Agnivesha Tantra' and 'Krishna Yajurveda'.
