Chaturvidha Sutras Described by Acharya Dalhana

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S

 That means of Chaturvidha Sutras

Chatuh / Chatur = 4

Vidha = varieties

Sutras = textual verses or aphorisms

Who has described Chaturvidha Sutras?

Acharya Dalhana is the commentator of Sushruta Samhita. He has composed Nibandha Sangraha. On this treatise, Dalhana, in Nibandha Sangraha explains that the textual content / treatise incorporates in its core construction, the chaturvidha sutras i.e. 4 distinct kinds of aphorisms (textual verses).

Function – The sutras and understanding of them would assist us to grasp the authority, supply and context behind totally different sorts of statements made within the treatise – Sushruta Samhita on this context.

That are the 4 kinds of Sutras?

“चतुर्विधं सूत्रं भवति- गुरुसूत्रं, शिष्यसूत्रं, प्रतिसंस्कर्तृसूत्रं, एकीयसूत्रं चेति ॥” Dalhana on Su.Su.Ch.1

The Sutras are of 4 varieties – Guru Sutra – phrases of a preceptor, Shishya Sutra – phrases of a disciple, Pratisamskarta Sutra – phrases of a redactor and Ekiya Sutra – phrases or opinion of different consultants’. (Dalhana)

Under talked about are the 4 sorts of Sutras outlined and defined by Acharya Dalhana

1. Guru Sutra – Guru means trainer, information or preceptor. On this context, it’s Divodasa Dhanwantari. The sutras instantly spoken, preached or advocated by revered preceptors are referred to as Guru Sutra – ‘the trainer / preceptor’s sayings’.
2. Shishya Sutra – Shishya means disciple or scholar. On this context, it’s Acharya Sushruta. The Sutras associated to i.e. stated or requested by a disciple represent Shishya Sutra. In brief, they’re statements, verses or questions formulated by the disciple / disciples – ‘the disciple / scholar’s assertion / say / verse / query’.
3. Pratisamskrita Sutra – One who does redaction of the treatises is known as Pratisamskrita i.e. redactor. On this context, it’s Acharya Nagarjuna. The Sutras said by the redactor are thought of Pratisamskrita Sutra – ‘the redactor’s redacted / revised or up to date notes’.
4. Ekiya Sutra – Ekiya right here means ‘the opposite consultants’ who’ve written their views on specific elements or verses of the shastra (classics) and have put forth their alternate opinions or particular views concerning the identical. The Sutras written / advocated / stated by different consultants or modern authorities are referred to as Ekiya Sutras.

All these could be thought of as ‘textual methodologies’ which assist in structural textual content evaluation.

It’s fascinating to see how Acharya Dalhana strongly applies the methodology framework of Chaturvidha Sutras to his Nibandha Sangraha commentary on the Sushruta Samhita (Sutra Sthana Chapter 1) although this idea was neither new nor distinctive to Ayurveda for the reason that very idea of Chaturvidha Sutra originated in early Ayurveda commentaries like that of Acharya Chakrapani on Charaka Samhita as part of structural textual content evaluation. Chaturvidha Sutras could be thought of as a conventional classification of analyzing ‘textual methodology’.

Guru Sutra – the preceptor / trainer’s assertion

These aren’t mere statements or sayings, they’re the truth is the teachings. There have been broadly two colleges of Ayurveda within the historical days, one college which imparted medical data and the opposite college which might impart surgical data and practices, after all together with Ayurveda fundamentals, which have been widespread for each colleges. The scholars of Ayurveda learnt the themes they selected from the lecturers / preceptors who’re consultants in these fields. The system is similar even in modern-day studying. The preliminary section of studying comes by means of the trainer or preceptor. Academics have been additionally thought of as Aptas in historical days, i.e. individuals who had immense data of the whole lot alongside three timelines i.e. previous, current and future and something they stated or trainer was true to each phrase and value documenting, finding out and passing it alongside the subsequent tiers of timeline, to future generations. This was unadulterated data which might be tapped by any disciple being within the shut proximity of a preceptor and submitting himself or herself to the method of studying. Every part stated or taught by a preceptor within the course of would turn out to be Guru Sutra.

In brief, Guru Sutras are preceptor’s statements or aphorisms spoken instantly by the trainer which might impart medical data. Guru or preceptor so far as Chaturvidha Sutras in relation to Sushruta Samhita is worried, is Divodasa Dhanwantari. Ref – Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 1.

Instance of Guru Sutra –

“अहं हि धन्वन्तरिरादिदेवो नराणां नृणामार्तिविनाशनार्थम् ।” (Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 1/22)

Herein we will see that Lord Divodasa Dhanvantari thought of as Guru in Guru Sutra makes an authoritative assertion and says ‘I’m certainly Dhanvantari, the primordial deity. I’ve descended to the Earth to alleviate the illnesses and miseries haunting humanity’.

Acharya Dalhana references this assertion (and such statements) whereby the preceptor speaks with final and supreme authority as Guru Sutra. These aphorisms would put forth the basic scientific truths.

Shishya Sutra – the disciple’s assertion / disciple’s questions

Schooling and studying can be significant and fruitful if the vibe and chemistry between the Guru and Shishya – disciple is powerful and unfettered. When the disciple syncs in with the teachings of his Guru with utmost focus, dedication and focus, the educational would remodel into undeterred and unquestionable data. On this course of, the coed ought to by no means be a silent spectator and receiver. She or he could have their very own doubts and queries. If they don’t increase these questions, which by themselves are sutras, the educational stays incomplete.

Shishya Sutras are statements or questions / aphorisms made by the disciple which might facilitate biphasic communication within the technique of studying and would contribute to the great studying by the disciple with out loose-ends and doubts left over.

As a trainer, I’ve all the time believed that I’m nonetheless a scholar and have stored that scholar in me alive, open to any data from any route. A query or doubt generated by a scholar has evoked new views of the topic I already know and has added totally different dimensions to my understanding of Shastra in several methods. Shishya Sutras play an important function in complete studying and would deliver out the most effective in a trainer.

In brief – Shishya Sutras comprise statements / aphorisms of a disciple within the technique of studying. It additionally encompasses verses formatted and offered within the type of questions or doubts or structural submissions raised by the coed, primarily in the direction of and within the route of his or her trainer. Herein, Acharya Sushruta is designated as Shishya within the Chaturvidha Sutras, the coed who is allowed to query whereas studying. The questions raised by Sushruta and statements made therein in the direction of his trainer Divodasa Dhanwantari, to finish the cycle of complete studying are thought of as Shishya Sutra. Ref – Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 1.

Instance of Shishya Sutra –

“भगवन्! शारीरमानसआगन्तुकव्याधिपरितापितानां… उपशममर्थं… आयुर्वेदं श्रोतुमिच्छामः ।” (Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 1/4)

Herein we will see that Acharya Sushruta thought of as Shishya in Shishya Sutra, makes an announcement within the type of a request / prayer to his preceptor Lord Divodasa Dhanvantari and says – ‘O Lord (Dhanwantari), We, your disciples, would want to listen to and be taught Ayurveda for the aid of dwelling beings who’re affected by bodily and psychological illnesses and likewise diseases attributable to exterior brokers – attributable to accidents and trauma’.

Acharya Dalhana opines that these sections whereby there’s a classical dialogue format happening within the type of Guru Sutra – preceptor’s assertion and Shishya Sutra – disciples’ queries would kind the inspiration for Samvada – medical dialogue by means of dialogues. The questions, statements or prayers and requests put forth in the direction of his preceptor kind the shishya sutra. The Samvadas between Guru and Shishya would set up and doc the exact doubts generated and systematic clarifications requested by the disciple within the technique of studying and gaining data.

Pratisamskrita Sutra – the redactor’s assertion / verse

Pratisamskara Karta i.e. the redactor is a crucial member in structural studying and evaluation of ‘textual methodology’. Subsequently, the sutras of pratisamskara karta maintain a vital place in Chaturvidha Sutras.

The Guru – preceptor teaches. The authoritative statements made by them turn out to be Guru Sutra. Within the course of, the disciple comes up with questions, requests and prayers within the route of wanted clarifications. These questions and the solutions acquired in response from the Guru turn out to be a dialogue till there’s a conclusive readability concerning the topic in dialogue. The redactor i.e. pratisamskarta would add or edit this Samvada later within the timeline. This beautifies the textual methodology whereby added opinions, interpretations and readability can be included with out hurting the core content material and emotion of the treatise. The contribution of Pratisamskarta i.e. redactor within the technique of studying Ayurveda and perceiving the data of the identical in a complete method is immense and undebatable.

In brief – Pratisamskrita Sutra comprise of the statements or interpretations and clarifications inserted into the textual understanding and methodology or structural markers added and the modifying inserted therein by the redactor of the texts within the involved treatises in order to hyperlink the chapters or attribute dialogue. Herein, Acharya Nagarjuna is designated as Pratisamskarta within the Chaturvidha Sutras. Taking the opposite college of Ayurveda studying, Acharya Charaka who has redacted the unique Agnivesha Tantra is the redactor. Actually Charaka Samhita, the favored treatise and one among the many Brihat Trayis – the better trio of Ayurveda is known as after the redactor himself, displaying the significance of Pratisamskarana – redaction and Pratisamskrita Sutra within the textual methodology. Reference – contextually, Pratisamskrita Sutra has been built-in in the beginning or finish of the chapters.

Instance of Pratisamskrita Sutra –

“अथातो वेदोत्पत्तिं नामाध्यायं व्याख्यास्यामः । इति ह स्माह भगवान् धन्वन्तरिः ॥” (Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 1/1-2)

Herein we will see that Acharya Nagarjuna thought of as Pratisamskarta in Pratisamskrita Sutra, makes an announcement and says – ‘Now, we will expound the chapter named Vedotpatti (The origin of medical data) as was spoken of by (described by) the venerable Lord Dhanwantari’.

Based on Acharya Dalhana – the narratives defined within the instance above, like ‘Thus Spoke the Lord….’ are categorised as Pratisamskartri Sutra’. We are able to infer that for the reason that unique writer by no means writes their very own introduction and therefore ought to have been achieved by the redactor himself, who additionally constructions the historic context.

Ekiya Sutra – the alternate professional’s assertion or opinion

Ekiya Sutras are the statements, opinions or verses whereby the textual content data another idea or a conflicting or singular idea that are held and put forth by different modern medical consultants or different colleges of thought i.e. eke or ekiya. These could be thought of as ‘different important references or statements / opinions’ given by different consultants or modern authors or authors of various timelines and colleges of studying in relation to the topic or subject in dialogue. They might be referred to and talked about in a treatise to substantiate, help or contradict an announcement or idea proposed within the textual content. It can be thought of as ‘comparative research’ with the assistance of statements or aphorisms of different consultants and modern authors, which might give another perspective or enrich the present perspective. The ekiya sutra could or will not be appreciated or accepted within the present dialogue taking place in a textual content / treatise, however will maintain a big place which might enrich the discussions.

In brief, Ekiya Sutras are the verses, statements or opinions of the opposite consultants or modern preceptors which turn out to be an integral a part of studying methodology whereby the treatise formally data a conflicting, singular or various idea held and put forth by different consultants or colleges. Reference – Sushruta Samhita, Sharira Sthana.

Instance of Ekiya Sutra –

“कुमारस्य शिरः पूर्वमभिनिवर्तत इति कुमारशिरा भरद्वाजः…” (assertion made by Kumarashira Bharadvaja much like that cross-cited in Sa. Sha. 6 / Cha. Sha. 6)

Herein we will see that another opinion or assertion of Kumarashira Bharadwaja has been mentioned because the verse says – ‘Based on the professional opinion of Kumarashira Bharadwaja, the pinnacle of the fetus is the very first organ to develop within the womb of the mom’.

Acharya Dalhana defines the totally different viewpoints of different preceptors or consultants given within the treatise (Sushruta Samhita on this context) as Ekiya Sutra. These describe the debates among the many historical sages concerning embryogenesis, dhatu formation or processing of rasas outlined by Acharya Sushruta within the treatise.

Chaturvidha Sutras – Acharya Dalhana vs Acharya Chakrapani

It’s fascinating to notice that each Acharya Dalhana and Acharya Chakrapani (commentator of Charaka Samhita) have mentioned Chaturvidha Sutras as types of textual content evaluation. Although the inspiration is similar, they’ve tailored them to align with their respective textual content lineages – Sushruta Samhita and Charaka Samhita respectively. Acharya Chakrapani embraces these studying instruments in Ayurveda Dipika commentary on Charaka Samhita, Acharya Dalhana adapts the identical in his Nibandha Sangraha commentary on Sushruta Samhita. Whereas Chakrapani makes use of it in relation to the wants of the medical college of studying (kayachikitsa sampradaya), Dalhana makes use of them to satisfy the wants of the surgical college of studying (shalya tantra sampradaya) of the Sushruta Samhita.

Chaturvidha Sutras Comparative Examine in accordance to totally different colleges of studying in Ayurveda

Structural Adaptation of Chaturvidha Sutras by Acharya Dalhana and Chakrapani

1. Guru Sutra –
2. Dalhana / Sushruta Samhita – The sutras characterize the voice and phrases of King Divodasa Dhanwantari who himself declares that he’s an incarnation of Bhagawan Dhanwantari – the God of drugs. The language and magnificence of the dialogue herein are deeply imperial and decisive. The construction of educating focuses closely on hands-on structural and surgical process, anatomy and surgical anatomy.
3.   Chakrapani / Charaka Samhita – The sutras herein denote the celestial teachings of Lord Atreya, the primary preceptor of this college of studying. As a tutorial head and authority, he’s seen to present classes on totally different matters together with pharmacology, etiology, drugs and cosmic ideas of life, with authority and readability.

2. Shishya Sutra –
3. Dalhana / Sushruta Samhita – We are able to see that Acharya Sushruta’s queries in the direction of his Guru present urgency for readability and are immensely action-oriented and sensible. His questions are associated to bodily supplies, working towards surgical procedure on dummies and surgical fashions and structural administration of wounds and unintended wounds.
4.   Chakrapani / Charaka Samhita – Acharya Agnivesha’s questions primarily give attention to advanced systemic logics and elementary fundamentals. Instance – the questions are structured round and oriented in the direction of deeper understanding of ideas like these associated to absolute nature of the thoughts and causes for manifestation of illnesses in another way in several prakritis.

3. Pratisamskrita Sutra –
4. Dalhana / Sushruta Samhita – Pratisamskarana or redaction is especially credited to Acharya Nagarjuna. By Pratisamskrita Sutra, Acharya Dalhana identifies sections of the treatise the place Acharya Nagarjuna has chiseled and polished the verse meter or added superior chemical purification and likewise metallurgical references to historical surgical practices and formulations.
5.   Chakrapani / Charaka Samhita – Charaka Samhita has a historical past of layered redaction. Acharya Agnivesha’s unique work / treatise was first redacted by Acharya Charaka. Centuries later, Acharya Dridhabala crammed within the lacking chapters to the treatise. Utilizing Pratisamskrita Sutra, Acharya Chakrapani separates the elements of the treatise which belong to Acharya Charaka and people elements which have been redacted by Acharya Dridhabala.

4. Ekiya Sutra –
5. Dalhana / Sushruta Samhita – Acharya Dalhana focuses these aphorisms on intense bodily debates. Instance – In Sharira Sthana we will discover described totally different opinions given by totally different consultants concerning the embryonic growth and manifestation of various elements of the physique at totally different occasions. The sages are seen to debate over which fetal physique half varieties first – the pinnacle, the guts or the intestine. Dalhana makes use of this Sutra to keep up a impartial recording of those divergent theories of anatomy.
6.   Chakrapani / Charaka Samhita – Numerous well-known philosophical symposia have been recorded in Charaka Samhita. Instance, the talk on the origin of man and illness in chapter 25 of Sutra Sthana. Acharya Chakrapani highlights this Sutra to explain these symposia.

To Sum up,

Acharya Dalhana makes use of Chaturvidha Sutras to make the readers and college students of Ayurveda perceive the speaker who takes central stage to explain issues at totally different moments within the treatise. With this a scholar will have the ability to differentiate between a question requested by a scholar (shishya sutra) and a conflicting opinion put forth by different consultants (ekiya sutra) with none confusions, with an absolute authority and command from the Guru – preceptor.

However, Acharya Chakrapani makes use of Chaturvidha Sutras to showcase that Charaka Samhita is a steady, unbroken and logical thread which connects all features of pure medical science and interprets the identical into complete textual methodology and understanding.

Associated AIAPGET Questions

1. That are the Chaturvidha Sutras described by Acharya Dalhana?
2. Nidana Sutra, Chikitsa Sutra, Ahara Sutra, Vihara Sutra
3.   Dinacharya, Rutucharya, Sadvritta, Achara Rasayana
4. Guru Sutra, Shishya Sutra, Prapisamskarta Sutra, Ekiya Sutra
5.   Aptopadesha, Pratyaksha, Anumana, Yukti

Ans – c. (Su.Su.Chapter 1)

2. Which amongst these will not be a Sutra included in Dalhana’s Chaturvidha Sutra?
3. Ekiya Sutra
4.   Chikitsa Sutra
5. Pratisamskarta Sutra
6.   Shishya Sutra

Ans – b. Chikitsa Sutra. (The fourth one is Guru Sutra).

3. “अहं हि धन्वन्तरिरादिदेवो नराणां नृणामार्तिविनाशनार्थम् ।” is
4. Shishya Sutra
5.   Ekiya Sutra
6. Guru Sutra
7.   Pratisamskarta Sutra

Ans – c. Guru Sutra.

4. “भगवन्! शारीरमानसआगन्तुकव्याधिपरितापितानां… उपशममर्थं… आयुर्वेदं श्रोतुमिच्छामः ।” is a
5. Pratisamskarta Sutra
6.   Shishya Sutra
7. Ekiya Sutra
8.   Guru Sutra

Ans – b. Shishya Sutra.

5. “अथातो वेदोत्पत्तिं नामाध्यायं व्याख्यास्यामः । इति ह स्माह भगवान् धन्वन्तरिः ॥” is a
6. Guru Sutra
7.   Shishya Sutra
8. Ekiya Sutra
9.   Pratisamskarta Sutra

Ans – d. Pratisamskarta Sutra

6. “कुमारस्य शिरः पूर्वमभिनिवर्तत इति कुमारशिरा भरद्वाजः…” is a
7. Ekiya Sutra
8.   Pratisamskarta Sutra
9. Shishya Sutra
10.   Guru Sutra

Ans – a. Ekiya Sutra.