80
Journal of the association of physicians of india • october 2013 • VOL. 61
Pioneers in Rheumatology
Chakradatta
Ashwinikumar A Raut*, Jayashree V Joshi**
Director, Clinical Research and
*
Integrative Medicine, **Joint
Research Director,Medical
Research Centre of Kasturba
Health Society, Vile Parle (W),
Mumbai 400 056
764  © JAPI • october 2013 • VOL. 61
C hakradatta, also
popularly known
as Chakrapani, has
composed a landmark
publication on
Ayurved a medical
management entitled
as ‘Chikitsasangraha’.
Chakrapani belonged to
the Eastern part of India
in the 11 th century AD
era. His father Narayana
was the chief of King’s
kitchen with the status
of a minister in the
Kingdom of Gauda.
His elder brother
Bhanu was also a royal
physician to the King
Nayapala. Chakrapani
a c k n o w l e d g e s
Naradatta as his Guru
who inspired his
writings, particularly
his commentary on Charaka samhita.
Chakrapani has contributed at least
five compendia viz. Ayurveda-
dipika a commentary on Charaka
samhita, Bhanumati a commentary on
Sushruta samhita, Chikitsasangraha,
Vyagradaridrashubhankara and
Dravyaguna. 1
Chikitsasangraha the landmark
publication of medical management
is often acknowledged with the
title Chakradatta.2 The uniqueness
of Chakradatta is in the description
of several metallic and mercurial
preparations for the purpose of internal
use as medications e.g. Rasaparpati
made from purified and processed
mercury and sulphur. These are used by
experienced and successful Ayurvedic
physicians even today. He described
assistive devices and surgical techniques
such as t he Ksharasut ra which h a s
currently regained its popularity for its
application in sinus and fistula-in-ano.
The Ksharasutra, which has undergone
clinical trials and recommended by the
Indian Council of Medical Research, is
widely used by ayurvedic and allopathic
surgeons for the successful treatment
of sinus and fistula-in-ano. Many new
herbs especially from the flora of Bengal
were introduced by Chakradatta in
the Ayurvedic preparations such as
Ashtisamhara i.e. Asthisandhana (Cissus
quadrangularis) commonly used in
traditional practices and is a plant of
interest being investigated for its bone
healing activity with current methods
of science.
Chakradatta has proposed principal
line of treatment pertinent to various
diseases. He recommends six therapeutic
modalities for Amavata (polyarticular
inflammatory disease) viz. Langhana
(fasting), Swedana (sudation), Tikta-
Deepana-Katu dravya (medicinal
substances with bitter, pungent taste
and digestion-metabolism facilitators),
Virechana (laxation), Snehapana (use
of medicinal oils), and Basti (medicated
enemas) which are to be employed
sequentially if the patient reports at
an early stage of the disease; otherwise
these modalities may also be employed
in isolation or in combinations as per
the stage of the disease. Several herbal
and herbo-mineral formulations are
p r e s c r i b e d f o r A m a va t a w h i c h a r e
s t i l l p o p u l a r a m o n g t h e A y u r ve d i c
practitioners such as Yograj Guggulu,
Sinhanad Guggulu, Rasnasaptak kwath,
Panchakola kashayam, Nagarchoorna,
Eranda taila etc. Regulation in dietary
management with avoidance of certain
food substances is emphasised in the
chapter on Amavatachikitsa. 3
Journal of the association of physicians of india • october 2013 • VOL. 61 81
Entire Chakradatta is composed of 4800 verses
which are divided into 79 chapters. More than
50 sources have been acknowledged from where
Chakrapani was inspired for these verses. 4 The
chapters are divided as per the diseases, clinical
syndromes, therapeutic procedures and include also
a chapter on preventive medicine. First 65 chapters
are in the order of Madhava-Nidan who had dealt
only with the diagnostics whereas Chakradatta
only deals with therapeutics. Two commentaries are
available on Chakradatta, one Ratnaprabha authored
by Nischalakara in 13 th century A.D. and another
authored by Shivadasa Sen in 15 th century A.D. The
legacy of therapeutic principles specific for the disease
recommended by Chakradatta has continued even
today among the practitioners of Ayurveda and in
the Ayurvedic medical colleges.
© JAPI • october 2013 • VOL. 61
“The idea of including the two articles on Ayurvedic
physicians in the pioneer series is to recognize that
arthritis was studied by Ayurvedic physicians much
before the modern medicine era”.
References
1. Meulenbeld GJ, A history of Indian Medical literature, (5 vols), IIA,
part 6. Netherlands: Egbert Forsten – Groningen, 2000;86-113.
2. Sharma PV, editor, (5th Ed.). Chakradatta of Chakrapani, Varanasi:
Chaukhambha publishers, 1998.
3. Shastri BS, editor, Tripathi JP, commentary, (5th Ed.). Chakradatta of
Chakrapani, Amavatachikitsa, Verse1-86. Varanasi: Chaukhambha
Sanskrit Series office, 1983; 225-234.
4. Sharma PV, editor, (1st Ed.). Chakradatta-Ratnaprabha of Nishchalakara,
Upodghata, Jaipur: Swami Jayaramdas Ramprakash Trust, 1993; 5-6.
 765