Ayurveda is the Indian system of medicine and its origin can be traced back tothe Vedic period itself. Ayurveda is considered as the Upaveda of both Rigveda and Atharvaveda.Rudra, a form of Śiva,is considered as Bishak or Doctor among the Vedic Gods. The Aśvins (Vedic Gods and twins) are also called Divine physicians in the Vedic Sūktas (hymns). It is said that Vedic Ṛṣis such as Ātreya, Kaśyapa, Harita, Agniveśa, Bela, etc., wrote texts on Ayurveda but, unfortunately,these are now lost.

 

Almost all the texts on Ayurveda mentionĀtreyapunarvasuas being the formulator of this medical system. But the earliest known treatise on Ayurveda is Caraka’s Caraka Saṁhitā. Suśruta Saṁhitā (written by Suśruta) gives importance to surgery; it even describes different kinds of surgical instruments and surgical operations. Kaśyapa Saṁhitā, believed to have been written by Sage Kaśyapa, also deals with the Ayurvedic treatments. The Aṣṭāṅgahṛdaya of Vāgbhaṭa, Yogasāra of Nāgārjuna, Madhavanidhana and Sidhiyoga of Vriddhamadhava, etc. are other ancient texts dealing with Ayurveda.