Comparative Study on ‘Doctrine of Atman’ as discussed in Charaka Samhita and Srimad Bhagavad Gita

Abstract

Introduction: The doctrine of Atman or supreme soul forms the foundation of metaphysics as well as ontology of both Ayurveda and Vedanta philosophy. Charaka Samhita and Srimad Bhagavad Gita being the central texts of Ayurveda and Vedanta philosophy respectively, addresses the doctrine of Atman with their unique approach. The similarities regarding the different aspects of the Atman between Charaka Samhita and Bhagavad Gita indicates towards the fact that, the metaphysical background of Charaka Samhita has been greatly influenced by Vedanta philosophy. Discussion: Charaka Samhita describes the Atman as Avyakta (un-manifested), Ksetraja (knower of creation), Shashwata (eternal), Vibhu (universal) and Avyaya (indestructible). Acharya Charaka has accepted Atman as Aprabhava (beginning less), Anadi (has no beginning), Nitya (eternal), Bhavad Agrahyam (unperceivable by anything), Avyaya (indestructible), Chetanavana (conscious), Karta (supreme agent of action), Sarvagato (all pervasive), Sakshi (eternal witness) and Dehi (embodied). Charaka Samhita has described the characteristics of both Nirguna Atman or Paramatman as well as Saguna Atman or Jivatman simultaneously. Throughout the compendium, multiple arguments have been placed in support of the views like existence of Atman, eternity of Atman, consciousness of Atman, changelessness of Atman, all pervasive nature of Atman etc. Similarly in Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna has also described Atman as the only real self and supreme reality. Sri Krishna described Atman as the eternal, immortal, changeless reality as well as everlasting, indestructible, indeterminable reality. On comparative studies between these two compendiums one will notice that, both of them has described Atman as un-manifested, eternal, everlasting, indestructible, having independent existence, all pervasive, beginning-less, end-less, immutable reality. Conclusion: This present study indicates that, the doctrine of Atman as discussed in Charaka Samhita is by far large inspired by the principles of Vedanta philosophy. Thus, such comparative study will help us to understand the influence of Vedanta philosophy on Charaka Samhita as well as to establish a separate ontological view of Ayurveda, comprising concepts of multiple philosophical school as adopted in Ayurveda.