Bhela Samhita

Description

Bhela Samhita The present editions of the Bhelasamhita are based on a single manuscript in Telugu script preserved in the Saraswati Mahal Library, Tanjore. It was first published by the Calcutta University (1921) followed by Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi (1959). The latest edition is brought out by C.C.R.I.M. & H. (1977) duly edited by V.S. Venkatasubrahmania Shastri and C. Raja Rajeswara Sharma. Even in this edition, in spite of the tall claims made by the editors, consequential discrepancies could not be avoided because of being based on a single manuscript.

Planning and arrangement of the subject matter in the Bhelasamhita is similar to those in the Carakasamhita but the former is incomplete in many respects. However, the present text of the Bhelasanhitā has also many ideas common with the Suśrutasamhită. Apart from this, it has a number of peculiar ideas which give originality to the work. Bifurcation of alocakăgni, position of cakras in śrigățaka, hrdaya and nabhi and graphic setting of jātharagni like a lamp within a gourd- shell floating on water (representing the role of vata, pitta and kapha in digestion) are some of the ideas which seem to be original and more developed. Framing of the definition of käyacikitsaka, popularly quoted nowadays, goes to the unique credit of Bhela. As regards the date of Bhela, the scholars would naturally like to place him at the time of Agniveśa who was contemporary to him.

Though three editions of the Bhelasamhită came out successively they all lacked any commentary or translation with the result that the text remained out of the reach of non-Sanskrit knowing readers. It is gratifying to note that first time it is coming out with English translation by Dr. K.H. Krishnamurthy who has done the job quite efficiently. No other scholar could have been more befitting for this than Dr. K.H. Krishnamurthy who is a rare combination of Sanskritist, Ayurvedist, Botanist, Linguist and so on and has authored a number of works on Ayurveda and other subjects. I congratulate him for providing easy access to the Bhelasamhitä through his English translation which is equally accurate, faithful and comprehensible. Publishers also deserve thanks for the nice presentation.