Atreya was undoubtedly one of the greatest Ayurvedic masters of the early era. He contributed immensely to the growth and popularity of the Ayurveda system of medicine.

Atreya was the son of sage Atri and was also a disciple of Bharadwaj. He was initially known as Punarvasu.  His greatest work “Atreya Samhita” was a work of rare quality. It contained over 46,500 verses. Atreya was credited with having begun the system of medical practice in Ayurveda. It was he who elaborated on the Tridosha concepts. He dealt in detail on the factors leading to various diseases and the action of drugs in Charaka samhita. It was he who dealt on the effects of climatic conditions on the life of human beings. He also dealt on the importance of water in ayurveda treatments.   Atreya is recognized as the greatest Aurvedic teacher of all times.