The great   treatise on Ayurveda called “Charaka Samhita” has aptly been named after this great physician of ancient times .It constitutes one of the most authentic works in Ayurveda system of medicine.

It was, however, Agnivesh, a disciple of Atreya who composed the “Charaka Samhita”.
Charaka revised and edited the original work done by Agnivesh and that is precisely the reason why this great work was named after him. All human beings according to Charaka Samhita are composed of three basic elements: vatta, pitta and kapha. All these three elements, then, need to function harmoniously for a healthy life. If there is disharmony among any of these three elements disease sets in. Charaka samhita also dealt on foetal generation and development; anatomy of the human body; the human digestive system and its impact on the production of vayu, pitta and kapha; the body functions and the human anatomy. The book also offered suggestions on the upkeep and rejuvenation of the body.