Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S

Uttara Tantra – specialist of Sushruta Samhita

Samhitas – treatises are divided into various sections for the convenience of classifying and compiling related topics or topics related to a common theme. This pattern is followed by all the Samhitas and Acharyas who have created the Samhitas. Seeing that this pattern was thought of thousands of years ago, it is highly appreciable.

Speaking about Brihat Trayees, i.e. the greater trio, which are widely followed and referred by teachers, students, practitioners and Ayurveda enthusiasts, all of Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Samgraha or Hridaya are divided into many sections, each section comprising of specific number of chapters. The placement of the sthanas or sections differs amongst the Samhitas and so also the content and related chapters and their numbers. This also gives a uniqueness to each Samhita.

Even among Brihat Trayees, Sushruta Samhita is unique because of a special section called ‘Uttara Tantra’ or ‘Uttara Sthana’ which it contains. Uttara Tantra section is not available in Charaka Samhita or Ashtanga Sangraha / Hridaya. Likewise, a couple of sections placed in Charaka and Ashtanga are not available in Sushruta Samhita. Charaka Samhita and Ashtanga Sangraha / Hridaya have a similar pattern and the later Samhita (Ashtanga) has a strong influence from Charaka Samhita while it has also included the concepts of Sushruta Samhita also and seem to have a limited but certain influence.

Meaning & Definition of Uttara Tantra

श्रेष्ठत्वादुत्तरं ह्योतत्तन्त्रमाहुर्महर्षयः ।
बह्वर्थसंग्रहच्छ्रेष्ठमुत्तरं वाऽपि पश्चिमम् ॥४३॥

Ref – Sushruta Uttara Tantra, Chapter 3, Verse 43

Uttara means highly meritorious. This shows that Acharya Sushruta had not considered this section as ‘just another section’. This section was created with a clear intention and the contents which needed to be included in it was clearly scripted and chronologically arranged. Master Sushruta had clearly planned its placement too, that it shall be placed at the end of the treatise and the section shall be super-special. Sushruta has given utmost merit to this section and significance in relation to its content in spite of placing it at the end of the treatise. By definition ‘this section has been named as Uttara Tantra by the revered sages since this section is highly meritorious and important and is also a compilation of meanings of many branches of Ayurveda’.

Uttara means ‘ending’ or ‘that placed last’ – Uttara Tantra section is also called ‘Paschima Tantra’. Pachima means ending. It also means ‘something which has been placed at the end or placed last’. Uttara Tantra is placed at the end of Sushruta Samhita. It is placed as the last section of the treatise and hence the name Paschima Tantra.

Uttara Tantra is also called by the name ‘Aupadravika Tantra’. Aupadrava means complications. This section deals mainly with the upadravas i.e. complications of the diseases, mainly the first chapter and hence the name. The first chapter of Uttara Tantra is ‘Aupadravika Adhyaya’ which means ‘chapter dealing with the knowledge of complications’.

Why was Uttara Tantra needed to be included in Sushruta Samhita?

Acharya Sushruta had a clear plan of including certain chapters in the last section, not that they were not important, but they were very special and important that they needed a separate section. Among the eight branches or sections of Ayurveda (Ashtanga Ayurveda – eightfold classification of Ayurveda), four important branches and topics related to their pathogenesis, etiology and treatment have been discussed and described in Uttara Tantra. They are –

–        Salakya Tantra – study of diseases of the head (including ear, nose, tongue or mouth and eyes) and neck (throat) – ENT, Ophthalmology, Headaches etc. Detailed description of eye diseases and their treatments have been given in this section. Many modern ophthalmic practices seem to be influenced by these ancient practices.

–        Kumara Tantra or Kaumara Bhritya – pediatrics,

–        Kaya Chikitsa – general medicine and

–        Bhuta Vidya – study of microorganisms, idiopathic disorders

This shows the weightage that Uttara Tantra carries in Sushruta Samhita.

On the other hand,

–        Rasayana – immunology, immune-modulators, anti-ageing medicines, rejuvenators and Vajikarana – aphrodisiacs – branches have been described in Chikitsa Sthana section

–        Visatantra – study of poisons, toxicology has been described in Kalpa Sthana section

–        Shalyatantra – surgery – is included everywhere in the treatise since it has been considered as the most important branch among the eight branches (by Acharya Sushruta)

Some experts consider Uttara Tantra as a special supplement to Sushruta Samhita and provides a completeness to the treatise. This section, as discussed already, provides extensive knowledge on the subjects beyond the subject of main focus of the treatise i.e. surgical science. Gynecology is also included in the discussion in Uttara Tantra apart from the other sections mentioned above.

Other topics of interest described in Uttara Tantra

Also in Uttara Tantra, importance has been provided towards a comprehensive approach and discussion of medicine. Preventive health measures like dinacharya – daily regimen, rutucharya – seasonal regimen and rules and regulations which would help persons to live a healthy living have been emphasized.

Tantra-yukti which helps in comprehensive understanding of difficult words, sentences, core meaning and critical concepts and also serves as a key towards understanding the samhita to its core precision has also been touched upon in uttara tantra. It provides a system of logical principles and reasoning which would help in interpreting and deep understanding the complex information and concepts included in the text / treatise.

Appropriate timing of eating foods and etiquettes of eating have also been explained. This points towards the focus of the treatise towards teachings on lifestyle and wellness.

Chapters of Uttara Tantra

Uttara Tantra comprises sixty-six chapters.