Qualities of Physician in Light of Charaka Samhita - A Literary Study

Abstract

In Ayurveda, among the four limbs of healthcare system, physician is considered  as the most important and principal among others. A successful health care  service is primarily dependent on the proficiency of a physician having all the  necessary qualities as mentioned in the ancient compendiums. Charaka Samhita  being the most important text among all the resources of Ayurveda has given  much emphasis on the various aspects of a Bhishaka or Vaidya (physician) - right  from his basic qualities, advanced qualities, ideal role in healthcare service, his  character and so many other things. Along with these aspects, this compendium  also has elaborate description about various categories of physician - both ideal  ones and the counterfeits. Along with health care system, as an essential tool for  medical education, Charaka Samhita has also discussed the various aspects of an  ideal teacher - his qualities, character and duties - which are essential for making  a person a competent physician. All this ancient knowledge will help us to  understand better about the ideal character of a physician as it should be in  today’s society.