Kashyap Samhita is also known as "Braddha Jeevakiya Tantra", which is written by Sage Kashyapa. The origin of the teachings, which have collected in samhita, are given by the Bramha.The originator of this samhita is said to be Bramha himself, who transfered the knowledge to Daksha Prajapati. Daksha have transferred knowledge to Ashwani kumars, then transferred to Indra,then transferred to Kashyap, Vashishtha, Atri and Bhragu. The son of Kashyap and the pupil of the kashyap transferred the knowledge to the subsequent personals.

Oldest classical book

In Kashyap samhita, which is also called Bradha Jeevakeeya tantra, the Ayurveda science descriptions are given in the question and answer styles. The question raised by the pupils, answered by the Sage Kashyap himself, is recorded in very lucide way. The four cardinal point's related questions related to the commencement of diseases, ^*" target="_blank" >their treatment and [d managements are raised by the pupils are answered by the sage Kashyap. Kashyap samhita is said to be one of the oldest classical book on Ayurveda.

The myth behind the origin of the book is, when Kashyapa written Samhita has not welcommed by the Ayurveda maestro of that time, then five years old son of sage Richeek named Jeevak, summerised the huge volume of Kashyap samhita written by Kashyapa himself and went to Haridwar, Kanakhal, a holy place in Uttranchal state, India and presented the concise version of Samhita before the maestro of Ayurveda at that time. The present sages refused to accept the version of the samhita understanding that the work is composed by the five years old boy. At the same time the boy went to Ganga river and bathed. After some time when he cme out, Jeevak turned as an very Old man looks and gate-ups. Seeing the gate-up of Jeevak, thier present learned persons called him "Braddha Jeevak" and recognised the collection work as "Braddha Jeevakeeya Tantra".

It is presumed that the time of braddha jeevak, is before of Buddha and Swami Mahabir. Therefore in the era of Buddha, Bimbsaar's Bhujishya born jeevak is differ from this jeevak. Jeevak Vaidya was very expert in Surgery and braddha jeevak is understood to be first originator of Kaumar Bhratya {peadiatrics, midwifery, gyneacology}.

With the pass of time, the Braddha Jeevakeeya Tantra suddenly came in the hand of Anayas Yaksha. At that time , Uttarakhand was domain by the Yakshas. Anayas Yaksha saved this script and spread the knowledge to his entire community.

After some time, Vatsaya, who was the successor of the Kashyapa family , again got the script from Yaksha. He edited the whole book and divided the matter in ewight branches : 1- Kaumar Bhratya : 2- Shalya kriya - pradhan shalya : 3- Uttamang- Shalyakriya - Pradhan Shalakya : 3- Vayah Sthapanadi deergha prayoga - Pradhan Rasayana : 6- Shareerik Mansik Chikitsa Pradhan , Kaya Chikitsa : 7- Agad Tantra : 8- Bhut Vidya. After that Ayurveda is called Astanga Ayurveda .

The present Kashyap samhita is divided according to the subject matter as following:

• Sutra Stha, which contains 30 chapters
• Nidan sthan , which contains 8 chapters
• Viman sthan, which contains 8 chapters
• Shareer sthan, which contains 8 chapters
• Indriya stahn, which contains 12 chapters,
• Chikitsa sthan, which contains 30 chapters,
• Siddhi sthan, which contains 12 chapters
• Kalpa sthan , which contains 12 chapters
• Khil Bhag contains 80 chapters.

Now today avaulale Kashyap samhita is containing 200 chapters. The basic collection of the book is said to be obtained from the Atharva veda. Over all, this is an important classical book of Ayurveda medical science.

See : Ayurveda