Abstract

*Dr. Rohini Dharwal, **Dr. Karam Singh and ***Prof. Rakesh Sharma

ABSTRACT

Kashyap Samhita is considered main text of Kaumarbhritya and for this speciality it is the only source book even today. It is also known as Vridha Jeevaka Tantra, a treatise on Ayurveda attributed to the sage Kashyap. The text is often named as one of the earliest treatises on Indian medicine, alongside works like the Sushruta Samhita, Charak Samhita, Bhela Samhita and Harit Samhita.With the lapse of time, the important texts were either missing or incompletely available which was then resurrected by Vatsya, who procured it from an Yaksha named Anayasa. This article reviews various aspects related to Kaumarbhritya like Garbh Vigyan(Embryology), Navjata Shishu Paricharya(care of new born), Vaya Vibhajan(Age Classification), Shishu Aahar(Nutrition), Samskara (Childhood sacraments), Samanya Chikitsa Siddhant(General Principles of Management), Samanya Aushadha Matra (Drug doses), Shishu Roga Vinishchaya(Childhood Diagnosis). An attempt has been made to highlight the contribution and knowledge of Kaumarbhritya available in Kashyap Samhita which deals with care of the infants, children, their diseases and management.