Bharadvāja (Āyurveda scholar)

The Saṃhitā period started after the Vedic period from Brahmā to Indra in the tradition of Āyurveda descent. The Vedic period is limited to the Veda, Upaniṣads and the Smṛti period. The period of Vāgbhaṭṭa is called that stage of Saṃhitā period. That is, the Saṃhitā period started from Ṛṣi Bharadvāja. The details of the Āyurveda scholars of Saṃhitā period and various books are written by them are given below—As per Caraka-Saṃhitā mentioned Bharadvāja learned the science of Āyurveda from Indra and taught to Ātreya Punarvasu. As per Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa, Mahābhārata and Harivaṃśa Purāṇa, the Bharadvāja was the teacher of Dhanvantari. In ancient India four persons bearing the name of Bharadvāja were present. They were as follows–

Bharadvāja—I (1200 BC) -He was the composers of many hymns of Ṛgveda.

Bharadvāja—II (900 BC) -The reference is found in Mahābhārata, Viṣṇu Purāṇa. He was the son of Bṛhaspati and Mammaṭa. Bharadvāja participated in the assembly of sages arranged at the slopes of Himālaya to discuss the cause and solution of diseases. He was selected to send to Indra to learn Āyurveda. He learned Āyurveda from Indra and taught it to Ātreya etc. sages. Hence, he was known as preceptor of Ātreya and the first teacher of Ātreya tradition of Āyurveda.

Bharadvāja—III (900 BC) -As per Caraka he is the contemporary of Ātreya Punarvasu, he participated in the debate of finding the origin for man and diseases and he opined that Svabhāva is the cause of both. The debate was performed under the chairmanship of Punarvasu Ātreya.

Bharadvāja—IV (900 BC)–Kumāraśira Bharadvāja participated in the debate on qualities and actions of Vāta and Rasa-saṃkhyā (Five rasas as per him based on Pañca- Mahābhūta). The books Bharadvājīyaṃ and Bheṣajakalpa are attributed to him.