Acharya Sushruta’s Shalya Tantra Armamentarium: A Brief Review on Shastra and Shastra Karma

Abstract

Acharya Sushruta, revered as the "Father of Surgery" laid the foundation of Shalya Tantra (Ayurvedic surgery), emphasizing both surgical and parasurgical interventions. His treatise, the Sushruta Samhita, systematically describe Shastra Karma (operative procedures) and their role in managing various surgical conditions such as Arsha (haemorrhoids), Bhagandara (fistula), Nadi vrana (sinus wounds), and Asthi Shalya (foreign bodies in the bone).  concerning to his philosophy is the concept of Ashtavidha Shastra karma (eightfold operative procedures), which form the core of surgical practice. These include Chedana, Bhedana, Lekhana, Vedhana, Eshan, Aaharan, Visravan, Sivana. Sushruta also emphasized on Trividha Karma (Purva Karma, Pradhana Karma and Paschat karma). This holistic approach integrates surgical precision with ethical practice, it aids to inculcate discipline methods of comprehensive medical science. The principles outlined by Acharya Sushruta continue to influence modern surgical thought, highlighting enduring contribution to global medical heritage.