An Introduction To Charak Samhitokta Rishi Jamdgni and Evaluation of His Contribution To Ayurveda

Rishi Jamadgni belonged to illustrious Bhrigu lineage. His uncles Chywana and Shukracharya were very famous rishis. He was the son of famous rishi Richika. His mother’s name was Satyavati who was the daughter of king Gadhi of Kanyakubja region. Jamadagni had famous son called Parshurama. Jamadagni studied hard and achieved erudition in his studies of the Vedas. Jamadagni studied Dhanurveda from his father, the Richik rishi. He received celestial bow Sharanga from his father Richika. Jamadgni married to princess ‘Renuka’ of Ikshwaku lineage. He developed enmity with Mahishmati king Sahastrarjun over forcibly possessing the celestial cow Kamdhenu. Sahastrarjun killed helpless sage Jamadagni. But he was revived by his paternal uncle Kavi Shukracharya with Mrit Sanjivani Vidya. On knowing the attack on the father, his furious son Parshurama, took revenge and killed all the Haihay lineage Kshatriyas including Kartaveerya Sahastrarjuna in the first attempt. Later the sons of Sahastrarjuna taking the opportunity of Parshurama being out in the forest, they again attacked rishi Jamadagni and beheaded him. Knowing this Parshurama eliminated all the Kshatriyas from the earth. Rishi Jamadagni was present in the conclave of rishis conducted beneath the mountains of Himalayas held some 5000 years ago to discuss the impact of diseases on human health. Hence, it becomes necessary to explore the life of sage Jamadagni to know about his contribution to Ayurveda. Keywords – Bhrigu, Parshurama, Sahastrarjuna