2.5 The Ancient Indian Doctor Charak
Complete textbook exercise solutions — Maharashtra State Board (Balbharati), Grade Six English.
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About the chapter
In this lesson, a grandfather tells his granddaughter Meera about Charaka. Charaka was one of the greatest physicians of ancient India. He wrote the Charaka Samhita and is called one of the founding fathers of Ayurveda. Meera learns that a true doctor needs care and compassion along with medicines.
Key points
- Charaka lived nearly two thousand years ago.
- He wrote the Charaka Samhita, a detailed book on medicine.
- He said that disease is caused by imbalance in the body.
- Harmony is restored through herbs, diet and lifestyle.
- He gave importance to both prevention and cure.
- A good doctor must be wise, compassionate and observant.
Words to remember
- physician – a doctor
- Ayurveda – the ancient Indian system of medicine
- compassion – kindness and care for others
- diagnosis – finding out the cause of an illness
- prevention – stopping something before it happens
| Problem | Answer | Home Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Cough | (b) | Adulasa |
| Stomach-ache | (d) | Pudin hara / Ajwain |
| Wound | (a) | Turmeric paste |
| Cold | (c) | Ginger tea |
(i) Who was Charaka?
Charaka was one of the greatest physicians of ancient India. He lived nearly two thousand years ago. He is called one of the founding fathers of Ayurveda.
(ii) Which famous book did Charaka write?
Charaka wrote the Charaka Samhita. It is a detailed book on medicine.
(iii) What qualities did Charaka say a good doctor should have?
Charaka said that a good doctor must be wise, compassionate and deeply observant.
(iv) What message does the line ‘Healing begins with care and compassion’ convey?
It means that medicines alone cannot cure a patient. The kindness and care of the doctor are also important. When a patient feels cared for, healing begins.
(v) Why is Charaka called one of the founding fathers of Ayurveda?
Charaka laid the foundation of Ayurveda. He wrote the Charaka Samhita. He explained that disease is caused by imbalance in the body. He said health can be restored by herbs, diet and lifestyle. He gave equal importance to prevention and cure. His work is still respected today.
- (i) bone — Orthopaedist
- (ii) brain and spine — Neurologist
- (iii) teeth — Dentist
- (iv) eye — Ophthalmologist
- (v) heart — Cardiologist
- (vi) small kids — Paediatrician
- (vii) skin — Dermatologist
- (i) Swapnil ran swiftly to catch the bus. — Manner
- (ii) The turtle moved slowly. — Manner
- (iii) I will call you later. — Time
- (iv) The children shouted loudly. — Manner
- (v) Please put it here. — Place
- (vi) It is warm inside. — Place
- (vii) Sarita finished her work yesterday. — Time
- behind — The little boy hid behind the door.
- there — Please keep your school bag there.
- upstairs — My grandmother has gone upstairs to rest.
- nearby — There is a small clinic nearby.
- (i) golden — “a golden afternoon in Kolhapur”
- (ii) curious — “his curious eight-year-old granddaughter”
- (iii) ancient — “in ancient times”
- (iv) wonderful — “what a wonderful question, Meera!”
Other adjectives from the lesson: old, wise, compassionate, observant, detailed, simple, true.
| Sr. No. | Root word | Suffix | Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| i. | deep | -ly | e.g. deeply |
| ii. | treat | -ment | treatment |
| iii. | wonder | -ful | wonderful |
| iv. | ill | -ness | illness |
| v. | prevent | -ion | prevention |
| vi. | examine | -ation | examination |
Remember: A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or to form a new word. Note the small spelling change in examine → examination and prevent → prevention.
This is a research activity. Students should collect and write the information themselves.
Points to look for: Sushruta — an ancient Indian surgeon, author of the Sushruta Samhita, known as the “father of surgery” and remembered for early plastic surgery and cataract operations. Nagarjuna — an ancient Indian scholar known for his work in metallurgy and alchemy, and author of the Rasaratnakara.
This is a drawing and display activity. Students should prepare their own poster.
Scientists students may include: Charaka, Sushruta, Aryabhata, Bhaskaracharya, C. V. Raman, Jagadish Chandra Bose, Homi Bhabha, Vikram Sarabhai, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and Dr. Anandibai Joshi.
- Tulsi (Holy Basil) — used for cough, cold and fever.
- Adulasa (Vasaka) — used for cough.
- Kadulimb (Neem) — used for skin problems and wounds.
- Korphad (Aloe vera) — its gel is applied on burns, cuts and dry skin.
- Halad (Turmeric) — its paste is applied on wounds.
- Ale (Ginger) — used for cold, cough and sore throat.
- Pudina (Mint) — used for stomach-ache and indigestion.
- Ova (Ajwain) — used for stomach-ache and gas.
Match these names with the pictures given in your textbook.