The Charak Samhita is a foundational text of Ayurveda, and while traditionally divided into eight sections (Sthana) and 120 chapters, it is often published in multiple volumes or parts for convenience in study.\r\n\r\nThe content typically associated with Part 2 (or Volume 2/Uttarardha in a two-volume set) often includes the latter, and primarily therapeutic, sections of the Samhita.\r\n\r\nSections (Sthana) of the Charak Samhita\r\nThe complete Charak Samhita consists of eight sections (Sthana) and 120 chapters:\r\n\r\nSutra Sthana (General Principles) - 30 chapters\r\n\r\nNidana Sthana (Pathology/Causes of Disease) - 8 chapters\r\n\r\nVimana Sthana (Specific Determination/Training and Diet) - 8 chapters\r\n\r\nSharira Sthana (Anatomy and Embryology) - 8 chapters\r\n\r\nIndriya Sthana (Sensory Organ-based Prognosis) - 12 chapters\r\n\r\nChikitsa Sthana (Therapeutics/Treatment) - 30 chapters\r\n\r\nKalpa Sthana (Pharmaceutics and Toxicology) - 12 chapters\r\n\r\nSiddhi Sthana (Success in Treatment/Panchakarma) - 12 chapters\r\n\r\nContent of Charak Samhita Part 2 (Typical Division)\r\nIn common academic divisions for Ayurvedic studies (like BAMS), the text is often split into two parts: Pūrvārtha (Earlier Half) and Uttarārtha (Latter Half).\r\n\r\nCharak Samhita Part 2 generally corresponds to the Uttarārtha and covers the sections focused on treatment and formulations. This division typically includes the following three Sthanas:\r\n\r\nChikitsa Sthana (Therapeutics/Treatment) - 30 chapters dealing with the medicines and management of various diseases.\r\n\r\nKalpa Sthana (Pharmaceutics and Toxicology) - 12 chapters on preparing medicines and dealing with poisons.\r\n\r\nSiddhi Sthana (Success in Treatment/Panchakarma) - 12 chapters detailing the principles and successful completion of purification therapies.\r\n\r\nIt\'s notable that the last 41 chapters of the Samhita—the last 17 chapters of Chikitsa Sthana and the entirety of Kalpa Sthana and Siddhi Sthana (24 chapters)—are often attributed to the later contributor, Dṛḍhabala, who completed the text after parts were lost.
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