Question

Statement: “Vamana is not included in Ashtavidha Shastra Karma.”

• A. True
• B. False
• C. True only in Shalya Tantra
• D. True only in Kayachikitsa

Hint:

To remember the 8 Shastra Karmas, use the mnemonic: "C-B-L-V-E-A-V-S". Remember that Vamana and Virechana are medical cleansings, whereas Shastra Karmas are mechanical surgical actions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept:

• Ashtavidha Shastra Karma refers to the eight types of surgical procedures described by Acharya Sushruta, the father of surgery.

• These procedures represent the fundamental technical actions a surgeon performs with sharp instruments (Shastras).

• Understanding the difference between surgical acts (Shastra Karma) and medical purification procedures (Panchakarma) is essential in Ayurvedic clinical theory.
Step 1: Listing the Eight Surgical Procedures
According to Sushruta Samhita (Sutra Sthana Chapter 5), the eight Shastra Karmas are:

• Chedana: Excision (removing a part).

• Bhedana: Incision (opening a cavity).

• Lekhana: Scraping (clearing a surface).

• Vedhana: Puncturing (tapping a fluid collection).

• Eshana: Probing (exploring a tract).

• Aharana: Extraction (pulling out a foreign body).

• Visravana: Draining (releasing blood/pus).

• Sivana: Suturing (closing a wound).

Step 2: Evaluating the role of Vamana
Vamana is the therapeutic induction of vomiting.
It is a medical purification procedure (Shodhana) and is part of the Panchakarma (five detoxification therapies) primarily used in Kayachikitsa (Internal Medicine) for Kapha disorders.
It does not involve the use of surgical instruments to cut or alter tissue.

Step 3: Conclusion
Since Vamana is a medical therapy and not one of the eight surgical procedures listed in the classical surgical curriculum, the statement that it is "not included" is factually True.