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INTERNATIONAL
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Volume : 03
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P
ISSN No. : 2584-2757
Volume : 03
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DOI
: 10.5281/zenodo.21373212
Reg. No. : MAHA-703/16(NAG)
Year of Establishment – 2016
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DIAGNOSTICS AND RESEARCH
Corresponding Author: Prof. Dr. Subhash Waghe
ORCID ID: 0009-0006-2776-5549
ISI Impact Factor (2025-26): 1.345
IIFS Impact Factor (2026-27): 6.0
Article Info: Article Received on : 09/05/2026 Article Reviewed on: 25/06/2026 Article Published on : 15/07/2026
Cite this article as: - Waghe, S. (2026). An Introduction To Charak Samhitokta Rishi Balakhilya and Evaluation of Their
Contribution To Ayurveda. International Journal of Diagnostics And Research, 3(4), 96–101.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21373212
Abstract
Rishi Balakhilyas were born to the mother named ‘Sannati’ who was the daughter of ancient king Daksha
Prajapati. Their father named ‘Kratu’ was the son of lord Brahma. Theirs is the earliest example of human
cloning in which sixty thousand human clones were made from single embryo. But they could not grow
much and remained short of the size as much as to the size of big toe. Though they remained short but they
were brilliant and inquisitive. Rishi Balakhilyas were sixty thousand in number and they all used to stay
together and observe the penance. They had a dialogue with lord Brahma regarding ‘Brahma Vidya’. Rishi
Balakhilyas were present in the conclave of rishis conducted beneath the mountains of Himalayas, some
7000 years ago. This not only shows their interest in the medical science but also put them as the caring
persons for the sufferings of mankind. Hence, it becomes essential to explore the life of sage Balakhilyas to
know about his contribution to the Ayurveda.
Keywords: . Rishi Balakhilyas, Daksha Prajapati, Ayurveda
An Introduction To Charak Samhitokta Rishi Balakhilya and Evaluation of Their
Contribution To Ayurveda
Prof. Dr. Subhash Waghe
1
1
Dept. of Rog Nidan, SAM College of Ayurvedic Sciences, Raisen (MP) – 464 551
G
A
R
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Introduction :
The reference of sage Balakhilyas apart from
Ayurveda is found in Skanda Purana, Mahabharata
and Maitreya Upanishada. Rishi Balakhilyas were
born to the mother named ‘Sannati’ who was the
daughter of ancient king Daksha Prajapati. Their
father named ‘Kratu’ was the son of lord Brahma.
The hermitage of Balkhilya rishis was at ‘Chandra
teertha’ in the mountain called ‘Archika’ with three
peaks along the river ‘Yamuna (area somewhere in
Uttrakhand state of India). They interacted with
lord Bramha regarding the principle that runs the
body and make it lively and how even when it is
not desired, the soul gets stabilized in the body and
how it instigates the body. They were always
engaged in observing the penance. Rishi
Balakhilyas were present in the conclave of rishis
conducted beneath the mountains of Himalayas,
some 7000 years ago to discuss the health problems
prevalent in the society and the ways to address it.
[1]
Material & Method:
Literary method of research is followed in this
article. All the available Ayurvedic and Indological
literature is explored to find the maximum
information about the sage Balakhilya.
Review Of Literature :
Balakhilya Rishi’s Birth:
Kratu was the son of lord Brahma and one among
the seven Brahma rishis. He married to the
daughter called ‘Sannati’ of Prajapati Daksha.
Sannati the wife of Kratu, gave birth to 60 thousand
Balkhilya Rishis who were glowing with the
Bramhateja and were of the size of thumb of leg
(toe).
[2] [3]
Balakhilya Rishi’s personality:
They were of the size of thumb only. They were
living on the air only. They use to observe the
Bramhachari Vrata (celibacy regulations). They
were not taking any food. They were always
engaged in observing the penance.
[4]
Balkhilaya’s Ashrama (Hermitage):
As per the story told by sage Lomasha to the
Pandavas, the ashrama of Balkhilya rishis was at
‘Chandra teertha’ in the mountain called ‘Archika’
with three peaks. There were 3 water falls. The
river ‘Yamuna; flows from there. Lord Krishna
observed penance there. The famous Nara and
Narayana and Dhata and Vidhata rishis also lived
there. Balakihilya rishis use to observe the penance
with ‘Vaikhanas’ method i.e. by inhaling the air
only they use to survive.
[5]
Dialogue Between Bramha And Balakhilya
Rishis About Brahmavidya:
Once upon a time, Balakhilya Rishis, out of
curiosity asked lord Bramha about the principle that
runs the body and make it lively. To this query of
Balakhilya Rishis, lord Bramha replied that, it is the
eternal soul runs the body and make it lively. On
this, Balakhilya Rishis, again questioned the lord
Bramha that how even when it is not desired, how
the soul gets stabilized in the body and how it
instigates the body. To this query of Balakhilya
Rishis, lord Bramha replied that, the universal soul
(Jivatma) with its fraction (Bhutatma) keeps on
entering the body making it lively and inspiring it
to become functional. This soul in body is called as
‘Purusha or Kshetragya (observer)’. The soul
resides in heart and receives information through
the sensory motor organs. Although it is actionless
but appears to be the initiator of the action (Karta).
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On this, Balakhilya Rishis, again questioned the
lord Bramha that why the soul gets trapped in the
auspicious or inauspicious deeds and moves in
different species (yonis). To this query of
Balakhilya Rishis, lord Bramha replied that, pure
universal sole (Jivatma) is without any oddity but
gets vitiated on becoming the individual sole
(Bhutatma) because of factors like greed, anger,
fear, jealousy, ungratefulness, will to earn wealth,
will to possess the materialistic things and the
subjects of pleasing sensations etc. Getting beaten
by these ill factors, the individual soul keeps on
changing the bodies to balance the deeds of past
life. To avoid this, one should control the mind and
align it with the universal energy of the God.
Balakhilya Rishis got pacified with this answer of
the lord Bramha.
[6]
Dialogue Between Bramha And Balakhilya
Rishis About Turyawastha:
Once upon a time, Balakhilya Rishis, out of
curiosity asked lord Bramha about the Gods of
Turyawastha and Jagrutawastha?, Who controls
this world?, What is the duration of the time?, Who
brightens the Sun and Moon?, Who is great like
sky? To this query of Balakhilya Rishis, lord
Bramha replied that, Matruka vidya runs the
universe. It is composed of the ‘Omkar’ Pranava.
Bramha is the only boss of the universe. Whole
word is in his control. Time factor due to day and
night is because of him. The brightening light in the
stars is his form. Sky is also is his form. Getting
merged in mind is Turyawastha. Yagyopavita
(sacred thread in the body) is the Brahma Sutra and
men wear it for Brahma Upasana. Balakhilya
Rishis, again asked lord Bramha about the number
of Hansa sutras and its proportion. To this query of
Balakhilya Rishis, lord Bramha replied that, centre
of the sun has 96 rays which are sutras. The
Brahma principle mentioned in the Vedas and
Upanishadas is prayed by the Brahmagyanis. Self-
realization makes individual like the Brahma.
[7]
Balakhilya Rishi’s Blessing To Garuda:
Once upon a time, Balakhilya Rishis were
observing penance on a tree in a hanging down
position. Unknowingly the vulture broke the branch
of the tree. But seeing that Balakhilya Rishis are
hanging on it and anticipating their fall, Vulture
Garuda took the branch of the tree in its beak and
flew away to the safe place. On the way he met his
father Kashyapa and took his blessings. Maharshi
Kashya, requested Balakhilya Rishis to forgive his
son Garuda and go to the safe place. On his request,
Balakhilya Rishis not only went to mountain
Himalaya from there but also blessed the Garuda
for taking care of them.
[8]
Balakhilya Rishi’s Revenge on Indra:
Once upon a time, Prajapati Kashyapa was
performing the Yagya for the progeny. To bring the
woods for the fire (Samidha), he appointed God
king Purandara Indra and the Balakhilya Rishis.
Indra because of his power use to bring the huge
number of woods. Whereas, Balakhilya Rishis were
unable to bring the larger woods because of their
tiny size. Since they were of the size of thumb only,
bringing the small dried wood was also the difficult
task for them. God king Indra while bringing the
woods, uses to cross the Balakhilya Rishis and uses
to laugh at them. Getting hurt with the insulting
behaviour of the Indra, Balakhilya Rishis started
paying the oblation for the creation of the more
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powerful person than the God king Indra. Knowing
this, God king Indra took the shelter of the Prajapati
Kashyapa and narrated him the incident. Prajapati
Kashyapa took Indra with him and approached the
Balakhilya Rishis. He requested them to forgive the
Indra as divine trinity have appointed him as Indra
and it will be unfair to dethrone him. Balakhilya
Rishis requested to Kashyapa to make such an
arrangement that Purandra does not lose his post of
Indra and their wish of getting more powerful
person than Indra also gets materialized.
Accordingly, Prajapati Kashyapa told to the
Balakhilya Rishis that Indra will remain as God
king and the more powerful person who will born
from his daughter Vinita will turn as the vulture
and become the Indra of the birds and both will
cooperate with each other in future. This assurance
of Prajapati Kashyapa, assured the Balakhilya
Rishis.
[9]
Denial of False Charges by Balakhilya Rishis:
Once upon a time, someone theft the lotuses of sage
Agasti. Accordingly sage Agasti inquired to many
rishis. All they denied on oath. Similarly,
Balakhilya Rishis while denying said to the sage
Agastya that who so ever had theft his lotus should
stand on one foot while begging and should remain
away from following the ethics and norms of the
society.
[10]
Planning with Gods To Defeat Daityas:
According to Markandeya Purana, Daitya king
Jambha defeated Gods in the war and became dull.
To defeat the demons again rishi Balkhilyas
discussed with Devaguru Brihaspati and chalked
the plan. As per this planning Gods met lord
Dattatreya and requested to help. Lord Dattareya
assured them and guided them. As per this planning
Gods met lord Dattatreya and requested to help.
Lord Dattatreya assured them and guided them. As
per this planning, Gods challenged the demons and
when demons attacked them, they ran out towards
lord Dattatreya for help. Demons while chasing the
Gods, came towards lord Dattatreya and saw his
beautiful wife seated beside him. To possess her,
they took her on their head and ran away. Lord
Dattatreya asked Gods to attack the running
demons. Thus, Gods defeated demons and acquired
the land of heaven again.
[11]
Rishi Dhaumya in Mahabharata, mentioned that
Balakhilya rishis have performed Yaga on the bank
of river Saraswati.
[12]
Contribution To Ayurveda:
Though there are no any evidences to show the
direct contribution of sage Balkhilya to the
Ayurveda. But as they were present in the famous
conference that held almost 5000 years ago beneath
the mountain Himalaya in which sages discussed
about the diseases in society. In this conference, all
the sages unanimously selected sage Bharadwaja as
their leader to bring Ayurveda from the God king
Indra. After bringing the knowledge of Ayurveda
from the Indra, sage Bhardwaja taught it to all the
Rishis and Munis present in the first conference as
mentioned by acharya Charaka. Hence, it is likely
that as like other rishis, Balkhilya rishis may have
created their own treatise on Ayurveda which is not
available today.
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Observation :
Table no. 1 Rishi Balkhilya In Nutshell
01
Grand father
Bramha
02
Father
Kratu
03
Mother
Sannati
04
Father-in-law
Daksha Prajapati
05
Mother-in-law
Aksini
05
Contemporary
sages
Agasti, Gautama,
Brihaspati
06
Educational
interest
Brahma vidya &
Participation in Ayurvedic
conference
Discussion :
Balkhilya rishis were the sons of sage Kratu. Their
mother’s name was Sannati who was the daughter
of king Daksha. They were of the size of thumb
only. They were living on the air only. They use to
observe the Bramhachari Vrata (celibacy
regulations). They were not taking any food and
observed great penance by inhaling the air only.
They were always engaged in observing the
penance. Since Balkhilya rishis took oath before the
sage Agasti for not stealing his lotus, it can be said
that Balkhilya rishis were contemporary to sage
Agasti and also as they were present in the famous
conference that held almost 5000 years ago beneath
the mountain Himalaya in which sages discussed
about the diseases in society, they were
contemporary to all the sages present there. They
taught lesson to the God king Indra. Hence, they
appear to be determined for protecting the self-
pride. When the Vulture saved the tree on which
Balkhilya rishis were sitting, they obliged it by
bestowing their blessings. This shows their
gratefulness. They were instrumental in defeating
the evil demons. Their dialogue with lord Brahma
regarding Brahmavidya put them as the curious and
inquisitive person to search for the intricacies of
life on metaphysical basis.
Summary & Conclusion:
Balkhilya rishis were present in the conclave of
rishis conducted beneath the mountains of
Himalayas, some 7000 years ago and they learnt
the wisdom of Ayurveda from rishi Bhardwaja.
Declaration :
Conflict of Interest : None
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ISSN: 2584-2757
DOI : 10.5281/zenodo.21373212
Dr. Subhash Waghe
Inter. J.Digno. and Research
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