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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DIAGNOSTICS AND RESEARCH  
An Introduction To Charak Samhitokta Rishi Maudgalya and Evaluation of His  
Contribution To Ayurveda  
Prof. Dr. Subhash Waghe 1  
1 Dept. of Rog Nidan, SAM College of Ayurvedic Sciences, Raisen (MP) – 464 551  
Corresponding Author: Prof. Dr. Subhash Waghe  
ORCID ID: 0009-0006-2776-5549  
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 Maudgalya and Evaluation of His  
Contribution To Ayurveda. International Journal of Diagnostics And Research, 3(4), 125–131.  
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21373837  
Abstract  
The reference of sage Maudgalya apart from Ayurveda is found in Skanda Purana and Mahabharata. He  
belonged to the tradition of Rigveda. Rishi Maudagalya was born in the lineage of sage Bhardwaja  
(Bhardwaj Gotra). Even though Mudgala was born in Kshatriya lineage, his son Maudgalya originated the  
Maudgalya Brahmin lineage. Rishi Maudgalya’s granddaughter Ahalya was married to famous sage  
Gautama. Maharishi Maudgalya and his son Parikshi was present in the conclave of rishis conducted beneath  
the mountains of Himalayas, some 5000 years ago. Ayurvedic scholar Nishchal Kara had quoted him in his  
commentary Ratnaprabha on Chakraatta. Another reference to the son of Maudgalya rishi called Purnaksh  
and the followers of Maudgalya are found in Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana chapter number 26 in context to  
discussion on number of tastes (Rasas). Another reference to the son of Maudgalya rishi called Parikshi and  
the followers of Maudgalya are found in Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana chapter number 25 in context to  
discussion on evolution of life and diseases on earth. Hence, it becomes essential to explore the life of sage  
Maudgalya to know about his contribution to the Ayurveda. Exploration to the life of sage Maudgalya  
revealed that rishi Maudgalya was important ancient Ayurvedic scholar in the tradition ancient Ayurvedic  
acharyas.  
Keywords: Rasa, Atma, Parikshi, Purnaksha  
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DIAGNOSTICS AND RESEARCH  
literature is explored to find the maximum  
information about the sage Maudgalya.  
Introduction :  
Ayurvedic scholar Nishchal Kara had quoted a  
medicinal preparation called ‘Kalaka Choorna’  
used in the treatment of Mukha Roga which is  
credited to sage Maudgalya and his followers.  
Another reference to the son of Maudgalya rishi  
called Purnaksh and the followers of Maudgalya  
are found in Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana chapter  
number 26 in context to discussion on number of  
tastes (Rasas) in which he mentioned three types  
Review Of Literature:  
Family Tree of Rishi Maudgalya :  
Famous ancient Indian king Bharata had a son  
called Bhardwaja who became rishi. Bhardaja’s one  
of the sons was Brihatkshatra who in turn had a son  
called Suhotra. This Suhotra’s famous son was  
Hasti who shaped the famous ancient city called  
‘Hasteenapura’. The elder son of Hasti was  
Ajameedha. He had a wife called Nalini. They got a  
son called Neela and his son was Shanti. King  
Shanti’s son was Sushanti who in turn had a son  
called Puranjaya. King Puranjaya’s son was Riksha  
/Arka and his son was Haryashva/Bharmyashva.  
King Haryashva had five sons who created the  
Panchal state. The eldest son of king Haryashva  
was Mudgala. Even though Mudgala was born in  
Kshatriya lineage, his son Maudgalya originated  
the Maudgalya Brahmin lineage. The son of rishi  
Maudgalya was Brihadashva. The Brihadashva’s  
son was Divodasa (different than Kashi king) and  
daughter was Ahalya who was later married to sage  
Gautama. From Gautama Ahalya had a son called  
Shatanika. And Shatanika’s son was Krupa and  
daughter was Krupi who later married to  
tastes  
as  
-1)  
Cheedaneeya  
(cooling) and  
(pungent),  
2)  
Upashamneeya  
3) Sadharan  
(general). Another reference to the son of Maudgal  
rishi called Parikshi and the followers of  
Maudgalya  
are  
found  
in  
Charaka  
Samhita  
Sutrasthana chapter number 25 in context to  
discussion on evolution of life and diseases on earth  
in which he put the notion of soul which is  
responsible for evolution of life and diseases on  
earth. Rishi Maudgalya is of the view that the  
senseless Brahmins do not take sex in the form of  
Prajajan Yagya and having no control over the  
desire, keep on wasting the semen for sexual  
gratification Maharishi Maudgalya and his son  
Parikshi was present in the conclave of rishis  
conducted beneath the mountains of Himalayas,  
[1]  
some 5000 years ago.  
This not only shows his  
Dronacharya  
and  
became  
the  
mother  
of  
[2]  
interest in the medical science but also put him as  
the caring person for the sufferings of mankind.  
Hence, it becomes essential to explore the life of  
sage Maudgalya to know about his contribution to  
the Ayurveda.  
Ashwatthama.  
In Bhagwat Purana, Mudgala’s  
family tree is mentioned with little difference in  
names as shown by oblique. In Bhagwat Purana,  
Divodasa and Ahalya are mentioned as the twin  
progeny of sage Maudgalya. There is no mention to  
Brihadshva in between. [3]  
Material & Method:  
In Matsya Purana, Mudgala’s family tree is  
mentioned with little more difference. As per it,  
Mudgala’s son came to know as Maudgalya.  
Literary method of research is followed in this  
article. All the available Ayurvedic and Indological  
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Mudgala’s one son was Bramhanishtha and his son  
was Indrasena whose son was Vindhyashwa. The  
Vindhyshwa cohabited with nymph Menaka to give  
birth to the twins named Divodasa and Ahalya. [4]  
Maudgalya as Student of Rishi Shakalya:  
name was Bhagirathi and she was famous lady.  
Maudgalya’s wife was Jabala. She delivered many  
sons. Every morning Maharishi Maudgalya use to  
get bath in river Gomati Ganga. Every day he uses  
to recall lord Vishnu in his heart and uses to  
worship lord Vishnu with flowers. On his call lord  
Vishnu use to visit him and tell him the nice stories.  
In turn Maharishi Maudgalya, use to tell those  
stories to his wife Jabala. The place on the bank of  
the river Gomati where Maharishi Maudgalya  
worshipped the lord Vishnu came to know as  
‘Maudgalya/Vishnu Teertha.[7]  
In the Rigvedic tradition, rishi Paila divided  
Rigveda into two branches and taught it to his two  
disciples  
named  
Indrapramiti  
and  
Bahskala  
respectively. Indrapramiti further divided it further  
and taught it to disciples like Mandukeya and  
Shakalya Vedamitra. The rishi Shakalya further  
divided it into five branches and taught it to five  
students. One of the students was Maudgalya. [5]  
Maudgalya’s Conversation with sage Glava  
Maitreya:  
Maudgalya’s Prediction About Nadayanti:  
As per the story mentioned in the Vaman Purana,  
Jabali told to the Daitya that at the time of her birth  
Maharishi Mudagala said that this girl will become  
the queen. As soon as he said like that the  
auspicious drum beat that time. But soon  
inauspicious voice of fox was heard. Hearing that  
Maharishi Maudgalya said that the girl will become  
queen as he said earlier but will face hardship in her  
adolescence. Predicting that sage Maudgalya left  
from that place.[8]  
As mentioned in Gayatri Upanishada, conversation  
between sage Maudgalya and sage Glava the son of  
Maitreya rishi took place. Sage Glava initially  
challenged the authority of sage Maudgalya. In his  
Ashrama  
only  
sage  
Glava  
ridiculed  
sage  
Maudgalya in front of his students. Sage  
Maudgalya condemned Glava for his indecency and  
said to him that if he fails to answer his questions  
then he will have to serve at him for one year. Sage  
Maudgalya asked Glava what is 12 paired and 24  
centered Savitri and Gayatri. Sage Glava could not  
answer it. Accordingly, he came to serve the sage  
Maudgalya for one year. But kind sage Maudgalya  
instead of taking service from him, explained him  
the meaning of Savita and Gayatri and asked him to  
do penance for one year. [6]  
Sage Maudgalya’s Opinion Regarding Sex for  
Progeny:  
In the Brihad Aranyaka Upanishada, the views of  
rishi Maudgalya are mentioned regarding the sex  
for progeny. Rishi Maudgalya is of the view that  
the senseless Brahmins do not take sex in the form  
of Prajajan Yagya and having no control over the  
desire, keep on wasting the semen for sexual  
gratification. He is of the view that if anyone  
ejaculates before the start of ovulation period of the  
Maudgalya Teertha on the bank of River  
Gomati:  
As per Brahma Purana, Mudagala’s son was  
Maharishi Maudgalya. Sage Mudgala’s wife’s  
wife,  
(Prayaschitta).[9]  
then  
he  
should  
commit  
atonement  
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viz, 1. Twak (skin), 2. Mansa (muscle), 3. Asthi  
(bones), 4. Snayu (nerves), 5. Rakta (blood) and 6.  
Majja (lipid). There are five types of Kosha; viz. 1.  
Annamaya, 2. Pranamaya, 3. Manomaya, 4.  
Vigyanmaya, 5. Anandamaya. There are six types  
of enemies; viz. 1. Kama (desire), 2. Krodha  
(anger), 3. Lobha (greed), Moha (infatuation),  
Mada (arrogance), Matsarya (jealousy). There are  
six confusions; viz. 1. Kula (Family), 2. Gotra  
(lineage), 3. Jati (Caste), 4. Varna (Class), 5. Rupa  
(Complexion), 6. Ashrama (Home). There are six  
Urmis; viz. 1. Kshudha (hunger), 2. Pipasa (thirst),  
3. Shoka (Sorrow), 4. Moha (infatuation), 5. Jara  
(senility) and 6. Mrityu (death). [12]  
Maudgalya Feeding the Sage Durvasa on Parva:  
As per the story given in Mahabharata, sage  
Maudgalya was living in Kurukshetra region. He  
along with his wife and son uses to pick the grains  
fallen on earth and collect them like pigeons and  
were surviving on it. Not only they collect  
themselves but from the collected grains, they use  
to feed others on the occasion of special holy days  
called Parvas. On one time the angry sage Durvasa  
came to test his patience. He asked them the food.  
Maharishi Maudgalya gave all the food to him.  
Sage Durvasa repeated such things for six years.  
Every year he uses to come on Parva and use to  
consume all the food but this does not aroused  
anger in Maudgalya rather he fed sage Durvasa  
very happily. Looking at his selfless service and  
tendency to welcome the guests, sage Durvasa  
offered him the boon of going to heaven with body  
intact but Maharishi Maudgalya refused.[10]  
Contribution To Ayurveda:  
Nishchal Kara had quoted a medicinal preparation  
called ‘Kalaka Choorna’ used in the treatment of  
Mukha Roga which is credited to sage Maudgalya  
and his followers. [13]  
Another reference to the son of Maudgal rishi  
called Purnaksh and the followers of Maudgalya  
are found in Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana chapter  
number 26 in context to discussion on number of  
tastes (Rasas) in which he mentioned three types  
Presence on the Occasion of Death of Ayodhya  
King Dashratha:  
As per Ramayana, sage Maudgalya was present in  
the royal court at the time of death of king  
Dashratha (lord Rama’s father) along with rishis  
like Vasishtha, Markandeya, Gautama, Katayayana,  
Kashyapa, Vamadeva and Jabali. He gave the  
suggestion to sage Vasishtha that without the king  
there is chaos everywhere in the state. Hence,  
immediately the care taker king should be arranged  
for the throne. [11]  
tastes  
as  
-1)  
Cheedaneeya  
(cooling) and  
(pungent),  
2)  
Upashamneeya  
3) Sadharan  
(general). [14]  
Another reference to the son of Maudgal rishi  
called Parikshi and the followers of Maudgalya are  
found in Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana chapter  
number 25 in context to discussion on evolution of  
life and diseases on earth in which he put the notion  
of soul which is responsible for evolution of life  
and diseases on earth. [15]  
Maudgalya  
Upnishada:  
As  
creator  
of  
Maudgalya  
As per Maudgalyopnishada, there are three types of  
pain (Tri-tapa) – viz. 1,. Adhi-aatmika, Adhi-  
bhautika and Adhi-daivika. There are six dhatus;  
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medicinal preparation called ‘Kalaka Choorna’  
used in the treatment of Mukha Roga attributed to  
sage Maudgalya and his followers. Another  
Observation:  
Rishi Maudgalya in Nutshell  
01 Lineage Bhardwaja Vansha  
reference to the son of Maudgalya rishi called  
Purnaksh and the followers of Maudgalya are found  
in Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana chapter number 26  
in context to discussion on number of tastes (Rasas)  
in which he mentioned three types tastes as -1)  
Father  
Mudgala  
02  
03  
04  
Grand Father  
Son  
Haryashva  
Brihadashva, Purnaksha  
and Parikshi  
Divodas  
Grandson  
05  
06  
07  
08  
08  
Cheedaneeya  
(pungent),  
2)  
Upashamneeya  
Granddaughter  
Teacher  
Ahalya  
(cooling) and 3) Sadharan (general). Another  
reference to the son of Maudgal rishi called  
Parikshi and the followers of Maudgalya are found  
in Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana chapter number 25  
in context to discussion on evolution of life and  
diseases on earth in which he put the notion of soul  
which is responsible for evolution of life and  
diseases on earth. He had exchange of thoughts  
with famous Ayurvedic teacher Atreya Punarwasu.  
Maharishi Maudgalya and his son Parikshi was  
present in the conclave of rishis conducted beneath  
the mountains of Himalayas, some 7000 years ago.  
Shakalya  
Tradition  
Rigveda  
Literary  
Mudgal Puran  
Maudgalya Upanishad  
contribution  
Contemporary sages  
Gautama,  
Durvasa  
Vasishthja,  
09  
10  
11  
Contemporary  
personalities  
Ayurvedic  
King Dashratha  
Kalak Choorna  
preparation  
Discussion:  
Conclusion:  
The reference of sage Maudgalya apart from  
Ayurveda is found in Skanda Purana and  
Mahabharata. He belonged to the tradition of  
Rigveda. Rishi Maudagalya was born in the lineage  
of sage Bhardwaja (Bhardwaj Gotra). Even though  
Mudgala was born in Kshatriya lineage, his son  
Maudgalya originated the Maudgalya Brahmin  
lineage. As per Ramayana, sage Maudgalya was  
present in the royal court at the time of death of  
king Dashratha (lord Rama’s father) along with  
rishis like Vasishtha, Markandeya, Gautama,  
Katayayana, Kashyapa, Vamadeva and Jabali.  
Ayurvedic scholar Nishchal Kara had quoted a  
Sage Maitreya was present in the conclave of rishis  
conducted beneath the mountains of Himalayas,  
some 7000 years ago and learnt the wisdom of  
Ayurveda  
from  
rishi  
Bhardwaja.  
He  
also  
participated in the ancient symposiums that took  
place from time to time organized by different  
school of medicines in ancient time. Sage  
Maudgalya  
also  
authored  
the  
book  
called  
‘Maudgalya Upanishada’ in which he had given the  
account of Brahma-vidya in the form of dialogue  
between lord Bramha and Balakhilya rishis. His  
views regarding number of Rasas (tastes), and  
evolution of life and diseases on earth are quoted in  
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famous Ayurvedic book Charka Samhita. He had  
exchange of thoughts with famous Ayurvedic  
teacher Atreya Punarwasu. Hence, sage Maudgalya  
is proved to be one of the important scholars in the  
with Hindi translation, published by Gita  
press Gorakhpur, 273005, 2008, pg. 189  
5. Munilal Gupta (editor and translator),  
Vishnu Puran of Krishna Dwaipayan  
Vyasa, Trutiya Ansha, chapter 4, Verse no.  
20-22, 36th reprint edition, Sanskrit text  
with Hindi translation, published by Gita  
press Gorakhpur, 273005, 1990, pg. 174  
ancient  
tradition  
of  
Ayurvedic  
rishis  
and  
Maharshis.  
References:  
1. Harishchandra  
Kushwah  
(commentator)  
Charak Samhita of Agnivesha redacted by  
Dridhbala and Charak Sutrasthana 1/19-31,  
6. Shriram Sharma Acharya (editor), 108  
Upanishada, Gayatri Upanishada, Khanda  
2, Kandia 1-5, first edition, published by  
Yug Nirman Yojana Vistar Trust, Mathura  
(India) - 281003, 2019, pg. 75-80  
reprint  
edition  
2016,  
published  
by  
Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi – 221001,  
pg. 8  
2. Munilal Gupta (editor and translator),  
Vishnu Puran of Krishna Dwaipayan  
Vyasa, Chaturtha Ansha, chapter 19, Verse  
no. 19-68, 36th reprint edition, Sanskrit text  
with hindi translation, published by Gita  
press Gorakhpur, 273005, 1990, pg. 290-  
291  
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Dwaipayan  
Vyasa,  
Brahma  
Purana, Vishnu Teertha Mahima, Chapter  
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translation,  
published  
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press  
Gorakhpur, 273005, 2008, Pg. 224  
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Dwaipayan  
Vyasa,  
Vaman  
Purana, Vishnu Teertha Mahima, Chapter  
3. Ramnarayandatta Shastri Pandeya (editor  
and translator), Shreemad Bhagwat Puran  
of Krishna Dwaipayan Vyasa, Navam  
Skandha, Chapter 21, verse no. 30-36, 61st  
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press  
Gorakhpur, 273005, 2007, Pg. 294  
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Upanishada, Brihad Aranyaka  
translation,  
published  
by  
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press  
Gorakhpur, 273005, 2010, pg. 86  
Upanishada, 6th Chapter, 4th Brahman,  
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(India) - 281003, 2019, pg. 350  
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Matsya Puran of Krishna Dwaipayan  
Vyasa, Chaturtha Ansha, chapter 50, Verse  
no. 1-9, 4th reprint edition, Sanskrit text  
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130  
Volume : 03 Issue : 04  
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DIAGNOSTICS AND RESEARCH [ISSN No.: 2584-2757]  
10. Ramnarayandatta Shastri Pandeya (editor  
15. Harishchandra  
Kushwah  
(commentator)  
and translator), Mahabharata Vana and  
Vrihi Dronika Parva, Chapter 260, verse no.  
3-32, 17th reprint edition, Sanskrit text with  
Hindi translation, published by Gita Press  
Gorakhpur, 273005, 2016, pg. 823-824  
Charak Samhita of Agnivesha redacted by  
Dridhbala and Charak Sutrasthana, chapter  
25, verse no. 8-9, reprint edition, published  
by Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi –  
221001, 2016, pg.343  
11. Valmiki, Ramayana, Ayodhya Kanda,  
Declaration :  
Sarga 67, verse no. 3-4, 10th edition, Hindi  
Conflict of Interest : None  
translation  
published  
by  
Gita  
press  
Gorakhpur – 273 005, pg. 291  
ISSN: 2584-2757  
DOI : 10.5281/zenodo.21373837  
Dr. Subhash WagheInter. J.Digno. and Research  
This work is licensed under Creative  
Commons Attribution 4.0 License  
Submission Link : http://www.ijdrindia.com  
12. Shriram Sharma Acharya (editor), 108  
Upanishada, Maudgalya Upanishada,  
Kahanda four, Mantra 1-9, first edition,  
published by Yug Nirman Yojana Vistar  
Trust, Mathura (India) - 281003, 2019, pg.  
379  
Benefits of Publishing with us  
Fast peer review process  
13. Priyavrat Sharma (editor), ‘Chakradutta’ of  
acharya Chakrapani Datta with Sanskrit  
commentary ‘Ratnaprabha’ by Nishchal  
Kara, chapter 54, verse no.74 first edition,  
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Ramprakash Trust, Jauhari Bazar, Jaipur –  
302003, 1993, pg.744  
14. Harishchandra  
Kushwah  
(commentator)  
Charak Samhita of Agnivesha redacted by  
Dridhbala and Charak Sutrasthana, chapter  
26, verse no. 8, reprint edition, published by  
Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi – 221001,  
2016, pg.364  
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