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:10.5281/zenodo.23492550

DOI

INTERNATIONAL
JOURNAL
OF
DIAGNOSTICS
AND
RESEARCH

An Introduction To Bhishak Kankayana Mentioned in Charaka Samhita and Evaluation of
His Contribution To Ayurveda

Prof. Dr.
Subhash Waghe
1

Abstract

Rishi Kankakayana was a famous physician of the ancient Balhika state (modern-day Baluchistan in Pakistan). The
famous
Indian
epic
Mahabharata
states that unhygienic and undutiful
people
reside
in the
Balhika
state. Famous
Hastinapur King Shantanu’s brother was Balhika. He founded this state. During Alexander the Gre
at's time, this
region was called
Bactria
. As per the Mahabharata, King Shantanu himself was a great physician. Great Ayurvedic
scholars
like
Charaka,
Sushruta,
and
Vagbhatta
quote
medicinal
preparations
made
by
Sage
Kankayana,
such
as
Kanakayana Vati, Kankayana Modaka, Almbushadi Choorna, etc. Many Ayurvedic commentators also quoted them.
This
shows
the
importance
earlier
scholars
gave
to
the
medicinal
preparations
made
by
Acharya
Kankayana.
According to the Charaka Samhita, Sage Kankayana also participated in various symposiums and discussions held
from time to time in the ancient era. He participated in discussions on disease-aggravating aetiology and on the types
of
Rasa
(tastes).
Vata
kala
Kaleeya
Adhyaya
,
and
in
discussions
on
foetal
embryonic
development.
Sage
Kankayana’s presence in almost all ancient Ayurvedic discussions places him among the eminent doctors of the past.
Rishi Kankakayana attended the conclave of rishis (sages) held beneath the mountains of the Himalaya some 7000
years ago to discuss the impact of diseases on human health. His presence at the first-ever ancient conference makes
him a contemporary of Sages like Vishwamitra, Vasishtha, Agastya, etc. Hence, it becomes necessary to explore the
life of the Sage Kankayana and his contribution to Ayurveda.

Keywords:
Brahma, Atma, Vidya

1
Dept. of Rog Nidan, SAM College of Ayurvedic Sciences, Raisen (MP)
–
464 551

Article Info:
Article Received on : 04/09/2026
Article Reviewed on: 10/09/2026
Article Published on : 15/10/2026

Corresponding Author:
Prof. Dr. Subhash Waghe
ORCID ID:
0009
-
0006
-
2776
-
5549

Cite this article as: -
Waghe S. An Introduction To Bhishak Kankayana Mentioned in Charaka Samhita and Evaluation of His
Contribution
To
Ayurveda.
International
Journal
of
Diagnostics
And
Research.
2026Oct20;4(1):180
–
8.
doi:10.5281/zenodo.23492550

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180

Introduction :

Kankayana was the famous physician of the ancient
Balhika state. Famous Hastinapur King Shantanu’s
brother
was
Balhika.
He
founded
this
state.
King
Shantanu himself was a great physician. It is likely
that his King Shantanu may have learnt this art of
medicine
from
his
brother
Balhika.
During
the
time
of
Alexander
the
Great,
this
part
was
called
Bactria
.
Now
it
is
called
as
Baluchistan.
The
Atharva Veda also references Balhika desha. Rishi
Kankakayana
attended
the
conclave
of
rishis
(sages) held beneath the Himalaya mountains some
7000 years ago to discuss the impact of diseases on
human health.
[1]
Like other
rishis
, he also wrote a
book
called
‘Kankayana
Tantra’.
We
find
references to medicinal preparations made by Rishi
Kanakayana in various commentaries on Ayurvedic
books
like
Chakradutta,
Vrinda
Madhava
and
Todarmala’s
Ayurved
Saukhyam.
Even
ancient
acharyas
like
Agnivesha
and
Charaka
quoted
Acharya
Kanakayana's
scholarly
views
and
medicinal
preparations
in
their
books
(
Samhitas
).
Hence,
it
is
necessary
to
explore
the
life
of
Rishi
Kankayana and his contribution to Ayurveda.

Aim And Objectives :

Aim

To
review
the
available
classical
references
concerning
Bhishak
Kankayana
and
critically
evaluate his contribution to Ayurveda.

Objectives

Material And Methods :

The
present
study
is
a
literary
and
conceptual
review
based
primarily
on
classical
Ayurvedic
literature.

Primary
textual
sources
included
the
Charaka
Samhita
and
classical
works
that
preserve
formulations
attributed
to
Kankayana.
The
study
also
considered
relevant
references
from
the
Mahabharata,
Atharvaveda,
and
Matsya
Purana
to
contextualise
the
traditional
association
of
Kankayana with Balhika.

The
Ayurvedic
material
was
reviewed
under
the
following headings:

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The available evidence was classified conceptually
into
direct
textual
evidence,
traditional
historical
interpretation,
and
inference
to
avoid
attributing
claims
to
Kankayana
for
which
direct
evidence
is
unavailable.

Review Of Literature :

Kankayana was a famous physician of the ancient
Balhika
state.
According
to
the
Mahabharata,
the
Balhika region is bordered by five rivers: Ravi, 2.
Vyas,
3.
Shatadru
(Satalaja),
4.
Vitasta
(Jhelam),
and
5.
Sindhu.
It
also
says
that
unhygienic
and
undutiful
people
live
there.
Kunti’s
son,
Karna,
believes the residents of Shakal city (now Sialkot,
Pakistan) are very bad. He mentioned their eating
habits as they eat beef mixed with garlic and drink
alcoholic
beverages
made
from
jaggery.
[2]
Kankayana
was
the
famous
physician
of
Balhik
Dehsa. However, the Puranas contain no reference
to
Kankayana,
although
many
Ayurvedic
scholars
quote Bhishak Kankayana’s views
.

In the Atharva Veda, also, the residents of Balhika
desha
(state) are labelled as indecent people. In the
Atharva Veda, it is prayed that the microbes of
Tuberculosis may leave the bodies of Indians and
affect the people residing in the Balhika desha.
[3]

In
Charak
Samhita,
it
is
mentioned
that
the
residents of the Balhika state consume food rich in
salt.
It
is
also
mentioned
that,
because
they
consume hot, salty food, residents of Balhika state
suffer from premature greying of hair and hair loss.
It
is
also
mentioned
that
people
of
Balhika
state
consume meat with large quantities of beverages.

According to the Matsya Purana, in the lineage of
King
Bharata,
King
Hasti
was
born
in
the
5th
generation
and
founded
the
famous
city
of
Hastinapura.
One
of
King
Hasti's
sons
was
Ajameedha,
who
impregnated
Doomini's
wife.
From her, Rishya was born, and R
ishya’s grandson
was
‘Kuru’,
who
founded
the
Kuru/Kaurava
Vansha (lineage).
[4]

One
of
King
Kuru's
sons
was
‘Janhu’.
In
the
7
th
generation
from
Junhu,
King
Devatithi
was
born.
His
son
was
Daksha,
and
Daksha’s
son
was
Bhimsena. King Bhimsen had a son named Dilip.
King
Dilip’s
son
was
Pratipa.
King
Pratipa
had
three
sons:
viz.,
1.
Devapi,
2.
Shantanu,
and
3.
Balhika.
Balhika
had
seven
sons,
and
all
of
them
became kings of the Balhika state (
desha
).
[5]

This
Balhika
desha
is
now
called
Baluchistan,
located in present-day Pakistan. During Alexander
the Great's time, this part was called
Bactria
. King
Shantanu’s famous son was Devavrata, also known
as
Bheeshma.
King
Shantanu,
who
ruled
Hastinapura, was an expert in Ayurveda. A saying
went
that
whoever
King
Shantanu
touched
was
cured.

Contribution To Ayurveda

Acharya Kankayana participated in the symposium
on
disease-aggravating
aetiology.
In
this
symposium,
he
interacted
with
sages
such
as
Kashiraj
Vamaka,
Maudgalya,
Sharaloma,
Vayorvid,
Kaushika,
Bhadrakapya,
Bhardwaja,
Hiranyaksha,
Bhikshu
Atreya,
and
Atreya
Punarwasu.
Acharya
Kankayana
holds
that
Prajapati Brahma is responsible for happiness and
pain in the living and non-living worlds.
[6]

Acharya Kankayana participated in the symposium

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on types of Rasas. In this symposium, he interacted
with
sages
such
as
Kashiraj
Vamaka,
King
Nimi
and
Videha,
Mahamuni
Badisha,
Kumarshira
Bhardwaja,
Purnaksh
Maudgalya,
Rajasrshi
Vayorvid,
Kaushika,
Bhadrakapya,
Bhardwaja,
Hiranyaksha,
and
Atreya
Punarwasu.
Acharya
Kankayana
holds
that
Rasas
are
innumerable
because
the
properties,
actions,
and
tastes
of
the
Rasas are also innumerable.
[7]

Acharya Kankayana participated in the symposium
on
Vata Kala Kaleeya
(properties of Vata) Chapter.
In this symposium, he interacted with sages such as
Mahamuni
Badisha,
Kumarshira
Bhardwaja,
Rajasrshi
Vayorvid,
Kaushika,
Bhadrakapya,
and
Atreya Punarwasu. Acharya Kanakayana is
of the
view
that
things
similar
to
the
properties
of
Vata
aggravate
it,
whereas
things
having
opposite
properties alleviate the aggravated Vata.
[8]

Sage Kankayana participated in the symposium on
embryonic organogenesis, as described in Charaka
Sharirsthana,
chapter
6,
verse
12.
Acharya
Kankayana is
of the view that, as the heart is
the
seat of consciousness, the heart develops first in the
embryo.
[9]

Listening
to
the
views
of
other
scholars
at
the
symposium, Acharya Kankayana opines that if the
causes
of
disease
are
naturally
nullified,
then
the
importance of actions will be lost. Lord Brahma’s
son, Prajapti, had created this world of living and
non-living
things
with
immense
determination.
Hence, the creator of this world is responsible for
both grief and joy.
[10]

Kankayan Modaka In Arsha (Piles)

Take
bark
of
Haritaki
(Terminalia
chebula)
in
5
pala
(250 gram) quantity, Jiraka (cumen) 1
Pala

(50
gram),
Maricha
(Piper
nigrum)
1
Pala
(50
gram),
Pipalli
(Piper
longum)
1
Pala
(50
gram),
root
of
Pippali
2
Pala
(100
gram),
Chitraka
(Plumbago zyelenicum) 4
Pala
(200 gram), Sunthi
(dried
ginger)
5
Pala
(250
gram),
Yavakshara
2
Pala
(100
gram),
Bhallataka
(Semocarpus
anacardium) 8
Pala
(400 gram), powder of Surana
(Amorphophallus paeonifolius) 15
Pala
(800 gram)
and make a fine powder of all. Then add jaggery in
double
the
quantity
and
make
10-gram
tablets.
After
consuming
it
take
buttermilk.
This
tablet
enhances
appetite
and
alleviates
irritable
bowel
syndrome
and
anemia.
The
ancient
sage
Kanakayana
invented
and
prepared
this
for
his
students,
who
wanted
to
treat
patients
with
piles
without surgery or cauterisation.
[11] [12]

Kankayan Gutika In Gulma

(Abdominal Lump)

Take
Jivanti,
Jiraka,
Dhanyaka,
Maricha,
Girikarnika,
Ajamoda,
Upakunchi
,
each
in
four
Shana (16 gram) quantity, Hingu in six
Shana
(24
gram) quantity, eight
Shana
(32 gram) quantity of
Sajjikshara
and
Yavakshara,
Lavanpanchaka
and
Trivrutta
. Take sixteen
Shana
(64 gram) quantity of
each
of
Danti,
Shati,
Pushkar,
Vidanga
Dadima,
Shiva,
Chitrak,
Amlavetasa,
Shunthi
.
Impregnate
and triturate the mixture of all the above with the
juice
of
Beejapooraka.
The
mixture
can
then
be
made into tablets. These tablets can be taken with
ghee,
milk,
alcoholic
drinks,
sour
juice
or
hot
water. Sage Kankayana invented this tablet, which
cures
all
types
of
Gulmas.
If
taken
along
with
an
alcoholic beverage, it cures Vatik Gulma. If taken
along
with
cow’s
milk,
it
cures
Pittaj
Gulma.
If
taken along with cow’s urine (
Gomutra
), it cures

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Kaphaj
Gulma.
If
taken
along
with
Dashamoola
decoction, it cures Tridoshaj Gulma. If taken along
with camel milk, it cures Raktaj Gulma. This tablet
also cures heart disease, Sprue, colic pain, parasitic
infestation and piles.
[13]

Alambushadi Choorna

In Amvata (Rheumatoid arthritis)

Made by Kankayana

Take
Alambusha,
Amruta/Guduchi,
Sunthi,
Chitrak, Triphala, Kana/Pippali, and Vrudhdhadaru
in equal quantities and make a fine powder. Ask the
patient
to
take
this
powder
with
buttermilk
or
alcohol,
or
with
Kanji
or
warm
water,
to
remove
Amavata and disorders
of the liver and Spleen.
It
also alleviates the disease Visuchika.
[14]

OBSERVATION

Table No. 1 Kankayana In Nutshell

Sr

Parameters

Results

01

Residence

Ancient Balhika State

02

Parents

Unknown

03

Teacher

Unknown

04

Contemporary
Rishis

Dhaumya, Vamadeva,
Hiranyaksha,
Ashwalayana

05

Ayurvedic
Contribution

Kankayana Tantra

06

Famous Medicinal
Preparations

Kankayana Gutika

Kankayana Modaka

Alambushadi Choorna

07

Reference in
Ayurvedic Samhitas

Charak Smhita

Vangasen Samhita

Bhela Samhita

Vagbhata Samhita

Chakradutta

Ayurved Saukhyam

Discussion :

The
medicinal
preparations
made
by
Acharya
Kankayana
are
quoted
by
Charaka,
Sushruta,
Vagbhata, Agastya, Todarmala, Chakradutta and by
many commentators like Nischalkara, Chakrapani

etc.
For
treating
the
disease
Gulma
(Abdominal
Lump), Todarmala states that Acharya Kaknkayana
prepared
a
medicinal
preparation
called
‘Kankayana Gutika’. For treating the disease Arsha
(Piles), Acharya Kaknkayana prepared a medicinal
preparation
called
‘Kankayana
Modaka’,
which
almost
all
scholars
invariably
advocate.
For
treating
the
Aamvata
(Rheumatoid
arthritis),
medicinal
preparation
called
‘Alambushadi
Choorna’
prepared
by
Acharya
Kaknkayana
is
stated by Chakrapani Dutta.

Acharya Kankayana holds that things similar to the
properties of Vata aggravate it, whereas things with
opposite properties alleviate aggravated Vata.

Acharya
Kanakayana
holds
that
Prajapati
Brahma
is responsible for happiness and pain in the living
and non-living world.

Acharya
Kankayana
holds
that
Rasas
are
innumerable
because
the
properties,
actions,
and
taste of the Rasas are also innumerable.

Acharya
Kankayana
holds
that,
since
the
heart
is
the
seat
of
consciousness,
it
develops
first
in
the
embryo.

Acharya
Kankayana
opines
that
if
the
causes
of
disease are naturally nullified, then the importance
of actions will be lost. Lord Brahma’s son, Prajapti,
had
created
this
world
of
living
and
non-living
things
with
immense
determination.
Hence,
the
creator
of
this
world
is
responsible
for
both
grief
and joy.

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Limitations Of The Present Study :

The present study has several limitations.

Future Scope :

Further
research
on
Bhishak
Kankayana
may
be
undertaken in the following areas:

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Conclusion :

Bhishak Kankayana occupies an important position
in
the
intellectual
history
of
Ayurveda.
Although
detailed
biographical
information
about
him
is
limited and his independent treatise is not presently
available
for
direct
examination,
his
name
and
views
have
been
preserved
in
the
classical
Ayurvedic tradition.

His
repeated
participation
in
the
scholarly
discussions recorded in the
Charaka Samhita
shows
that
ancient
physicians
regarded
him
as
an
important authority. His contributions extend across
several
fundamental
areas
of
Ayurveda.
His
view
regarding
Rasa
highlights
the
importance
of
properties and actions in understanding substances.
His
explanation
of
Vata
aggravation
and
pacification reflects the principle of similarity and
opposition
that
underpins
Ayurvedic
therapeutics.
His view of embryonic development and the early
formation
of
Hridaya
shows
his
engagement
with
Ayurvedic
embryology
and
the
relationship
between the heart and consciousness.

His
therapeutic
legacy
is
equally
significant.
Preparations
such
as
Kankayana
Modaka,
Kankayana
Gutika
and
Alambushadi
Churna
are
preserved
in
later
Ayurvedic
literature
and
demonstrate
the
practical
dimensions
of
the
tradition attributed to him.

Therefore,
Kankayana
should
not
be
regarded
merely
as
an
obscure
name
in
the
Charaka
Samhita
.
He
represents
an
important
ancient
physician
whose
theoretical
opinions
and
therapeutic formulations were sufficiently valued to
be transmitted by subsequent generations of

Ayurvedic scholars.

At the same time, historical claims about his exact
chronology,
geographical
location,
and
authorship
of
the
Kankayana
Tantra
require
further
critical
investigation.
A
balanced
assessment
therefore
recognises both the strength of the textual evidence
for
his
participation
in
Ayurvedic
intellectual
discourse
and
the
limitations
of
the
available
biographical and chronological evidence.

The
study
of
Bhishak
Kankayana
shows
that
Ayurveda's
history
is
not
limited
to
the
better-
known
authors
of
the
surviving
Samhitas.
Numerous physicians whose individual works have
been
lost
nevertheless
contributed
to
the
development of Ayurvedic knowledge through their
observations,
debates
and
therapeutic
innovations.
Kankayana
is
an
important
representative
of
this
forgotten but intellectually significant lineage

References :

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Verse no. 6, reprint edition 2016, published by
Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi
–
221001, pg.
188

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Gopal
Mandir
Lane,
Varanasi
–
221
001,
pg.
307

Declaration :

Conflict of Interest :
None

ISSN: 2584-2757

DOI :
10.5281/zenodo.23492550

Dr. Subhash Waghe
Inter. J.Digno. and Research

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