When approaching a vast and layered science like Āyurveda, the question arises—Where should we begin? Among the eight major divisions of the Charaka Samhita—Sūtra, Nidāna, Vimāna, Śarīra, Indriya, Cikitsita, Kalpa, and Siddhi Sthānas—why did Acharya Charaka choose to begin with the Sūtrasthāna?
The answer lies in the very nature of the Sūtrasthāna. Charaka envisioned it not merely as the beginning, but as the crown (śiraḥ) of the entire text. This is clearly echoed in his own words, later in the text:
“ślokasthānaṃ samuddiṣṭaṃ tantrasyāsya śiraḥ śubham |
catuṣkāṇāṃ mahārthānāṃ sthāne’smin saṅgrahaḥ kṛtaḥ ||”
(Sū. A. 30) This verse tells us that the Sūtrasthāna is the auspicious “head” of the tantra and serves as a comprehensive summary of the four important quartets (catuṣkas)—those foundational sets of teachings that build the framework of Ayurvedic practice.
