An internal evidence for determining the Time of the Later Redactions of the Susrutasamhita
By Ekendra Nath Ghosh
Summary
The Susruta Samhita underwent later redactions, with evidence suggesting at least two revisions post-Nagarjuna. Astronomical data in the text, particularly seasonal descriptions in Chapter 6,1 of the Nidanasthena, provide clues. The first passage links the summer solstice to the end of the month of Asidha, which historically occurred 20 days later than its current date (July 21). Calculations based on the precession of the equinoxes (25,868 years per cycle) place this observation around 518 B.C.E., suggesting a redaction in the first quarter of the 6th century B.C.E. A second passage redefines summer as spanning Vaisikha and Jyestha, aligning with a later solstice position in Jyestha, indicating a subsequent, possibly later redaction. Discrepancies in seasonal timing imply the redactors prioritized convenience over precision. The Society for Buddhist Lore context discusses Buddhism’s enduring influence, though unrelated to the Susruta Samhita’s redactions. [Post-publication note: Modern scholarship may refine these dates with advanced astronomical modeling, but the core methodology remains valid.]
Conclusion
This analysis of the Susrutasamhita's astronomical references provides critical insights into its later redactions, approximating one to the sixth century BCE and another closer to the present era. The discrepancies in seasonal calculations reveal deliberate adjustments by redactors, likely for pedagogical simplicity or alignment with contemporary observations. These findings not only refine the chronology of the text's revisions but also highlight the dynamic interplay between ancient medical knowledge and evolving astronomical understanding, underscoring the document's layered historical and scientific significance.