Here is a complete presentation of the Ashtavidha Shastra Karma (अष्टविध शस्त्रकर्म) - the eight surgical procedures described by Acharya Sushruta in the Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthana).
अष्टविध शस्त्रकर्म — Ashtavidha Shastra Karma
Eight Fundamental Surgical Procedures
1. छेदन — Chedana (Excision)
Sanskrit Definition (Su.Su. 5/3 Tika):
छेद्यं ननिःशेषतश्छेदनीयमशेषि प्रभृतनि ।
Meaning: That which requires complete removal from the body is called Chedana. It is the total excision of a diseased part.
Modern Equivalent: Excision, Amputation, Hemorrhoidectomy, Fistulectomy
Shastra used: Mandalagra, Karapatra, Vriddhipatra, Mudrika, Utpalapatra, Ardhadhara
2. भेदन — Bhedana (Incision)
Sanskrit Definition (Su.Su. 5/5 Tika):
भेद्यं भेदनीयं, निद्रध्यदनद ।
Meaning: Bhedana means to cut open or create an incision into a cavity to allow drainage of tissue debris, blood, and pus.
Modern Equivalent: Incision and Drainage (I&D), Counter-incision of abscess
Shastra used: Vriddhipatra, Nakhashastra, Mudrika, Utpalapatra, Ardhadhara
3. लेखन — Lekhana (Scraping / Debridement)
Sanskrit Definition (Su.Su. 5/5 Tika):
लेख्यं लेखनीयं; रोनहण्यदनद ।
Meaning: Lekhana is the scraping or debridement of unhealthy, excessive, or necrotic tissue from a wound or affected area.
Modern Equivalent: Surgical debridement, Curettage
Shastra used: Mandalagra, Vriddhipatra
Anushastra: Kshara, Gojihva, Sephalika, Nakha
4. व्यधन — Vyadhana (Puncturing)
Sanskrit Definition:
व्यधन - Piercing or puncturing of a diseased part to drain fluid.
(Acharya Sushruta describes Vyadhana in diseases like Vriddhi (hydrocele) and Udara (ascites).)
Meaning: Vyadhana means to puncture or pierce a cavity, cyst, or vessel to release accumulated fluid.
Modern Equivalent: Tapping in Hydrocele or Ascites, Paracentesis, Venepuncture
Shastra used: Kutharika, Vrihimukha, Ara, Vetasapatra, Suchi
5. एषण — Eshana (Probing)
Sanskrit Definition (Su.Su. 25/10):
एष्य इनत लोहदनदशलदकयदन्द्रिेषणीयद इत्यथं । सु सू २३/१०॥
Meaning: Eshana is the exploration of a wound, sinus, or tract using a slender surgical probe (Eshani) to determine its depth and direction.
Modern Equivalent: Probing of fistula tract, Sinus probing
Shastra used: Eshani
Anushastra: Kareera, Bala, Anguli
Indications: Nadivrana (sinus), Sashalyavrana (wound with foreign body), Unmargivrana
6. आहरण — Aharana (Extraction)
Sanskrit Definition (Su.Su. 6/3):
आहदयशम् आहरणीयं, शक शरदनद ।
Meaning: Aharana is the extraction of a foreign body (Shalya), calculus, dental plaque, earwax, or any unwanted material from the body.
Modern Equivalent: Foreign body removal, Lithotripsy extraction, Dental extraction, Polypectomy
Shastra used: Badisha, Dantashanku, Nakha, Anguli
Indications: Dantamala, Karnamala, Ashmari, Shalya (foreign body), Moodagarbha
7. विस्रवण — Visravana (Drainage / Blood-letting)
Sanskrit Definition (Su.Su. 5/5 Tika):
विस्राव्यं विस्राणीयं, तच्च विद्रधिकुष्ठादि ।
Meaning: Visravana is the drainage of vitiated blood, pus, or fluid from a diseased part. It includes both blood-letting (Raktamokshana) and pus drainage.
Modern Equivalent: Surgical drainage, Abscess drainage, Bloodletting
Shastra used: Suchi, Kushapatra, Atimukha, Antarmukha, Trikurchaka
Anushastra: Jaloka (leech), Nakha
Indications: Five types of Vidradhi (abscess), Sleepada, Arbuda (tumor), Visarpa, Granthi
8. सीवन — Seevana (Suturing)
Sanskrit Definition:
सीवनं — घावों को एक साथ सिलना (Suturing of wound edges together to allow healing)
Meaning: Seevana is the act of suturing or stitching together the edges of a wound to promote healing and restore anatomical continuity.
Modern Equivalent: Wound suturing, Primary closure
Shastra used: Suchi (needle)
Anushastra: Baala (thread/suture material)
Summary Table
| # | Name | Sanskrit | Meaning | Modern Equivalent |
|---|
| 1 | Chedana | छेदन | Excision | Amputation, Excision |
| 2 | Bhedana | भेदन | Incision | Incision & Drainage |
| 3 | Lekhana | लेखन | Scraping | Debridement, Curettage |
| 4 | Vyadhana | व्यधन | Puncturing | Paracentesis, Tapping |
| 5 | Eshana | एषण | Probing | Fistula probing |
| 6 | Aharana | आहरण | Extraction | Foreign body removal |
| 7 | Visravana | विस्रवण | Drainage | Abscess drainage |
| 8 | Seevana | सीवन | Suturing | Wound closure |
These eight procedures form the complete foundation of Shalya Chikitsa (surgical treatment) in Ayurveda, as described in the Sushruta Samhita (~500 BCE). Acharya Sushruta's classification preceded modern surgical taxonomy by over two millennia, and every one of these procedures has a direct parallel in contemporary surgery. The source reference for this classification is Su.Su. (Sushruta Samhita, Sutrasthana), Chapter 5.