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Introduction: Infection prevention is a cornerstone of modern surgery, but its principles trace back to ancient times. The Sushruta Samhita (6th century BCE), a classical Ayurvedic text, describes detailed guidelines for maintaining asepsis and antisepsis in surgical practice, emphasizing cleanliness, sterilization, and wound care. Methods: A systematic literature review was undertaken using Ayurvedic classical texts (Sushruta Samhita, Charaka Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya), and secondary commentaries, along with PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for modern comparative studies. Inclusion criteria comprised texts and articles focusing on infection prevention, sterilization, surgical hygiene, and wound management. Exclusion criteria included irrelevant or purely pharmacological studies without surgical context. Results: Sushruta Samhita outlines preventive measures under Shuddhi (purification), Rakshavidhi (protection), and Vrana Shodhana-Ropana (wound cleansing and healing). It emphasizes environmental sanitation, sterilization of instruments by fire and alkali, personal hygiene of the surgeon, use of antiseptic herbs like neem (Azadirachta indica) and turmeric (Curcuma longa), and dietary regulations for patients to boost immunity. Modern parallels are evident in sterilization, aseptic protocols, fumigation, and use of natural antimicrobial agents. Clinical validation studies show antimicrobial properties of Ayurvedic formulations like Panchavalkala Kwatha and Triphala. Discussion: The principles of asepsis and antisepsis in Sushruta Samhita predate modern germ theory and resonate with contemporary infection-control guidelines. However, gaps exist in experimental validation, standardization, and integration into surgical protocols. Conclusion: Sushruta Samhita demonstrates that ancient Indian surgeons practiced sophisticated aseptic and antiseptic measures. Revisiting these insights offers valuable complementary strategies to modern infection control, with potential applications in low-resource settings.

KEYWORDS: Antisepsis, Asepsis, Ayurveda, Infection control, Sushruta Samhita