Vagbhata's Astanga Hrdayam (3 Volumes)

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Astangahrdaya of Vagbhata is an ancient authoritative treatise on Ayurveda. Its popularity extended beyond the frontiers of India for more than a Thousand years is substantiated by its translation in Arabic, Tibetan and of course of some European languages. None of these are available now. Study of Astangahrdaya is considered indispensable for a through knowledge of Ayurveda. With the increasing interest these days for the study of classical texts of Ayurveda both within and outside India, a great need is felt for an English translation. This publication hopes to fulfill this necessity.

The complete text is being presented in 3 Volumes viz.
Vol. I. Historical Introduction, Sutra sthana and Sarira sthana
Vol. II. Nidana, Cikitsa, Kalpa & Siddhi sthanas
Vol. III. Uttara sthana

Each volume has the text in Sanskrit, followed by its faithful English translation. Explanations wherever necessary are furnished in the Notes. Appendices and Index are provided to make each volume self-reliant.

This great work on Ayurveda, translated by an experienced professor, published for the first time in sure to be of immense help for all those who are interested in Ayurveda.

About the Author

Prof. K.R. Srikantha Murthy (b, 1929) an alumnus of the Govt. Ayurveda College, Mysore (1948) and Post-graduate Centre in Ayurveda, Jamnagar (1958), served as Professor and Principal at all the three Govt. College of Ayurveda in Karnataka and retired in 1984. As ordained by his Preceptor and mentor, Prof. C. Dwarakanath, he has been pursuing literary research activities since last thirty five years and has so far published many scientific papers and books.

 

Introduction

Astangahrdaya-quintessence of the eight branches (of Ayurveda) is one of the authoritative treatises on ancient Indian medicine. It had attracted the attention of medical men not only within this country but also of neighbouring countries such as Arabia, Persia, Tibet and Germany. Its popularity is substantiated by the large number of commen- taries by Indian scholars and appreciation by the scholars of many other countries. With its beauty and brevity of poetical composition, sequential arrangement of topics, clear descri- ption of precepts and practices of medical science and many other merits, it has earned its rightful place as one among the 'Brhat trayi' -three great treatises-of Ayurveda. It is an epitome of Ayurveda catering to the needs of the students, scholars and medical practitioners alike.

Nature end contents of the treatise
Astangahrdaya contains six sthanas (sections) each sthana consisting of varying number of adhyayas (chapters); the total number of chapters being 120. The text is com- posed entirely in poetry. The total number of verses is 7120 in the extant edition.' In addition there are about 33 verses which have not been commented upon (by Arunadatta) hence considered as later interpolations. There are 240 short prose lines also, two at the commencement of each chapter. The sthanas (sections) and their important con- tents are:

1. Sutrasthana : The first section has 30 chapters dealing with basic doctrines of Ayurveda, principles of health, pre- vention of diseases, properties of articles of diet and drugs, humoral physiology and pathology, different kinds of dis- eases and methods of treatment.
2. Sarira sthana: The second section has 6 chapters dealing with embryology, anatomy, physiology, physiognomy, physical and psychological constitutions, auspicious and in- auspicious dreams and omens, signs of bad prognosis and of oncoming death,
3. Nidana sthana : The third section with 16 chapters describes the causes, premonitory symptoms, charectorestic features, pathogenesis and prognosis of some important dis- eases coming within the realm of Kaya cikitsa (inner medi- cine).
4. Cikitsa sthtana : The fourth section has 22 chapters elaborating the methods of treatment of all major organic diseases, including efficacious medicinal recipes, diet and care of the patient.
5. Kalpa-siddhi sthana : The fifth section has 6 chapters dealing with preparation of recipes, administration of puri- ficatory therapies and management of complications; and principles of pharmacy.
6. Uttara sthana : The sixth and the last section is de- voted to the remaining seven branches of Ayurveda. It has 40 chapters in total; divided as follows, viz. 3 for Bala cikitsa (paediatrics), 4 for Graha cikitsa ( demonology/psychiatry), 17 for Urdhvanga Cikitsa (diseases of organs in the head) sub-divided again-9 for netra cikitsa (ophtholmology), 2 for karna cikitsa (otology), 2 for nasa cikitsa (rhinology), 2 for mukha cikitsa (mouth, teeth and throat), and 2 for siroroga (diseases of the head ). Salva cikitsa (surgery) has 10 chap- ters; Damstra (toxicology) has 4; jar a cikitsa (rasayana) , (rejuvination therapy, geriatrics) and Vrsa (vaji-karana (virilification therapy, aphrodisiacs) have one chapter each.

Greater portion of the text being devoted to Kaya cikitsa-(inner medicine) is thus conspicuous.

At the beginning of the treatise, the author states "that he is going to describe only such information" as has been revealed by great sages like Atreya etc."' "collecting only the cream of knowledge from numerous texts (written by sages) scattered in the country, this text Astangahrdaya has been prepared which is neither too brief nor too elaborate" These statements vouchsafe the authenticity and reliability of information con tained in the text.

Author

Unfortunately the author of Astanghrdaya has not furnished either his name or any other information about him- self anywhere in the text. Hence many of the present day scholars-both Indian and European-have been consistently attempting to identify this author but so far no conclusion has been arrived at. All the views are "the most feasable assumptions" only. The following internal and external evidences form the basis for identification.

1. In the concluding verses of the text, the author states "by churning the great ocean of the eight branches of medi- cal science, a great store of nector-the Astangasangraha (name of a treatise) was obtained. From that store, this trea- tise (Astanga hrdaya) which is more useful, has arisen sepa- rately for satisfying the less studious. By studying this, the person will be able to understand the Sangraha (Astanga sangraha).
2. The author of Astangasangraha, has furnished the following information about himself and his work in the concluding verses of that treatise. "There was a great physi- cian by name Vagbhata, who was my grand-father, I bear, his name; from him was born Simhagupta and I am from him (Simhagupta); I was born in the Sindhu country. Having learnt the science from Avalokita, my precepter and much more from my father and after studying a large number of texts on this science, this treatise (Astangasangraha) has been written, suitably classified (arranged into sections, chapters ete.) Elsewhere he states that it has been prepared in such a manner as is suitable to the age" (of the author).
3. In some manuscripts of Astangahrdaya there is a colophon at the end of Nidana aud Uttara sthanas which reads as "thus ends the Nidana sthana in Astangahrdaya samhita written by srimad Vagbhata, son of Sri vaidyapati simhagupta." But the absence of such a colophon at other places and in some other manuscripts, and the use of hon- orific term "srimad" as a prefix to the author's name have made the present day scholars to doubt the authenticity of the colophon.
4. Commentators on other Ayurveda treatises have quoted verses of Astangasangraha and of Astangahrdaya call- ing them as 'from Vrddha Vagbhata' and "from Laghu/ svalpa or (simply) Vagbhata" respectively.

Based on these points, it is now generally agreed that the author of Astanga hrdaya is also Vagbhata. The next problem that has to be solved is whether both Astanga sangraha and Astanga hrdaya are authored by one and the same person Vagbhata, son of Simhagupta or whether the authors are different persons of the same name. This has been a subject of long discussion and has created two groups of scholars. viz.

 

Vol-II


Foreword

This volume comprises of the Nidana sthana, Cikitsita sthana and kalpasiddhi sthana-the third, fourth and fifth sections of Astangahrdaya of Vagbhata. As usual the text in original and its faithful English translation have been fur- nished.

These three sections deal mainly with one branch of Ayurveda, viz., Kaya cikitsa (inner medicine). Since the re- maining seven branches will be dealt in the Uttara-sthana the sixth and the last section, consolidated lists of diseases, drugs, etc., will be appended to the next volume.

I have dedicated this volume to another preceptor of mine Pandit N.L. Bhattacharya, who showered his affection on me and who also enriched the literature of Ayurveda in Kannada language; hence a few words here about his life and work.

Pandit Bhattacharya (1883-1961) served as Professor at the Govt. Ayurveda College, Mysore (1928-53). With wide knowledge of both Sanskrit and Ayurveda, he could ably explain many moot points in the doctrines substantiating them with textual references. He possessed special knowledge of almost all the herbs and durgs available in the forests and those used by Ayurveda physicians and so was being con- sulted as an "expert" by Ayurvedists, Botonists, officials of the forest department and many others. He was mainly respon- sible for the establishment of a herb garden attached to the Ayurveda College. Apart from Dravyaguna vijnana he taught many subjects of Ayurveda and his lecture notes became text- books. Thus were published the Agada tantra, Sutrasthana of Astangarhrdaya (1956), Prasuti tantra-striroga and Kaumara- bhrtya (1957), the remaining sthanas of Astarigahrdaya and the first part of Susruta samhita (1959). Inspite of advancing age he was able to complete the translation of the second part of Susruta sarnhita and the whole of Caraka samhita.

But he did not live to see these in print and all these have been published later. Students of Ayurveda in Karnataka owe a great debt of gratitude to this ideal teacher.

I convey my sincere thanks to my friend Prof. Jyotirmitra for containuing his help at the press. I also thank my daughter Smt. K.S. Revathi, B.A. for her flawless typing of the manuscripts. I am beholden to M/s. Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, the reknowned Indological publishers for bringing out this volume without any delay.

CONTENTS

VOLUME ONE: Sutra & Sarira Sthana

 

I. Introduction vii-xxiv
II. Chapters of the text: vii-xxiv
     
Section 1. Sutrasthana (section on general principles)
1. Ayuskamiya adhyaya (desire for long life) 3
2. Dinacarya adhyaya (daily regimen) 22
3. Rtucarya adhyaya (seasonal regimen) 33
4. Roganutpadaniya adhyaya (prevention of diseases) 45
5. Dravadravya vijnaniya adhyaya (knowledge of liquid materials) 53
6. Annasvarupa vijnaniya adhyaya (nature of food materials) 74
7. Annaraksadhyaya (protection of foods) 109
8. Matrasitiyadhyaya (proper quantity of food) 124
9. Dravyadi vijnaniya adhyaya (knowledge of substances etc.) 135
10. Rasabhediya adhyaya (classification of tastes) 143
11. Dosadi vijnaniya adhyaya (knowledge of dosas etc.) 154
12. Dosabhediya adhyaya (classification of dosas) 166
13. Dosopakramaniya adhyaya (treatment of the dosas) 182
14. Dvividhopakramaniya adhyaya (two kinds of treatments) 191
15. Sodhanadigana sangraha adhyaya (groups of drugs for purificatory therapies etc.) 199
16. Sneha vidhi adhyaya (oleation therapy) 208
17. Svedavidhi adhyaya (sudation therapy) 219
18. Vamana virecana vidhi adhyaya (emesis and purgation therapies) 225
19. Basti vidhi adhyaya (enema therapy) 238
20. Nasya vidhi adhyaya (nasal medication) 255
21. Dhumapana vidhi adhyaya (inhalation of smoke therapy) 264
22. Gandusadi vidhi adhyaya (mouth gargles and other therapies) 269
23. Ascyotana-anjana vidhi adhyaya (eye drops, collyrium therapies) 276
24. Tarpana-putapaka vidhi adhyaya (satiating the eye and other therapies) 283
25. Yantra vidhi adhyaya (use of blunt instruments) 288
26. Sastra vidhi adhyaya (use of sharp instruments) 297
27. Siravyadha vidhi adhyaya (venesection) 308
28. Salyaharana vidhi adhyaya (removal of foreign bodies) 318
29. Sastrakarma vidhi adhyaya (surgical operation) 328
30. Ksaragnikarma vidhi adhyaya (alkaline and thermal cautery)

 

343
Section 2. Sarira sthana (section on anatomy, physiology etc.)
1. Garbhavakranti sarira (embryology) 357
2. Garbhavyapad sarira (disorders of pregnancy) 380
3. Anga vibhaga sarira (different parts of the body) 391
4. Marma vibhaga sarira (classification of vital spots) 422
5. Vikrti vijnaniya sarira (knowledge of bad prognosis) 433
6. Dutadi vijnaniya sarira (knowledge of messenger etc.)

 

457
III. Appendix-1
Index of diet articles and drugs
469
IV. Index of Sanskrit headings 503
V. General Index 515
VI. Corrigenda 522
VOLUME TWO: Nidana, Cikitsa, Kalpa & Siddhi Sthana
I. Foreword  
II. Chapters of the text.

 

 
Section 3. Nidana sthana (diagnosis of diseases)
1. Sarvroga nidanam (diagnosis of diseases in general) 3
2. Jvara nidanam (diagnosis of fever) 11
3. Raktapitta, Kasa nidanam (diagnosis of bleeding disease and cough) 29
4. Svasa-Hidhma nidanam (diagnosis of dyspnoea and hiccup) 37
5. Rajayaksmadi nidanam (diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis etc.) 44
6. Madatyaya nidanam (diagnosis of alcoholic intoxication) 57
7. Arsas nidanam (diagnosis of haemorrhoids) 66
8. Atisara-Grahani nidanam (diagnosis of diarrhoea and duodenal disorders) 77
9. Mutraghata nidanam (diagnosis of retention of urine) 84
10. Prameha nidanam (diagnosis of diabetes) 92
11. Vidradhi-Vrddhi-Gulma nidanam (diagnosis of abscess, enlargement of the scrotum and abdominal tumour) 100
12. Udara nidanam (diagnosis of enlargement of the abdomen) 113
13. Panduroga-Sopha-Visarpa nidanam (diagnosis of anaemia, dropsy and herpes) 122
14. Kustha-Svitra-Krimi nidanam (diagnosis of leprosy, leucoderma and parasites) 136
15. Vata vyadhi nidanam (diagnosis of diseases of the nervous system) 148
16. Vatasonita nidanam (diagnosis of gout)

 

159
Section 4. CIKITSITA STHANA (therapeutics)
1. Jvara cikitsita (treatment of fevers) 173
2. Raktapitta cikitsita (treatment of bleeding disease) 206
3. Kasa cikitsita (treatment of cough) 216
4. Svasa-Hidhma cikitsita (treatment of dyspnoea and hiccup) 245
5. Rajayaksmadi cikitsita (treatment of pul. Tuberculosis, etc.) 255
6. Chardi-Hrdroga-Trsna cikitsita (treatment of vomiting, heart disease and thirst) 270
7. Madatyaya cikitsita (treatment of alcoholic intoxication) 286
8. Arsas cikitsita (treatment of haemorrhoids) 306
9. Ausara cikitsita (treatment of diarrhoea) 334
10. Grahani dosa cikitsita (treatment of duodenal disorder) 355
11. Mutraghata cikitsita (treatment of retention of urine) 371
12. Prameha cikitsita (treatment of diabetes) 383
13. Vidradhi-Vrdhi cikitsita (treatment of abscess, enlargement of the scrotum) 391
14. Gulma cikitsita (treatment of abdominal tumour) 401
15. Udara cikitsita (treatment of enlargement of the abdomen) 424
16. Pandu roga cikitsita (treatment of anaemia) 447
17. Svayathu (sopha) cikitsita (treatment of dropsy) 457
18. Visarpa cikitsita (treatment of herpes) 465
19. Kustha cikitsita (treatment of leprosy) 472
20. Svitra-Krimi cikitsita (treatment of leucoderma and parasites) 490
21. Vata vyadhi cikitsita (treatment of diseases of the nervous system) 497
22. Vatasonita cikitsita (treatment of gout)

 

513
Section 5. Kalpasiddhi Sthana (purificatory recipes, pharmaceutics)
1. Vamana kalpa (emetic recipes) 529
2. Virecana kalpa (purgative recipes) 539
3. Vamana virecana vyapat siddhi (management of complications of emesis and purgation therapies) 551
4. Basti kalpa (enema recipes) 559
5. Basti vyapat siddhi (management of complications of enema therapy) 573
6. Dravya-kalpa (pharmaceutics)

 

584
III. INDEX 592
VOLUME THREE: Uttara Sthana

 

I. Foreword  
II. Chapters of the text

 

 
Section 6. Uttarasthana
1. Balopacaraniya adhyaya (care of the new born baby) 3
2. Balamaya pratisedha (treatment of diseases of children) 13
3. Balagraha pratisedha (treatment of evil spirit) 27
4. Bhuta vijnaniya (knowledge of demons) 38
5. Bhuta pratisedha (treatment of demons) 46
6. Unmada pratisedha (treatment of insanity) 56
7. Apasmara pratisedha (treatment of epilepsy) 67
8. Vartma roga vijnaniya (knowledge of diseases of eyelids) 74
9. Vartma roga pratisedha (treatment of diseases of eyelids) 80
10. Sandhisitasita roga vijnaniya (knowledge of diseases of fornices, sclera and cornea) 88
11. Sandhisitasita roga pratisedha (treatment of diseases of fornices, sclera and cornea) 95
12. Drsti roga vijnaniya (knowledge of diseases of vision) 106
13. Timira pratisedha (treatment of blindness) 113
14. Linganasa pratisedha (treatment of blindness) 131
15. Sarvaksi roga vijnaniya (knowledge of diseases of the whole eye) 137
16. Sarvaksi roga pratisedha (treatment of diseases of the whole eye) 142
17. Karna roga vijnaniya (knowledge of diseasesof the ear) 155
18. Karna roga pratisedha (treatment of diseases of the ear) 161
19. Nasa roga vijnaniya (knowledge of the diseases of the nose) 173
20. Nasa roga pratisedha (treatment of diseases of the nose) 179
21. Mukha roga vijnaniya (knowledge of the diseases of the mouth) 184
22. Mukha roga pratisedha (treatment of diseases of the mouth) 198
23. Siro roga vijnaniya (knowledge of the diseases of head) 218
24. Siro roga pratisedha (treatment of diseases of the head) 224
25. Vrana pratisedha (treatment of ulcers) 235
26. Sadyo vrana pratisedha (treatment of traumatic wounds) 247
27. Bhanga pratisedha (treatment of fractures) 257
28. Bhagandara pratisedha (treatment of rectal fistula) 265
29. Granthi-arbuda-slipada-apaci-nadi vijnaniya (knowledge of tumours, cancers, filariasis, scrofula and sinus ulcer) 274
30. Granthyadi pratisedha (treatment of tumours etc.) 281
31. Ksudra roga vijnaniya (knowledge of minor diseases) 290
32. Ksudra roga pratisedha (treatment of minor diseases) 298
33. Guhya roga vijnaniya (knowledge of diseases of genital organs) 305
34. Guhya roga pratisedha (treatment of diseases of genital organs) 316
35. Visa pratisedha (treatment of poisoning) 328
36. Sarpa visa pratisedha (treatment of snake bite poison) 341
37. Kitalutadi visa pratisedha (treatment of poison of insects, spiders etc.) 359
38. Musika-alarka visa pratisedha (treatment of poison of mouse, rabid, dog etc.) 374
39. Rasayana vidhi (rejuvination theraphy) 381
40. Vajikarana vidhi (virilification therapy)

 

413
III. Appendices :-  
  Table 1. Persons and treatises mentioned as authorities 433
  Table 2. Geographical information 435
  Table 3. Anatomical information in brief 436
  Table 4. Different kinds of therapies 438
  Table 5. Instruments and appliances etc. 443
  Table 6. Diet articles-liquids, solids (cereals, pulses etc.) 447
  Table 7. (1) Drugs-plant and plant products (basonyms) 464
  Table 7. (2) -- plant and plant products (synonyms) 469
  Table 7. (3) -- minerals, metals, salts etc.  
  Table 7. (4) -- animal products  
  Table 8. Diseases 534
  Table 9. Weights and measures 562
  Table 10. Some medicinal formulae 564
  Table 11. Commentaries on A. Hrdaya 570
  Table 12. Editions and Translations

 

572
Select Bibliography 574
INDEX 577

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