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Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Bhela-Samhita, Harita-Samhita, and many other treatises on Ayurveda were composed, marking the initiation of composing treatises on Ayurveda. Thus, the transmission of Ayurvedic knowledge continued in parallel with its popularity. In continuation of this series of treatises, Acharya Vagbhata wrote Ashtanga Sangraha and Ashtanga Hrdaya. These treatises on Ayurveda were coming-of-age texts, keeping the coming generations in mind. “Ashta” means eight and “anga” literally means limb, thus Acharya Vagbhata dedicated himself to composing a work wherein all the eight limbs or aspects/fields of Ayurveda viz. kaya (general medicine), Bala (pediatric), [[Bhootavidya or Grahachikitsa (भूतविद्या ग्रहचिकित्सा वा)|Graha]] (Psychiatry and demonology), urdhvanga (head and neck), shalya (surgery), damstra (forensics and toxicology precisely), [[Rasayana (रसायनम्)|Jara or Rasayana]] (geriatric), vrisha or [[Vajikaran (वाजीकरणम्)|Vajikarana]] (Reproductive medicine) will be covered in depth.  

== आचार्य वाग्भटकृतग्रन्थनिर्माण ॥ Treatise written by Acharya Vagbhata ==

It is often opined by historians that Vagbhata 1(Vriddha Vagbhata \ वृद्ध वाग्भटः ) was the author of Ashtanga sangraha( अष्टाङ्ग संग्रहः) and Vagbhata 2 his grandson authored Ashtanga Hriday (अष्टाङग हृदयम्). Vriddha Vagbhata lived around the 7^th cent (625CE) whereas Vagbhata 2 lived a century later.<ref name=":0" />

== Treatise written by Acharya Vagbhata ==

Ashtanga Hrdaya is in the poetic form which makes it easier to memorize, whereas Ashtanga Sangraha is in a mixed form of verses and prose similar to Charaka Samhita. According to certain commentators, the writing in both is similar which makes Acharya Vagbhata the author of both Ashtanga Sangraha and Ashtanga Hridaya.  

It is often opined by historians that Vagbhata 1(Vriddha Vagbhata) was the author of Ashtanga sangraha and Vagbhata 2 his grandson authored Ashtanga Hriday. Vriddha Vagbhata lived around the 7^th cent (625CE) whereas Vagbhata 2 lived a century later.

These treatises consist of 6 sections divided into 120-150 chapters written in the Sanskrit language<ref name=":1">IAIM, FRLHT, Bangalore. [http://vedotpatti.in/samhita/Vag/vagbhata/?mod=home&con=pro Ashtanga Hrudayam evam Ashtanga Sangraha. Prologue.] Software developed at National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage, Hyderabad</ref>. Ashtanga Sangraha is one of the brihat trayees (बृहत्त्रयी । the three great trios), the other two are [[Charaka Samhita (चरक संहिता)|Charaka Samhita]] and [[Sushruta Samhita (सुश्रुतसंहिता)|Sushruta Samhita]].  

 

These treatises consist of 6 sections divided into 120-150 chapters written in the Sanskrit language. Ashtanga Sangraha is one of the brihat trayees (the three great trios), the other two are [[Charaka Samhita (चरक संहिता)|Charaka Samhita]] and [[Sushruta Samhita (सुश्रुतसंहिता)|Sushruta Samhita]].  

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|+Sections and Adhyayas in 2 treatises written by Acharya Vagbhata

|+Sections and Adhyayas in 2 treatises written by Acharya Vagbhata<ref name=":1" />

|Sthana

|Sthana

|'''Ashtanga Sangraha'''

|'''Ashtanga Sangraha'''

|}

|}

== Period ==

== कालः॥ Period ==

Acharya Vagbhata was the son of “Simhagupta” hailing from a Brahmin family living in the Sindhu Desha (currently Pakistan). He was named after his grandfather “Vagbhata”. Acharya Vagbhata was the disciple of ''Avalokita.''<ref name=":0">Shubhakta PK , Gundeti M, Narayana AL. VAGBHATA - HIS CONTRIBUTION. Journal Ind. Med. Heritage Vol. XXXIX - 2009. Pp.111 to 136</ref>

Acharya Vagbhata was the son of “Simhagupta” (सिंहगुप्त) hailing from a Brahmin family living in the Sindhu Desha (currently Pakistan). He was named after his grandfather “Vagbhata”. Acharya Vagbhata was the disciple of ''Avalokita )(अवलोकित).''<ref name=":0">Shubhakta PK , Gundeti M, Narayana AL. VAGBHATA - HIS CONTRIBUTION. Journal Ind. Med. Heritage Vol. XXXIX - 2009. Pp.111 to 136</ref>  

Simhagupta also was a scholar (he has Vaidyapati attached to his name according to some manuscripts which means Physician of the king) and taught Acharya Vagbhata earlier.  

Simhagupta also was a scholar (he has Vaidyapati attached to his name according to some manuscripts which means Physician of the king) and taught Acharya Vagbhata earlier. <ref name=":1" />

Acharya Vagbhata quotes Avalokita as his Guru (teacher precisely) / preceptor. ''Avalokiteshwara'' was a chief divinity of the Mahayana sector of Buddhism and a manifestation of Buddha himself. His idols were seen during the Gupta period (300-550 CE).

Acharya Vagbhata quotes Avalokita as his Guru (teacher precisely) / preceptor. ''Avalokiteshwara'' was a chief divinity of the Mahayana sector of Buddhism and a manifestation of Buddha himself. His idols were seen during the Gupta period (300-550 CE).

Kapilabala”, father of Dridhbala mentions Ashtanga sangraha in 505-580 CE.

Kapilabala”, father of Dridhbala mentions Ashtanga sangraha in 505-580 CE.

Concluding the above we can say Acharya Vagbhata’s precise period being the 7^th cent CE.

Concluding the above we can say Acharya Vagbhata’s precise period being the 7^th cent CE.<ref name=":0" /> <ref name=":2">Murlidhar Paliwal et al: Vagbhata: The Legendary And Visionary Of Ayurveda. International Ayurvedic Medical Journal {online} 2020 {cited November, 2020} Available from: <nowiki>http://www.iamj.in/posts/images/upload/5125_5130.pdf</nowiki></ref>

== History and opinions of different scholars ==

== इतिहासः ॥ History and opinions of different scholars ==

The treatise Ashtanga Hrdaya is known as Prakaran grantha, which means text composed by researching or referring to Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita as manuals, (Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita are considered as Akara Granthas which means are original work of the authors)

The treatise Ashtanga Hrdaya is known as Prakaran grantha, which means text composed by researching or referring to Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita as manuals, (Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita are considered as Akara Granthas which means are original work of the authors)

Ashtanga Hrdaya is in the poetic form which makes it easier to memorize, whereas Ashtanga Sangraha is in a mixed form of verses and prose similar to Charaka Samhita. According to certain commentators, the writing in both is similar which makes Acharya Vagbhata the author of both Ashtanga Sangraha and Ashtanga Hrdaya.  

Ashtanga Hrdaya is in the poetic form which makes it easier to memorize, whereas Ashtanga Sangraha is in a mixed form of verses and prose similar to Charaka Samhita. According to certain commentators, the writing in both is similar which makes Acharya Vagbhata the author of both Ashtanga Sangraha and Ashtanga Hrdaya.  

Commentators Indu and Jejjata have used the term “Bahata” for “Vagbhta” which is a variant term that might have been popular during that era. Jejjta also calls Vagbhata “Mahajanupati Bahata” (here Mahajanupati means king of Mahajanu). Nischalakara, another commentator calls him “Rajarshi” (denoting king). Another commentator Bhattara Harishchandra refers to Vagbhata as the King of Mahajanda, a place near Karachi, Sindhu Desha, which suggests he might be the ruler of a small kingdom.  

Commentators Indu and Jejjata have used the term “Bahata”(बाहट) for “Vagbhta”(वाग्भट) which is a variant term that might have been popular during that era. Jejjta also calls Vagbhata “Mahajanupati Bahata” (here Mahajanupati means king of Mahajanu). Nischalakara, another commentator calls him “Rajarshi” (denoting king). Another commentator Bhattara Harishchandra refers to Vagbhata as the King of Mahajanda, a place near Karachi, Sindhu Desha, which suggests he might be the ruler of a small kingdom.<ref name=":2" />

There are various controversies regarding the name of the author and the treatises. Acharya Vagbhata thus is a popular research aspect for many historians.  

There are various controversies regarding the name of the author and the treatises. Acharya Vagbhata thus is a popular research aspect for many historians.  

'''Different Vagbhatas mentioned as author of different books in history'''

'''विविधाः वाग्भटाः तेषां ग्रन्थाः च ॥ Different Vagbhatas mentioned as author of different books in history'''

According to Aufrecht’s: Catalogus Catalogorum which is a detailed registry of Sanskrit works and authors, there are ten Vagbhata as authors along with their works.<ref name=":0" />

According to Aufrecht’s: Catalogus Catalogorum which is a detailed registry of Sanskrit works and authors, there are ten Vagbhata as authors along with their works.<ref name=":0" /><ref>Aufrecht, Theodor, 1822-1907. n 84191683; Deutsche Morgenländische Gesellschaft. n 50005025. Catalogus catalogorum : an alphabetical register of Sanskrit works and authors    https://archive.org/details/b30094124_0001/page/178/mode/2up</ref>

# Author of ''Vagbhatasmritisangraha''

# Author of ''Vagbhatasmritisangraha''

* Many verses present in Ashtanga Hrdaya are the same mentioned in Ashtanga Sangraha. The theme of composing both treatises also remains the same. (dealt with eight fields of Ayurveda)

* Many verses present in Ashtanga Hrdaya are the same mentioned in Ashtanga Sangraha. The theme of composing both treatises also remains the same. (dealt with eight fields of Ayurveda)

== Commentaries ==

== टीका तथा टीकाकाराः॥ Commentaries ==

* '''Commentaries on Ashtanga Sangraha'''  

* '''Commentaries on Ashtanga Sangraha'''<ref name=":0" />

*# Shashilekha written by Indu is the only commentary available at the present which was written around the 13^th Cent.

*# Shashilekha (शशिलेखा) written by Indu (इन्दुः) is the only commentary available at the present which was written around the 13^th Cent.

* '''Commentaries on Ashtanga Hrdaya'''

* '''Commentaries on Ashtanga Hrdaya'''<ref name=":0" />

*# Sarvangasundari written by Arunadatta

*# Sarvangasundari (सर्वाङ्गसुन्दरी) written by Arunadatta (अरुणदत्तः)

*# Ayurvedarasayana was written by Hemadri

*# Ayurvedarasayana (आयुर्वेदरसायनम्) was written by Hemadri (हेमाद्री)

*# Padarthachandrika is the work of Chandrananda

*# Padarthachandrika (पदार्थचन्द्रिका) is the work of Chandrananda (चन्द्रनन्दन)

*# Tattvabhodha and Hridayabodhika are also among the others.

*# Tattvabhodha (तत्त्वावबोध) and Hridayabodhika (हृदयबोधिका) are also among the others.

== Translations ==

== भाषान्तरणम् ॥ Translations ==

Acharya Vagbhata’s work has been translated into almost all major Indian languages and few foreign languages.

Acharya Vagbhata’s work has been translated into almost all major Indian languages and few foreign languages.<ref name=":0" />

* In 1941 Ashtanga Hrdaya was translated in the German Language as well.

* In 1941 Ashtanga Hrdaya was translated in the German Language as well.