Astangahrdaya - Sutrasthana (Vagbhata)

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About the Book Astangahrdaya by Vigbhata is the time honoured text for learning Xyurreda. It is the ideal blend between medicine and surgery and between principles and practice. The eight branches of Alyurveda (AH-Ifigis) are given equal importance. Unlike in other texts, the student is not dragged into the intricacies of philosophy, either.

There was a time when Ayurvedic scholars recited verses of Agangahrdaya daily, as part of their routine. This no doubt enhanced their edge in auto updating of knowledge. This edition is primarily meant for recital of verses, which helps the students in the ensuing decades of their professional service.

The varying alternate versions found in many commentaries now available are analysed by the editor and the apparently most accurate version is included in this edition of the text of SItrasthana of A.Hihigahrdaya. A good index is given in the last pages which assist the reader to find the exact verse for a particular word referred. The font and its size are eye friendly and are incorporated after due research.

Preface Astangahrdaya is inspirational. Its verses will be treasured up in the library of our memory for decades to come. Each time it is read, we get kaleidoscopically different levels of understanding. This book, comprising of the textual portions of Agatigahrdaya SCrtrasthana is for the students of Ayurvgda, for learning and recol-lecting the verses. It is supplemented by an audio CD of the verses recited by an eminent scholar, Dr. M. Prasad.

This volume is prepared after meticulous scrutiny of the text portions of five important commentaries now available - Sarvarigasundara of_Arunadatta, Ayurviiclarasayana of Homadri, hirdayabodhika of Sriclasa Panditar, Saeilekha commentary of lndu and VN‘yapradipika commentary of Parameevara Dvija. It is incon-ceivable that a treatise so popular has so many alternate versions (pathabhedam). However, in this edition, at places, apparently the most appropriate and popular version of the text is projected. Seriously differing alternate versions are also incorporated (with foot notes). Admittedly, the versatality of these versions generate different numbers in different commentaries for a particular verse.

Let me take this opportunity to thank Mr. V.M.Bhaskaran, Mrs Neethu Sijo and Dr. Prabhitha for earnestly working round the clock to select the most suitable terms from various commentaries available. I also thank Dr.M.Prasad for providing me a professional quality MP3 audio version of the Sutrasthana.

The encouraging support I got from the Academy is the singular factor for bringing out this second edition. In this edition the text is further scrutinized to zero error perfection indicating alternate version of verses. The index is further widened so as the students can identify targeted verses at ease.