Vagbhatta

 Vagbhatta was a disciple of Charaka. He was born in 600 AD, in Sindh, Pakistan, and died: in 650 AD (age 50 years).

Vagbhatta, a prominent Sanskrit scholar, is one of the most influential writers, scientists, doctors, and advisors in Ayurveda. He authored two seminal medical texts: *Ashtāṅgasaṅgraha* and *Ashtāngahridaya Saṃhitā*. A disciple of Charaka, Vagbhatta originally wrote these texts in Sanskrit, comprising approximately 7000 sutras. According to his teachings, 85% of diseases can be cured without a doctor, with only 15% requiring medical intervention.

Some mistakenly believe that Vagbhatta was from Kashmir, a confusion arising from a note by German scholar Claus Vogel. Vogel referenced a commentator named Indu, not Vagbhatta, and suggested that Indu might have been from the northern region, like Kashmir because he used terms from that area.

In the concluding verses of the *Ashtāṅgasaṅgraha*, Vagbhatta is described as the son of Simha Gupta and a pupil of Avalokita. His works emphasize the worship of cows, Brahmanas, and various Vedic gods, beginning with an explanation of how Ayurveda evolved from Brahma.

### Story of Vagbhatta

A work called *Neminirvaṇa* is attributed to Vagbhatta, which narrates the story of Neminātha, a Jain hermit. Detailed accounts of Vagbhatta’s life are scarce, but one story suggests that during a time when Brahmins were oppressed by Muslim conquerors, who also took control of medical science, Vagbhatta was disguised as a Muslim boy to learn medicine from a Muslim physician. Despite the challenges and initial acceptance, his true identity was eventually discovered, leading to his expulsion from the Brahmin community. Nevertheless, Vagbhatta continued his work and authored the *Aṣṭāṅgasaṅgraha* and *Aṣṭāṅgahṛdaya* during this period.

### Contributions and Works

Vagbhatta is celebrated as one of the most influential figures in the history of Indian medicine, following Caraka and Susruta. Though his exact period is uncertain, he is usually placed in the sixth century. His *Astanga Hridaya* (*Compendium on the Heart of Medicine*) is considered the greatest synthesis of Ayurveda, often used in medical practice and education.

Numerous other works are attributed to Vagbhatta, including the *Rasaratnasamuccaya*, an astrochemical text, and commentaries on his own works. The *Ashtanga Samgraha* is a systematic text on human illness and therapy, divided into six sections and 150 chapters, covering eight branches of Ayurveda: internal medicine, paediatrics, psychiatry, ENT, toxicology, surgery, geriatrics, and aphrodisiacs.

The *Astanga Hrudaya*, an authoritative text grouped under “Brihat Trayee” along with *Caraka Samhita* and *Sushruta Samhita*, consists of 120 chapters in six sections. It provides fundamental principles of Ayurveda to maintain health and cure diseases.

### Key Branches of Ayurveda in Vagbhatta’s Works

1. **Bhuta Vidya (Psychiatry)**: Focuses on mental diseases and their treatment through diet, herbs, and yogic methods.

2. **Rasayana (Rejuvenation Therapy)**: Prevents disease and promotes healthy living.

3. **Vajikarana (Aphrodisiacs)**: Increases sexual vitality and efficiency, closely related to Rasayana therapy for healthy progeny.

### Influence and Legacy

Vagbhatta’s *Ashtanga Hridaya* is highly regarded, written in a poetic language with easily understood Sanskrit verses. It presents a coherent account of Ayurvedic knowledge and has been translated into many languages, including Tibetan, Arabic, Persian, and several modern Indian and European languages.

### Recognition and Impact

Alongside Sushruta and Charaka, Vagbhatta forms the trinity of Ayurvedic knowledge. Though not much is known about his personal life, it is believed he lived around the sixth century in Sindh and was likely a Vedic scholar, as evidenced by his references to Lord Shiva and Vedic traditions in his writings.

Source:

https://www.abebooks.com/book-search/title/astanga-hrdayam-vagbhata/

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39321016-vagbhata-s-astanga-hrdayam