A Bird’s Eye View on Ashtanga Sangraha

Abstract

Ayurveda has passed down through the centuries as a complete healing system, evolving to meet the needs of the time, and yet remaining committed to its core principles. These fundamental principles are laid down in Ayurveda Samhithas which are the store houses of information. Brihatrayees (the greater trio) are the three treatises occupying the best positions for the authority and authentication with respect to compilation and presentation of Ayurveda in its best form. Ashtanga Sangraha is an authoritative text on the science of medicine in ancient India. The name of the text itself conveys its meaning clearly. It is a collection of information of the Ashtangas - the eight branches of Ayurveda in one single text providing preference to Kayachikitsa. The glory of this book is that it confines only to the three pillars of medical science i.e., Hetu (etiology), Linga (symptomatology), and Oushada (therapeutics). The text is composed in such a way as to be suitable to the present age. Acharya Vagbhata created a great revelation in the medical field through his treatise. This review article focuses on unique contribution of Acharya Vagbhata in Ashtanga Sangraha for the development of Ayurveda.