Acharya Vagbhata – Scientist, Doctor and Advisor of Ayurveda; Author of Ashtanga Hridaya Samhita
Abstract
Ayurveda was established in the 2nd century BC. There are many acharyas who worked for ayurveda, in which the main Brihat Trayi (The trinity of the ayurvedic knowledge) are Acharya Charaka, Acharya Sushruta and Acharya Vagbhata. Ancient ayurvedic scholars state that Acharya Charaka was a mahapandit and was very knowledgeable but the acharya Vagbhata explained the treatise in simple words. Acharya Vagbhata mentioned that both treatises are for the common man, to maintain their health and happiness. In this we will be discussing Acharya Vagbhata and his works.
Introduction
Acharya Vagbhata is also known as Sututra. He is the writer of the famous ayurvedic texts which are Ashtanga Hrudaya and Astanga Sangraha. There are about 7000 sutras written by him where he explains how to maintain your health and Manages diseases. Acharya Vagbhata is known for his impressive poetry and as an ayurvedic scholar. Acharya Vagbhata is famous with these four names vridha, Madhya, laghu and rasa vagbhata. According to Acharya Vagbhata 85% of the diseases can be managed without a doctor and only 15% need a doctor. He lived for approximately 135 years.
Birth
Acharya Vagbhata was born in Sindh, Pakistan near Indus river in the 6th century A.D. He was the son of Vaidypati Simhagupta and the student of Maharishi Avalokita. He was a vedic Brahmin. His grandfather’s name was Vagbhata, and because of that he was also named as Vagbhata.
Life Story
It is said that another name of acharya Vagbhata was amar koshkar amar singh. Acharya Vagbhata was a scholar since childhood and we can find various stories about him in classics. Since childhood he had interest in the treatise like charaka samhita and Sushruta samhita. He used to take knowledge of the medicinal plants and implement them. Acharya Vagbhata was also the disciple of Acharya Charaka. Acharya Charak was the ideal of the Acharya Vagbhata, He was very curious to know the things, He used to question again and again for a specific thing. Once acharya Charak told acharya vagbhata that i have said it all to you, now you have to make the observations. From then the acharya vaghata started doing observations for each and every condition. Acharya charaka worked a lot in ayurveda and acharya Vagbhta worked more than that by making observations. He went to Maharishi Avalokita to study ayurveda. In his lifespan, the first 18 years he was studying and except that rest of the years he practised ayurveda. He wrote many sutra’s and for one sutra he made 50 observations on different people and in different situations. He attained celibacy (Disciplined life) from childhood and followed that til his life. But he Believed that Domestic Life is Important. Acharya Vagbhata stated that he gained this knowledge from charak samhita, sushruta samhita and Maharishi avlokita. Except these there are many which you can find in the ancient samhita. He was influenced by Gautam Buddha and Lord Shiva. The disciples of Vaghbhat were Indu and Jejjata. Is it said that He was a vedic at first and later his views got changed after taking diksha from his guru Avlokit.
Later the acharya vagbhata embraced death by his own wish.
Myths About Acharya Vagbhata
- There was a confusion between the writers of the ashtanga hrudaya and astanga sangraha. Although both the texts are written by acharya vagbhata only. It was later clarified by acharya Indu who was the Disciple of the acharya Vagbhata.
- He was a brahmin and he accepted buddhism. He accepted Buddhism along with Vedism after understanding about buddhism. Like this there are various mentions of Acharya Vagbhata being a Budha, Jain, or vedic by perception of other people which can be declined as well.
Works Of Vagbhata
Acharya Vagbhata has worked on Swasthavritta giving the concepts of dinacharya, Ritucharya, Their do’s and Don’ts etc. Acharya Vagbhata explained or gave a number of sutra’s for ahara. Vihaara, Aushdha which will help in maintaining the health.
Charaka samhita was written by Acharya Charaka, but the work of certifying the sutras in Charak samhita was done by acharya vagbhata that means that if acharya charaka said that using this drug have this effects, so he made many observations for that. Vruddha Vagbhata- According to ancient classics, he composed the Astang Sangraha on the cornerstone of other samhita. He also told about himself in a chapter of uttar Sthana.
He Wrote Two Treatises
Acharya Vagbhata first wrote the ashtanga Sangraha which was called (Yuganurup Sandarbh). From the essence of Ashtanga Sangraha, the Astanga Hrudaya came into existence which is also known as the “Heart of Medicine”
- Astanga Hrudaya – In this Acharya Vagbhata mentioned the diseases, their causes and their management. In sutrasthana of the astanga Hrudaya he mentioned about the swasthavritta, dincharya, Ahara, vihara, dosha, panchkarma and other ayurvedic karma’s. In Nidana sthana of the astanga hrudaya the cause of the disease and symptoms are mentioned. In chikitsa sthana the management of the diseases have been mentioned and the diseases which are not mentioned in these sthana have been mentioned in Uttara Stana.
- Astanga Sangraha – In Astanga Sangraha, there are a lot of references relating to Hinduism and buddhism. In this he explained or compiled the 8 branches of the ayurveda. Astanga Sangraha is a detailed but less concise work.
Conclusion
Acharya Vagbhata is a renowned ayurvedic scholar who worked his whole life by practicing ayurveda and wrote two treatises which in present scenario is ideal for managing the disorders and in managing the overall health. He was born in Sindhu and he died of his own wish. He tested or observed every sutra for about 50 times and for which he gave his whole life and then it was provided to everyone.
