Ashtanga Hridayam

अष्टाङ्गहृदयम्

Ashtanga Hridayam, authored by Vagbhata, is one of the most important compendiums of Ayurveda. It is practical, systematic and widely used by practitioners.

  • 120 Chapters
  • 6 Sthanas
  • 6th–7th Century CE
Ashtanga Hridayam

Ashtanga Hridayam (अष्टाङ्गहृदयम्), “the heart of the eight branches”, is the most widely studied classical text of Ayurveda. Composed by Vagbhata in about 7,120 verses, it brings together the teachings of Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita in a clear, practical form.

The text is arranged in six Sthanas and 120 chapters, covering the principles of health, anatomy, diagnosis, treatment, pharmaceutics and the specialised branches of Ayurveda.

The 6 Sthanas

Sutra Sthana 30 Chapters Sutra Sthana lays the foundation of Ayurveda. It explains the basic principles of health, daily and seasonal routines, diet, doshas, agni, dhatus and the path to a healthy life. Sharira Sthana 6 Chapters Anatomy and embryology. Nidana Sthana 16 Chapters Causes and diagnosis of diseases. Chikitsa Sthana 22 Chapters Treatment and therapeutics. Kalpa Sthana 6 Chapters Pharmaceutical preparations. Uttara Sthana 40 Chapters Specialized branches of Ayurveda.

Topics Covered

About the Author

Vagbhata · 6th–7th Century CE

Vagbhata condensed the teachings of Charaka and Sushruta into a clear, verse-based compendium of eight branches (Ashtanga). Its concise style made it the most studied text of Ayurveda, especially in South India.