Aṣṭāṅga-Saṃgraha (Āyurveda book)

Aṣṭāṅga-Saṃgraha—A notable book of Āyurveda written by Maharṣi Vāgbhaṭṭa is the Aṣṭāṅga Saṃgraha. He studied the books of his previous Āyurvedācāryas and collected materials from their books and compiled Aṣṭāṅga Saṃgraha. Aṣṭāṅga Saṃgraha is a voluminous text having one hundred fifty Adhyāyas or chapters divided into six sthānas or sections. The first section Sūtra sthāna consists of forty chapters. This section describes the basic doctrines, principles of health, prevention of diseases-diet articlesfood habits-causes of diseases. The second section Śarīra sthāna consists of twelve chapters. This section describes deals with evolution and composition of the universehuman embryology-anatomy-physiology physical and psychological temperamentsdreams- omens total signs etc. The third section Nidānasthāna consists of sixteen chapters. This section describes the causes, signs, symptoms, pathogenesis, prognosis etc., of major diseases. The fourth section Cikitsāsthāna of twenty-four chapters. This section describes elaborate methods of treatment, medicines, diet, care of the patient etc., of all diseases about Kāyacikitsā or inner medicine. The fifth consists of eight chapters. This sections Kalpa sthāna deals with the method of preparing purificatory recipes i.e. -emetics, purgative and enemata; administration of purificatory therapies, management of complications, principles of pharmacy weights and measures etc. The sixth and last sections of Uttarasthāna is consists of fifty chapters. This chapter describes Bāla cikitsā or paediatrics, Graha cikitsā or demonology, Ūrdhvāṅga cikitsā or Netraroga cikitsā or ophthalmology, Karṇaroga cikitsā or otology, Nāsāroga cikitsā or rhinology, Mukharoga cikitsā or treatment of lips, teeth gums, tongue, palate and throat, Śīroroga or treatment of head and scalp, Śalya cikitsā or surgery, Daṃṣṭrā viṣa cikitsā or toxicology, Jarā or Rasāyana or rejuvenation, Vṛṣa or Vājīkaraṇa or vilification^[1].