Ashtangat Rudaya - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Ashtangat Rudaya" by Vagbhatta, based on the provided catalog link and the extensive index of chapters and topics:

Book Title: Ashtangat Rudaya (also referred to as Ashtanga Hridaya) Author: Vagbhatta Publisher: Kishanlal Dwarkaprasad

Overall Nature of the Text:

The provided text is the Ashtanga Hridaya (अष्टांगहृदय), a foundational and highly influential text in Ayurveda, authored by the renowned sage Vagbhatta. The text is presented here with a Hindi commentary/translation by Shri Krishnalal and published by Kishanlal Dwarkaprasad. It's important to note that while the catalog links to Jain resources, the Ashtanga Hridaya itself is a classic Ayurvedic medical treatise, not a Jain religious text. The Jain connection likely stems from the historical context of its preservation, study, or commentary within Jain scholarly circles or institutions.

Summary of the Contents (Based on the extensive index):

The Ashtanga Hridaya, as evidenced by the detailed index, is a comprehensive treatise on Ayurvedic medicine, divided into six main sections (Sthanas):

Sutrasthana (सूत्रस्थानम्): This section lays the groundwork for Ayurveda, covering fundamental principles, definitions, and concepts. It includes:
- Mangalacharan (मंगलाचरण): Invocation and auspicious beginnings.
- Ayushkamiya Adhyaya (आयुष्कामीय अध्याय): Discusses the importance of Ayurveda for a long and healthy life, the principles of Ayurveda, the causes of health and disease, the nature of doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), qualities of doshas, their locations, the concept of Agni (digestive fire), Prakriti (body constitution), Dhatus (tissues), Mala (waste products), the causes of disease, diagnosis, prognosis, and the qualities of physicians, medicines, and attendants.
- Dinacharya Adhyaya (दिनचर्या अध्याय): Daily regimen, including oral hygiene, eye care, nasal administration, use of tobacco, oil massage, exercise, bathing, and controlling natural urges.
- Ritucharya Adhyaya (ऋतुचर्या अध्याय): Seasonal regimen, detailing diet and lifestyle recommendations for the six seasons (Hemanta, Shishira, Vasanta, Grishma, Varsha, Sharad).
- Roganuṭpādanīya Adhyāya (रोगानुत्पादनीय अध्याय): Discusses the causes of disease, the importance of preventing disease, and the principles of diet and lifestyle to avoid illness.
- Dravya-dravya Vijñānīya (द्रव्य द्रव्य विज्ञानीय): Classification and properties of various substances, including water, milk products, oils, fats, wines, grains, meats, vegetables, fruits, and medicinal substances.
- Anna-svabhava Vijñānīya (अन्न स्वभाव विज्ञानीय): Detailed description of various types of grains, their properties, and their effects on the body.
- Aushadha Kalpa (औषध कल्प): Principles of preparing and administering medicines.
- Snigdha-ruksha (स्निग्ध रूक्ष): Detailed discussion on oleation and drying therapies.
- Svedadi Karma (स्वेदादि कर्म): Therapies involving sweating, fomentation, and other external applications.
- Vamana Virechana Vidhi (वमन विरेचन विधि): Detailed procedures for therapeutic vomiting and purgation.
- Basti Vidhi (वस्ति विधि): Enema therapies (Niruha, Anuvasana, Uttara vasti).
- Nasya Vidhi (नस्य विधि): Nasal administration of medicines.
- Dhumpana Vidhi (धूमपान विधि): Therapeutic smoking.
- Gandushaadi Vidhi (गंडूषादि विधि): Gargling and other oral cleansing methods.
- Aashchotana (आश्चोतन): Eye drops.
- Anjana (अंजन): Collyriums for eye care.
- Yantra Vidhi (यंत्र विधि): Surgical instruments.
- Shastra Vidhi (शस्त्र विधि): Surgical procedures and tools.
- Kshara Agni Karma Vidhi (क्षार अग्नि कर्म विधि): Cauterization and chemical treatments.
- Vrana Vidhi (व्रण विधि): Wound management.
- Krimi Chikitsa (कृमि चिकित्सा): Treatment of worm infestations.
- Vangaadi Chikitsa (व्यंग आदि चिकित्सा): Treatment of facial disorders and skin ailments.
- Upadansha Vidhi (उपदंश विधि): Treatment of venereal diseases.
- Yoni Vyapad (योनि व्यापाद): Gynecological disorders.
- Vish Chikitsa (विष चिकित्सा): Toxicology and treatment of poisoning.
Sharirasthana (शारीरस्थानम्): This section deals with human anatomy and physiology. It covers:
- Garbhāvakrānti Śārīra (गर्भावक्रांति शारीर): Embryology, conception, fetal development, and childbirth.
- Sukra & Artava (शुक्र आर्तव): Semen and menstrual fluid.
- Maāsa Pusti (मास पुष्टि): Growth of the fetus month by month.
- Marmansthan (मर्म स्थान): Vital points in the body.
- Sira (सिरा): Description of veins and blood vessels.
- Peshi (पेशी): Muscles.
- Asthi (अस्थि): Bones.
- Snayu (स्नायु): Ligaments and tendons.
- Srotas (स्रोतों): Channels in the body.
- Anga Vibhaga (अंग विभाग): Detailed description of body parts.
Nidanasthana (निदानस्थानम्): This section focuses on the diagnosis and etiology of diseases. It includes:
- Sarva Roga Nidana (सर्वरोग निदान): General principles of diagnosis, including examination of the patient, pulse, urine, stool, tongue, and the causes and types of diseases.
- Jvara Nidana (ज्वर निदान): Diagnosis of fever.
- Rakta Pitta Nidana (रक्त पित्त निदान): Diagnosis of bleeding disorders.
- Kasa Shvasa Nidana (कास श्वास निदान): Diagnosis of cough and respiratory diseases.
- Rajayakshma Nidana (राज यक्ष्मा निदान): Diagnosis of tuberculosis.
- Chardi Hridroga Nidana (छर्दि हृद्रोग निदान): Diagnosis of vomiting and heart diseases.
- Madaatyaya Nidana (मदात्यय निदान): Diagnosis of alcoholism and its effects.
- Arsha Nidana (अर्श निदान): Diagnosis of hemorrhoids.
- Atisara Grahani Nidana (अतिसार ग्रहणी निदान): Diagnosis of diarrhea and gastroenteritis.
- Mutraghata Prameha Nidana (मूत्राघात प्रमेह निदान): Diagnosis of urinary disorders and diabetes.
- Vidradhi Gulma Udararoga Nidana (विद्रधि गुल्म उदर रोग निदान): Diagnosis of abscesses, abdominal tumors, and abdominal diseases.
- Pandu Shotha Visarpa Nidana (पांडु शोथ विसर्प निदान): Diagnosis of anemia, edema, and erysipelas.
- Kushta Shwitra Krimi Nidana (कुष्ठ श्वित्र कृमि निदान): Diagnosis of skin diseases, leucoderma, and worm infestations.
- Vata Vyadhi Nidana (वात व्याधि निदान): Diagnosis of diseases related to Vata.
- Vata Shonita Nidana (वात शोणित निदान): Diagnosis of Vata and Rakta disorders.
Chikitsitasthana (चिकित्सितस्थानम्): This section covers the treatment of diseases. It details therapeutic interventions for a vast array of conditions, including fevers, bleeding disorders, cough, asthma, tuberculosis, heart diseases, alcoholism, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, urinary tract infections, diabetes, abscesses, tumors, abdominal diseases, edema, skin diseases, and neurological disorders.
Kalpasthana (कल्पस्थानम्): This section focuses on the preparation and classification of specific medicinal formulations and potent remedies.
Uttarāsthana (उत्तरस्थानम्): This section covers specialized areas of Ayurveda, including pediatrics, ophthalmology, ENT (ear, nose, throat), dentistry, and toxicology. It details:
- Bal Chikitsa (बाल चिकित्सा): Pediatric diseases and treatments.
- Netra Roga (नेत्र रोग): Eye diseases and treatments.
- Karna Roga (कर्ण रोग): Ear diseases and treatments.
- Nasa Roga (नासा रोग): Nasal disorders and treatments.
- Mukha Roga (मुख रोग): Oral and throat diseases.
- Shira Roga (शिरो रोग): Head and neurological disorders.
- Vrana Roga (व्रण रोग): Wounds and their treatment.
- Vish Chikitsa (विष चिकित्सा): Treatment of poisoning and venomous bites.

Key Themes and Significance:

Holistic Approach: The Ashtanga Hridaya emphasizes a holistic approach to health, integrating diet, lifestyle, seasonal practices, mind-body connection, and precise medicinal interventions.
Systematic Organization: The text is renowned for its logical and systematic organization, making complex Ayurvedic principles accessible.
Practicality and Efficacy: Vagbhatta's work is known for its clinical practicality and the efficacy of its described treatments, making it a cornerstone for Ayurvedic practitioners.
Influence: It has been a primary text for the study and practice of Ayurveda for centuries, influencing countless other medical texts and traditions.
Jain Context: The preservation and publication by a Jain institution suggest the deep respect and value placed on classical knowledge, including medicine, within certain Jain traditions.

In essence, the "Ashtangat Rudaya" (Ashtanga Hridaya) by Vagbhatta, as presented in this catalog, is a comprehensive and classic Ayurvedic medical text covering anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnosis, treatment, and specialized branches of medicine, highlighting the profound medical knowledge inherited and preserved through different intellectual traditions.