Ashtanga Hridaya

Article by: Anantha

आयु: कामायमानेन धर्मार्थ सुखसाधनम्।

आयुर्वेदोपदेशेषु विधेय: परमादर:।।

āyu: kāmāyamānena dharmārtha sukhasādhanam।

āyurvedopadeśeṣu vidheya: paramādara।।

The meaning of the above shloka is... To achieve the purpose of life, one should work at leading a long, healthy life! To achieve this , obedience (Vidheya) to the practice of Ayurveda is of utmost importance.

Ashtanga Hridaya - the Essence of all Eight branches of Ayurveda - is one of the fundamental texts of Ayurveda. It is written in a poetry form, so that the student can understand and remember the complex subjects! The popularity of the book is due to its crisp shlokas.

Ashtanga Hridaya (Ashta = 8; Anga = organ) deals with the 8 angas in the body.

Namely:

1. Kaya chikitsa (treats the body)

2. Baala chikitsa (pediatrics)

3. Griha chikitsa (psychiatry)

4. Urdhvanga chikitsa or shalakya tantra (eye, ear, nose and parts above the neck).

5. Salya tantra (surgery)

6. Damsthra chikitsa (toxicology like treating snake venom)

7. Jara chikitsa or rasayana chikitsa (rejuvenation therapy)

8. Vrishya chikitsa or vajeekarana chikitsa (fertility therapy).

The first sthana in this book is the introduction of Ayurveda is called sutra sthana and contains a little more than 1500 slokas. Memorising this sthana is vital for every student of Ayurveda.

Studying the other 7 sthanas is for those who want to specialize in those types of chikitsa and who want to pursue Ayurveda further.

Listening and chanting to Ashtanga Hridaya sutra sthana ensures good health and prevents diseases.

Chanting brings in positive vibrations. The environment when, filled with these chants, bring vitality to the self and the family. It boosts the memory, and self-confidence.

I have attached the YouTube link to the audio! Hope you all enjoy and absorb the chanting of Ashtanga Hridaya, the health insurance of Ayurveda.

https://youtu.be/7HrAQS9awbs