Library
Texts library: Ayurveda
A catalogue of the classical texts behind the Vedic sciences: what each one covers, how it is arranged, and the editions and translations to read it in.
Carakasaṃhitā
चरकसंहिता
The foundational compendium of Ayurvedic internal medicine, setting out theory of the body, diagnosis, the qualities of substances, ethics of the physician and methods of reasoning. It is also an important source for early Indian logic and debate. We present it as a historical text, not as health guidance.
- Author
- Charaka, redacting Agnivesha's work; completed by Dridhabala
- Period
- Core layers around the turn of the Common Era; later additions (dating debated)
- Tradition
- Ayurveda
Aṣṭāṅgahṛdaya
अष्टाङ्गहृदय
A verse synthesis of the earlier medical compendia, organised around the eight branches of Ayurveda. Its clarity made it the most widely taught Ayurvedic text in several regions, notably Kerala, and it was translated into Tibetan. We present it as a historical text, not as health guidance.
- Author
- Vagbhata
- Period
- Around the 7th century CE (dating debated)
- Tradition
- Ayurveda