Eighteen Greater Texts

Eighteen Greater Texts

Original title	अष्टादश महाग्रंथ
Country	India
Language	Sanskrit
Genre	Medical literature

The Eighteen Greater Texts (Sanskrit: अष्टादश महाग्रंथ, Aṣṭādaśa Mahāgrantha) are a collection of classical Ayurvedic texts that form the foundation of traditional Indian medicine. These texts are considered authoritative and are studied extensively by students and practitioners of Ayurveda.

Overview

The Eighteen Greater Texts are a compilation of works by various ancient scholars who contributed significantly to the field of Ayurveda. These texts cover a wide range of topics, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnosis, treatment, and pharmacology.

The Texts

The Eighteen Greater Texts include the following works:

1. Charaka Samhita - Attributed to Charaka, this text is one of the oldest and most important treatises on Ayurveda, focusing on internal medicine.
2. Sushruta Samhita - Attributed to Sushruta, this text is a foundational work on surgery and surgical techniques.
3. Ashtanga Hridaya - Written by Vagbhata, this text is a concise version of the Ashtanga Sangraha and is widely used in Ayurvedic education.
4. Ashtanga Sangraha - Another work by Vagbhata, this text is more comprehensive and covers all eight branches of Ayurveda.
5. Madhava Nidana - A text on diagnosis and pathology, attributed to Madhava.
6. Bhava Prakasha - Written by Bhavamishra, this text includes information on medicinal plants and their uses.
7. Sharngadhara Samhita - A text focusing on pharmacology and pharmacy.
8. Rasa Ratna Samuccaya - A text on Rasa Shastra, the science of alchemy and the use of minerals in medicine.
9. Kashyapa Samhita - A text on pediatrics and gynecology.
10. Bhela Samhita - An ancient text similar to the Charaka Samhita, attributed to Bhela.
11. Harita Samhita - A lesser-known text that covers various aspects of Ayurveda.
12. Yoga Ratnakara - A text that integrates Ayurveda with Yoga.
13. Raja Nighantu - A lexicon of medicinal plants.
14. Bhava Prakasha Nighantu - A comprehensive text on medicinal herbs and their properties.
15. Chakradatta - A text on Ayurvedic therapeutics.
16. Rasa Tarangini - A text on the preparation and use of Rasa Shastra medicines.
17. Vaidya Chintamani - A text on Ayurvedic principles and practices.
18. Yogaratnakara - A text that provides a comprehensive overview of Ayurvedic treatments and therapies.

Importance

The Eighteen Greater Texts are essential for understanding the principles and practices of Ayurveda. They provide detailed descriptions of diseases, their causes, symptoms, and treatments. These texts also emphasize the importance of maintaining balance in the body through diet, lifestyle, and herbal remedies.

Influence

The influence of the Eighteen Greater Texts extends beyond India, as they have been translated into various languages and studied worldwide. They continue to be a source of knowledge and inspiration for modern practitioners of Ayurveda and integrative medicine.

See also

• Ayurveda
• Charaka Samhita
• Sushruta Samhita
• Vagbhata

References

• Dash, Vaidya Bhagwan. "Fundamentals of Ayurvedic Medicine." Concept Publishing Company, 1989.
• Sharma, Priya Vrat. "History of Medicine in India: From Antiquity to 1000 A.D." Indian National Science Academy, 1992.