Vagbhata

Vagbhata, also spelled Vagbhatta, is an ancient Indian physician traditionally credited with composing two foundational Ayurvedic texts, the Ashtanga Hridaya and the Ashtanga Samgraha. The exact dates of his life are uncertain, but most scholars place him between the 6th and 9th centuries CE. In the Ayurvedic tradition, he is regarded as a central figure who synthesized earlier authorities and presented them in a practical form for medical practitioners.

Both works articulate the eight branches of Ayurveda and blend theory with clinical instruction. They draw on the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita while organizing material around diagnosis, prognosis, materia medica, pharmacology, and therapeutic procedures. The Ashtanga Hridaya is the shorter, more compact guide favored for bedside use, whereas the Ashtanga Samgraha is lengthier and more encyclopedic. Collectively, they shaped standardized clinical practice and education in Ayurveda for centuries and remain widely studied.

Transmission of the Vagbhata texts occurred through manuscript traditions and commentaries, with later editors producing numerous editions and regional translations. The works' influence extended beyond India, affecting Ayurvedic practice in parts of Southeast Asia. They are cited as cornerstone sources in traditional medical curricula and continue to be consulted by scholars of Ayurveda.