Vagbhatta

Vagbhatta, also spelled Vagbhata, is a celebrated figure in the tradition of Indian Ayurveda. Traditional accounts place him in the early medieval period, with dates commonly estimated between the 6th and 9th centuries CE. He is revered as a principal compiler and synthesizer of earlier Ayurvedic knowledge and is often cited alongside Charaka and Sushruta as a foundational authority in the field.

Vagbhatta is credited with two major treatises that became core references in Ayurvedic education: the Ashtanga Hridaya and the Ashtanga Samgraha. Both works present the eight branches of Ayurveda—such as internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, ENT/ophthalmology, toxicology, rejuvenation, and aphrodisiac therapy—and integrate theoretical material with practical clinical guidance. The Hridaya is typically regarded as a concise compendium suitable for daily clinical use, while the Samgraha is seen as a more expansive text. Together, they synthesize and organize the medical knowledge of Charaka and Sushruta into a structured framework.

The precise details of Vagbhata’s life are sparse, and his dates remain a matter of scholarly debate. Nevertheless, his writings had a lasting impact, shaping medical teaching and practice for centuries in South Asia and influencing traditional Ayurvedic curricula through commentaries and subsequent scholarship. Variants of his name appear in manuscripts and historical sources, reflecting the enduring importance of his contributions to Ayurveda.