ക്ലാസിക്കൽ ഗ്രന്ഥങ്ങൾ

The Classical Texts

കേരള ആയുർവേദത്തിന്റെ അടിസ്ഥാന ഗ്രന്ഥങ്ങൾ. The canon on which Kerala Ayurveda stands — from Vagbhata's Ashtanga Hridayam to the Kerala formularies Sahasrayogam and Chikitsamanjari.

അഷ്ടാംഗഹൃദയം

अष्टाङ्गहृदयम्Ashtanga Hridayam

Vagbhata (വാഗ്ഭടൻ) · c. 7th century CE

The single most important text for Kerala Ayurveda. The Ashtavaidya tradition is built around the Ashtanga Hridayam, and it remains the primary teaching text in Kerala. Its verses are recited and memorised in gurukula training to this day.

Key contributions

Synthesises the eight branches (Ashtanga) of Ayurveda into concise, memorisable verse
The foundational reference for Kerala Panchakarma protocols
Distilled from Charaka and Sushruta into a practical clinical manual

ചരകസംഹിത

चरकसंहिताCharaka Samhita

Agnivesha, redacted by Charaka (ചരകൻ) · c. 2nd century BCE – 2nd century CE

The foundational treatise of Kayachikitsa (internal medicine) and the philosophical bedrock of Ayurveda. Defines health, disease, the tridosha theory, and the ethics of the physician.

Key contributions

Systematic exposition of internal medicine and the tridosha (Vata–Pitta–Kapha) framework
The earliest detailed code of medical ethics and clinical reasoning
Pharmacology of hundreds of medicinal substances

സുശ്രുതസംഹിത

सुश्रुतसंहिताSushruta Samhita

Sushruta (സുശ്രുതൻ) · c. 6th century BCE (compiled later)

The foundational treatise of Shalya Tantra (surgery). Describes surgical instruments, procedures including rhinoplasty, and the training of surgeons — earning Sushruta the title "father of surgery".

Key contributions

Earliest systematic surgical text — instruments, sutures, cautery, plastic surgery
Detailed anatomy via cadaveric study
Classification of injuries, fractures, and surgical management

സഹസ്രയോഗം

सहस्रयोगम्Sahasrayogam

Compiled by Kerala vaidyas (traditional) · Medieval Kerala compilation

The everyday formulary of Kerala Ayurveda — a "thousand formulations" handbook organised by dosage form (kashaya, gulika, ghrita, taila, etc.). Indispensable in Kerala practice and pharmacy.

Key contributions

Practical, Kerala-specific compendium of classical formulations
Organised by preparation type for bedside reference
Still the working formulary of most Kerala Ayurveda pharmacies

ചികിത്സാമഞ്ജരി

चिकित्सामञ्जरीChikitsamanjari

Traditional Kerala authorship · Medieval Kerala (Malayalam vernacular tradition)

A Kerala treatment manual written to make classical therapeutics accessible to practitioners, disease by disease. A staple of Kerala clinical training alongside the Ashtanga Hridayam.

Key contributions

Disease-wise treatment protocols in an accessible format
Bridges classical Sanskrit canon with Kerala bedside practice
Widely used for clinical reference in Kerala gurukulas

Titles are given in Malayalam (canonical), Sanskrit (Devanagari), and English. Content drawn from public-domain editions. Heritage information, not medical advice.

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