Madhavanidanam of Sri Madhavakara and Madhukosa Commentary (Volume One)

From the Jacket

Sarngadhar Samhita is regarded as one of the Laghutrayi, the second line triad of Ayurvedic literature. It is famous among the Ayurvedic physicians by virtue of its practical usefulness. In Sarngadhara Samhita Nadipariksa - the pulse -examination is given with full details for the first time, which is an added advantage for proper diagnosis. The pharmacological terms are explained along with examples. The principals and practice of pharmaceutics are allotted one complete section-12 chapters with details given in no other text in Ayurveda making this book a unique ready reference for such purposes.

Apart from herbalism many recipes of mercurial system have been included. The third section of this book is allotted to Pancakarma, the detoxification therapy of Ayurveda. The step by step account of each therapy is detailed very diligently making the work more adoptable.

The recipes given in the book are sure remedies for so many minor diseases. It also gives the details of various processes and therapies to be adopted in the eye diseases.

The book is presented in the manner that can cater to the felt- needs of an Ayurvedic practitioners. The English translation of the work is aimed at making the help, the practitioners and zealots of Ayurveda, all over the world, gain better knowledge of health and medicine.

Arogya Raksha kalpadruma, is a laudable literary source on specialty Ayurvedic pediatric care of Kerala terrain. Sri. Kaikkkulangara Rama Warier, one of the illustrious astute of ancient kerala, is considered as the author of this treasured literature. This literary work contains exceptional information regarding various diseases pathogenesis and its management, with reference to pediatric age group, which is not seen any of the other Ayurvedic literary works.

A sumptuous explanation of 15 type of Vasarpa (inflammatory skin diseases) etiology, pathogenesis and its management is explicatively explained in this book is its outstanding feature. Apart from this topic, various other disease pathogenesis and its management, such as rakta sthambha, kundalaka, sakha roha, nabhi roga etc. are explained in this work . This is another special feature not seen in any of the other Ayurvedic literary works present today. Another topic of special citation is that, is the lucid explanation on immunomodulatory methods followed in children, is explained under the topic as prakaradi yoga, is a specially of this book. Aside from all the above, Arogya raksha kalpadruma explains the innards of all the eight specially divisions of Ayurveda.

On rummaging the heirloom of Kerala's splendid Ayurvedic pediatric health care treasures, one can find, Arogya raksha kalpadruma, is the bible of the ancient Ayurvedic pediatric health care wisdom of Kerala.

"Nidanemadhavah sresthah" - For diagnosis, madhava nidana in the best as has been envisaged by the scholars. Such great work Madhavanidana has been use for practical and research purposes by the students, practitioners and researchers since its publication. Madhavakara has taken lot of pains to compile the concerned material from various sources like Caraka samhita, Susruta samhita, Astanga sangraha and Astangas hrdaya. That apart, he has composed verses out of his own experience by which he could add more value to his work. This work his deal exclusively with the diagnostic crieteria of diseases on Ayurvedic basis. Once the patient approaches the physician, the later should concentrate on fixing the diagnosis so as to give a pin pointed treatment to cure the disease. Though the material has been collected from Caraka samhita etc., the study of these works alone may not give such a clear picture of the disease. The arrangement of the subject material in Madhava nidana is so systematic that it can be understood by the physicians with the interlinking system of the diseases in a proper manner.

This work has attracted the attention of many a number of scholar from Ayurvedic field and also from the literature field. The first English translation was done by G. J. Mullenbeld, professor of Indology of Netherlands. It is purely on the literary view point and the language is so mechanical that the practitioners could not find it much useful. Prof. Srikanthamurthy of Bangalore has made a very good effort in translating this work into English. Now it is very popular work among English knowing enthusiasts of Ayurveda. But his translation is restricted to main text of Madhavanidana. The commentaries of Vijayaraksita and Srikantha datta aptly named as "madhukosa," meaning " Honeycomb" gives more clarity in the subject concern. Pt. Yadavji Trikamji Acharya himself wondered to see the reference of many unseen works of Ayurveda mentioned in this commentary. One should carefully go through the commentary without getting confused by honey -bee like language used in it and get the honey -Like knowledge. It is felt necessary to take -up the translation of the commentary also so as to make the English knowing zealots to enjoy the crux of the subject. There is no doubt that no translation can match the original text in expression but a sincere effort is made in the following pages to explore the intricacy of the subject in English. This venture has been encouraged by the renowned publishers, Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series office, Varanasi after they published my translation on "Sarngadhara samhita" which had gained popularity among the students and scholars of Ayurveda. I appeal to the learned that this may kindly be accepted and suggest about draw backs if any, which can be rectified in future editions. At present a part of this text, i.e., from chapter 1-32 are being presented.

About the Book

Madhavanidanam of Sri Madhavakara with Madhukosa commentary of Vijayaraksita and Srikanthadatta Part -I (1-32 Chapters) is translated into English by Dr. P. Himasagara Chandra Murthy a reputed academician in the field of Ayurveda. The subject is presented in call clarity and simplicity to make this work understandable and adoptable to the English - knowing zealots of Ayurveda. The text, as such, is louded for bringing together, vast subject of Ayurvedic diagnostics and presenting in a lucid manner. This translation will take it to the universal level making the work more worthy and useful to the medical field. In fact the expensive diagnostic aspect can be avoided effectively by following the principles laid down in this text.

The addition of Sanskrit- English glossary adds to the utility of this work making it a monumental one. The students, researchers and practitioners will find this as a must for their ready reference at every step. The Chaukhamba Sanskrit Series Office, the publishers have made a worthy attempt in publishing this translation. The author, who has already proved his mite through his translation of Sarandadhara Samhita, deserves all the commendation for his skills in translation and presentation.

About the Author

Hails from a Traditional Ayurvedic family, Dr. P. Himasagara Chandra Murthy has possessed his BAM & S from Sri Rangacharya Govt. Ayurvedic College, Guntur, A. P. and M.D. (Ayurveda) from Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar. He started his career as a teacher in 1979 at B. H. Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Lodra. Gujarat and within short period he shifted to the Ayurveda College, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, Where he rose to the position of a Principal within 5 Years. Since 1989 he is in the faculty of Govt. Ayurvedic College, Vijayawada. A. P. He is now a Gazetted Lecturer in the P. G. Department of Rasashastra and incharge professor and head of the same Department in Vijayawada. He is awarded with the " Caption Srinivasda Murthy Gold Medal" for his excellence in finding metallic impurities in Mercury through Namburi Phased Spot Test (NPST). Though he has specialized in Rasashastra, Dr. Murthy has equal proficiency in samhitas, which he taught for about 10 years and also translated Nidana, Vimana and Sharira sthanas of Charaka Samhita along with Chakrapani Commentary into Telugu. His English translation of Sarngadhara Samhita has become famous for its lucid presentation. Dr. Murthy has, to his credit, many research projects and presentations. He has also been a member in various Universities for studies and Examinations.