Astanga Hrdayam is the work of a person named Vagbhata. There are two works by a person or persons with this name. The Astanga Sangraha is nearly 30% greater in size (by verse count) and is primarily poetry with prose. The Hrdayam is written in prose and seems to have a slightly different organization of material than the former. Both works have been dated about the same time and are thought to date after the Caraka and Susruta Samhitas. The exposition is relatively straight forward and also deals primarily with kayacikitsa. In this work we see the kapha sub-doses are first listed and described--completing our modern edifice of vata, pitta, kapha with their five sub-types. Its emphasis on treating the physiology of the body and suggestions for therapeutic use of metals and minerals means the perspective of the treatise represents the gross, material value of life more than its counterparts--Caraka and Susruta. Srikantha Murthy has weighty credentials and brings them to bear in this English translation.

The Sarngadhara Samhita is a concise exposition of Ayurvedic principles. Its author, Sarngadhara, has given his work as a digested version of Ayurvedic knowledge, deliberately omitting much detail because the works of The Great Three were already widely known. This treatise is thought to have originated in the 15th century A.D. The Sarngadhara Samhita is prized for its enumeration and description of numerous pharmacological formulations used in pancakarma and contains the first textual reference to diagnosis by means of the pulse. Its subject matter is again the field of kayacikitsa. This present work is available in Devanagari and English translation, by Srikantha Murthy.

Bhava Prakasa is not available in English translation. We believe it's subject matter deals with rejuvenation, and the preparation of products and compounds.

Madhava Nidanam, available here in Devanagari and English translation by Srikantha Murthy deals with the classification of diseases in Ayurveda. Its taxonomy is slightly different at times from those given by Caraka, Susruta, and Vagbhata, while for the greater part its verses are seemingly direct quotes from them. This work is dated around 700 A.D. and is prized for covering a wide range of diseases in the fields of bala, salya, damstra, urdhvanga, kayacikitsa. While this treatise gives detailed description of disease prodroma and cardinal signs and symptoms, it does not give explanation of etiology (disease doctrines) or suggestions for cikitsa.

NOTE: This article has been written in transliteration of the original Sanskrit in strict accord with the accepted transliteration convention. Some proper names cited are notable exceptions to this rule.