A Critical Review of Vakyapradipika Commentary with special reference to Ayushkameeya Adhyay Of Ashtanga Hridayam

Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Vagbhat (Ashtang Sangrah and Ashtang Hridyam)- all together denoted as Bruhatrayii. Bruhatrayii has got utmost importance as the main and basic literature of the Ayurveda. Among Bruhatrayii, Ashtang Hridyam is easy to understand literature which is famous among the Keraliyan ayurvedic physician also. A total 44 commentaries are said to have been written about Ashtang Hridyam, most of which are lost or partially available. Commentaries written on Ashtang Hridyam by Kerala Vaidyas are found mainly in Malyalama and Gairvani (Sanskrit) languages. Vakyapradipika is one of the commentaries, which is available on Sutra, Sharir and Nidana Sthana written by Keraliyan Ayurvedic physician Parmeshwara. Acharya Parmeshwara added new concepts like importance of Ashtang Hridyam, definition of Ashtang Ayurveda (Eight discipline of Ayurveda), importance of Ayushkamiya chapter and many new examples were given to explain many basic principles of Ayurveda. In this first chapter of Ashtang Hridyam, all terms and concepts are mentioned as Sutradhikaran Tantrayukti as well as Uddesha Tantrayukti. In short commentary on the Ayushkamiya chapter by Acharya Parmeshwara helps to under the basic principles of ayurveda in simple and better way with new practical examples.