A Step Towards the Critical Edition on the First 14 Chapters of Sūtra Sthāna of Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya Vyākhyā Pāṭhyam: A Codicum Unicus Manuscript

A bstract Background: India possesses a vast repository of traditional medical knowledge, particularly in Ayurveda, much of which remains unpublished in manuscript form. Preserving and critically editing these texts is essential for making their knowledge accessible and relevant to contemporary practice. Objective: To collect, decipher, collate, and critically edit the Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya Vyākhyā Pāṭhyam commentary on the first 14 chapters (1–136 folio ) of the Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya Sūtra Sthāna . Materials and Methods: The study is based on a single available manuscript (unicodex), accession number 161, preserved at the Śrī Rāma Varma Government Sanskrit College Manuscript Library. The manuscript is written in Sanskrit using the Malayalam script. Originally in paper format, it was digitized and subsequently processed for critical editing. Textual collation and analysis were performed to prepare a reliable edition. Results: The commentary, authored by C. Nārāyaṇa Menon, was transcribed by an unidentified scribe in March 1931 and verified against the original in April 1931. The manuscript is complete, though the first 10 folios are water-damaged. While less elaborate than other commentaries, it provides concise clarification of key concepts from the Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya . Conclusion: The critical edition of this manuscript contributes to the preservation and accessibility of Ayurvedic knowledge. Despite minor physical damage and brevity, the text holds scholarly value and supports the continued study and application of classical Indian medical literature.