European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

CRITICAL STUDY OF AGASTYA VAIDYA CHANDRIKA

Divya K.* and Hariharaprasad Rao

ABSTRACT

Agastya Vaidya Chandrika was a well-known textbook among the practitioners in Kerala during the 20th century. It is considered as an Experience-based handbook written in Malayalam language. The text explains many simple and effective formulations of both Ayurveda and Siddha system. Unfortunately, the text does not receive the status it deserves among the current generation of physicians. The study is an attempt to understand the historical and cultural aspects of AgastyaVaidya Chandrika. It is a text which is a compilation of knowledge from different clinical texts books of Ayurveda and Siddha as well as the author‟s clinical experience. Hence Agastya Vaidya Chandrika holds some similarities to popular Ayurveda and Siddha textbooks in clinical practice prevalent in those days. This handbook covers all the eight branches of Ayurveda, and hence all realms of clinical practice. Siddha system of medicine is very much similar to the Rasashastra of Ayurveda. The core of Siddha medicine is its alchemy. This Text also describes Lohavada. Different Preparation methods of Bhasma and Sindhooras are discussed as well. For the study, a downloaded copy of the Malayalam text of AgastyaVaidyaChandrika originally published by Vatayattukotta K Parameswaran Pillai published in the year1954 is selected.

Keywords: Agastya Vaidya Chandrika; Siddha system; Ayurveda.