Ashtanga Hridayam is an ancient lifestyle manual and medical text that sums up the teachings of Ayurveda, the Indian Science of Life. It was written by Vagbhata a Vedic from Kashmir in about the 6th century AD.
There were earlier masterpieces on Ayurveda (Charaka Samhita and the Sushruta Samhita) but Vagbhata - whose name means 'Warrior with Words' - found them very elaborate and difficult to study.
He decided to collect and present their essence in 7120 easily understood Sanskrit verses (Sutras), which could be memorised (relatively) easily by doctors. When they encountered a medical issue, they could remember and recite the relevant Sutra, and use it to help their patient.
Ashtanga in Sanskrit means ‘eight components’ and refers to the eight sections of Ayurveda. General medicine, Paediatrics, Psychiatry, Ear-Nose-&-Throat, Surgery, Toxicology, Geriatrics and Aphrodisiac therapy.
According to Vagbhata, 85% of diseases can be cured without a doctor; only 15% of diseases require a doctor.