Agryasangraha – A Cluster of Drugs, Diet & Deeds (Primordial & Quintessentials) as Envisioned in Ayurveda

Abstract

The term ‘Agrya’ refers to leading or primary and „Sangraha‟ refers to collection, Agryasangraha literally translated applies to mean collection of leading or principal substances. Agryasangraha in fact comprises of single drugs, food articles or regimen which are either wholesome or unwholesome in the given context. The expression „Agrya’ was first coined by Charaka the ancient Ayurveda physician of great eminence. There is a detailed discriprition of Agryas in Charak Samhita, written around 1000 BC that has pioneered this concept of Agryasangraha. The text has discussed the concept in sutrasthana [the first section of the text] where in a number of primordial materials [Agrya] have been mentioned. Among the other Ayurveda texts only Ashtanga Sangraha and Ashtang Hridaya written around 3rd / 7 th century AD have conceived the concept and have made few additions to the collection of Charaka. Ashtang sangraha has mentioned it in 13th Chapter of sutrasthana whereas Ashtang Hridaya has mentioned it in uttarasthana 40th Chapter.