This book "The Compendium of Kayacikitsa, Volume -1" covers the entire syllabus pertaining to Kayacikitsa paper 1 and is compiled in accordance with the new NCISM syllabus; well composed with classical references from Brhatrayis, Laghutrayis and even later century Samhitas along with their updated Modern comparisons in simple English. Unique feature of this book is that it contains the list of outpatient medications at the end of each disease chapter, which will benefit the medicos as a ready reckoner during their clinical practice and also there is a separate discussion on COVID -19 and its Ayurvedic correlation under the heading of Jvara.

Dr. M.S. Thirunavukkarasu completed his BAMS in 2004 from J.S.S. Ayurveda Medical College, Mysuru; MD (Kayachikitsa) in 2008 from S.D.M. College of Ayurveda, Udupi and PhD (Kayachikitsa) in 2012 from IPGT&RA, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar. He started his career as a Junior research officer and had been in the post from November 2004 -April 2005 and then worked as a senior research officer from June 2008 - November 2009 at AVT institute for advanced research, a research division of Arya Vaidya Pharmacy, Coimbatore. He served as an Associate Editor for Ancient Science of Life - International Journal of Ayurveda, published by the Arya Vaidya Chikitsalayam & Research Institute, Coimbatore for the period June 2008 - June 2009 and as an Executive Editor - Ancient Science of Life -International Journal of Ayurveda, published by the Arya Vaidya Chikitsalayam & Research Institute, Coimbatore for the period July 2009 -Nov 2009. Later, he joined as an Assistant professor in February 2012 at Government Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital, Nagercoil, Tamilnadu. He published books like Compilation of Yoga and Naturopathy, Ayurvedic concepts in Thirukkural and Secrets of Andrology in Ayurveda. His articles have been published in various international journals and he had participated in various conferences at national and international level.

The significance of the branch Kayacikitsa" (Agni cikitsa) is quiet evident from the fact that it is the first one among the Astanga Ayurveda. At first, I was a bit hesitant to start this book as there were many books on Kayacikitsa by many great Acaryas and also it remained as a great pressure, whether I would be able to compile all the scattered details of this vast branch. Gathering up my confidence, I started this book and here it is, in its full-fledged form. I have put my utmost effort in compiling all the materials of this subject as per the CCIM syllabus. Rather than tiring the students with a lot of verses, I have quoted only the necessary verses at their right place. I have tried to put all the essential points of modern portions in their nutshell. The comparisons between modern and Ayurvedic diseases have been made after reading through a lot of research articles and journals.

To invoke the eagerness to learn as well as to inspire the medicos to be the best practitioners, an enormous amount of effort was invested by me to make this book, not just regular textbook, but also a clinical manual which will be very useful in clinical practice. One more unique feature of this book is that it contains the list of outpatient medications at the end of each disease chapter, which will benefit the medicos as a ready reckoner during their clinical practice.

I am quite satisfied that I have utilized the lockdown days effectively by compiling this work. There is a famous saying by the ancient Tamil Poetess Avvaiyar, 'What one knows is only a handful whereas the unknown is the size of the world.' One text is just not enough to completely understand one subject; learning is a never ending process and one should always devote himself to gain knowledge from all the corners of the world. I have put forth all my efforts in preparing this text with the knowledge I have gained from my teachers, treatises and my experience as a teacher; if in case of any untoward mistakes in the script, I deeply apologize for the same. I assure you that this book will boost the reader's interest in learning Kayacikitsa and applying it for the benefit of the mankind, as rightly said by Acarya Caraka :

Finally, I am glad that this book will remain as an evidence of my existence in the field of Ayurveda.

**Contents and Sample Pages**