Abstract

PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF NYAYA IN AYURVEDIC LITERATURE

Hari Krishna Shriwas*, L. C. Harzpal and Rupendra Chandrakar

ABSTRACT

Acharya Charaka quoted that the proper knowledge of a Shaastra (treatise) can be attained by 3 important steps viz. adhyayana (Study), adhyapana (Teaching) and tadvidhyasambhasha (participation in debate) The first step i. e. the adhyayana of Samhita, is not an easy task in which the subject matter of Ayurveda is in coded language (Sutra roopa). Ayurveda sutra is characterized by padairalpam, matim buddhwa having few words with hidden meaning and larger application. These sutras (codes) can only be cracked with the help of Sanskrit grammar. In order to understand such hidden meaning and in depth application, knowledge of grammar in Sanskrit is necessary. Many times mere translation might not convey the actual intention of the author. To overcome this, the nyayas (maxims) help becomes imperative. The nyayas convey larger meaning than the sutra (verse). Nyayas help to infer the ideology, thought process prevailing at that time. Therefore, this necessitates the logical steps to be followed in deciphering nyayas. On a critical study of Brihatrayee it is found that the incorporation of nyayas is very less in original text i.e. moola patha, where as the commentators used different nyayas abundantly for the easy understanding of that specific context. So, nyayas in the literature of Ayurveda can be classified into two categories viz. nyayas in moola patha and nyayas in commentary.

Keywords: Tadvidhyasambhasha, sutraa, sanskrit, coded language.