Ayurveda and Darshanas (आयुर्वेदः दर्शनानि च)

Ayurveda and Darshana Shastras are the contemporary systems of knowledge developed in Bharatawarsha. Various concepts and theories found in Ayurveda and Darshanas have similarities. Darshanas represent the Schools of Hindu Philosophy and offer methods to acquire knowledge of the elements in this universe. Since Purusha, the Object of discussion in Ayruveda, is a part of this universe, many theories and concepts discussed in Darshanas are applicable to Ayurvedeeya system of knowledge as well.

परिचयः Introduction

Ayurveda Prayaojana is to maintain the health and well being of Purusha to confer longevity. While the Darshana shastras discuss about the Nature of External World and its Relationship with Individual Soul, Relationship of World of Appearances to Ultimate Reality and Describing the Goal of Life and Means by which one can attain the Goal. (Citation needed). Darshanas form the part of Indian philosophy and act as the tools which enable the apprehension of facts pertaining to the external world. Since Ayurveda is a system of Knowledge about life and, Darshanas provide means to apprehend the facts or obtain the knowledge; Ayurveda adopted some theories and concepts described in Darshanas as tools to facilitate learning for the seeker. The object of discussion in Darshanas is mainly the cosmos and all elements related to it, which is totally different from the object and purpose of Ayurveda. Thus, Ayurveda accepts these theories within the frame of reference of Ayurveda without deviating from its basic concepts, object and scope.

Among all the Darshanas, Ayurveda is interconnected with Sankhya, Vaisheshika, Yoga, Nyaya, Poorva mimansa, Uttara mimansa darshanas in general. There are also references at places where Ayurveda seems to have similarity with theories in Bouddha Darshana, Jaina darshana and very rarely with Charvaka darshana.

Sankha Darshana and Ayurveda

Ayurveda has adopted many theories proposed by Sankhya darshana indicating considerable influence of this school of Indian Philosophy on Ayurveda.

Following are the few examples:

Pramanas

1. Pramanas- Pramanas are the means to acquire the correct knowledge of any object. Pratyaksha (Direct perception by senses), Anumana (Inference drawn on the basis of well established known relationships) and Aptopadesha (Knowledge obtained from trusted sources like Treatises, Gurus etc) are the 3 such ways or means to acquire the knowledge proposed by Sankhyas. Ayurveda has accepted all 3 Pramanas as the tools for obtaining the knowledge about Rogas and it is clearly indicated in Charaka Samhita Vimanasthana as follows,

त्रिविधम् खलु रोगविषेशविग्यानम् भवति- तद् यथा आप्तोपदेशः, प्रत्यक्षं, अनुमानं चेति।– (Char. Samh. Vima. 4.3)

Types of Misery

Sankhya darshana lays greater emphasis on elimination of physical and mental pain to achieve the liberation. In this reference, 3 types of misery are described by Sankhyas namely Adhibhoutik, Adhidaivik & Adhyatmik. Ayurveda considers Vikara or Wyadhi as Dukkha and thus, Sushruta Samhita has classified diseases on the basis Dukkha / miseries in a similar pattern as described by Sankhya.

प्रागभिहितं तद्दु:खसंयोगाः व्याधयः इति। तच्च दुःखं त्रिविधं- आध्यात्मिकम्, आधिदैविकम्, आधिभौतिकमिति।- सुश्रुतसंहिता सूत्रस्थानम् २४/४

Sristi utpatti Siddhanta and realms of evolution

Srushti utpatti Siddhanta (The theory of origin of cosmos) and 8 Prakruti, 16 Vikaras described by Sankhyas are adopted in Ayurveda samhitas.

जायते बुढ्हेरव्यक्ताद्बुद्ध्या अह्म् इति मन्यन्ते। परं खादीन्यहङ्कारादुत्पद्यन्ते यथाक्रमम्॥– (Char. Samh. 1.63-69)

अव्यक्तं महानहङ्कारः पन्चतन्मात्राणि श्चेत्यष्टौ प्रकृतयः शेषाः षोडश विकाराः। - (Sush. Samh. 1.1-9)

Parinamavada

Parinamavada- Sankhya Darshana has proposed a theory for evolution known as the ‘Parinamavada’. This theory advocates the process of evolution through transformation. Ayurveda has adopted the theory of Parinamana (Transformation) in different backgrounds like Dhatuparinamana (Nourishment and development of Dhatus through transformation), Vipaka (Transformation of one property into another) etc.

जाठरेणाग्निनायोगात् यदुदेति रसान्तरम्। रसानां परिणामान्ते स विपाकः इति स्मृतः॥– (Asht. Hrud. 9.20)

Satkaryavada

Satkaryavaada- It is a theory postulated in Sankhya philosophy while describing the Srushti utpatti from Avyakta Tatva. Satkaryavada states that the Karya (Effect) has its presence in Karana (Cause) in unmanifested form. Once the Karya is manifested, the Karana appears subtle. This theory also states that the Cause and effect are similar in nature. The Samanya Vishesha siddhanta postulated by Ayurveda can also be thus considered as the derivation of the Satkaryavada of Sankhya Charaka Samhita clearly mentions terms Karya and Karana in the context of Ayurveda. In Ayurveda ‘Karya’ is ‘establishing the Dhatusamya’ while the Karanas are said to be 6 padarthas namely Samanya, Vishesha, Dravya, Guna, Karma and Samavaya. The expansion and application of Satkaryavada in Ayurveda can also be found while describing the cause and effect relationship between defects present in male & female gametes and anomalies in the foetus.

सर्वदा सर्वभावानां सामान्यं व्रूद्धिकारणम्। ह्रासहेतुर्विशेषश्च, प्रवृत्तिरुभयस्य तु॥- (Char. Samh. 1.1.45)

Vaisheshika Darshanam and Ayurveda

Sankhya and Vaisheshika Darshanas have influence on most of the shastras developed in ancient time. Ayurveda can not be the exception. Though Vaisheshika and Nyaya Darshana are usually considered as an allied shastras having most of the theories in common, there are few concepts unique to both of them and their adoption in Ayurveda.

Shat padartha

Vaisheshika darshana describes ‘Padarthas’ for the first time. These padarthas are the elements or substances comprising the universe. They are 6 in number and all of these have been mentioned in Charaka Samhita under the term ‘Shatpadartha’ but in a slightly different sequence. They are Samanya (Similarity), Vishesha (Difference), Guna (Attribute), Dravya (Substance), Karma (Activity), Samavaya (Association). (Cha. Soo 1/9)

Dravyani

Dravya is one of the 6 padarthas mentioned above. Ayurveda describes same 9 Dravyas as described by Vaisheshika darshana. They are 5 elements (Panchamahabhootas), Atman, Manas, Kala (Time) and Disha (Direction).

Paramanu vada

Vaisheshikas are the pioneers in proposing the theory of Paramanu which is regarded as the indestructible part of the substance. These extremely minute parts called Paramanu have also been mentioned in Ayurveda. Charaka Samhita describes the tiny avayavas in Body as ‘Paramanu’. (Cha. Sha….)

Pakajotpatti siddhanta

Vaishehsikas support Asatkaryavada, which means that the effect does not pre-exist in its cause. The effect is a new beginning, a fresh creation. All physical things are produced by the combinations of atoms. Creation thus means the combination of atoms in different proportions and destruction means the dissolution of such combinations. The material cause of the Universe is neither produced nor destroyed. It is the eternal atoms. It is only the atomic combinations which are produced and which get destroyed. ^{(Ref- Ntaya vaisheshika in Dharmawiki)}. To support this theory Vaisheshikas have accepted the Pakajotpatti Siddhanta. In Pakajotpatti it is stated that Paramanus of a Dravya under the influence of the heat undergo a process called ‘Paka’ (transformation) and attain a different configuration of association leading to the development of a substance, with different properties than the source material. This concept is fundamental to the theory of Vipaka in Ayurveda. Vipaka is the taste (Property- Guna) of a Food or herb (dravya in context of Darshana) developed after going through the process of Pachana (Digestion or metabolism taking place under the influence of Agni, a form of heat inside the body) which is different from the original taste (Rasa- Guna) of Food or herb. This transformation in inherent properties of dravya mentioned in Ayurveda, is in line with the original ‘Pakajotpatti Siddhanta’ proposed by Vaisheshikas.

A.h.so0 9/20

Pramanas

Ayurveda has accepted all 3 pramanas viz. Pratyaksha, Anumana and Shabda as mentioned by Vaisheshikas. (REf)

As mentioned earlier Ayurveda accepts all these Pramanas as means of knowledge. Ayurveda also states that in context of Ayurveda

pratyaksham alpam analapam hi apratyaksham..

and hence Anumana PRamana has tremendous importance.

While diagnosing and treating various diseases Ayurveda advises a Vaidya to make use of his 5 senses to gain knowledge of the state of Rugna. In ancient times when th etechnolgy was not developed and the diagnosis was not done on the basis of laboratory reports Pratyaksha (Direct perception) and Anumana (Inference) were the only ways to assess and evaluate. Hence many important parameters of health were assessed on the basis of Anumana PRamana. Few examples of such evaluation include assessment of Strength of individual on the basis of his capacity to exercise, Assessment of strength of Agni (Indicative of digestive power in human body) on the basis of one's ability to digest certain types of foods etc. Thus, use of Anumana Pramana is considered crucial for diagnosis, assessment, evaluation and treatment in Ayurveda.

Nyaya Darshana and Ayurveda

The word ‘Nyaya’ in Nyaya darshana is defined as, ‘Pramaanaihi artha parikshanam nyayam’, which means that Nyaya is the term used to denote the methods of investigating valid knowledge of anything with the use of Pramamas. Pramanas are used as tools to assess and acquire the knowledge. Hence, Nyaya darshana give tremendous importance to the Pramanas.

Pramanas

The Naiyayikas (the Nyaya scholars) accepted four valid means of obtaining valid knowledge (pramana) - pratyakṣa Pramana - perception, anumāna Pramana inference, Shabda Pramana meaning Verbal authority and upamāna Pramana- comparison and śabda , word/testimony of reliable sources. Ayurveda Samhita mention all these 4 pramanas as means of knowledge. Upamana pramana is the tool for acquiring knowledge through the use of comparison and analogy. Such use of analogy and comparison is considered as a valid means of conditional knowledge, as it helps the individual to identify or gain knowledge of something that is not perceivable to his five senses directly at that point of time. (James Lochtefeld, "Upamana" in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 2: N-Z, Rosen Publishing. ISBN 0-8239-2287-1, page 721) Ayurveda has made use of this at numerous places like while describing the body structure, organs, processes, nature of pain in a disease etc. (Cha. Vi.8/42)

Pundareek sadrusham hrudayam..  (Su. Shaa

Haridrabh mootrapraveutti

While describing various types of vedanas – Kartananvat, todavat, musthi hata

Tadvidya Sambhasha and Vadamarga padas

In line with their objective of assessing and analysing the means of acquiring valid knowledge of any subject, Naiyayikas have discussed methods like Tadvidya sambhasha, Vadamargas, Tantrayuktis etc. Acharya Charaka encourages a Bhishak to interact with the other Bhishak or group of them. This discussion is termed as Sambhasha. Acharya Charaka advocates the participation of Bhishak in such Sambhashas in order to promote advancement of knowledge, skills, clarifying doubts, generating new ideas, recognising the hidden meaning of the verses mentioned in brief and thus enhancing the understanding of a particular topic. A methodical approach to discus in such sambhashas has also been mentioned by describing 44 Vadamarga padas, the concept adopted from Nyaya Darshana.

Karya abhinirvruttikara Ghatakas

Charaka Samhita Vimanasthana describes 10 types of important factors that constitute or lead to the successful treatment. These 10 factors are Kaarana, Karana, KAryayoni, Karya, KAryaphala, Anubandha, Desha, Kala, Pravrutti and Upaya. Dhatusamya has been stated to be the Karya in Ayurveda. All 10 factors mentioned above are considered as the components of successful treatment. All these 10 factors are adopted from Nyaya Darshana wherein Naiyayikas (The Nyaya scholars) have described them as the 10 factors helping in accomplishing any kind of Karya. Charaka says, if one proceeds for any action after knowing all these 10 factors well, he certainly obtains the desired fruit and subsequent benefit without any obstacles.  Thus he advices that, every physician willing to take up any action towards treating the disease should examine these 10 factors in context of Ayurveda beforehand and further also provides details regarding each factor and their assessment methods. This methodical approach towards the diagnosis, assessment and action suggested by Charaka represents one more Nyaya darshana theory accepted in Ayurveda in the frame of reference of Ayurveda. (Cha.VI 8/68)

Tantrayukti

Ayurveda is one of the Shastras offering the knowledge regarding specific topic and this knowledge if offered through various scriptures.  Initially the knowledge of Ayurveda was transferred through oral tradition. Later as the transfer of knowledge continued various scholars composed the treatises like Agnivesha Samhita, Sushruta Samhita. These scholars composed these treatises in a specific manner. They used methodical tools named ‘Tantrayukti’ originally described by Nyaya Darshana to compose the theory in treatises. Thus it is important to understand these tools or Tantrayuktis in order to interpret and thoroughly understand the shastra. Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hrudaya are the major treatises referred in Ayurveda and all of them have made use of Tantrayuktis provided by Nyaya darshana to compose the texts. (Ref)