Laghutrayee (लघुत्रयी)

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Lahgutrayee refers to the group of 3 classical treatises on basic principles of Ayurveda. There are 2 such groups of classical texts or treatises. The other one is known as Brhtrayee or the greater triad while Laghutrayee is known as the lesser triad or the lesser trio. Madhavanidanam, Sharangadhara Samhita & Bhavaprakasha Samhita are the 3 classical texts on Ayurveda which are collectively known as Laghutrayee. Sometimes one more classical text named, Yogaratnakara is also included in this group replacing anyone of the above 3 compendiums. These 3 treatises on Ayurveda are compilation of material taken from ancient Ayurveda texts Brhatrayee. However this material has been put in in a simplified manner and few additions to the original content has been done in laghutrayee. They contain description on basic principles of Ayurveda, description of rogas (diseases), chikitsa (treatments) and various formulations. All these treatises provide knowledge on various aspects of Ayurveda and help to understand various concepts in depth.

परिचयः|| Introduction

Ayurveda is a Shastra. Any shastra is described in written form systematically in a specific pattern. Being a treatise on a Shastra which deals with the life of individuals, all Ayurveda treatises are very meticulous in presenting the subject matter and written with utmost precision following a methodical approach. Ancient Ayurveda scholars have scripted and presented their knowledge in a very structured, codified manner to ensure uniformity and effectiveness.

In this lineage are some compendiums that present the knowledge in the form of proceedings, as a conversation between the disciple and a preceptor. Brhatrayee & Laghutrayee are the examples of this category. Brhatrayee & Laghutrayee are called as Greater triad/trio and lesser triad/ trio respectively. The other treatises are in the form of Nighaṇṭu (Lexicon) format. Nighantus are found to have clarification and explanations to the words used in the treatises of previous groups.

All texts complement each other and one cannot be well versed in Ayurveda without going through these materials together. These treatises, specifically those from the Brhatrayee & Laghutrayee, are considered to be the gold standards for studying authentic Ayurveda.

व्युत्पत्तिः|| Etymology

• Laghu means Minor or small
• Trayee indicates a triad or group of 3 (contents).

Thus, Laghutrayee denotes minor group/triad of classical treatises.

आयुर्वेदशास्त्रस्य ग्रन्थनिर्माणः|| The making of Ayurvedic literature

Right from the time of emergence of Ayurveda, its descent on the earth and its further propagation through various schools, the only method of transfer of this knowledge was through oral tradition. Later on, many pious saints and devoted physicians recorded vast knowledge from the oral tradition into the written form. These texts presenting the knowledge in written form are known as Samhita. Samhita that literally means “to arrange together in union” or “a structured combination of verses or texts” in the written format. Thus, Samhita is commonly called as compendium or treatise.

Some of these very popular treatises were passed on from generation to generations without any break, surviving multiple hurdles like destruction by evil forces and natural calamities. Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanaga Hrdayam are the most important and trusted classics among these which have been passed on till date from few thousand years. These are considered to be the most trusted sources of knowledge of Ayurveda. They provide the knowledge of all the branches of Ayurveda in a systematic pattern. Thus, together they are known as Brhatrayee. Brhat means greater or larger and trayee means triad or trio. Hence Brhatrayee is also called as the Greater triad.

In the later time, large number of physicians and scholars ventured to write more such wonderful texts on Ayurveda based on the foundations of knowledge obtained from popular treatises passed on in this way. These scholars went on adding their own observations and started recording them in the perfect order without deviating themselves from the basic principles of Ayurveda.

These newer treatises were updated with relevant new herbs, diseases or therapeutic modalities popular at that time. All these treatises provide knowledge on various aspects of Ayurveda and help to understand various concepts in depth. Laghutrayee encompasses those classical treatises which were developed after referring the major primary treatises, not necessarily covering knowledge from all branches of Ayurveda rather focusing mainly on one special branch to great extent. Therefore, this group is called as lesser triad. Brhatrayee is the greater triad.

लघुत्रयी|| The lesser triad

The lesser triad includes,

1. Madhavanidanam (माधवनिदानम्)- The classical Ayurveda treatise which is mainly focused on the Nidanapanchaka (5-fold assessment of disease and clinical diagnosis) of various rogas (Diseases)
2. Sharangadhara Samhita- The classical Ayurveda treatise which is mainly focused on Pharmacology & pharmaceutics in Ayurveda
3. Bhavaprakash Samhita- The classical Ayurveda treatise which is mainly focused on the study of the herbs and their clinical utility.

One more classical treatise is considered equally important as the treatises of Laghutrayee. It is known as Yogaratnakara which mainly focuses on the management and treatment of various diseases. It is widely popular as the handbook of Ayurveda treatment.

Madhavanidanam

The word Madhavanidana is made up of 2 parts, Madhava and Nidanam. Madhava is the name of the author of this treatise. Nidana refers to diagnosis or understanding the pathological aspects of disease. Therefore name of the treatise itself suggests that 'nidana' (diagnosis) aspect is the focus of this treatise. This classical text authored by Madhavakara dates back to 700 AD. This compendium is also known as 'Rugvinishchaya' or 'Rogavinishchaya'. 'Rug' means pain or disease causing pain while 'vinishchaya' refers to diagnosis. Therefore the text that guides on diagnosing diseases was originally named as 'Rugvinishchaya' by the author 'Acharya Madhavakara'.

The compendium of Madhavanidanam comprises of 2 parts having 69 adhyayas (Chapters) in total adopted by 6 out of 8 branches of Ayurveda such as Kayachikitsa (Internal medicine), Graha (Astrology and transcendence), Shalyatantra (Diseases for surgical intervention), Shalakyatantra (Diseases of ENT), Kaumarbhritya (Paediatrics, all encompassing of Obstetrics and gynecology), Agadatantra (Toxicology) while excluding Rasayana (Rejuvenative) and Vajikarana (Aphrodisiac) of Ashtanga Ayurveda.

Madhavanidana includes systematic methods to understand the nature of the disease and identify the types or subtypes of the diseases. The first chapter of Madhava nidana is dedicated to Nidanapanchaka which is the basic principle of disease diagnosis in Ayurveda. It encompasses five aspects of clinical diagnosis 2 viz. Hetu (etiological considerations), Purva-rupas (Prodromal symptoms), Rupas (clinical features), Samprapti (patho-physiological processes), and Upashaya-anupashaya (therapeutic diagnostics). Besides this for most of the diseases, Upadrava (clinical manifestations of complications) and Sadhyasadhyatva (prognostic features) are also believed to be important while making and confirming the diagnosis. These are also mentioned in Madhavanidana at relevant sites.

For more details click on Madhavanidanam (माधवनिदानम्).

Sharangadhara Samhita

This Samhita (classical treatise) is also named after its author Acharya Sharangadhara. It is one of oldest treatise that describes in depth about pharmaceutical methods of medicines and formulations used in Ayurveda. Ayurveda acharyas have meticulously designed various preparations and formulations of medicinal and dietary substances while keeping in mind status of multiple factors like Doshas, dhatus, malas, Agni, balam, vayas and Prakrti of the individual etc. The logic behind development of various types of formulations, their preparation methods, their appropriate application etc. can be found in Sharangadhara Samhita for the first time in detail. This can not be found in currently available versions of Brhatrayee (Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hrdayam). Thus, Sharangadhara Samhita is widely referred treatise of Ayurveda in Ayurveda fraternity. Along with the pharmaceutics, the treatise also deals with in depth description on 2 systems of measurements in ancient India viz Magadha mana and Kalinga mana. 8 fold clinical examination method in Ayurveda has also been described and it is known as Ashtavidha pariksha which also includes Nadipariksha.

For more details click on Sharangadhara Samhita (शार्ङ्गधरसंहिता)

Bhavapraksha Samhita

The treatise is named after its author Bhavamishra. It is the most recent of the classical treatises in laghutrayee. Bhavapraksha samhita is divide into 3 parts known as purva, madhya and uttara khanda. Knowledge on almost all the aspects of Ayurveda with special focus on Kayachikitsa (Medicine) can be found in this treatise.

The Purva khanda part comprises Nighantu (lexicon) which is popularly known as Bhavaprasha nighantu. It includes in depth information on various aspects of herbs like rasa, guna, veerya, vipaka, prabhava of herbs used in Ayurveda medicine. The second part of purvardha (First section), contains a lot of information on the basic concepts in Ayurveda and Panchakarma (five purificatory procedures) along with Nighantu (lexicon).

Madhyama khanda (middle section) includes adhyayas on diagnosis and management of diseases. It described nidanapanchaka and follows order of diseases as described in Madhavanidana.

Uttara khanda (last part) of the Bhavaprakasha Samhita includes chapters that describe Rasayana and Vajikarana aspects of Chikitsa in Ayurveda.