Understanding of Nidāna w.s.r. to Nidāna Sthāna of Caraka Saṃhitā- A Conceptual Study.

Abstract

On the basis of Dosha, Dushya, Srotas, Agni etc. (Āyurvedic tools for diagnosis)  we can make out the disease as well as management. As per ancient Āyurvedic  scholars there may not be the nomenclatures of all the diseases in transcript but these  all can be managed on the basis of Doshika (pathological) concern. A disease is  caused due to specific causative factors followed by the pathogenesis with the  manifestation of sign and symptoms and if ignored the complication is the next  outcome. Caraka has stated that the diagnosis is very important and essential before  proceeding to medicine prescription. Āyurvedic way of diagnosis has two basic  components namely ‘Roga Pariksha’ and ‘Rogi Pariksha’, which refers to  Examination of disease and Examination of patient respectively. Among them Roga  Pariksha gives us the detailed knowledge about a disease starting from the  etiological aspects to the actual manifestation of disease. All three Brihatrayis  mention Nidana Sthana but the explanation of Nidana Panchaka, Nidanarthakara  Roga, Utpatti of diseases etc. were first given in Caraka Nidana Sthana. The five  basic components of Roga Pariksha are Nidāna, Purvarupa, Rupa,  Upashaya and Samprapti, which are collectively known as ‘Nidāna Panchaka’.  Apart from diagnosing a disease, they also play a key role in planning the treatment  of that disease. Ācārya Caraka has stated plenty of concepts while describing the  eight chapters of Nidāna sthāna. So, in the present study along with the concept of  Nidāna, the Nidāna sthāna of Caraka Saṃhita were critically analyzed.