Padārtha Vigyāna & Ayurveda Itihāsa — A Complete Overview

Ayurveda stands on two intellectual pillars: Padārtha Vigyāna, the philosophical foundation that explains reality and its categories, and Ayurveda Itihāsa, the historical evolution of the science. Together, they help students and practitioners understand what Ayurveda is built upon and how it developed over thousands of years.

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1. PADĀRTHA VIGYĀNA IN AYURVEDA

Padārtha Vigyāna means the science of fundamental categories, the building blocks through which Ayurveda explains the universe, the body, health, and disease. The term Padārtha literally means “that which can be known.” Ayurveda borrows its philosophical foundation mainly from Nyāya–Vaiśeṣika Darśana, integrating it into medical logic.

Core Padārthas Relevant to Ayurveda

Ayurveda uses these classical padārthas to explain matter, qualities, actions, and relationships:

1. Dravya (Substance)
   The basic entity that carries qualities and actions—nine types:
   Pṛthvi, Ap, Tejas, Vāyu, Ākāśa, Kāla, Dik, Ātma, Mana.

2. Guṇa (Qualities)
   Inherent properties like hot, cold, heavy, light, oily, dry, etc. Ayurvedic treatments focus on balancing guṇas.

3. Karma (Action)
   Movements or functions—e.g., digestion, respiration, circulation.

4. Sāmānya (Similarity)
   “Like increases like.”
   Example: oily food increases Kapha.

5. Viśeṣa (Dissimilarity)
   Opposites reduce each other.
   Example: cold pacifies Pitta.

6. Samavāya (Inseparable relation)
   The relation between dravya and guṇa, body and soul, etc.

7. Samavāyi Kārana (Inherent cause)
   Used to explain pathology and treatment planning.

Ayurvedic Padārthas (Specific to Ayurveda)

Ayurveda also defines its own functional padārthas:

• Doṣa (Vāta, Pitta, Kapha) – regulatory principles

• Dhātu (body tissues) – rasa to śukra

• Mala (wastes) – urine, feces, sweat

• Agni – digestive and metabolic fire

• Srotas – physiological channels

• Ojas – vitality & immunity
  These concepts help a physician understand not just the body but the dynamic interactions that maintain health.

Why Padārtha Vigyāna Matters in Ayurveda

Padārtha Vigyāna helps explain:

• The nature of the body and world

• The logic behind diagnosis and treatment

• How doṣas behave

• How medicines work

• How opposite qualities restore balance

Thus, it is the philosophical backbone of Ayurvedic theory and clinical reasoning.

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2. AYURVEDA ITIHĀSA (History of Ayurveda)

Ayurveda Itihāsa explains how Ayurveda originated, evolved, and was systematized across generations of sages, scholars, and physicians.

A. The Divine Origin (Daiva-paramparā)

Ayurveda is described as having originated from:

• Lord Brahmā (who first perceived Ayurveda)

• Passed to Dakṣa Prajāpati

• Then to the Ashwinī Kumāras (twin physicians of the gods)

• Then to Indra

• Then to human sages like Atri, Bharadvāja, and Agniveśa

This tradition highlights Ayurveda as a knowledge system transmitted through enlightened teachers.

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B. Human Tradition (Puruṣa-paramparā)

This phase includes the development of major classical textbooks:

1. Ātreya School (Internal Medicine)

• Students: Agniveśa, Bhela, Jātūkarṇa, etc.

• Agniveśa’s work was later revised by Acharya Charaka → Charaka Saṃhitā.

2. Dhanvantari School (Surgery)

• Father of Surgery: Acharya Sushruta

• His disciples refined the teachings → Sushruta Saṃhitā

3. Kaśyapa School (Pediatrics & Gynecology)

• Author of Kaśyapa Saṃhitā, focusing on children, women, and neonatal care.

4. Vāgbhaṭa (Integrator of Medical Knowledge)

• Wrote Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya and Aṣṭāṅga Saṅgraha

• Combined Ayurveda into a concise, poetic, easy-to-learn system.

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C. Period of Commentators

Scholars like:

• Chakrapāṇi Datta (commentary on Charaka)

• Dalhaṇa (commentary on Sushruta)

• Arunadatta & Hemadri (commentary on Ashtanga Hridaya)

helped preserve and clarify classical texts.

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D. Medieval to Modern Era

Ayurveda expanded with contributions from:

• Madhava Nidana (diagnostics)

• Sharngadhara Samhita (pharmacology & formulations)

• Bhavaprakasha (materia medica & pathology)

• Regional medical lineages in Kerala, Kashmir, Nepal, and Sri Lanka

Modern Ayurvedic education follows the NCISM curriculum, integrating classical knowledge with modern sciences.

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SUMMARY

Padārtha Vigyāna

• Philosophical foundation of Ayurveda

• Explains categories of reality: dravya, guṇa, karma, doṣa, dhātu, agni, srotas

• Essential for diagnosis and treatment logic.

Ayurveda Itihāsa

• Explains the divine origin and human development of Ayurveda

• Covers Charaka, Sushruta, Kaśyapa, Vāgbhaṭa, and the commentators

• Shows how Ayurveda evolved into a complete medical science.