A review on the elucidation of fundamentals of Ayurveda in rasavaiśeṣika through the concept of Prakṛti

Abstract

Background: rasavaiśeṣika stands distinct from the different literature works in Ayurveda available today. Although categorized as more significant in pharmacology and pharmacodynamics, the insight it throws on the fundamentals of Ayurveda is remarkable. Rasavaiśeṣika in sūtra form presents subjects in brevity and the necessity of bhāṣyakāra becomes mandatory to comprehend the idea. Aim: To decode the debate on prakṛti in rasavaiśeṣika to illuminate its intelligible way of presentation as well as the novel contributions to the fundamentals of Ayurveda. Materials and Methods: Data is collected from the different editions of rasavaiśeṣika which is analyzed and discussed here. Results: The debate on prakṛti is presented by showcasing the proposition as well as opposition sides. The author disapproves taddoṣavattaprakṛtipakṣa as well as guṇavimiśraprakṛtipakṣa and establishes bāhulyapakṣa. Even though prakṛti remains intact throughout one's life from birth to death, its mental and physical expressions change as life advances. Also we have to take the notion of 'birth to until the person exhibits riṣṭa'. The prakṛti is not contingent on the doṣa predominance of śukra and śoṇita but also on the food and regimen of pregnant woman highlighting pre and post conceptional care in preventing hereditary diseases. Conclusion: The adept representation of prakṛti, bala etc., and the multiple ripples of thoughts Nagarjuna and Narasimha bring to our minds through rasavaiśeṣika makes it an exemplary pathfinder for the practitioners. It is the need of the hour to recognize the huge significance of rasavaiśeṣika and introduce it in to our academic curriculum.