Nyaya

The Sanskrit term ‘Nyaya’ or a maxim is defined as “an expression of general truth or principle.” Maxim packs a lot of meaning into a nugget of words. They are specifically used when characterizing a situation. It is a common occurrence or a story that can be applied as an aphorism, to sum up an event, situation, or circumstance. Since ancient times, the word 'nyaya' has been used in Sanskrit literature. As an alternative to 'dharma', the word 'Nyaya' has been used in Brahmanical texts and Taittiriya Samhitas. In public practice, the word 'justice (nyaya)' is regarded as an eternal and universally accepted general rule or principle.
The commentators (bhashyakara) define nyaya as a method for achieving any proposition or arriving at a definite principle.
There are 2 types of nyaya. 1) Laukika (commonly used) 2) Classical/ Shastriya (in ancient samhitas /science-based). Laukik Nyaya is the kind of justice practiced by the common and observed in daily life situations or events. In Vedas, Shastras, and Sanskrit literature, these judgments have been mainly used to enhance the beauty of literature.
In the same matter, these nyaya can be applied to understand etiopathogenesis and treatments of diseases.

Importance of study of Nyaya

A critical study of primary classical texts (brihatrayee) found that nyayas incorporated much less in the original text (moola patha). The commentators used different nyayas abundantly to help readers understand that specific context. So, nyayas in the literature of Ayurveda can be classified into two categories: nyayas in the original text (moola patha) and nyayas referred to in commentary.
In Ayurvedic literature, acharyas meticulously employed different nyayas:

• To beautify the literature
• To get the hidden or concealed meaning of a verse
• To attain determinative knowledge of Ayurvedic concepts
• To achieve success in the analysis of a principle
• For easy understanding of the subject matter
• For differential diagnosis
• In diagnosis and treatment aspects
• Usage of different drugs in various treatment modalities to prepare efficacious formulations (yogas)

One of the most relevant methods is the application of nyaya (maxim) in the shastra (science). So nyayas act as an essential tool for better understanding, analysis, and application of the concepts in Ayurveda. The present article deals with concepts of nyaya and its application in understanding ayurvedic concepts.

Contributors

Section/Chapter/topic	Concepts/ Nyaya
Authors	Joshi M. R. 1
Reviewers & Editors	Basisht G.2, Deole Y.S.3
Affiliations	1 Department of Sanskrit, Samhita and Siddhanta, All India Institute of Ayurveda, Goa, India 2 Rheumatologist, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. 3 Department of Kayachikitsa, G. J. Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India
Correspondence emails	manvantar@gmail.com carakasamhita@gmail.com
Publisher	Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre, I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, India & Symbiohealth Foundation, India
Date of publication:	May 17, 2024
DOI	--

Etymology (nirukti)

According to Sanskrit grammar (Vyakarana Shastra), Nyaya is defined as a way of going towards the real meaning. "Nyaya" word is derived from the combination of 'Ni' Upasarga +'in' Dhatu +('घय्') suffix (pratyaya) in various Sanskrit dictionaries; "Nyaya" word has been defined in various definitions and synonyms. These definitions are mentioned below:

Definitions:

1. Niyamena iyate iti (नियमेन इयते इति न्यायः।)-Nyaya is that which has rules.[Shabdakalpadruma], [Halayudhakosha]
2. Niyante prapyante vivakshitartha yen iti (नीयन्ते प्राप्यन्ते विवक्षितार्थाः येनेति न्यायः ।)- Nyaya is that by which the defined meanings are provided and attained. [Shabdakalpadruma]
3. Yuktimoolakadrishant vishesha nyaya (युक्तिमूलकदृशन्तविषेषः न्यायः ।) The special judgment of the logical view*[Shabdakalpadruma]
4. Shad darshanantargata vishesha nyaya (षड्दर्षनान्तर्गतविषेषः न्यायः ।) Special judgment within the six philosophies [Shabdakalpadruma]
5. Pramananugrahakastako nyaya (प्रमाणानुग्राहकस्तको न्यायः ।) - Proof gracious head is nyaya [Vachaspatyam]
6. Nishchitamiyate nirnayate anena iti nyaya (निश्चितमीयते निर्णयते अनेन इति न्यायः । )- the nyaya is that which is determined and decided by something [Vachaspatyam]

Synonyms:

Naya, neeta, neetisadhane, upaye, satayanjane, nirnaya, jayajaya mukti, jayopayamukti, bhoga, neeti

Different words to denote nyaya as per Monnier Williams Sanskrit-English dictionary -

• Method (paddhati, Upaya)
• Rule (A general or universal rule) ( niyama)
• System (vyavastha)

Plan (yojana)

• Judgment (nirnaya)

Principles (siddhnata) Way (marga)

• Logical proof (yukti udaharanam),
• Conclusion (nirnaya)
• Manner (niyama)
• Standard (mapadanda)

Some other meanings from the dictionary

1. That into which a thing goes back i.e., an original type, standard, method, rule, a general or universal rule, model, axiom, system, plan, right or fit manner or way, fitness, propriety (Monier Williams, 1951).
2. A lawsuit, legal proceeding, judicial sentences, and judgment (Monier Williams, 1951).
3. A logical or syllogistic argument or inference (Monier Williams, 1951).
4. A system of philosophy delivered by Gautama (Monier Williams, 1951).
5. Likeness, analogy, a popular maxim, or apposite illustration (Monier Williams, 1951).

Definition of the term Nyaya with its different interpretations

Mimamsa Nyaya Prakasanam interpreted nyaya as the tattva (truth) with logic (Vettinad Sreedharan Nair, 1989).
An important rule of interpretation in Hindu law from the Yajnavalkyasmriti (Y.S.) deals with resolving a situation in which two authoritative rules contradict one another. There, it is mentioned that when there is a conflict between two Smriti texts, Nyaya (maxim) is more vital than Vyavahara (practice) (Donald R. Davis, Jr., 2007).
In the commentary, Voeramitrodaya at Dharmakosha Varnashrama dharma Kanda stated that Nyaya means reasoning that establishes the scope of each respective rule (Donald R. Davis, Jr., 2007).
Other commentaries such as Mitaksara, and Apararka at Dharmakosha Varnashrama dharma kanda, 1.82 and 1.84, respectively, connect Nyaya with specific maxims of the grammatical and Mimamsa traditions that are used to resolve conflicts between rules. (Donald R. Davis, Jr., 2007)
Nyaya (maxim) is "an expression of well-known truth or principle" (Raja Radha Kanta Deva, 1967). In Sanskrit, the maxim is recognized under the term of Nyaya. 'Maxim' cannot be taken exactly as the equivalent of Nyaya, but adopted because many great scholars had already done so (Colonel G.A. Jacob, 1911). Nyaya has a range of meanings from maxim to reason and logic, even to justice and common sense. In this case, ambiguity is preserved by the commentators as to whether nyaya means reasoning or a maxim.

A brief history of nyayas

Nyayas (maxims) are specifically used when characterizing a situation. Explanation of Nyaya is found from the Vedic period to Purana, Upanishad, Kavya, Darshana, etc. Ayurveda, being the upaveda of Atharvaveda, also explains various maxims to enlighten their treatise and for the easy understanding of the topics. As these maxims are commonly used by the people, Ayurveda Acharyas found it an easy tool for clarification of the views that they want to put forth in their quotations (sutras). Later the commentators of these sutras integrated several nyayas to explore the exact meaning of the actual verses.
In a compilation of nyayas, it is explained that the nyayas can be dealt with under three distinct heads, and are either illustrations (drishtanta), rules, or principles (as in the case of paribhashas), topics (adhikaras) (as in the case of the kapinjala nyaya) (Colonel G.A. Jacob, 1911).

Few nyayas along with their practical utility as per Ayurvedic point of view.

Text	Timeline	Nyaya	Explanation
Arthapatti pramana, Brihadaranyakopanishad	900 BCE to 600 BCE	Dandapoopa Nyaya	If a rat can even cut the stick (danda) which is very hard, then it can cut the cake (Apoopa) which is very soft. This nyaya can be incorporated in the treatment aspect. If a drug can cure a chronic disease, then it can cure a mild disease.
Shathapatha Brahmana	5th century BCE	Munjadisheekoddharana Nyaya	Maxim is explained when talking about moksha(salvation). Just as the layers of a Munja (a type of grass) stick come off, the soul detaches from external things to achieve ultimate salvation.
Ramayana	5000 BC	Ashoka Vanika Nyaya	Ravana kept Seeta in Ashoka Vana. He could have kept her in any other garden or prison, but he chose the garden for no special reason and kept her there. Thus, whenever a specific reason is not found to occur a thing, this nyaya is used.
Mahabharata	3000 BC	Simhavalokana Nyaya	A lion, after catching its food, gives a glance all around. Similarly, if the subject is glanced at superficially without going to its depth, this Nyaya is utilized. It is like an abstract or a brief introduction to the topic
Meemansa Darshana	4th century BCE	Dehalideepanyaya.	“Threshold” is known as Dehali in Sanskrit. When you place a lamp on a threshold, it sheds light both inside and outside. Similarly, when we achieve two results with a single task or activity, then this maxim can be quoted. For example, A drug may act for both deepana and pachana purposes. Balachaturbhadra Rasa is indicated both in Jwara and Atisara.
Patanjali Mahabhashya	B.C. Middle period of second century or 150 BC	Sthalipulaka Nyaya	We can check if all the grains are boiled, by taking one grain from the cooking pot. This is known as Sthalipulaka Nyaya. This principle can be applied when preparing medicine. By tasting a small amount of avaleha, we can determine if it is properly prepared or not.
Sankhyadarshana	4th century AD	Pangvandha Nyaya	This is explained while describing the Srushti Utpatti. Like a blind person, describing an elephant, everyone states their theories about the evolution of the Universe.
Taittariyabhashya Vartika	6th to 5th century BCE	Shakhachandra Nyaya	To explain one thing, we often use the help of another thing. For instance, to point out the distant moon, we might use the branches of a tree and say that the moon is amidst the branches. Similarly, in Ayurveda, the Adhikarana Siddhanta serves a similar purpose.
Kamandaki Neetisara	belongs to the post-Gupta period or A.D. 8th century	Sundopasunda Nyaya	Sunda and Upasunda are the Asura brothers featured in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Where two friends quarrel with each other to get a thing which was liked by both, this Nyaya is applied.
Bhashapariccheda	1634 AD	Kadambakoraka Nyaya and Veechitaranga Nyaya	By this phenomenon, it is proposed that sound originating from one point doesn’t travel to the listener's ear directly but through a series of origination and destruction.
Prasanna Raghava Nataka	8th to 4th centuries BCE	Kupamanduka Nyaya	One should not have a concise mind. Sushruta also quotes that studying only one Shastra is not enough. We should also know allied sciences to better implement our science.
Panchatantra	4th–6th centuries CE	Pankaprakshalana Nyaya	Panka means mud, and Prakshalana means cleaning. This maxim indicates prevention. After getting wet with mud, one can avoid it instead of cleaning. The stories narrate caution regarding bad things, emphasizing good thoughts.
Saahityakoumudi, Kavyaprakasha, and Saptapadartha	1897 AD Earlier in the 11th century	Suchi Kataha Nyaya	It is described as suggesting that we do easy work first when both easy and difficult work are before us. This Nyaya is used when multiple jobs/activities must be completed, and priority is assigned to them based on the duration of each job.

Send us your suggestions and feedback on this page.