Samhanana means muscularity, firmness, solidity, strength or compactness of body. Classical texts and current research have shown the advantages of a compact body over the incompact body. Samhanana examination is included among the tenfold assessment of patients in Ayurveda. An excellent samhanana is a quality of excellent health. [Ast. Sa. Nidana Sthana 1/3]. Though samhanana and pramana seem similar entities but are different from each other. Pramana quantitatively expresses the magnitudes of human body parts, whereas samhnana expresses their compactness. A person with morbid obesity has a large pramana but most probably has least samhanana. Samhanana helps determine the person's constitution, strength and immunity; prognosis and management of diseases; and to assess excellence of body tissues. This chapter deals with the description of samhanana and its importance in healthcare.
| Section/Chapter/topic | Concepts/Samhanana |
|---|---|
| Authors | Bhojani M. K. 1, Rahul Anand 1 |
| Reviewer | Basisht G.2, |
| Editor | Deole Y.S.3 |
| Affiliations |
1 Department of Sharir Kriya, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, 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 |
meera.samhita@aiia.gov.in, carakasamhita@gmail.com |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre, I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, India |
| Date of publication | August 25, 2023 |
| DOI | 10.47468/CSNE.2023.e01.s09.148 |
Etymology and derivation
Samhanan, klee, samhanyate itee. Sam+han+lyutt shariram. The Sanskrit word ‘Sam’ stands for symmetrical or compactness and ‘shariram’ indicates body. Thus samhanana indicates compact symmetrical body.[1]
References
- ↑ Dev R.R.K., editor, (1st ed.). Shabdakalpadrum, Kand 1. Delhi: Amar Publications, 2018; 208.