Difference between revisions of "Indriya Sthana"

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==Preamble of Indriya Sthana (Section on Assessment of fatal signs and lifespan of patients)==
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==Preamble of Indriya Sthana (Section on assessment of lifespan of patients)==
  
 
===Fundamental  principles===
 
===Fundamental  principles===
 
<div style="text-align:justify;">
 
<div style="text-align:justify;">
[[Indriya Sthana]] deals with the observation of predictors of life and fatal signs useful in determining the residual lifespan of patients (also called ''arishta lakshana''). The word ''Indriya'' literally means organ, sense, force, vigor.<ref>Sanskrit-English Dictionary available from http://spokensanskrit.org/index.php?mode=3&script=hk&tran_input=Indriya&direct=au retrieved on April 19, 2019</ref>. In the present context, it means ''Prana'' or vital life force.<ref>Commentary by Chakrapani on Cha.Indriya 1/1-2 available on http://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/ecaraka/?mod=adhi retrieved on April 19, 2019</ref>. The seat of ''prana'' in the body is ''Sneha'' or ''Ojus''. ''Indriya'' (sense organs) are said to be the ''linga'' (organs) of ''prana''. An important concept discussed in this section is termed ''Indriyadushti'' (damage to the sensory system). A state of perfect health is ''Anirvedovarta Lakshanam'' (i.e., life without any indication or perception of being alive).(Cha.Su.25/40)
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[[Indriya Sthana]] deals with the observation of signs predicting lifespan and signs indicative of reduced duration of remaining life (also called ''arishta lakshana''). The word ''Indriya'' literally means organ, sense, force, vigor.<ref>Sanskrit-English Dictionary available from http://spokensanskrit.org/index.php?mode=3&script=hk&tran_input=Indriya&direct=au retrieved on April 19, 2019</ref>. In the present context, it means ''Prana'' or vital life force.<ref>Commentary by Chakrapani on Cha.Indriya 1/1-2 available on http://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/ecaraka/?mod=adhi retrieved on April 19, 2019</ref>. The seat of ''prana'' in the body is ''Sneha'' or ''Ojus''. ''Indriya'' (sense organs) are said to be the ''linga'' (organs) of ''prana''. An important concept discussed in this section is termed ''Indriyadushti'' (damage to the sensory system). A state of perfect health is ''Anirvedovarta Lakshanam'' (i.e., life without any indication or perception of being alive).(Cha.Su.25/40)
  
 
===Logical sequencing of chapters===
 
===Logical sequencing of chapters===
Life begins with the association of consciousness, or the ''atma'', with the five fundamental elements (earth, air, fire, ether, and water, or the ''panchamahabhuta'') and ends in the dissolution of this association. Since this union (that results in a living being) is by no means permanent and since there is always a possibility of dissolution or death anytime, Ayurvedic texts emphasized on identifying certain signs and symptoms that could forebear, with some level of certainty, imminent death. This section is dedicated to such determinants and is structured in the form of 12 chapters.
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Life begins with the association of consciousness, or the ''atma'', with the five fundamental elements (earth, air, fire, ether, and water, or the ''panchamahabhuta'') and ends in the dissolution of this association. Since this union (that results in a living being) is by no means permanent and since there is always a possibility of dissolution or death anytime, Ayurvedic texts emphasize on identifying certain signs and symptoms that could forebear, with some level of certainty, imminent death. This section is dedicated to such determinants and is structured in the form of 12 chapters.
  
 
===Glimpses of Chapters===
 
===Glimpses of Chapters===
* Signs and symptoms (''arishtas'') of imminent death specific to pathologies afflicting sense organs that can be perceived by sensory deficiencies (e.g.,  ''varna'' (color), ''swara'' (voices/sounds), ''gandha'' (smell), ''rasa'' (taste), ''sparsha''(touch),along with ''chhaya'' (complexion) and ''prabha'' (radiance)) are addressed in chapters [[Varnasvariyamindriyam Adhyaya]], [[Pushpitakamindriyam Adhyaya]], [[Parimarshaneeyamindriyam Adhyaya]], [[Indriyaneeka]], [[Pannarupiya]] and [[Yasyashyavanimitta]].
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* Signs and symptoms (''arishtas'') of imminent death can be perceived by specific changes in sensory system (e.g.,  ''varna'' (color), ''swara'' (voices/sounds), ''gandha'' (smell), ''rasa'' (taste), ''sparsha''(touch),along with ''chhaya'' (complexion) and ''prabha'' (radiance)) are addressed in chapters [[Varnasvariyamindriyam Adhyaya]], [[Pushpitakamindriyam Adhyaya]], [[Parimarshaneeyamindriyam Adhyaya]], [[Indriyaneeka]], [[Pannarupiya]] and [[Yasyashyavanimitta]].
  
 
* Clinically useful early warning signs have been mentioned in [[Purvarupeeya]].
 
* Clinically useful early warning signs have been mentioned in [[Purvarupeeya]].

Revision as of 21:29, 19 April 2019

Charak Samhita Indriya Sthana
Sections
Preceding Sharira Sthana
Succeeding Chikitsa Sthana
All Sections Sutra Sthana,Nidana Sthana, Vimana Sthana, Sharira Sthana, Indriya Sthana, Chikitsa Sthana, Kalpa Sthana, Siddhi Sthana
Chapters
Varnasvariyamindriyam Adhyaya, Pushpitakamindriyam Adhyaya, Parimarshaneeyamindriyam Adhyaya, Indriyaneeka, Purvarupeeya, Kathamanasharireeya, Pannarupiya, Avakshiraseeya, Yasyashyavanimitta, Sadyomaraneeya, Anujyoti, Gomayachurniya

Preamble of Indriya Sthana (Section on assessment of lifespan of patients)

Fundamental principles

Indriya Sthana deals with the observation of signs predicting lifespan and signs indicative of reduced duration of remaining life (also called arishta lakshana). The word Indriya literally means organ, sense, force, vigor.[1]. In the present context, it means Prana or vital life force.[2]. The seat of prana in the body is Sneha or Ojus. Indriya (sense organs) are said to be the linga (organs) of prana. An important concept discussed in this section is termed Indriyadushti (damage to the sensory system). A state of perfect health is Anirvedovarta Lakshanam (i.e., life without any indication or perception of being alive).(Cha.Su.25/40)

Logical sequencing of chapters

Life begins with the association of consciousness, or the atma, with the five fundamental elements (earth, air, fire, ether, and water, or the panchamahabhuta) and ends in the dissolution of this association. Since this union (that results in a living being) is by no means permanent and since there is always a possibility of dissolution or death anytime, Ayurvedic texts emphasize on identifying certain signs and symptoms that could forebear, with some level of certainty, imminent death. This section is dedicated to such determinants and is structured in the form of 12 chapters.

Glimpses of Chapters

  • Clinically useful early warning signs have been mentioned in Purvarupeeya.
  • Gomayachurniya, Anujyoti, Kathamanasharireeya, Avakshiraseeya and Sadyomaraneeya are chapters that give examples of arishta that could be perceived on the physical level (or, are Bahyakarana) as well as on the mental, intellectual, and emotional levels (or, afflicting the Antahkarana ), with references to shakun( good / bad consequential happening)), doota( messenger), swapna ( dreams) and miscellaneous occult sciences. The evidences laid down in these chapters may establish an Ayurveda-based clinical diagnostic methodology.

Scope and Importance

Even though all of the determinants (i.e., signs and symptoms) cannot be explained by rational scientific parameters (as evident by the references above to paranormal and occult sciences), some of these signs and symptoms have been documented and reported as having been experienced by people in various parts of the world. Within the treatise Charak Samhita, physicians are instructed to thoroughly examine the patient for certain signs that indicate terminal illness and investigate using biomarkers. The treatise then advises physicians to stop any therapeutic treatment being given to such terminal patients and provide them palliative care instead. In the present era, with advancements in medical sciences, many arishta lakshanas are well treatable and cannot be considered as "predictors" of death as they used to even a few centuries back. However, these signs and symptoms could serve as important indicators of prognosis of disease and therefore, would be helpful in prompt management to save life of patients.

Researches

The following research works have been carried out on study of Indriya Sthana as observed in the directory of researches [3]

  1. Sharma V.K.Charakokta Indriya Sthana Ka Pratisanskara Swarupatmaka Vishleshna.Ph. D.Thesis.Rajasthan Ayurved University,Jodhpur.2011
  2. Radhika.S .A Study On Indriya Sthana Of Charaka Samhita.Siddhanta And Darshan.Alva`s Ayurvedic Medical College, Moodbidri .2015
  3. Anurag Vats.A Critical Study Of Indriya Sthana From Charak Samita . Samhita . Bharti Vidyapeeth’s University, College of Ayurved, Pune, Maharashtra.2006.

References

  1. Sanskrit-English Dictionary available from http://spokensanskrit.org/index.php?mode=3&script=hk&tran_input=Indriya&direct=au retrieved on April 19, 2019
  2. Commentary by Chakrapani on Cha.Indriya 1/1-2 available on http://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/ecaraka/?mod=adhi retrieved on April 19, 2019
  3. Available from https://researches-in-ayurveda.co.in/