Āyurveda-śāstra

viṣamābhiniveśo yo nityānitye hitāhite

viṣamābhiniveśo yo nityānitye hitāhite |
jñeyaḥ sa buddhi-vibhraṁśaḥ samaṁ buddhir hi paśyati ||
viṣaya-pravaṇaṁ sattvaṁ dhṛti-bhraṁśān na śakyate |
niyantum ahitād arthād dhṛtir hi niyamātmikā ||
tattva-jñāne smṛtir yasya rajo-mohāvṛtātmanaḥ |
bhraśyate sa smṛti-bhraṁśaḥ smartavyaṁ hi smṛtau sthitam ||
dhī-dhṛti-smṛti-vibhraṣṭaḥ karma yat kurute’śubham |
prajñāparādhaṁ taṁ vidyāt sarva-doṣa-prakopaṇam || …
buddhyā viṣama-vijñānaṁ viṣamaṁ ca pravartanam |
prajñāparādhaṁ jānīyān manaso gocaraṁ hi tat ||
(Caraka-saṁhita: 4.1.99–102, 109)

“Incorrect determination of the impermanent in the permanent [as well as the permanent in the impermanent] and the unwholesome in the wholesome [as well as the unwholesome in the wholesome] is to be known as divergence of the intellect, since the intellect sees correctly [when it is not divergent]. As a result of divergence of the will, the mind inclined to objects of the senses is unable to be restrained from unwholesome objects, since will is possessed of restraint [when it is not divergent]. The memory of one whose mind is covered over by passion or delusion diverging from knowledge of existence is [called] divergence of the memory, since that which is to be remembered is present in one’s memory [when it is not divergent]. Know an unwholesome action aggravating to all the doṣas which one of deviated intellect, will, or memory performs to be prajñāparādha [i.e., a transgression of discrimination]. … Incorrect understanding with the intellect and incorrect conduct should be known as prajñāparādha [i.e., transgressions of discrimination], since they are within the scope of the mind.”

Read on →

trividham eva karma prajñāparādha iti vyavasyet |

trividham eva karma prajñāparādha iti vyavasyet |
(Caraka-saṁhita: 1.11.41)

“Action (karma) of these three types [i.e., overuse, disuse, or misuse of the mind, speech, and body as categorized in two prior passages] should be regarded as prajñāparādha [i.e., a transgression of discernment].”

Read on →

kāya-vāṅ-māno-bhedena trividham apy ahitaṁ karma prajñāparādhaḥ

kāya-vāṅ-māno-bhedena trividham apy ahitaṁ karma prajñāparādhaḥ |
(Hemādri’s Āyurveda-rasāyana-ṭīkā on Aṣṭāṅga-hṛdaya-saṁhitā: 1.4.32)

“Unwholesome action of three types as per the division of [action performed with] the body, speech, and mind is [called] a prajñāparādha [i.e., a transgression of discernment].”

Read on →

dhī-dhṛti-smṛti-vibhraṁśaḥ samprāptiḥ kāla-karmaṇām

dhī-dhṛti-smṛti-vibhraṁśaḥ samprāptiḥ kāla-karmaṇām |
asātmyārthāgamaś ceti jñātavyā duḥkha-hetavaḥ ||
(Caraka-saṁhita: 4.1.98)

“Divergence of the intellect, will, or memory [i.e., prajñāparādhas], the onset of a time period [e.g., a season], karma [i.e., the results of one‘s past actions], and contact with unwholesome objects of the senses are to be known as causes of suffering.”

Read on →

vākya-doṣo nāma yathā khalv asminn arthe nyūnam adhikam

vākya-doṣo nāma yathā khalv asminn arthe nyūnam adhikam anarthakam apārthakaṁ viruddhaṁ ceti |
(Caraka-saṁhitā: 3.8.54)

“Fault in a statement is known as follows in regard to the object [which the statement describes]: (1) deficient (nyūna) [i.e., the statement fails to sufficiently convey the nature of the object; the statement is too laconic], (2) verbose (adhika) [i.e., the statement uses more words than necessary to convey the nature of the object; the statement contains redundancy or irrelevant content], (3) meaningless (anarthaka) [i.e., the statement does not make sense; the statement does not convey any object], (4) incoherent (apārthaka) [i.e., the statement does not convey a complete sense; the statement contains syntactically disjointed content], (5) contradictory (viruddha) [i.e., the statement conveys an idea of the object that is contrary to the actual nature of the object; the statement is erroneous].”

Read on →

yathā kharaś candana-bhāra-vāhī bhārasya vettā na tu candandasya

yathā kharaś candana-bhāra-vāhī bhārasya vettā na tu candandasya |
evaṁ hi śāstrāṇi bahūny adhītya cārtheṣu mūḍhāḥ kharavad vahanti ||
(Suśruta-saṁhitā: Sūtra-sthāna, 4)

“As a donkey carrying a load of sandalwood knows its weight but not the [fragrance of the] sandalwood, so even after studying numerous śāstras, those ignorant of their meaning simply carry them [in their minds] like donkeys [i.e., they never experience the substance that makes the labor of their study and memorization meaningful—the wisdom the śāstras convey].”

Read on →

adhigatam apy adhyayanam aprabhāṣitam arthataḥ

adhigatam apy adhyayanam aprabhāṣitam arthataḥ |
kharasya candana-bhāra iva kevalaṁ pariśrama-karaṁ bhavati |
(Suśruta-saṁhitā: Sūtra-sthāna, 3)

“Even mastered recitation [of a text] without explanation of the meaning [of the text] becomes merely a cause of [fruitless] fatigue like a donkey’s load of sandalwood.” 

Read on →

sama-doṣaḥ samāgniś ca sama-dhātu-mala-kriyāḥ

sama-doṣaḥ samāgniś ca sama-dhātu-mala-kriyāḥ |
prasannātmendriya-manāḥ svastha ity abhidhīyate ||
(Suśruta-saṁhitā: Sūtra-sthāna, 15.10)

“One whose doṣas [bodily humors, i.e., vāta, pitta, and kapha] are balanced, fires [of digestion and so forth] are balanced, dhātus [seven bodily elements] are balanced, functions of excretion are balanced, and whose self, senses, and mind are tranquil, is said to be healthy.”

Read on →

Scroll to Top