Role of Gobalivardha Nyaya (Maxim) in Understanding The Ayurvedic Literature of Brihatrayee: A Review
Role of Gobalivardha Nyaya (Maxim) in Understanding The Ayurvedic Literature of Brihatrayee: A Review
Role of Gobalivardha Nyaya (Maxim) in Understanding The Ayurvedic Literature of Brihatrayee: A Review
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REVIEW ARTICLE
ROLE OF GOBALIVARDHA NYAYA (MAXIM) IN UNDERSTANDING THE AYURVEDIC
LITERATURE OF BRIHATRAYEE: A REVIEW
CHINTHALA RAJKUMAR1 NNL BHAGAVATHI2 R. VIDYANATH3
ABSTRACT
In a broad spectrum and general sense ‘Nyaya’ means reasoning but when made precise it becomes a maxim.
Both the aspects are necessary in the interpretation of an Ayurvedic verse. The treasure of ancient Ayurvedic
knowledge is kept in the form of shlokas (Sanskrit verses). One cannot get original and hidden or concealed
meaning of a verse by simple reading and sometimes reader could be confused. To overcome this, different
commentators of Brihatrayee like Chakrapani, Dalhana and Arunadutta employed various nyayas as per the
necessity. They act as important tools to understand the literature in a lucid manner. Nyayas are used to convey
the ideas of the author easily and clearly, so that even low intellectuals also can understand the concept easily.
Gobalivardha Nyaya is one among them which is defined as “The maxim of cattle (cow) and bull”. The present
article is an attempt to trace out the various references of Gōbalivardha Nyaya and its application in those
contexts articulated by different commentators of Brihatrayee.
Keywords: Ayurveda, Brihatrayee, Commentators, Gobalivardha Nyaya.
1
Senior Research Fellow, IPGT & RA, GAU, Jamnagar, INDIA
2
Consultant Ayurvedic physician, NIN, Hyderabad, Telangana, INDIA
3
Prof & HOD PG Dept. of Saṃhitā & Siddhanta, Dr.B.R.K.R.Govt Ayurvedic College, Hyderabad, Telangana.
Corresponding Email id: [email protected] Access this article online: www.jahm.in
Published by Atreya Ayurveda Publications under the license CC-by-NC.
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Jour. of Ayurveda & Holistic Medicine
Volume-V, Issue-III (May- June 2017)
whereas the Shastreeya nyayas are present in the been defined in various definitions and synonyms.
shaastra i.e. in the scientific treatises which are These definitions and synonyms are depicted in
4. यक्तिमूलकदृष्टान्तविषेषः न्यायः।
5. षड्दषथिान्तगथतविषेषः न्यायः।
Synonyms:
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Volume-V, Issue-III (May- June 2017)
Defined as:
Defined as:
Defined as:
Synonyms:
Plan - योजिा,]
Judgment - निणथयः,
Monnier Williams
6.
Sanskrit – English dictionary [11] Standard- मापदण्डः,
Principles- भसद्धान्तः,
Way - मागथः,
Conclusion – निणथयः
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Volume-V, Issue-III (May- June 2017)
[12]
(participation in debate) . The first step i.e. the v. For easy understanding of the subject
adhyayana of Samhita, is not an easy task in which matter
the subject matter of Ayurveda is in coded vi. For differential diagnosis
language (Sutra roopa). Ayurveda sutra is vii. In diagnosis and treatment aspects
characterized by padairalpam, matim buddhwa [13] viii. Usage of different drugs in various
having few words with hidden meaning and larger treatment modalities to prepare
application. These sutras (codes) can only be efficacious Yogas.
cracked with the help of Sanskrit grammar. In Method of analyzing a Nyaya (Maxim) [14]
order to understand such hidden meaning and in Analysis can be done in 4 steps
depth application, knowledge of grammar in Step 1: Padartha Jnana (Meaning): Proper
Sanskrit is necessary. Many times mere translation knowledge of the words in nyaya.
might not convey the actual intention of the Step 2: Prakriya Vijnana (Phenomenon): Eliciting
author. To overcome this, the nyayas (maxims) phenomenon that is implicited in the nyaya.
help becomes imperative. The nyayas convey Step 3: Sandharbha (Context): Knowledge of the
larger meaning than the sutra (verse). Nyayas help context in which nyaya is incorporated.
to infer the ideology, thought process prevailing at Step 4: Yukthi (Interpretation): Analysis of
that time. Therefore, this necessitates the logical Padartha Jnana, Prakriya of nyaya with the
steps to be followed in deciphering nyayas [14]. sandharbha in Samhita.
On a critical study of Brihatrayee it is found that OBSERVATIONS
the incorporation of nyayas is very less in original Padartha Jnana (Meaning): ‘Go’ means the cow
text i.e. moola patha, where as the commentators and ‘Balivardha’ means the ox. Colonel G.A. Jacob
used different nyayas abundantly for the easy has defined Gobalivardha nyaya as “The maxim of
understanding of that specific context. So, nyayas the cattle and bull”10. Similar explanation is found
in the literature of Ayurveda can be classified into in brahmana vasishta nyaya and brahmana-
two categories viz. nyayas in moola patha and parivraajaka nyaya.
nyayas in commentary. Prakriya Vijnana (Phenomenon): In Loukika
In Ayurvedic literature, Acharyas meticulously Nyayavali, this nyaya is described as “The origin of
employed different nyayas the maxim lies in this that the word cow signifies
i. To beautify the literature both a male cow and a female cow; but ordinarily
ii. To get hidden or concealed meaning of a it is used in the sense of a female cow; and a
verse different word “bull" is used to mean a male cow
iii. To attain determinative knowledge of to distinguish it from the female cow. Similarly the
Ayurvedic doctrines ordinary acceptance of a word is not always what
[15], [16]
iv. To achieve success in analysis of a principle it strictly or derivatively signifies” . Thus
according to the present nyaya, it has to be
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Volume-V, Issue-III (May- June 2017)
considered as the relative meaning or hidden Ayurveda dipika, Chakrapani explained the word
meaning as per context. Para is used as ‘Adi’ by the implication of
For the present study original texts of Charaka Gobalivardha nyaya. Thus, ananta-para means the
Samhita along with Chakrapani's Ayurveda deepika science of life i.e. Ayurveda has neither beginning
commentary, Sushruta Samhita along with nor an end. The word ananta means there is no
Dalhana's Nibandhasamgraha commentary, limitation but the word para has certain limitation.
Gayadas’s Nyayachandrika commentary and Here both the words ananta and para are
available commentaries on Ashtanga Hridayam are contradicted simultaneously to set a limitation.
taken into consideration. On a critical study of Sandharbha 2 (Context): In Charaka Samhita Sutra
Brihatrayee the present maxim is quoted by the Sthana Navegandharaneeyam Adhyaya, during the
commentators in various contexts, some of them description of external orifices, Acharya
are delineated here as follows: Chakrapani quoted this nyaya in his commentary
Sandharbha 1 (Context): In Charaka Samhita Sutra to clarify the word “Dushtairmatradhikairmalaihi”.
Sthana Deergham Jeeviteeyam Adhyaya, during द्वे अधः सप्त नशरनस खानि स्वेदमुखानि च|
the description on the eternity of Ayurveda by
मलायिानि बाध्यतिे दुष्टैमादत्रानधकै मदलैः|| [19]
Charakacharya, Chakrapani quoted this nyaya in
his commentary to clarify the word so-ananta- Yukti (Interpretation): Acharya Charaka has
is mainly two types viz. adhikya (excess) and Sandharbha 4 (Context): In Charaka Samhita
ksheena (less). But in present verse Charaka Nidana Sthana Jwara Nidaanam chapter, during
quoted two words for the vitiation of malayana i.e. the explanation of Vidhi-Samprapti, Acharya
dusti and matradhikyata. As per Gobalivardha Chakrapani referred the present Nyaya for the
nyaya, it has to be considered that the meaning of justification of ‘Vidhi-Samprapti’
the word ‘Dusta’ as Ksheena. In this manner नवनधिादम- नद्वनवधा व्याधयो निजागतिुभेदेि,
Chakrapani justified the present context with the
नत्रनवधानिदोषभेदेि, चिुनवदधाः साध्यासाध्य
help of Gobalivardha nyaya.
Sandharbha 3 (Context): In Charaka Samhita Sutra मृदुदारुणभेदेि|[23]
Sthana Snehadhyaya, Agnivesha asks different Yukti (Interpretation): Acharya Charaka has stated
questions about ‘Sneha’ (Oils & Fats), Acharya that diseases are categorized according to the
Chakrapani quoted this Nyaya in his commentary origin; they are two kinds viz. exogenous and
to clarify the word “Acche”. endogenous. On the basis of dosha vitiation
[21]
अच्छे सश
ं ोधिे चैव स्िेहे का वनृ िररष्यिे|| diseases are three type’s viz. Vataja, Pittaja and
Yukti (Interpretation): Acharya Charaka has Kaphaja. According to the severity, they are again
mentioned various doubts of Agnivesha regarding categorized into four types viz. curable, incurable,
snehakarma (oleation therapy). One among the mild and acute. All these classifications come
purpose. Acharya Chakrapani quoted this nyaya in mentioned that Chardi is five type’s viz. Vataja,
his commentary to clarify the word “Twakdosha”. Pittaja, Kaphaja, Sannipatika and
Dwistarthayogaja chardi (vomiting caused by the
मुस्िं मदिं नत्रफला करञ्ज्ज आरग्वधकनलङ्गयवाः|
contact with unwanted objects).
दावी ससप्तपणाद स्िािं नसद्धाथदकं िाम|| Chakrapani Commentary:
एष कषायो वमिं नवरेचिं वणदकस्िथोद्घषदः|
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by large subjective in matter which differs from caused or born from other diseases like Raktapitta
person to person. According to Gobalivardha from the heat of jvara, kaasa by raktapitta etc. and
Nyaya, this term ‘Dwishta’ includes objects which for description of mithyaaharaacharakrut, he has
are unwanted, impure, putrified etc. taken help of Gobalivardha nyaya and described
Sandharbha 8 (Context): In Sushruta Samhita that the diseases are other than
chapter, while describing the three types of mithyaaharaacharakrut like jvara etc. So, here
Adhyatmika vyadhis Acharya Chakrapani quoted Gobalivardha nyaya is used for describing two
Acharya Sushruta has mentioned all the diseases that, Gobalivardha nyaya is employed in many
under seven groups. Out of them dosha instances of Brihatrayee where there is a specific
balapravrutta (The humoral diseases) is further or significant meaning other than an ordinary
divided into two subtypes as aatankasamutpanna sense of meaning. In this manner Gobalivardha
and mithyaaharaacharakrut. Again these two are nyaya has a significant role in the understanding
Kshatriya Varga, 2/8/24, edited by pt. (Maxim) and their Importance in Interpreting
Haragovinda Shastri, Reprint ed. Chaukhambha Samhita, Journal of Ayurveda and Holistic
Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratishthan;2004; Nirnasagar press. Bombay 1907, Section- ii, 25.
2, edited by Vasu HC, 2nd ed. Delhi: Nag English Translation and notes., Retrieved on 6th
7. Jayshanker shastri, Halāyudhakoṣa (A Sanskrit- 17. Yadavaji Trikamaji (editor). Charaka Samhita of
Sanskrit Dictionary), Reprint ed. Lucknow: Charaka, Sutrasthana, chapter 1, verse no.23.
Haragovinda Shastri, Reprint ed. Varanasi: 19. Yadavaji Trikamaji (editor). Charaka Samhita of
Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthana;2008;356. Charaka, Sutrasthana, chapter 7, verse no.53.
2nd reprint ed. New Delhi: Parimal Samhita of Charaka, Sutra sthana, chapter 7,
27. Yadavaji Trikamaji (editor). Charaka Samhita of Nyaya (Maxim) in Understanding the Ayurvedic
91-92. Reprint edition, Varanasi: Chaukhamba Ayurveda and Hol Med (JAHM).2017;5(3):38-47
47