Critical Comparative Study of Ayurvedic & Jyotishiya Body Measurements (Pramana) & Its Impact on Health & Wellbeing

Abstract

‘Pramana’ is one of the body parameter which needs to be examined under ‘Ayu laxanas’ (body chararacteristics) for assessment of strength of the body as well as for futuristic outcome of health and wellbeing.  The Jyotish science is complimentary and contemporary to the Ayurvedic medical science. The principles of Jyotish science have been applied in Ayurvedic science at various places. The various body characteristics are described in ‘Sharir Laxan Adhyay’ and ‘Ayurday Adhyay’ of Ayurvedic and Jyotish science respectively. Acharya Charaka had described the ‘Praman Pariksha’ in the Vimansthana of his treatise ‘Charak Samhita’ under ‘Dashvidha Pariksha’ whereas acharya Sushruta had described it in chapter 35 of sutrasthana of his tratise ‘Sushrut Samhita’. These body characteristics are used to predict the future outcome of health, education, and career and socio economic status. Persons having proportionate body are endowed with long life span, strength, Oja, happiness, luxury, wealth and other desired things. In contrast to this persons having more or less proportionate body are devoid of above benefits. [C.Vi. 6/117 &S.Su. 35/14-15]. Literary review of literature related to Pramana is done to study it critically and comparatively from Ayurvedic and Jyotish science. Parmana has been categorized into high, moderate and low. Acharyas have mentioned not only the measurement of height of the body but of almost every part of the body. Any deviation from normal measurement indicates abnormality. The ancient measurements were in the form of ‘Anguli’ Pramana (finger measurement) which is now replaced by SI unit which is followed universally. Hence, all ancient unit is converted into moder SI unit in the present study. The ‘Pramana’ influences the outcome of health and socio economic status. It is also essential to know whether ‘Pramana’ influences the immunity of the patient immune. It is important to find out the rationale behind the forecast made by ancient acharyas based on ‘Pramana’. Hence, there is a need to study the ‘Pramana’ from both science point of view critically and comparatively. The critical comparison of Ayurvedic and Jyotish shastrokta, Pramana, in the observation showed marked similarities between the body mesurements and forecast regarding health and wellbeing. It is concluded that future outcome of health and wellbeing can very well be predicted from the assessment of Ayurvedokta Praman Pariksha. The persons having proportionate body are immune to the diseases and have good fortune.