Abstract

CRITICAL REVIEW OF NIDRA IN CHARAK SAMHITA AND ITS CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Dr. Bhakti Balasaheb Bhoje* and Dr. Saroj Patil

Abstract

Ayurveda emphasizes on keeping a person healthy first and then on treating the disease. Sleep is mentioned as an important upasthambha i.e one among the three pillars of life which are ahar(diet), nidra(sleep)and brahmacharya (celibacy). Various rules regarding sleep have been mentioned extensively in Charak Samhita. Quality sleep is essential for the overall growth and development of an individual and for smooth functioning of the systems The disturbance in rules regarding Nidra might be related to life style, environmental influence, mental tension, changed food habits and day to day stress which ultimately disturbs the psychoneuro-biological rhythm of sleep. This study was aimed at exploring different aspects of Nidra from Charak Samhita. Code of conduct about daily regimen and seasonal regimen are mentioned. It was found that numerous factors were involved in manisfestation of disease due to nidana sevana like diwaswap, anidra, atinidra. Different lakshanas in some vyadhis were also noteworthy. Treatment regarding nidra related disorders has also been advised Acharya Charaka. It was concluded that the concept of nidra is clinically significant.

Keywords: Ayurveda, nidra, sleep, dincharya, trayopsthambha.