Abstract

UNVEILING BRILLIANCE: EXPLORING THE RICH TAPESTRY OF BAHU UPAMA IN SAMHITA FOR IMPLICATIONS W.S.R TO CHARAKA SAMHITA

Dr. Pallavi Hegde* and Dr. Vidyalakshmi K.

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Abstract

Introduction: Authors of Ancient Ayurveda texts had many ways to convey their ideas. Upama is one such technique found across the text. Upama is a tool to get knowledge, which is adopted by authors of Brihatrayee as well as other Samhitas. When the texts are screened for the Upama, it is found that in many instances, same Upamana has been used to convey different contexts. When many similar Upamana are used for giving Upama then it is termed as Bahu Upama. Objective: to appreciate aptness of Bahu Upama. Methodology: Brihatrayees, especially the Charaka Samhita is taken as the source for the current study. Different contexts are noted where Bahu Upama are implied. Context is detailed with the help of available commentaries. Observation: Bahu Upama has its implication in several contexts. Similar Upama are seen in different sections of the same literature as well as different manuscripts. Discussion and Conclusion: Throughout the literature of Ayurveda, several number of Bahu Upama can be identified. For example different food preparations, drinks, medicinal preparations have been compared to that of Amruta (nectar). Purpose of such implications can be for more clarity or they are instances that are more familiar, to maintain consistency and theme, to emphasise and reinforce, for recognition and memorability, to engage the readers or to attribute specific characteristics.

Keywords: Upamana, Amruta, Nouhu, Deepa, Chela, Aksha.