Abstract

A REVIEW OF NADI VIGYAN (THE PULSE SCIENCE)

Dr. Ravikant Shrivastava, *Dr. Sharda Mishra and Dr. Shaival Mishra

Abstract

The nadi vigyan (pulse science) or sphygmology is a science through which the nature speaks to the physician by means of pulse. This branch of medical science has not been only considered as most useful and important, but also it has been only sure channel through which the exact state of the entire human system thoroughly known and realized the aid of the chief constituents of the body, the human viz. vata, pitta and kapha. Various factors are present outside and inside of the body which are responsible for variation of three humors. They are age, divison of period during day and night, seasonal effect, diet etc. Nadi pariksha eases diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. According to Ayurvda no disease can be possible without involvement of dosha and the treatment is restablishment of dosha in their normal state. In current practice it is customary to examine nadi (pulse) in many system of medicine before embarking upon the treatment. Description of nadi priksha is not directly or indirectly available in any of the ayurvedic classics like Charak samhita, Kashyap samhita, Astang Samgraha, Astang Hridaya etc. Indian knowledge and references to nadi pariksha as means of diagnosis was not prevalent till the period of Sarangadhar samhita. The artery found at the root of thumb is evidence of life and we ascertain by feeling the movement of this artery. Then in 16th century „Bhavprakash‟ by shri Bhav Mishrji also have proof of some development in the field of nadi pariksha. These developments included. 1. The relation between tridosha and fingers i.e. Index finger for Vata, Middle finger for Pitta and Ring finger for Kapha. 2. Nadi under healthy and unhealthy conditions. 3. Nadi in cases of vikruti. 4. Nadi under some psychiatric problems. 5. In male firstly right hand and then left hand pulse is examined. In females vice versa.

Keywords: nadi, kala, pulse, nadi pariksha, nadi gati, dosha.