CONTRIBUTIONS OF BHAVAPRAKASHA (PURVA KHANDA) TO SHALAKYA TANTRA – NETRA

*Manojna S. Maliye and Dr. Prakruthi G.

ABSTRACT

Ayurveda, the science of life is an integral and one of the most ancient forms of medical systems that primarily aims at prevention of diseases and promotion of positive health. Hence, rightfully called the „mother of all sciences‟. One out of the eight branches of Ayurveda, Shalakya Tantra deals with the aetiology, diagnosis, prognosis, prevention and treatment of diseases that are located above the neck region such as the head, ear, nose, eye and throat. Among the 5 sense organs, Ayurveda has given prime importance to the eye and says “Sarvendriyanaam madhye nayanam pradhanam”. The functionality and essence of one’s life is determined by vision in the sense that what we visualize decides the quality of our life. One of the most revered lexicons of the medieval period, The Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, has been instrumental in emphasising on netra and its chikitsa with many types of treatment protocols pertaining to preventive and curative aspects stressing on the actions of each and every drug as it is also renowned to be the Karmoushadhi Pradhana Nighantu. There is a detail description of chakshushya dravyas, achakshushya dravyas which gives a quick review for the practitioners to select the drugs. Purva khanda contains 7 chapters that constitutes information about origin of Ayurveda and basic principles including anatomy, physiology, dinacharya, rtucharya, pharmacological principles, collection of herbs and drug substitutes, examination of the patients, principles of treatment in brief, explanation of panchakarma etc., The Ayurvedic perspectives regarding netra chikitsa w.r.to Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Purva khanda) has been explored in this article.

Keywords: Bhavapraksha Nighantu, Chakshushya dravyas, Achakshushya dravyas, Netra chikitsa.