Importance and Utility of Trisutra in Teaching, Research and Clinical Practice

The aim of Ayurveda is to maintain the health of individuals. It is accomplished through the two objectives; curing disease in the diseased and preventing disease in the healthy. For this purpose Ayurveda, the science of life is presented in the form of Trisutra (three aphorisms). They are Hetu (etiological factors), Linga (symptomatology) and Oushadha (therapeutics). The causative factors for the derangement of health and its reversal are coming under the purview of Hetu. Generally, excess, deficient and wrong union of sense objects, action and time result in diseases and health is the outcome of their proper union. Linga represents the clinical features of health and disease. Oushadha include drugs, therapies, wholesome diet and lifestyle which are intended to cure the disease and promote health. The entire Ayurveda is coded in these three aphorisms, hence it is known as Trisutra Ayurveda. The term Triskanda (three pronged) is synonymously used with Trisutra. The present knowledge of Ayurveda was evolved by the decipherment and elaboration of Trisutra through continuous research processes. Ayurveda compendia were designed in the order of Trisutra, Hetu, Linga and then Oushadha for the effective teaching and learning. Trisutra forms the ground for research in Ayurveda. Fundamental and applied researches in Ayurveda are primarily based on these three principles. Thorough understanding of Trisutra is essential for the accurate diagnosis of diseases and planning of effective management for them

A Critical Review On The Application Of Yukti Pramana For The Logical Inclusion Or Rejection Of A Drug Mentioned In Oushadha Yoga (medicinal Formulations) According To Clinical Condition

An Ayurvedic physician usually depends on classical compound medicinal formulations for treating patients. Sometimes, patients themselves demand us that they will prepare the medicines themselves, especially Kwatha (decoctions). One reason is the superior efficacy of the self prepared medicines than the bottled decoctions due to the presence of chemical preservatives. While preparing formulations, we may need to add or delete drug/drugs depending on the clinical condition of the patient. Scarcity of herbal drugs is also another reason which compels us for substitution. In Bhavaprakasha, there is a reference stating that any drug which is inappropriate and unsuitable to a disease, even though found included in the drug group or medicinal formulae may be rejected and any drug which is found suitable or appropriate may be included though not mentioned in it. There are so many references in Ayurvedic classics where we can see deletion or inclusion of drugs in a formulation according to the condition of the patient or disease. This is an attempt to analyse the logic (the application of Yukti pramana) behind it. This article also want to depict the relevance of logically changing the contents of a medicinal formulation by analyzing its Rasapanchaka (five Ayurvedic principles of drug action), depending on the condition of disease or patient.