• A CRITICAL REVIEW OF ARJUNA FROM KOSHA AND NIGHANTUS

Abstract

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of life which has definite object as narrated in Caraka Samhita and Sushrut  Samhita. The whole purpose is to achieve healthy and disease free life “Prayojanam Casya Svasthasya Svasthayarkshnanam Aturasya Vikaraprashamanam Ca”. Man, the superior most of all species has always been remaining in a search of One Prime Goal: “The perfect health”. From Vedic to modern era, all the researches have been directed by the eminent scholars to achieve the same. With the purpose of study, historians have grossly divided the period into-Ancient period (4000 B.C. to 6^th Cent. A.D.), Medieval period (7^th Cent. A. D.  to   15^th Cent. A. D.)  and   Modern period (16^th Cent. A. D.  Onwards). The nighantus, Ayurvedic form of Materia Medica could help significantly in this direction. Numerous nighantus have been written from the very beginning of Ayurvedic period (medieval ) to solve the hidden meanings of cryptic names of  medicinal plants. In this work kosha, nighantus and some samhitas are discussed. The present work aims to discuss Arjuna in various aspects in a chronological order.