Development of Shodashanga Data Template: A Discrete Template to Accomplish Manuscript Literature Studies in Ayurveda

Abstract

Literature is the paramount strength of Ayurveda. Huge literary data are available in manuscript centres across India and overseas. Meanwhile Ministry of AYUSH CCRAS Ministry of Culture and other funding agencies are motivating Ayurveda research scholars to review and research on extensive Ayurveda manuscripts. During this significant time concerned personnel should be prepared with vital requisites in terms of expertise tools advancements etc. As of now there is no proven or standard guidelines to perform literary research on Ayurveda manuscripts. Many scholars who are well versed or exposed to Ayurveda manuscripts follow their own methodology. These methodologies may not be applicable for all Ayurveda manuscript research projects. Hence there is a need for standard protocol development. Shodashanga data template is a distinctive template developed exclusively for Ayurveda manuscript studies. Here criteria are set mainly based on 16 specialities of Ayurveda followed by critical analysis aspects under different headings. Contents of any Ayurveda manuscript can be collected and arranged based on this Shodashanga data template. Based on the entry in the template even critical analysis of many manuscripts can be done simultaneously. Altogether Shodashanga data template is an effective tool to perform manuscript literature studies in a reasonably effective way in Ayurveda fraternity.nbsp