INTRODUCTION TO VEDANGAS AND THEIR INTERPRETATION IN AYURVEDA

Abstract

Ancient Indian literature has a large body of religious texts composed in various languages; among them, some of the Vedic literature is written in Sanskrit, ‘Devanagari Lipi’. An introduction to' Vedangas' has been made to help readers understand and correct the interpretation of Vedic literature. Vedangas are composed of two words: Veda means ‘Knowledge’, and Angas means ‘Limbs’, collectively known as ‘The Limbs of Knowledge’. Among the four Vedas, ‘Ayurveda’ is Upaveda of ‘Atharvaveda’. Ayurveda not only deals with Pranirogaharam but also helps to attain Purushartha. Samhita of Ayurveda is also composed in verse format, describing the vastness of Sanskrit literature. For Arthaprapati of these verses effortlessly and trace out the exact meaning of verses, these six fields of studies mentioned by Maharshis, known as ‘Vedangas’, i.e., Shiksha, Vyarkarana, Chhandas, Nirukti, Kalpa, Jyotisha have been used. For a deeper understanding of these Vedangas, they are co-related with six parts of the human body, i.e., nose, face, legs, ear, hand and eyes, respectively, termed as ‘Veda Purusha’, have been explained by ‘Paniniya Shiksha’. Shiksha, Vyarkarana, Chhandas, and Nirukti in Ayurveda give clarity on Swara Uccharana, Patha or Akshara Suddhi, grammatical analysis of verses, clarity in understanding Pada, Paada, etc., their origin and meaning and lastly memorizing it effortlessly. The importance of Kalpa and Jyotisha can be apricated throughout the Shastras of Ayurveda. Hence, an effort has been put forth to determine the applicability of these Vedangas in Ayurveda.