A CRITICAL EDITION TO KNOW THE - CONTRIBUTIONS OF VĀKYA PRADĪPIKĀ COMMENTARY ON AṢṬĀṄGA HṚDAYA NIDĀNA STHĀNA BY PARAMEŚVARA

Abstract

Āyurvedic manuscripts represent an invaluable repository of medical wisdom, yet many remain unpublished and unexplored. One such significant work is Vākya Pradīpikā, a commentary on the Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya Nidāna Sthāna authored by Parameśvara, a medieval scholar from Kerala. The present study critically examines a manuscript of this commentary preserved at the Government Oriental Manuscripts Library, Chennai with accession number R3266[1], using general principles of manuscript editing, the present manuscript was deciphered, collated with the mula text, and analyzed to identify the commentator’s distinctive contributions.

The findings reveal that Parameśvara enriches the Nidāna Sthāna with conceptual clarifications, detailed terminological interpretations, and clinically relevant explanations. For instance, in Santata Jvara he links latent Doṣa in rasa to systemic fever manifestation, while in Raktapitta he explains the synergistic role of astringent and sweet substances. In Rājayakṣma, his insights on Mandāgni, tissue depletion, and prognosis provide an advanced understanding of disease progression. In Prameha, his emphasis on kleda as a central factor in pathogenesis and prognosis adds depth to classical explanations. Similarly, across chapters such as Arśas, Udara, Kuṣṭha, Vātavyādhi, and Vātārakta, he consistently highlights diagnostic precision, expands clinical reasoning, and introduces vivid similes to explain pathogenesis.

These contributions underline the significance of Vākya Pradīpikā as not merely an exegetical work but as a clinically insightful commentary that bridges textual tradition with medical practice. The study affirms the importance of critically editing and publishing such manuscripts to preserve and revitalize Āyurveda’s intellectual heritage.