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| EDITORIAL |
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| Year : 2022 | Volume
: 7
| Issue : 1 | Page : 1-2 |
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Anukta vichara in Ayurveda: Potential area for knowing the unknown
Rabinarayan Acharya (Vaidya)
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Drug Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, New Delhi, India
| Date of Submission | 07-Apr-2022 |
| Date of Decision | 19-Apr-2022 |
| Date of Acceptance | 19-Apr-2022 |
| Date of Web Publication | 07-Jul-2022 |
Correspondence Address:
Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya
Director General, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, Janakpuri, New Delhi
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/jdras.JDRAS_49_22
How to cite this article:
Acharya R. Anukta vichara in Ayurveda: Potential area for knowing the unknown. J Drug Res Ayurvedic Sci 2022;7:1-2 |
“Anukta” is one of the time-based principles that literally means unsaid, unspoken, untold, unuttered, unpronounced, unheard of, not expressed. The word Anukta is derived from the root “vac” with negation attached to the basic root. Ancient scholars of Ayurveda have elaborated the subject matter having greater significance to the society and later mentioned “Anukta” in order to aid in comprehending the hidden meaning using general principles. The classics of Ayurveda explained Atidesha tantrayukti (i.e., comprehend the extension of existing technology/concept or knowledge of unsaid things) to understand the concept and facts of Anukta.[1] Chakrapani, the renowned commentator of Charaka Samhita, mentioned that Atidesha tantrayukti helps explaining the hidden meaning of the unknown topic. As a part of reading skills, when attempting to decipher the meaning of some words/phrases in a text, surrounding words can offer reader some context clues referring to its usage and meaning. Thus, Anukta is one such context clue and Atidesha tantra yukti is an embedded support.[2] Because the Anukta/undocumented excerpts definitely have a perceived notion about its fundamental meaning, validating them is the need of the hour.
By understanding the need of the elaboration of Anukta, many scholars have provided certain general rules as follows: if Kala (time) is Anukta, the morning is to be considered; the root of the plant is to be taken if any specific part is not mentioned; in any formulation, if the exact quantity of the ingredients is not specified, then equal quantity of each item is to be taken; the earthen pot should be used where the exact pot is not specified; water should be used if any liquid is not mentioned; and sesame oil to be taken where any specific oil is not mentioned.[3] However, many areas of Anukta still need to be explored and validated.
The concept of Anukta is not only useful to comprehend the notion of the classical literature but also grants liberty in the exploration of novel therapeutics, which is utmost significant in today’s world. The entire system of Ayurveda stands on tripod or three “basics” called “trisutra.” A systematic and methodological approach for understanding, analyzing, and applying the already explained basic concepts in hetu, linga, and oushadha may assist in exploring lots of unsaid areas. The general guidelines mentioned in these areas should be applied and explored as per necessities. Even if something is not stated in the text but that is prescribed in other sciences, which is conducive or beneficial, can be considered and adopted, as told by Lord Atreya.[4]
While describing the diagnosis and treatment of any unsaid diseases, it is clearly stated that the diseases that are not mentioned in the classical literature because of enormous extent of names and forms should be diagnosed and treated according to the already explained basic concepts. Areas of Anukta vichara in pharmaceutics include Shodhana (purification), Kalpana (dosage forms), and flexibility in the usage of dravyas described in various categories and their parts to be used.[5] An unmet need is arising to explore the potential therapeutic claims of new medicinal plants that have not been described in classics. They can be explored abiding by probing into their nomenclature, Rasapanchaka, using suitable techniques[6],[7],[8],[9] and accordingly planning preclinical studies thereafter. Many of the food articles that are in common and regular use are explained in classics along with their properties such as taste and potency. Because it is not possible to describe each and every food article in detail, it is mentioned that additional information should be determined appropriately. Further, the enumeration of various categories of food items with regard to properties, compatibility, quantity, admixture, and the process of preparation based on fundamental concepts is also a potential area to be explored in detail.
It is generally said that “the only constant is change.” Incessant changes in the environmental conditions, diet, lifestyle, and uncontrolled urbanization are leading to many new diseases that are not elaborated in the ancient literature. Further, availability of medicinal plants, newer dosage forms, availability of new diagnostic methods, application of newer techniques in pharmaceutics, etc., are the unique and new areas that can be investigated under the concept of Anukta. Though the general term for these changes is “new,” Ayurveda cited this under the concept of “Anukta.” This is in fact a unique concept in Ayurvedic literature that has high potential owing to the constant nature of basic fundamentals. The version diśayānayā śeṣāmapi indicates that there is a need of understanding and incorporation of the unsaid concepts and extension of the principles given in the classical texts.
[Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
| References | |  |
| 1. | Acharya YT, editor. Siddhi sthana 2/25. In: Commentary: Ayurveda Deepika of Chakrapani on Charaka Samhita of Charaka. Varanasi: Chowkhambha Sanskrit Series; 2006. p. 690-736.  |
| 2. | Zorfass J, Gray T; PowerUp What Works. 2014. Available from: https://www.readingrockets.org/article/using-context-clues-understand-word-meanings. [Last accessed on 2022 Apr 5]. |
| 3. | Shastri PPV, editor. Prathama khanda 1/47–48. In: Sharangdhar Samhita, with the commentary Adhamalla’s Deepika and Kashiram’s Goodhartha-Deepika. 6th ed. Varanasi: Chaukambha Surabharati Prakashana; 2006. p. 13. |
| 4. | Trikamaji Y, editor. Sutra sthana, chapter 8, verse no. 34. In: Commentary: Ayurveda Deepika of Chakrapani on Charaka Samhita of Charaka. Varanasi: Chowkhambha Sanskrit Series; 2006. |
| 5. | Shinde SS, Waghole S Anukta—An Ayurvedic approach. Int Ayurvedic Med J 2019;7:2209-12. |
| 6. | Kusuma G, Joshi VK Nomenclature of Anukta dravya. Anc Sci Life 2010;29:17-23. |
| 7. | Jayasundar R, Singh A, Kumar D Challenges in using electronic tongue to study rasa of plants: I. Finding the right tool for the right job. J Ayurveda Integr Med 2021;12:234-7. |
| 8. | Mahajon B, Ravishankar B, Remadevi R Assessment of Vipaka (metabolism) of a new medicinal plant in animal model. Glob J Res Med Plants Indig Med 2014;3:427-34. |
| 9. | Shirolkar A, Pawar SD Gut microbiota: One of the new frontiers for elucidating fundamentals of Vipaka in Ayurveda. Ayu 2019;40:75-8. |
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