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INTERNATIONAL
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An Introduction To Rajarshi Nagnajita Mentioned in Charaka Samhita and Evaluation of
His Contribution To Ayurveda
Prof. Dr.
Subhash Waghe
1
1
Dept. of Rog Nidan, SAM College of Ayurvedic Sciences, Raisen (MP)
–
464 551
Abstract
Ayurveda
has
evolved
through
the
collective
wisdom
of
numerous
Rishis
,
Rajarshis
,
physicians,
scholars,
and
teachers who preserved and developed knowledge of health, disease, longevity, diet, therapeutics, and preventive
medicine.
Among
the
distinguished
personalities
associated
with
the
ancient
Ayurvedic
tradition
is
Rajarshi
Nagnajita
, mentioned in classical Ayurvedic literature and specifically identified as
Vayorvida Nagnajita
in the
Charaka Samhita
. His inclusion among the eminent sages associated with the ancient deliberation on Ayurveda
establishes
his
place
in
the
broader
intellectual
tradition
of
Ayurveda.
This
literary
study
introduces
Rajarshi
Nagnajita,
examines
his
lineage
and
geographical
association,
and
critically
evaluates
his
contribution
to
Ayurveda. Classical sources indicate that Nagnajita was associated with the Gandhara region and belonged to a
royal lineage. The
Mahabharata
identifies Nagnajita as the king of Gandhara and states that his son was Subala,
the father of Shakuni and Gandhari. The
Bhela Samhita
further provides an important account of an encounter
between King Nagnajita of Gandhara and Acharya Punarvasu Atreya in the context of food poisoning. Particularly
significant is the
Charaka Samhita
, where Nagnajita's opinions are cited regarding the pathogenesis of disease, the
classification
and
properties
of
Rasa
,
the
physiological
functions
of
Vata
,
and
the
consequences
of
aggravated
Vata
.
The
Kashyapa
Samhita
also
records
Nagnajita's
views
concerning
disease
classification
and
describes
a
discourse
concerning
paediatric
ophthalmic
treatment.
Further
evidence
from
Ashtanga
Sangraha
associates
Nagnajita with the description of the sequential manifestations of poisoning, including cardiovascular symptoms
and
death,
while
Brihat
Samhita
and
Matsya
Purana
associate
him
with
Pratima-lakshana
and
Vastu-shastra
,
respectively.
Thus,
Nagnajita
appears
to
have
been
a
multidisciplinary
scholar-king
whose
interests
extended
beyond medicine. His Ayurvedic contribution is particularly noteworthy in
Vata-vijnana
,
Rasa-vijnana
, disease
classification,
toxicology,
and
preventive
understanding
of
poisoned
food.
This
review
suggests
that
Nagnajita
deserves greater recognition as an important contributor to the ancient Ayurvedic intellectual tradition. Rajarshi
Nagnajita attended the conclave of rishis held beneath the mountains of the Himalayas some 7000 years ago. This
not only shows his interest in medical science but also portrays him as a caring person for mankind's suffering.
Hence, exploring the life of Sage Nagnajita is essential to understand his contribution to Ayurveda.
Keywords:
Nagnajita, Rajarshi, Charaka Samhita, Vayorvida, Vata, Rasa, Agada Tantra, Gandhara.
Article Info:
Article Received on : 04/09/2026
Article Reviewed on: 10/09/2026
Article Published on : 15/10/2026
Corresponding Author:
Prof. Dr. Subhash Waghe
ORCID ID:
0009
-
0006
-
2776
-
5549
Cite this article as: -
Waghe S.
An Introduction To Rajarshi Nagnajita Mentioned in Charaka
Samhita and Evaluation of His
Contribution
To
Ayurveda.
International
Journal
of
Diagnostics
And
Research.
2026Oct20;4(1):135
–
45.
doi:10.5281/zenodo.23492350
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Introduction :
Ayurveda's
development
is
traditionally
described
as a continuous process of knowledge transmission
from the divine to the sages and then from teachers
to
disciples.
However,
the
classical
texts
demonstrate that Ayurveda was not developed by a
single
individual
or
confined
to
a
single
lineage.
Numerous
Rishis
,
Rajarshis
,
physicians,
philosophers,
and
scholars
participated
in
its
development.
The
Charaka
Samhita
provides
one
of
the
most
important
descriptions
of
this
ancient
scholarly
tradition.
In
the
Dirghanjivitiyam
Adhyaya
of
Sutrasthana
, the text describes a large assembly of
eminent
sages
in
the
Himalayan
region.
These
sages
focused
on
disease-related
suffering
and
deliberated
on
the
science
of
life
and
longevity.
Among
the
personalities
associated
with
this
ancient tradition is
Nagnajita
.
Nagnajita
is
especially
significant
because
his
contribution
in
the
Charaka Samhita
goes beyond
simple mention. At several places, his opinions are
specifically cited under the designation
Vayorvida
Nagnajita
,
indicating
that
he
was
regarded
as
an
authority on the nature and functions of
Vayu/Vata
.
His
views
also
occur
in
discussions
concerning
Rasa
and disease development.
Other classical texts provide additional information.
The
Bhela Samhita
identifies Nagnajita as the king
of
Gandhara
and
records
his
dialogue
with
Punarvasu
Atreya
concerning
poisoned
food.
The
Kashyapa
Samhita
records
his
views
on
disease
classification and also includes a dialogue between
King
Nagnajita
and
Kashyapa
on
paediatric
ophthalmic preparations.
Ashtanga Sangraha
preserves
an
important
description
of
the
progression of poisoning attributed to Nagnajita.
These
references
make
Nagnajita
a
particularly
interesting
figure
for
historical
study
because
he
appears simultaneously as a
king, scholar, medical
thinker,
authority
on
Vata
and
toxicology,
and
exponent of other branches of knowledge
.
This
article
therefore
systematically
examines
the
available
classical
references
and
evaluates
Rajarshi Nagnajita's contribution to Ayurveda.
Aim :
To
introduce
Rajarshi
Nagnajita,
as
mentioned
in
classical
Ayurvedic
literature,
and
evaluate
his
contribution to Ayurveda based on available textual
evidence.
Objectives :
-
1.
To
study
the
identity
and
lineage
of
Rajarshi
Nagnajita.
-
2.
To examine his association with the Gandhara
region.
-
3.
To
study
the
references
to
Nagnajita
in
the
Charaka Samhita
.
-
4.
To
evaluate
his
contribution
to
the
understanding of
Vata
.
-
5.
To examine his views regarding
Rasa
.
-
6.
To
study
his
observations
concerning
disease
causation and classification.
-
7.
To examine his contribution to toxicology and
the understanding of poisoned food.
-
8.
To
study
his
association
with
paediatric
ophthalmic therapeutics.
-
9.
To explore references to Nagnajita in
Ashtanga
Sangraha
,
Brihat Samhita
, and
Matsya Purana
.
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Material And Methods :
The
present
study
is
a
literary,
conceptual,
and
historical
review
based
on
classical
Ayurvedic,
epic, and Puranic literature.
The principal sources examined were:
-
Charaka Samhita
-
Bhela Samhita
-
Kashyapa Samhita
-
Ashtanga Sangraha
-
Mahabharata
-
Matsya Purana
-
Agni Purana
-
Brihat Samhita
We identified, translated, compared, and interpreted
relevant
references
to
Nagnajita
in
their
textual
context. Particular attention was given to passages
that
explicitly
introduce
Nagnajita's
opinion
using
terms
such
as
Vayorvida
Nagnajita
or
Nagnajita
Rajarshi
.
The information was organized under the following
headings:
-
1.
Identity and lineage
-
2.
Kingdom and geographical association
-
3.
Relationship with the Ayurvedic tradition
-
4.
Contributions to
Vata-vijnana
-
5.
Contribution to
Rasa-vijnana
-
6.
Disease pathogenesis
-
7.
Toxicology
-
8.
Paediatric ophthalmology
-
9.
Disease classification
-
10.
Architectural and iconographic knowledge
Interpretation
was
based
primarily
on
textual
evidence. Where historical identification or
geographical
reconstruction
remains
uncertain,
conclusions have been expressed cautiously.
Review Of Literature :
Residence and Kingdom of Nagnajita
Rishi
Nagnajita
was
king
of
the
Gandhar
region,
which corresponds
to
modern-day
Afghanistan. In
those
days,
it
served
as
a
gateway
to
Swarga
(heaven),
located
around
the
Alborz
(Elburz)
Mountains in modern-day Iran.
[1]
Family Tree of King Nagnajita
King
Yayati’s
son
from
Sharmishta
was
Drahyu.
He became the king of Mlenchha. He had two sons,
viz. 1. Setu and 2. Ketu (Babhru). Setu’s son was
Shardwan
(Angarsetu/Arabdha),
and
his
son
was
Gandhar.
This
king,
Gandhar,
created
the
vast
Gandhar
kingdom
(present-day
Afghanistan
and
some parts of Pakistan and Iran). Gandhar's horses
were called ‘Aratta’ and were among the best
in the
world. Gandhar’s son was Dharma, and Dharma’s
son
was
Dhruta.
King
Dhruta’s
son
was
Vidusha/Durmana, and his son was Pracheta. King
Pracheta had a hundred sons who became the kings
of different Mlenchha states (like Ushinara, Madra,
Kekaya,
Bhadrak,
etc)
in
the
northern
region
of
Gandhar.
[2] [3]
Of
Pracheta's
hundred
sons,
four
were
prominent:
1. Anadu, 2. Subhanu, 3. Chakshush, 4. Parmeshu.
King Subhanu’s son was Kalanala, and his son was
Srunjaya. King Srunjaya’s son was Purunjaya. King
Purunjaya’s
son
was
Janamejaya.
King
Janamejaya’s son was
Mahashal, and his
son
was
Mahamana.
[4]
After King Pracheta, a learned person in his lineage
named Nagnajita became the king of Gandhara. He
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was very famous for his valour.
[]
King Nagnajita’s
son
was
Subala.
King
Subala
had
a
famous
son,
Shakuni (Saubala), and a daughter, Gandhari. They
were experts in economics.
[5] [6] [7]
Shakuni’s
son
was
Uluka,
whom
Arjuna
killed
in
an attempt to stop the horse of King Yudhishthira's
Ashwamedha Yagya after the Mahabharata war.
[8]
King Nagnajita As Daruwaha
According
to
commentator
Acharya
Indu
Kara,
Nagnajita
is
also
called
Daruwaha,
and
they
represent the same person.
[9]
Contribution to Ayurveda
Vayorvida Naganajita’s Opinion on
Development of Diseases
Vayorvida
is
of
the
view
that
only
mind
is
not
responsible
for
the
diseases
in
the
body.
Without
the
physical
body
there
is
no
existence
of
either
diseases or mind. Hence, all the living beings are
made up of plasma. And plasma gives rise to many
diseases. Water is the basis of plasma, and the same
is responsible for the existence of living beings and
the development of diseases.
[10]
Vayorvida Naga
najita’s Opinion on
Types of
Rasas
Vayorvida holds that Rasa are of six types based on
properties: 1.
Guru
(heavy), 2.
Laghu
(lightness), 3.
Sheeta
(coolness), 4.
Ushna
(warmness), 5.
Snigdha
(unctuousness), 6.
Ruksha
(dryness).
[11]
Vayorvida Naganajita’s
Opinion on Role of
Normal Vata In The Body
Vayorvid
Naganajita
holds
that
aggravated
or
normal
Vata
definitely
moves
in
the
body.
Vayu
nourishes the body and body organs. It is of five
types; viz. 1. Pran,2. Udan, 3. Vyan, 4, Saman, 5.
Apan.
It
governs
bodily
activities,
including
the
higher
centres.
It
regulates
the
mind.
It
controls
sensory-motor
functions,
from
receiving
information
to
processing
and
executing
it.
Vata
also
governs
the
union
of
fractures.
Vata
is
responsible for speech. Vata governs tactile sensory
information.
Vata
is
responsible
for
hearing.
Vata
governs
tactile
joy
and
enthusiasm.
Vata
governs
the secretion of HCl. Vata
governs the absorption
of
doshas.
Vata
governs
the
expulsion
of
nitrogenous
waste,
stool,
and
urine.
Vata
differentiates
small
and
big
systems.
Vata
is
responsible for the shape of the foetus.
[12]
Vayorvida Naganajita’s Opinion on
Role of
Aggravated Vata In The Body
Vayorvida
Naganajita
is
of
the
view
that
aggravated
Vata
in
the
body
reduces
power,
complexion,
happiness,
and
longevity.
It
puts
the
mind
in
depression.
It
causes
sensory-motor
alteration. It produces harmful effects on the foetus
in utero in the form of either premature expulsion
or delayed delivery.
It causes anxiety, depression,
confusion and delirium.
[13]
Kashyapa’s Discourse To King Naganjita
on
Paediatric Ophthalmic Preparations
In
this
chapter
of
the
Kashyapa
Samhita,
sage
Kashyapa
tells
King
Nagnajita
about
the
different
medications
for
ophthalmic
disorders
of
the
paediatric population.
[14]
Types of Disease As per King Naganjita
As
per
King
Naganjita,
there
are
five
types
of
diseases;
viz.
1
.
Vataj,
2.
Pittaj,
3.
Kaphaj,
4.
Tridoshaj,
and
5. Agantuj.
Of these, the first four
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are
endogenous
causes,
whereas
the
fifth
is
exogenous.
This
quote
from
King
Nagnajita
appears in the Kashyap Samhita, Khila Sthana.
[15]
Nagnajita’s
Conversation with Atreya
Punarvasu About Food Poisoning
On his way to Swarga (paradise in Iran), Acharya
Punarvasu
met
King
Nagnajita
of
Gandhara
(Afghanistan). In this meeting, King Nagnajita told
Acharya
Punarvasu
that
he
did
not
fear
being
attacked with weapons or by a female spy (honey
trap), but he feared poison mixed into food as king.
So
he
asked
Acharya
Punarvasu
to
explain
the
features
of
poisoned
food
and
how
to
protect
oneself from it.
[16]
Poison Waves: As per Acharya Nagnajita,
In the first attack of poison, blood gets vitiated. In
the
second
wave,
edema
develops.
In
the
third
wave,
the
body
tingles.
In
the
fourth
wave
of
poison, there is fever and syncope. In the fifth wave
of poison, the body gets pale, and there is swelling
of the tongue and face. In the sixth wave of poison,
there
is
discomfort
in
the
chest
and
heart.
In
the
seventh
wave
of
poison,
there
is
death
of
an
individual.
[17]
King Nagnajita: An Expert of Ancient Idol-
Making Science (Pratima-shastra)
King Nagnajita was also said to be an expert in the
science of idol-making. In ancient India, a science
existed
that
fixed
the
dimensions
of
God’s
idol
.
Such
idols
were
then
kept
into
the
temples
for
worship.
King
Nagnajita
was
also
said
to
be
an
expert in ancient Indian architectural science.
[18]
King Nagnajita: An Expert of Ancient
Architecture (Vastu-shastra)
King
Nagnajita
was
also
said
to
be
an
expert
in
ancient Indian architectural science (Vastu-shastra),
along
with
illustrious
sages
like
Bhrigu,
Atri,
Vishwakarma,
Maya,
Narada,
Shaunaka,
and
Garga.
[19]
Observations :
The
following
observations
emerge
from
the
present literary study:
-
1.
Nagnajita
is
represented
as
a
Rajarshi
and
king of Gandhara
.
-
2.
The
Mahabharata
identifies
him
as
a
famous
and valorous king.
-
3.
His
son
was
Subala,
who
was
the
father
of
Shakuni
and
Gandhari
according
to
the
epic
tradition.
-
4.
The
Bhela
Samhita
associates
Nagnajita
with
the
Gandhara
region
and
records
his
dialogue
with Punarvasu Atreya.
-
5.
Nagnajita
was
concerned
about
poisoning
through food and sought knowledge concerning
its detection and prevention.
-
6.
The
Charaka
Samhita
identifies
him
as
Vayorvida Nagnajita
.
-
7.
He
contributed
important
observations
regarding the physiological functions of Vata.
-
8.
He
described
the
pathological
effects
of
aggravated Vata.
-
9.
He expressed an integrated view concerning the
relationship between mind, body, and disease.
-
10.
He
contributed
a
property-based
classification
of
Rasa
.
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-
11.
The
Kashyapa
Samhita
records
his
classification of diseases into five categories.
-
12.
The
Kashyapa Samhita
also associates him with
paediatric ophthalmic therapeutics.
-
13.
Ashtanga
Sangraha
preserves
his
views
concerning
the
progressive
manifestations
of
poisoning.
-
14.
According
to
Indukara,
Nagnajita
was
also
known as Daruwaha.
-
15.
Brihat
Samhita
associates
Nagnajita
with
Pratima-lakshana
.
-
16.
Matsya
Purana
lists
Nagnajita
among
authorities associated with
Vastu-shastra
.
-
17.
Nagnajita
therefore
appears
to
represent
a
multidisciplinary
scholar-king
rather
than
a
narrowly specialised physician.
Evaluation of His Contribution to Ayurveda
The
contribution
of
Rajarshi
Nagnajita
can
be
summarised under the following domains:
|
Domain
|
Contribution
attributed
to
Nagnajita
|
|
Vata
-
vijnana
|
Detailed
description
of
physiological functions of Vata
|
|
Vata
pathology
|
Description
of
systemic
and
psychological
effects
of
aggravated Vata
|
|
Rasa
-
vijnana
|
Property
-
based
classification
of
six Rasas
|
|
Disease
causation
|
Integrated
relationship
between
body and mind
|
|
Disease
classification
|
Vataja,
Pittaja,
Kaphaja,
Tridoshaja and Agantuja
|
|
Agada
Tantra
|
Recognition of food poisoning and
its progressive manifestations
|
|
Kaumarabhr
itya
|
Association
with
paediatric
ophthalmic therapeutics
|
|
Preventive
medicine
|
Concern
regarding
detection
and
prevention of poisoned food
|
|
Pratima
-
shastra
|
Association
with
iconographic
proportions
|
|
Vastu-
shastra
|
Listed
among
traditional
authorities of architectural science
|
Discussion :
Rajarshi
Nagnajita
represents
a
distinctive
personality in the history of Ayurveda because his
contribution
cannot
be
restricted
to
one
branch
of
medical knowledge.
First,
Nagnajita
was
a
king
who
was
also
recognised
as
a
learned
authority
.
His
royal
status
and
scholarly
identity
are
reflected
by
the
designation
Rajarshi
.
The second and more important observation is that
Nagnajita's
name
appears
repeatedly
in
classical
medical
literature. The
Charaka Samhita
does not
merely
mention
him
in
passing;
it
records
his
opinions
on
several
fundamental
Ayurvedic
concepts.
His
designation
as
Vayorvida
is
particularly
significant.
Vata
is one of the three
Doshas
and is
traditionally
regarded
as
the
principle
responsible
for
movement
and
regulation
of
numerous
physiological
processes.
Nagnajita's
extensive
description
of
Vata
indicates
an
advanced
conceptual
understanding
of
physiological
coordination.
His
discussion
of
aggravated
Vata
is
equally
important. The consequences described involve the
mind,
sensory
functions,
reproductive
processes,
vitality, and systemic health. This demonstrates an
integrated
understanding
of
disease
rather
than
a
narrowly localized model.
Another
important
contribution
concerns
Rasa
.
Nagnajita's
classification
based
on
Guru,
Laghu,
Shita, Ushna, Snigdha,
and
Ruksha
demonstrates an
attempt to understand substances through
functional properties. This property-based approach
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became fundamental to Ayurvedic pharmacological
reasoning.
His
association
with
food
poisoning
is
equally
noteworthy. The dialogue with Punarvasu Atreya in
the
Bhela
Samhita
shows
that
a
king
was
deeply
concerned
about
deliberate
food
poisoning
and
sought
systematic
knowledge
for
its
prevention.
This
provides
a
historical
example
of
the
application
of
medical
knowledge
to
public
and
royal safety.
The seven-stage description of poisoning preserved
in
Ashtanga
Sangraha
is
particularly
valuable.
It
demonstrates
recognition
of
progressive
clinical
manifestations
following
exposure
to
poison.
The
sequence
involving
blood
disturbance,
swelling,
sensory
symptoms,
fever,
altered
consciousness,
cardiac
discomfort,
and
death
reflects
a
clinically
oriented observation of toxic manifestations.
Nagnajita's association with the
Kashyapa Samhita
further expands his contribution. His classification
of
diseases
into
Vataja,
Pittaja,
Kaphaja,
Tridoshaja,
and
Agantuja
demonstrates
his
understanding of disease taxonomy. The paediatric
ophthalmic reference further connects him with the
domain of
Kaumarabhritya
.
His
traditional
association
with
Pratima-shastra
and
Vastu-shastra
indicates
that
the
Nagnajita
tradition
extended
beyond
medicine.
Whether
all
such references refer to exactly the same historical
individual
or
to
a
lineage
bearing
the
name
Nagnajita remains an important question for future
research.
From
a
historiographical
perspective,
this
distinction is essential. Ancient texts often preserve
names of teachers, lineages, or authorities across
different periods. Therefore, while the cumulative
evidence
establishes
Nagnajita
as
a
highly
significant
traditional
authority,
one
should
not
assert
precise
chronological
identification
without
additional evidence.
Nevertheless,
his
consistent
association
with
medicine,
toxicology,
disease
classification,
and
Vata
physiology
strongly
supports
the
conclusion
that
Nagnajita
occupies
an
important
place
in
the
history of Ayurvedic thought.
Limitations of the Present Study
The
present
study
relies
primarily
on
textual
and
traditional
literary
evidence.
Several
limitations
should therefore be acknowledged.
First,
the
available
references
alone
cannot
establish Nagnajita's exact chronological position.
Second,
the
name
Nagnajita
may
represent
an
individual
as
well
as
a
scholarly
lineage
or
traditional authority. Therefore, we cannot assume,
without
qualification,
that
every
reference
to
Nagnajita
in
different
texts
refers
to
the
same
historical person.
Third,
the
geographical
boundaries
of
ancient
Gandhara
changed
over
time.
Consequently,
equating Gandhara precisely with any one modern
country's
territory
would
be
historically
inappropriate.
Fourth,
the
traditional
genealogies
of
the
Mahabharata
and Puranas should be interpreted as
textual-historical
traditions
rather
than
treated
automatically as modern historical records.
Fifth,
although
the
Charaka
Samhita
explicitly
attributes several opinions to Nagnajita, the
available
texts
do
not
provide
a
complete
independent treatise authored by him.
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Despite these limitations, the repeated attribution of
specific medical opinions to Nagnajita across
multiple
classical
sources
provide
substantial
evidence
of
his
importance
in
the
Ayurvedic
intellectual tradition.
Future Scope
Further
research
on
Rajarshi
Nagnajita
may
include:
-
1.
A critical
compilation
of every occurrence of
the name Nagnajita in Ayurvedic literature.
-
2.
Comparative study of Nagnajita's quotations in
Charaka
Samhita
,
Bhela
Samhita
,
Kashyapa
Samhita
, and
Ashtanga Sangraha
.
-
3.
Investigation
of
all
commentarial
interpretations
of
the
designation
Vayorvida
Nagnajita
.
-
4.
Comparative analysis of Nagnajita's concept of
Vata
with
descriptions
provided
by
other
ancient authorities.
-
5.
Detailed
study
of
the
seven-stage
poisoning
model attributed to Nagnajita.
-
6.
Investigation
of
the
relationship
between
his
toxicological
observations
and
the
later
development of
Agada Tantra
.
-
7.
Study of his classification of disease in relation
to
the
broader
evolution
of
Ayurvedic
nosology.
-
8.
Investigation
of
Nagnajita's
contribution
to
Kaumarabhritya
.
-
9.
Critical
examination
of
the
identification
of
Nagnajita with Daruwaha.
-
10.
Comparative
textual
study
of
references
to
Nagnajita
in
Mahabharata
,
Matsya
Purana
,
Brihat Samhita
, and Ayurvedic texts.
-
11.
Manuscript-based
investigation
to
determine
whether references to Nagnajita represent one
historical
personality
or
a
succession
of
teachers
belonging to a Nagnajita tradition.
Conclusions :
Rajarshi
Nagnajita
occupies
a
significant
position
in
the
intellectual
history
of
Ayurveda.
Classical
literature
presents
him
as
a
learned
king
of
Gandhara and an authority whose interests spanned
medicine,
toxicology,
disease
classification,
Vata
physiology,
pharmacological
properties,
paediatric
ophthalmology, architecture, and iconography.
His
most
important
Ayurvedic
contribution
is
preserved
in
the
Charaka
Samhita
,
where
he
is
identified as Vayorvida Nagnajita, and his opinions
on
the
role
of
Vata
in
normal
physiology
and
disease
are
quoted.
His
observations
show
an
understanding
of
Vata
as
a
comprehensive
regulatory principle
governing movement,
sensory
and
motor
functions,
mental
activity,
speech,
digestion,
elimination,
reproduction,
development,
and systemic coordination.
His
property-based
understanding
of
Rasa
further
demonstrates
the
analytical
nature
of
his
medical
thought.
His
observations
regarding
aggravated
Vata
reveal
an
integrated
view
of
physical,
psychological,
sensory,
and
reproductive
disturbances.
The account in the
Bhela Samhita
adds another
important
dimension
by
presenting
Nagnajita
as
a
king concerned with the dangers of poisoned food.
His
association
with
the
progressive
stages
of
poisoning in
Ashtanga Sangraha
further establishes
his
significance
in
the
history
of
toxicology.
The
Kashyapa Samhita
expands his medical association
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to
disease
classification
and
paediatric
ophthalmology.
Thus, Nagnajita should not be regarded merely as
one
of
the
many
names
occurring
in
ancient
Ayurvedic literature. The textual evidence portrays
him as a
Rajarshi, medical thinker, Vata expert,
contributor
to
toxicology,
and
knowledgeable
patron of diverse sciences
.
At
the
same
time,
chronological
and
historical
identification
should
remain
cautious
because
the
available evidence does
not
permit
us to
establish
with certainty that all references to Nagnajita across
the
various
textual
traditions
refer
to
one
and
the
same historical individual.
Nevertheless,
the
repeated
and
specific
attribution
of medical opinions to Nagnajita provides sufficient
grounds to recognise him as an important
Charaka
Samhitokta
Ayurvedic
authority
whose
contribution deserves further systematic study.
References :
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1.
Abhaya
Katyayana
(editor
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17.
D.V.
Panditrao,
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‘Ashtangsangraha’
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Declaration :
Conflict of Interest :
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ISSN: 2584-2757
DOI :
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Dr. Subhash Waghe
Inter. J.Digno. and Research
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