Traditional Development of Pulse Examination as Diagnostic Tool in Ayurveda

Abstract

Nadi pariksha deals with the science of assessing the functional status of pulse for diagnosis of healthy mind, body and even soul. The presence of nadi (pulse) in an individual signifies the existence of life. Ayurveda visualizes nadi pariksha being performed to analyze and access the quantity of tridosha in body i.e. nadi provides a platform for diagnosis of normal and vitiated doshas in the body. Nadi pariksha serves as an important diagnostic tool for examination of pulse and it's importance is described in Astavidhapariksha, as one of the important diagnostic measures in ayurvedic literature. The concept of nadi pariksha was visualized in various ayurvedic texts like Sharangdhar Samhita, Yoga Ratnakar, Basavarajeeyam, Bhava Prakasha as well as in Nadi Prakasha by Ravan Samhita and Nadi vigyan by Kanad. The traditional knowledge of nadi pariksha in Ayurveda was practiced since a long time but, these documents need to be assessed as the quality of pulse described was qualitative and the same needs to be well analyzed in quantitatively for practical implication of nadi with scientific approach. This paper deals with the ancient development of diagnostic tool of examination of pulse in parlance with modern approach hence an extensive search was undertaken using key words as Nadi, Nadi pariksha etc in Google scholar, Pubmed, Google as well as ayurvedic literatures were also studied so as to re-establish facts which could be helpful in future.