Nighantu of Ayurveda

Earlier, transmission of knowledge was through gurukulas, in India. Later documentation started, and disciples started depending on such classics for study. For clarification of particular terms used in such classics, there was a need of some dictionaries, and thus nighantus came to being. Nighantu is the one which explores unknown meanings. Nighantu is one among six vedangas. In vedic nighantu, all typical words are enumerated, including plant names. Ayurveda, known as upaveda, follows the same pattern of veda, but includes mainly plant names. As per P.V. Sharmaji, there should be Nighantus associated with every samhita and may be called as samhitottara nighantus. Later independent nighantus started developing. More than 150 nighantus are identified in Ayurveda among which nearly 40 are available. Very few are studied and edited.

About Author : Deepa KK

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1		Nighantu	Download

FAQ

1. Give a short introduction about ayurvedic nighantus

Ans :

•निघन्टवः कस्मात्, निगमाः इमे भवन्ति|

•निगूढं अर्थं ज्ञापयन्ति, बोधयन्ति इति निघन्टुः|

•Nighantu is the one which explores unknown meanings.

•निघन्तः, निर्घन्तः, समांनायः, कोशः, संग्रहः, etc. are few synonyms of the word निघन्टुः.

•Earlier, transmission of knowledge was through gurukulas, in India

•Thus the knowledge was sruta- heard, not documented.

•Later documentation started, and disciples started depending on such classics for study.

•For clarification of particular terms used in such classics, there was a need of some dictionaries, and thus nighantus came to being.

•It is a collection of technical terms used in any classical text.
Around 40 nighantus are published, till date in Ayurveda, among which, maximum work contributed by Acharya P.V.Sharma. He enumerates around 150 nighantus in his book on history of dravyaguna.

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