Abstract

CONCEPT OF BHUDDHI IN AYURVED - A REVIEW

*Bhagyashree H. Yadav and Sampada S. Sant

Abstract

Acharya Charaka opines Buddhi as a primary function (prakruti not vikruti) of shrustiutpatti (evolution). Buddhi (intellect) is the first reflection of awyakt,[1] it is also known as mahat tatva. Purush and Prakruti togetherly manifest mahat or Buddhi (intellect) element. Sushrut quotes that Buddhi originates from Avyakta tatva, Ahmkara originates from Buddhi and panchamahabhuta from Ahamkara.[2] Buddhi is one of the trividha antakaranas that is Mana, Buddhi and Ahamkaras. Buddhi is the higher aspect of mind, the door-way to inner wisdom. Buddhi is derived from the vedic Sanskrit root Budh which literally means to wake, to awake, to observe, to attend, to learn, become aware of, to know, and be conscious again. Therefore Buddhi refers to inner wisdom and the power of mind to understand, analyse, differentiate, Discriminate and decide. The term Buddhi extensively appears in Rigveda and Ayurvedic literatures. Buddhi is one of the Guna of Atma. According to Acharya Dalhana, Defination of Buddhi is “Nischyatmika Buddhi” that means the function of decision making. Buddhi has capacity to decide, judge, and make cognitive discriminations and differentiations. Acording to Ayurveda Mana, Atma, and Buddhi are very important factors for process of memory and cognition. All the description will be discussed in Article with the help of classical text.

Keywords: Buddhi, Mana, Atma.