ANALOGICAL EXPRESSIONS OF CHAKRADATTA

Abstract

Since antiquity, analogy (Upamana / Sadrisya) is one of the methods of expression in communicating the subject matter effectively. The very purpose of analogy in a scientific work is to clarify the contents but not to beautify them. Simply stated, an analogy is a process of identifying similarities between two concepts. With the help of such similarities it facilitates to comprehend a concept better through the other. The familiar concept is called the analog and the unfamiliar one is called the target. It is intended to prove the less familiar with the familiar one. The illustration clarifies even the subtlest meaning by virtue of the commonness of the properties between the illustration and the thing to be proved. The illustration should be such as to be equally well understood by the wise and unwise. Chakraduttha was the greatest and a renowned commentator of various Ayurvedic samhitas. Chakrapani's best known books on ancient medical science are Chikitsa sangraha, Dravyaguna and Sarvasara samgraha. Keeping this in view the present study includes an effort to trace out the analogical expressions articulated by Chakradatta and communicate their importance in relation to the efficacy of various formulations.