UTILIZATION OF ARISHT LAKSHANA OF AYURVEDA IN CONTEMPORARY CLINICAL PRACTICE

Arishta Lakshana is a unique and intriguing facet of Ayurvedic science, extensively described in the ancient classics. Acharya Charaka dedicated an entire section—Indriya Sthana, consisting of twelve chapters—to this subject. It deals with recognizing the signs that foretell the course of a disease and signal the approach of death in a patient.[1] As emphasized by Acharya Charaka, understanding the prognosis of a disease is a prerequisite to initiating treatment. Before commencing any therapy, a physician should keenly observe and evaluate the Arishta Lakshanas—specific indicators of impending death. While these signs are often neglected in modern practice, they remain invaluable in determining prognosis. Revitalizing their study and application, supported by present-day resources, could significantly improve diagnostic precision in contemporary healthcare.