Nama Rupa Vijnana

Nama- Rupa Vijnana, is a science that deals with the identification and classification of various entities, including diseases, medicinal plants, and therapeutic processes. Namarupa Vijnana is not only a naming and formulating science, but also a way to understand the interconnectedness of things in the universe. It can be understood as science of nomenclature and identification of different herbs, diseases etc. The nama refers to the name of the entity, while rupa refers to its appearance or description. This technique was adopted in the Samhita and nighantu period to denote the salient features of the herbs.
Binomial nomenclature, established by Carl Linnaeus, plays a pivotal role in systematically cataloguing and comprehending plants. This standardized naming convention ensures global clarity and precision in scientific discourse, facilitating accurate identification and classification. For example, the binomial name "Ocimum sanctum Linn" uniquely identifies the revered Indian medicinal plant Tulsi, known for its numerous health benefits in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Through binomial nomenclature, researchers worldwide can efficiently access information, aiding in the conservation and utilization of medicinal flora. This structured framework fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, advancing fields such as herbal medicine, pharmacology, and ecology, ultimately benefiting society's health and well-being.

Contributors

Section/Chapter/topic	Concepts/Dravyaguna/Nama Rupa Vijnana
Authors	Bhojani M. K. 1 Joshi Sumedh2 Joglekar Aishwarya3
Reviewers & Editors	Basisht G.4 Deole Y.S.5
Affiliations	1 Department of Sharir Kriya, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, India 2 Department of Dravya-Guna, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, India 3 Department of Samhita Siddhant, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, India 4 Rheumatologist, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. 5 Department of Kayachikitsa, G. J. Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India
Correspondence emails	meera.samhita@aiia.gov.in carakasamhita@gmail.com
Publisher	Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre, I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, and Symbiohealth Foundation, India
Date of publication:	March 15, 2024
DOI	10.47468/CSNE.2024.e01.s09.161

Samhita-based references of namarupa vijnana

The origins of namarupa vijnana can be traced back to both the Charak Samhita and Sushruta Samhita. Both the texts emphasize the importance of understanding nama rupa (name and form) for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
It is mentioned by Charak to adopt the science of nama-rupa from goat-herds, shepherds, cowherds, and forest dwellers acquainted with names and identification of various medicinal herbs and plants. [Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 1/120]
Charak also further evaluates that just by knowing the names and forms of herbs no one can claim to have a perfect knowledge of the medicinal uses of the plants. One who merely understands the morphology of the herbs is termed a pharmacologist, but a physician should understand the medicinal properties and utility of herbs as a whole. [Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 1/121-122]
Thus, it is of immense importance to understand any herb through the means of all name (nama), pharmacogenetic characters (rupa) and properties (guna) for purpose of successful treatment and avoidance of complications. [Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 1/125]. Thus, the understanding of taxonomy, morphology and clinical utility is of utmost importance to achieve success in treatment. [Chakrapani on Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 1/125]
Similarly, one who has the proper knowledge of herbs (Dravya dnyana) is considered to be a well-versed physician. [Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 2/16]
Sushruta also mentions the utility of expertise of cattle breeders (gopala), monks (taapasa), those living in forest areas (vanavasi), hunters (vyadha), vanacharina (those visiting the forest areas) for understanding the morphology and utility of different herbs. [Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 36/10]

Concept of basonym and synonym

The basonym is defined as the earliest validly published name of a taxon. Whereas the word synonym is defined as one or more words or expressions of the same language that have the same meaning in some or all senses. Considering the aspects of namarupa vijnana, basonym is the original name of the plant which is termed as nirukta (etymological root) or moola nama. The synonym is termed as ‘paryaya’. There are no references and documentation of plant nomenclature during pre-vedic and vedic periods. Some references are observed regarding the names of plants similar to the names of Gods such as Mahabala and Muchakunda. This supports the opinion that synonyms are important tools in the field of dravyaguna vijnana (materia medica of ayurveda) that aid in the classification, identification, and usage of medicinal plants. Synonyms of plants are coined based on various considerations, including morphology, utility in treatment, historical background and place of origin of the drug, and others. This article is an attempt to discuss synonyms and the glory they offer to the scholars of Ayurveda, particularly in the field of identification and medicinal aspects. Plants were named based on their mythological background.
There are references regarding the usage of synonyms during this period. There were 2 kinds of synonyms used i.e., Naighantuka and Ekapadika. ‘Naighantuka’ refers to the number of synonyms attributed to a single plant, whereas Ekapadika refers to the single synonym used for many plants. Acharya Priyavrat Sharma (2000) has tried to prove the identity of 150 plants on the basis of synonyms, which is quite a new presentation. Dr.Pandey has stated about 25000 names classified into 57 groups on different aspects and has given the root meanings of about 600 plant names .Dr. Shastri has made available the etymology of 498 plants along with 2000 synonyms.

Table: Basonyms and synonyms in Ayurvedic classical texts

Sr. No.	Name of classical text	Total number of basonyms of herbs listed	Total number of synonyms listed
1.	Charak Samhita	240	1270
2.	Sushrut Samhita	370	1100
3.	Ashtanga Hridaya	240	1150

Different examples of nomenclature according to modern science and Ayurveda

According to the contemporary approach, it can be stated that the plants can be named based on various factors like shape, habitat, morphology, taste, smell, appearance, touch, sound, leaf, flower, fruits, historical names, therapeutic description, and disease producing, resembling body parts and resembling animals. Some examples of these are illustrated in the table as follows:

Table 1: Examples of synonym of herbs and their context

Factor on which name is based	Example	Context
Shape of plant or plant part	Shrungi (Aconitum heterophyllum)	Horn shaped root
	Chakralakshanika (Tinospora cordifolia)	Transverse section of stem resembling the appearance of wheel
Habitat	Magadhi (Pipper longum)	Found in Magadha Desha (Pippali- Piper longum)
	Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysentrica)	Grows in kuta i.e., in hilly regions
	Upakulya (Pipper Longum)	Grows near water bodies
Taste	Rasona (Allium sativum)	deficient of one rasa
	Swadu phala (Vitis vinifera)	fruit with sweet taste`
Smell	Ugragandha (Acorus calamus)	intense smell
	Madagandha (Alstonia scholaris)	Flowers with intense intoxicating smell
Appearance	Raktachandana (Pterocarpus santalinus)	Barks appears red in colour
	Chitrabeeja (Ricinus communis).	Seeds with mottled surface
Touch	Lajjalu (Mimosa pudica)	sensitive to touch
	Kharapatra (Nyctanthus arbor-tristis)	rough leaves
Leaf	Saptaparna (Alstonia scholaris)	pinnate leaf with 7 leaflets
	Tarmapallava (Saraca asoka)	young leaves are coppery
Flower	Shankapushpi (Convulvulus pluricaulis)	Conch shell shaped flowers
	Raktapushpi (Butea monosperma)	Red coloured flowers
Fruits	Kathinaphala (Feronia limonia)	hard fruit
	Brihatphala (Benincasa hispida)	big fruit
Historical background	Bodhidruma (Ficus religiosa)	tree under which Gautama Buddha was enlightened
	Devadhupa (Commiphora mukul)	used as an incense to worship God
Therapeutic usage	Ashmantaka and Kushtavairi (Hydnocarpus laurifolia)	fights against skin diseases
Disease causing	Kesha hantri (Prosopis cineraria)	causes hair fall
	Arushkara and Shophakrit (Semecarpus anacardium).	which causes blisters and edema over skin
Health promotion	Arogyashimbi (Sesbania grandiflora)	pod that safeguards health
	Abhaya (Terminalia chebula)	Which eliminates fear of diseases
	Pathya (Terminalia chebula)	Suitable for regular consumption
Resembling body parts	Amashayaphala (Artocarpus heterophyllum)	fruits resembling the stomach
	Hritpatree (Digitalis purpurea).	leaf resembling the heart shape
Resembling animals	Vyaghrapuccha (inflorescence of Ricinus communis)	resembling the tail of tiger.
	Matsyashakala (Picrorhiza kurroa)	resembling the scales of fish

Dr K. Nishteshwar states few more factors namely-

Weight, nodes, latex, spines etc. For instance-

• Weight:Akshaphala (Terminalia bellerica)- The Fruit weighs 1 Aksha or Karsha (10 gm)
• Granthi (Nodes): Shadgranthi- 6 nodes rhizome of (Acorus calamus) and Shatagranthi- plant with with hundreds of nodes (Cynodon dactylon).
• Latex: Hemadugdha- with golden coloured latex (Ficus racemosa) and Payasaya i.e., with milky latex (Ipomea digitata)
• Spines:Teekshnakantaka- sharp spines (Balanites aeygyptica) and Deerghakantaka- long thorns (Acacia arabica).

Taxonomy and nama rupa vijnana-

Taxonomy is the scientific discipline dedicated to the systematic categorization, classification, and naming of living organisms. It serves as a fundamental framework for understanding and organizing the immense diversity of life on earth. Taxonomists are the scientists specializing in this field, classify organisms based on shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships. This hierarchical system groups organisms into categories, ranging from the broadest, such as domains and kingdoms, down to more specific levels, including phyla, classes, orders, families, genera, and species. One of the most recognizable aspects of taxonomy is the use of binomial nomenclature, a standardized naming system introduced by Carl Linnaeus, which assigns each species a unique two-part scientific name. This meticulous organization enables effective communication among scientists, aids in the identification of species, and enhances our comprehension of the natural world. Taxonomy plays a pivotal role in various biological disciplines, from ecology and evolution to conservation and genetics, making it an essential tool for exploring the intricacies of life on our planet.

Relation between namarupa vijnana and taxonomy-

1. Classification and categorization:
• Both namarupa vijnana and taxonomy are concerned with the fundamental processes of classification and categorization. Taxonomy classifies living organisms into hierarchical groups based on shared characteristics, while namarupa vijnana explores how objects, concepts, and ideas are categorized within the context of language and thought.
2. Names and labels:
• Taxonomy uses scientific names (binomial nomenclature) to label and identify species. Namrupa vijnana, on the other hand, focuses on the interplay between names (namas) and the forms or concepts (rupas) they represent, emphasizing the significance of names in shaping our perception of the world and aiding in providing therapeutic intervention.
3. Hierarchical structure:
• Taxonomy employs a hierarchical system with various ranks, such as domains, kingdoms, phyla, classes, orders, families, genera, and species. Namarupa vijnana, while less structured, still involves hierarchical thinking when objects and concepts are categorized and named within language and cognition.
4. Interdisciplinary application:
• Both concepts have interdisciplinary applications. Taxonomy is used in biology to understand and communicate the diversity of life, while namarupa vijnana can be applied in philosophy, linguistics, cultural studies, and other fields to explore the role of language in categorization and perception.
5. Philosophical overlap:
• In philosophy, namarupa vijnana can be used to discuss how language and categorization shape our understanding of reality. This philosophical dimension overlaps with taxonomy, especially in terms of how we perceive and categorize the natural world and the implications of language on our comprehension of the biological realm.
6. Epistemological implications:
• Both taxonomy and namarupa vijnana have epistemological implications. Taxonomy contributes to our knowledge of the natural world by organizing and categorizing living organisms. Namrupa vijnana, in the context of philosophy, raises questions about how our cognitive processes and language influence our understanding of the world, including the classifications within taxonomy.

Principles of namarupa vijnana

Send us your suggestions and feedback on this page.