The Sanskrit term 'hridaya' literally means heart. The Ayurvedic tradition, based on ancient wisdom, places significant emphasis on the heart. According to both Charak and Chakrapani, the heart is not just a mechanical pump, but is also intricately linked to both physical and psychological well-being. They believe that the soul, the source of all knowledge and the upholder of the system, resides in the heart.[1] In this exploration, we will delve into the Ayurvedic understanding of the hridaya, covering its definition, structure, origin, and importance in maintaining holistic health.
| Section/Chapter/topic | Concepts/Sharira/Marma/Hridaya |
|---|---|
| Authors |
Bhojani M. K. 1 Garg Nisha 1 |
| Reviewers & Editors |
Basisht G.2 Deole Y.S.3 |
| Affiliations |
1 Department of Sharir Kriya, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, India 2 Rheumatologist, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. 3 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, India & Symbiohealth Foundation, India |
| Date of publication: | May 04, 2024 |
| DOI | 10.47468/CSNE.2024.e01.s09.163 |
Etymological derivation
The term "hridaya" is derived from the Sanskrit language, and its etymology can be broken down to understand its meaning: The core of the word "Hridaya" comes from the Sanskrit word "Hṛd [हृद्]" which denotes the heart or the centre. ‘Hru’ means one which draws fluid or blood from the body forcibly, and ‘Da’ means to give. This term is fundamental to the concept, capturing the essence of the organ's centrality in both a physiological and metaphorical sense.
References
- ↑ Lochan K, Byadgi PS. Editor, Encyclopaedic dictionary of Ayurveda. 1st ed. Chaukhamba publications; 2015