Changes

This section of [[Caraka Samhita]] called Indriya Sthana deals with the signs and symptoms useful in determining the remaining lifespan of patients (also called ''arishta lakshana''). In the present era, because of advancements in medical sciences, many ''arishta lakshanas'' are well treatable and cannot be considered as "predictors" of death as they used to even a few centuries back. However, these signs and symptoms could serve as important indicators of prognosis of disease and therefore, would be helpful in the management of patients.  

This section of [[Caraka Samhita]] called Indriya Sthana deals with the signs and symptoms useful in determining the remaining lifespan of patients (also called ''arishta lakshana''). In the present era, because of advancements in medical sciences, many ''arishta lakshanas'' are well treatable and cannot be considered as "predictors" of death as they used to even a few centuries back. However, these signs and symptoms could serve as important indicators of prognosis of disease and therefore, would be helpful in the management of patients.  

Life begins with the association of consciousness, or the ''atma'', with the five fundamental elements (earth, air, fire, ether, and water, or the''panchamahabhuta'') and ends in the dissolution of this association. Since this union (that results in a living being) is by no means permanent and since there is always a possibility of dissolution or death anytime, Ayurvedic texts emphasized on identifying certain signs and symptoms that could forebear, with some level of certainty, imminent death. This section is dedicated to such determinants and is structured in the form of 12 chapters:

Life begins with the association of consciousness, or the ''atma'', with the five fundamental elements (earth, air, fire, ether, and water, or the ''panchamahabhuta'') and ends in the dissolution of this association. Since this union (that results in a living being) is by no means permanent and since there is always a possibility of dissolution or death anytime, Ayurvedic texts emphasized on identifying certain signs and symptoms that could forebear, with some level of certainty, imminent death. This section is dedicated to such determinants and is structured in the form of 12 chapters:

* Signs and symptoms (''arishtas'') of imminent death specific to pathologies afflicting sense organs that can be perceived by sensory deficiencies (e.g.,  ''varna'' (color), ''swara'' (voices/sounds), ''gandha'' (smell), ''rasa'' (taste), ''sparsha''(touch),along with ''chhaya'' (complexion) and ''prabha'' (radiance)) are addressed in chapters [[Varnaswariya]], [[Pushpitendriya]], [[Parimashneeya]], [[Indriyaneeka]], [[Pannarupiya]] and [[Shyavnimitta]].

* Signs and symptoms (''arishtas'') of imminent death specific to pathologies afflicting sense organs that can be perceived by sensory deficiencies (e.g.,  ''varna'' (color), ''swara'' (voices/sounds), ''gandha'' (smell), ''rasa'' (taste), ''sparsha''(touch),along with ''chhaya'' (complexion) and ''prabha'' (radiance)) are addressed in chapters [[Varnaswariya]], [[Pushpitendriya]], [[Parimashneeya]], [[Indriyaneeka]], [[Pannarupiya]] and [[Shyavnimitta]].