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===Importance in understanding [[Ayurveda]] anatomy===
===Importance in understanding [[Ayurveda]] anatomy===
Upamana pramana is most extensively used to describe the anatomical structures. The qualities and morphology of entities like semen ([[shukra]]), menstrual fluid ([[artava]]), bones ([[asthi]]), joints (sandhi), tendons (snayu), organs like heart (hridaya), bladder and urinary system (basti), body membranes (kala) are best described using the references from upamana pramana. Sushruta Samhita has thus extensively described various upamana for the above-mentioned entities in shareera sthana of the text. For instance, the functioning of cartilage and ligaments (snayu) is compared to that of a boat. [Su.Sa.Sharira Sthana.5/33]<ref name=Susruta/> The appearance of female genitalia (yoni) is compared with conch (Shankha Nabhi). [Su.Sa.Sharira Sthana.5/43] Morphology of heart (hridaya) is comparable with lotus (pundrika).[Su.Sa.Sharira Sthana.4/31]
Upamana pramana is most extensively used to describe the anatomical structures. The qualities and morphology of entities like semen ([[shukra]]), menstrual fluid ([[artava]]), bones ([[asthi]]), joints (sandhi), tendons (snayu), organs like heart (hridaya), bladder and urinary system (basti), body membranes (kala) are best described using the references from upamana pramana. Sushruta Samhita has thus extensively described various upamana for the above-mentioned entities in shareera sthana of the text. For instance, the functioning of cartilage and ligaments (snayu) is compared to that of a boat. [Su.Sa.Sharira Sthana.5/33]<ref name=Susruta/> The appearance of female genitalia (yoni) is compared with conch (Shankha Nabhi). [Su.Sa.Sharira Sthana.5/43] Morphology of heart (hridaya) is comparable with lotus (pundrika).[Su.Sa.Sharira Sthana.4/31]
===Importance in diagnosis===
Upamana pramana has immense applicability in diagnosing different diseases. The basis of nomenclature of diseases is mainly dependent on upamana pramana. The table given below throws light upon the various names of diseases ([[vyadhi]]) derived by the application of upamana pramana.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Table 1: Nomenclature of diseases based on analogy
|-
! Name of the disease !! The simile used for description !! The rationale behind the description of simile
|-
| | Dandalasaka || danda or rod || The body becomes stiff like a rod due to accumulation of [[ama]] in the body. [Cha.Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]].8/42]
|-
| | Vidari || vidari stem or tuber || The shape of papules/pustules/carbuncles (pidaka) is similar to Pueraria tuberosa or Indian Kudgu (vidari) stem.[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 17/83]
|-
| | Kacchapika || shell of tortoise || The shape of pidaka is hard and smooth like the shell of tortoise [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 17/83]
|-
| | Sarshapi || mustard seeds || Boils are similar to appearance of mustard seeds.[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 17/83]
|-
| | Madhumeha || honey || The appearance of urine is compared to that of honey.[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 17/80]
|-
| | Tilakalaka || sesame seeds || The appearance of pigmentation or mole is comparable to tila. [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 18/25]
|-
| | Alaji || [[agni]] (fire) || Appears and burns like fire. [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 17/83]
|-
| | Dhanustambha || dhanusha/bow || There is backward bending of body resembling bow like in opisthotonos. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 28/46]
|-
| | Masurika || masura (red gram) ||The appearance of pidaka is similar to that of red gram [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 12/93]
|-
| | Suryavarta || movement of the Sun || The manifestation/occurrence of pain in this condition is dependent on the time of day and hence the movement of the sun i.e. the pain in head increases with the rising of the sun. [Cha.Sa.[[Siddhi Sthana]] 9/79-83]
|-
|}
It is also used to decipher the symptoms of different diseases mentioned in the texts.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Table 2: Clinical features based on analogy
|-
! Disease !! Upama rendered with meaning !! Reference in the text
|-
| | Kaphaja Hridriga || Ashmavatapeeda (feeling of heaviness in the chest as if a stone is placed over the chest) ||[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]]17/35]
|-
| | Krimija Hridroga || Suchivatpeeda (pricking pain like the needle is pricked onto the skin) Shastra-chhedanavatpeeda (pain similar to injury by a weapon) || [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]]17/39]
|-
| | Vidradhi || Chronic vidradhi is compared to shastra, vidyut and agni i.e., weapon, lightening and fire, depicting its grave consequences like marmachhedana, fatality || [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]]17/103]
|-
| | Sanyasa || Kashthibhootamritopama (rigid like a rod) depicts that the unconscious person appears to be in the vegetative stage. || [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 24/44]
|-
| | Pittaja raktapitta || The different colours are used to depict the appearance of [[raktapitta]], Gomutrasannibha i.e. similar to cow’s urine, mechakagaradhoomabha- similar to smoke, anjanabh (appears like collyrium) || [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]]4/12]
|-
| | Pittaja Gulma || Vranavat means the pain and burning sensation in pittaja gulma is compared with that of injury or wound || [Cha.Sa. [[Chikitsa Sthana]] 5/13]
|-
| | Tridoshaja Gulma || Ashmavat means the tenderness or sensation of tridoshaja gulma is similar to a stone || [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 5/17]
|-
| | Kaksha || Yajnopaveetapratima compared to Hindu sacred thread worn by males as it resembles the lesion that occurs in the part of the axilla. || [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 12/91]
|-
| | Pleehodara || Kachapasansthan - shell of tortoise - The texture of pleehodara is hard and smooth, like the tortoise shell. || [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 13/37]
|-
| | Udakodara || Udakapoornadutikshobha (leather bag filled with water) on the palpation of udara (abdomen), in ascites it feels like a bag filled with water. || [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 13/47]
|-
| | Appearance of arsha || Appearance of different types of arsha (haemorrhoids) using the examples of commonly observed phenomena like yakitakhandopama (similar to lobe of liver) etc. || [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 14]
|-
| | Kamala || Bhekavarna (toad like) appearance and color of the skin become similar to that of a toad || [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]].16/35]
|-
| | Shwasa || Matta-rishabhaevashwasa in mahashwasa. In this condition, the breathing is accompanied by loud sound comparable to an intoxicated bull. || [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 17/46]
|-
| | [[Purvarupa]] of [[kasa]] || Shookapoorna gala (thorns in throat). There is an intense itching sensation and pain in the throat as if there is presence of thorns in the throat. || [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]].18/5]
|-
| | Shatajakaasa || Paravataevakujana- the sound of cough similar to the humming of pigeon. || [Cha.Sa.[[Chikista Sthana]].18/23]
|-
| | Atisara || Appearance of stools in tridoshaja atisaara is like yakritkhandopama (similar to liver), mechakabham (like ashes) || [Cha.Sa. [[Chikitsa Sthana]].19/9]
|-
| | Agni visarpa || The [[vata]]-[[pitta]] prominence is observed in the pathology of [[visarpa]] where there is intense burning and pain similar to agni (fire) || [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]].19/35]
|-
| | Trishna || Tapta-siktasutoya-description of the use of cold water to obtain relief in madyajatrishna as there is a reduction in the hotness of sand by pouring of the cold water || [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]].22/19]
|-
| | Madatyaya || Tritiya madalakshana- bhagnadaruivanishkriya. This depicts the condition of a patient in the third stage of madatyaya where one appears to be comatose or immobile like a degraded piece of wood. || [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]].24/48]
|-
| | Mutra-ashmari || Kadampushpakriti (similar to the kadambapushpa) – The renal calculi appears identical to the flower of kadamba || [Cha.Sa. [[Chikitsa Sthana]].26/37]
|-
| | Vatarakta || Agnimaruta-tulyasya - pathology of vatarakta is considered to be identical to the combination of [[agni]] and [[vata]] || [Cha. Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]].29/3]
|-
| | Apatantraka || Kapota evakujeta - The sound or voice of the person becomes similar to a dove pigeon || [Cha.Sa.[[Siddhi Sthana]].9/14]
|-
|}
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