Correct diagnosis is very important for treatment,
in any system of medicine, and for this purpose, proper
examination of the Pulse is very useful. This book presents Sanskrit texts and their English translations of two very old treatises, namely Nadivijnanam (Science of Pulse) in 4 Chapters as part A, composed by Maharishi Kanada and Nadiprakasham in 6 Chapters as part B, and of Sri Sankara Sen. Nadivijnanam is from ancient times. It discusses science of pulse, its examination, its nature and movements as per different diseases, position about curability or not, deaths of patients including the time of death. With proper examination of the
movement of the pulse and its analysis, it is helpful to diagnose the diseases. There are 3 basic elements namely vata (air), pitta (fire), kaph (water), and due to their equilibrium having been disturbed, diseases are said to be caused. With the type of movement of the pulse, the factors which are causing diseases can be ascertained. Nadivijnanam contains 64 verses, covering various aspects of diseases. Maharishi Kanada had composed it in Sanskrit in poetic order. One important Chapter describes in serial order, the 64 verses first in Sanskrit and then in English. Starting with salutations to Lord Shiva, it says that pulse is to be examined at 6 places i.e. beatings of 6 pulses at different places in the body. As an example, translation of one of the verses is reproduced below:
“In the case of Asthma there becomes thin, steady, slow and intense movement (accelerated movement) of the pulse. In hiccough, it becomes very much trembling and fast moving.”
Nadiprakasham (light of pulse), contains Sanskrit verses with a commentary in Sanskrit and written in Bengali script. It gives scientific practices of ancient times. Important aspect of this portion is, in determining the time of death and longevity of a person, depending on his pulse movements. A study of the contents and verses of the two, it appears that Nadiprakasham is more or less, a compilation of Nadivijnanam with a commentary in Sanskrit. However, there are some additions of lines or slight changes for clarification. More material obtained from other sources and own experience, has been added. It gives the knowledge of the taste of food, which affects the pulse movement etc. Nadiprakasham has 3 Chapters. The first Chapter contains nine verses, and gives method of examination of the pulse. Second Chapter discusses time of reading of the pulse, knowledge of the health, distinctions in the movements of the pulses, nature of easily curable disease, nature of incurability of disease, other incurable symptoms of disease, exceptions to the rule, determination of the time of death etc. Third Chapter discusses the role of examination of the pulse, on the basis of distinction of diseases. Movement of pulse is understood by practice, but before that, this knowledge has to be acquired by concentrating on this subject. Since this book deals with the science of pulse, it is especially useful for those dealing in the Ayurvedic system of diagnosis and treatment, but also considered useful for those, who are dealing in other systems of medicine.