Integrative Understanding of Rog Nidaan and Vikrutividnyan: A Holistic Approach to Disease Diagnosis in Ayurveda

Abstract

Authors: Dr. Meenakshi Deshmukh

ABSTRACT: Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, emphasizes the holistic understanding of disease causation and manifestation through its profound diagnostic frameworks of Rog Nidaan (pathology) and Vikrutividnyan (study of abnormality). These principles form the foundation of Ayurvedic clinical diagnosis by encompassing not only the physical symptoms but also the psychosomatic and environmental factors influencing health. Rog Nidaan focuses on identifying the root cause (Nidana), premonitory signs (Purvarupa), clinical features (Rupa), and pathogenesis (Samprapti), while Vikrutividnyan elaborates on the study of imbalance in Doshas, Dhatus, and Malas. Together, they guide practitioners to diagnose diseases at an early stage and design individualized therapeutic interventions. The integrative analysis of these concepts with modern diagnostic methods presents a comprehensive approach for understanding disease etiology, early detection, and prevention. This paper aims to explore the theoretical foundations, diagnostic tools, and applied relevance of Rog Nidaan and Vikrutividnyan, while also comparing their principles with modern pathophysiological understanding. The fusion of these systems may lead to the development of predictive, preventive, and personalized healthcare frameworks rooted in Ayurvedic philosophy.

KEYWORDS: Rog Nidaan, Vikrutividnyan, Dosha-Dhatu-Mala theory, Ayurvedic pathology, Integrative diagnosis