(I) 3- fold examination or Trividhapareeksha

Ayurveda States 3 barometer of diagnosis

1. Darshana – Visual observation

2. Sparshana – Tactile perception (pulse diagnosis)

3. Prashna – Questioning

PULSE DIAGNOSIS: -

Pulse diagnosis in the ancient art and science of detecting the existing status of a person's body mind, soul & spirit. It informs about the state of doshas, body functions, health of the srotas or micro circulatory channels.

Taking the radial pulse with 3 fingers, which represent 3 doshas, Vata, Pitta & Kapha. The first finger feels Vata, the second finger probes Pitta & 3 rd finger picks up Kapha.

In superficial pulse each finger can pick up information of each dosha. The deep pulse reveals genetic information telling how unique are people different from each one on earth [i.e. about body constitution or prakriti].

In pulse diagnose both doctor & patient experience a taste of transcendent, pure awareness, the underlying silence. It is so intimately communicative that some healing occurs even while taking pulse.

(II) Eight-fold examination or Ashtavidhapareeksha

1. Nadi/Pulse – assess body's nature (prakriti ), pathological state (vikriti) & prognosis of the disease.

2. Jihva (tongue) – Assess through doshic state and suggest the state of digestive system. Vata aggravated type – dry, rough, crackle Pitta suffered tongue – red with burning sensation. Kapha influencing tongue – wet, shiny and coated.

3. Shabda (voice) – when doshas are balanced – healthy & natural

Vata – hoarse & rough

Pitta – crackle

Kapha – heavy

4. Sparsha (skin) – assess the state of organs & tissues by palpation.

Vata – coarse & rough with low temperature

Pitta – quite high temperature

Kapha – cold and wet.

5. Drik (eyes)

Vata – sunken & dry eyes & reddish brown in colour.

Pitta – burning sensation, photophobia & eyes turn red or yellow

Kapha – wet & watery with heavyness in eye lids.

6. Akriti (general appearance) – doshic influence reflect on the face of the patient enables physicians to gauze the basic constitution & nature of the disease.

7. Mutra (urine) – both urine sample & questioning of patient are important for assessing doshic influence.

8. Mala (stool) – poor digestion & absorption – foul odour and sinks in water.

Vata – hard, dry, ash or grey in colour.

Pitta – green or yellow in colour & liquid form

Kapha – stool lines it with mucous.

(III) Ten-fold examination or Dashvidhapareeksha

1. Body constitution (prakriti)

2. Pathological state (vikriti)

3. Tissue vitality (dhatu saara)

4. Physical build (samhanana)

5. Body measurement (pramana)

6. Adaptability to food & activities (satmya)

7. Psychic constitution (satwa)

8. Digestive capacity (ahara shakti)

9. Capacity of exercise (vyayama shakti)

10. Age (vayas).