Tracing the Roots: The Historical and Linguistic Legacy of Sanskrit In Ayurveda

Background: The Ayurveda traditional medical system of India is essentially influenced by the Sanskritlanguage which is not only the language, but also the philosophical and epistemological basis of theknowledge system. The major classical Ayurvedic texts, the Charaka Samhita and the Sushrata Samhitaare written in Sanskrit, and within their vocabulary lie rich metaphysical, physiological and ethicalconnotations. The importance of Sanskrit to Ayurveda is however rarely addressed in modern literaturedespite its crucial role particularly as contemporary translation-based approaches towards Ayurvedaevolve into vernacular translations and English ones.Objective & Methods: The purpose of this review is to uncover and examine historical and linguisticheritage of Sanskrit in the creation, transmission and conceptual framework of Ayurvedic knowledge.The qualitative narrative review approach was implemented based on secondary data sources, such asclassical texts, peer-reviewed literature and linguistic analyses. Academic databases, institutionalrepositories and Sanskrit research centers were searched using specific Boolean search techniques toretrieve literature. Thematic analysis has been performed to know the patterns in the ways Sanskrit hasaffected Ayurvedic terminology, epistemology and pedagogy.Results & Conclusion: The findings indicate that Sanskrit has had a formative position in thedevelopment of Ayurvedic thought in terms of specific terminology, oral and written transmission andcorrespondence with classical Indian epistemologies. The Ayurvedic concepts of critical importance areendowed with their layers of meaning by Sanskrit etymology and grammar, and assist in acomprehensive perception of health. Sanskrit is no longer playing Ayurvedic training as a major part ofcontemporary training, but recent neo-revival movements are trying to highlight its still crucial role. Toensure the Ayurvedic authenticity but also to enhance its philosophical and clinical knowledge in modernsituations, it is crucial to preserve and bring back Sanskrit.