Application of Vidhana Tantrayukti in the Sequencing of Chapters in Nidanasthana of Ashtanga Hridaya: A Comparative Study with Mula Samhita and Sarvanga Sundari (SS) with Critically Edited Vakyapradeepika (VP) Commentary

Background: Tantrayukti are methodological tools employed in classical Ayurveda to reveal the intent of the author and the underlying structure of the text. Among them, Vidhana explains the sequential arrangement of topics and the rationale behind their narration. Ashtanga Hridaya Nidanasthana comprises sixteen chapters, whose order reflects the Sutrakara’s deliberate structuring. The commentary Vakyapradeepika by Acharya Parameshwara further elaborates these reasons. Objective: To analyze the application of Vidhana Tantrayukti to the chapters of Nidanasthana of Ashtanga Hridaya and to compare the reasoning provided in the Sarvanga Sundari of Arunadatta with Vakyapradeepika commentary and even with Mula Samhita. Methods: A chapter-wise textual analysis was conducted. For each chapter of the Nidanasthana, the sequencing rationale (Vidhana) was extracted from both the Mula text and the commentaries named Sarvanga Sundari (SS) and Vakyapradeepika (VP). These were compared systematically to identify concordance, divergence, and complementary perspectives. Results: The Mula Samhita and Sarvanga Sundari Commentary predominantly bases sequencing on clinical-pathological logic, highlighting disease progression, etiological links, and symptomatic continuity. Vakyapradeepika, on the other hand, emphasizes pedagogical clarity, semantic precision, and Doshic grouping. In most chapters, both sources showed concordance, while in some cases complementary reasoning was observed. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that Vidhana Tantrayukti functions both as a clinical guide and as an interpretive tool. Comparative analysis with Vakyapradeepika enriches understanding of the author’s intention and the pedagogical design of Nidanasthana, affirming the necessity of Tantrayukti for faithful study and application of Ayurvedic texts.