AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVES ON VISION: A CONCEPTUAL STUDY OF DRISHTIMANDALA IN NETRA SHARIRA

The Sushruta Samhita is a pioneer textbook of surgery and human anatomy (rachana sharir) in Ayurveda. Uttaratantra emphasises the medicinal and surgical management of the eye, ENT, and skin, as well as various general diseases, along with a gross anatomical description of the structures in context. This study reviewed references on the anatomy of the eye from the Sushruta Samhita, along with its commentaries, and attempted to elucidate the verse explaining the concept of Netra Mandala using modern contemporary science. Key findings include: Pakshma Mandala corresponds to eyelashes, Vartma Mandala corresponds to eyelids, Shweta Mandala parallels the sclera with its conjunctival covering and cornea, Krishna Mandala resembles the iris notably, while the lens, which is frequently affected in various visual disorders, suggests it can be termed Drushti Mandala.