Narrative Review on Netra Prakāśika of Pūjyapāda Nandikeśwara: A Prototypical Ayurveda Literature on Netra Cikitsā

A bstract Pūjyapāda Nandikeśwara was a versatile physician of medieval India, and he was an expert in the domain of Netra cikitsā . An idiosyncratic book “ Netra prakāśika ” is an attestation for the expertise of Pūjyapāda Nandikeśwara . He obtained the wisdom from Hayagrīva muni , after sincere appeal, and later he documented the same. This literature enhances the literary bank of Śālākya tantra . It contains a detailed description of nidāna, lakṣaṇa , and cikitsā of 100 netra vyādhis , which are very distinct. Through 14 chapters or Paṭalas , anatomy, physiology, pathology, and therapeutic measures are distinctly narrated. As Pūjyapāda Nandikeśwara was a Jain scholar, mainly Karmaja causes are highlighted for all eye diseases. As a therapeutic measure, many daiva vyapāśraya cikitsā such as donation, saluting gods – elders, and offering food to Brahmins are mentioned along with the regular course of treatment. The standpoints of Netra prakāśika on Netra rogas are entirely distinct when compared to those of Caraka Samhita, Suśruta Samhita , and Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdayam . Dr. Udaya Shankar has researched on Netra prakāśika manuscript, further taken up for English translation and publication through Chaukhambha vishvabharati, Varanasi in 2013. This article highlights the unique features of Netra prakāśika of Pūjyapāda Nandikeśwara and also contribution of Dr. Udaya Shankar in bringing out the literature in printed format.