Importance of Vimanasthana of Charaka Samhita: A Comprehensive Review

Charaka Samhita is one of the three principal classical texts (Brihattrayi) of Ayurveda and comprises eight Sthanas, each addressing a distinct aspect of Ayurvedic science. Among these, Vimanasthana occupies a pivotal place because it provides the methodological framework for clinical practice, including principles of dietetics, diagnosis, prognosis, physician ethics, epidemiology, disease classification, and therapeutic planning. The eight chapters of Vimanasthana guide physicians in the systematic examination of diseases and patients, emphasizing evidence-based clinical reasoning within the Ayurvedic paradigm. This review critically evaluates the significance of Vimanasthana, highlighting its role in Ayurvedic education, preventive medicine, clinical practice, and contemporary healthcare. The concepts described in this section remain highly relevant for modern evidence-based Ayurveda, personalized medicine, and public health.