Significance of Prabhava

Prabhava has diverse interpretations across various disciplines. In Jainism, it refers to a disciple's connection and lineage, while Vaishnavism sees it as the capability to overcome challenges. Ayurveda emphasizes Prabhava as the specific action or effect of substances, particularly in how drugs exert their therapeutic benefits beyond their basic qualities. It involves unique pharmacological actions that cannot be solely explained by properties like taste or potency, highlighting its importance in understanding the effects of drugs in treatment.1
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Synonyms: Influence, Effect, Power, Authority, Impact, Sway, Control, Dominance, Force

In Dutch: Prabhava; In German: Prabhava; In Finnish: Prabhava; In Spanish: Prabhava; In Swedish: Prabhava; In Malay: Prabhava

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Hindu concept of 'Prabhava'

Hinduism Books

Prabhava in Hinduism refers to the unique and often unexplained effects of substances, particularly in Ayurveda, influencing health and disease. It encompasses aspects like pharmacodynamics, food combinations, and medicinal properties, crucial in holistic healing practices.

Significance in Ayurveda (science of life):
Ayurveda Books

(1) This is a concept in Ayurveda that refers to the specific action or effect of a substance, and Acharyas appreciated this in the context of Varti administration.[1] (2) Prabhava is used as one of the adjectives to describe Acharya Charaka's understanding of Atman as the source of origin, alongside other adjectives like Dhata and Brahma.[2] (3) This refers to the specific effect of Indrayavadi Yoga, and the Indrayavadi Yoga act by hemostatic, restorative and specific Prabhava etc.[3] (4) The effect of wearing gems, or Manidharana, which helps to give a coolant effect to the body during the summer season.[4] (5) This refers to a specific action.[5]

(1) Prabhava refers to a special action of a drug that cannot be explained by its Rasa, Guna, Virya, or Vipaka.[6] (2) This refers to the unique effect of the ingredients, and Naga, Vanga, and Abhraka in Pushpadhanwa Rasa have a specific effect on the growth, maturation, and rupture of follicles.[7] (3) This is one of the five elements that are the foundation of Ayurvedic medicine. The theory of Rasa, Guna, Virya, Vipaka, and Prabhava are used to explain the action of Aushadha in Ayurveda.[8]

(1) This describes a unique or specific action of a substance that cannot be explained by its taste, post-digestive effect, or potency, like the Tridosha-samak action of Sariva and Guduchi.[9]

Ayurveda is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Ayurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

(1) One of the names indicating auspicious or inauspicious time.[10]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance in Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology):
Jyotisha Books

(1) The first year in a cycle of 60 years of Jupiter, used as a point of reference in calculations.[11]

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotisha or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

Significance in Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar):
Vyakarana Books

Vyakarana refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

(1) It represents the ability to triumph over adversaries, constituting one of the two interpretations attributed to 'tejas' by the discerning and wise individuals.[12]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Jain concept of 'Prabhava'

Jainism Books

Prabhava in Jainism can be interpreted as a noble boy in love with Vanamala, a disciple of Muni Jambu within a lineage, and someone who is anticipated to master the purvas.

Significance in Jainism (general):

(1) The disciple of Jambu, who is expected to learn all the purvas.[13] (2) The disciple of Muni Jambu, linked in the chain of lineage.[14] (3) A boy of good family and a friend of Prince Sumitra, who experiences love for the beautiful Vanamala.[15]

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

The concept of Prabhava in scientific sources

Science Books

Prabhava in Ayurveda denotes the unique, often unpredictable effects of substances that are not solely determined by their known properties. It highlights the mysterious influence or therapeutic actions of herbs and treatments beyond traditional pharmacological explanations.

Significance in Health Sciences:
Health Sciences Books

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