PA01.60. Concept of Signs of Death / Near Death in Ayurvedic Classics

INTRODUCTION: Ayurveda, which is considered as the Panchamaveda, can be counted as the science of life existing since time immemorial. The wise and experienced authors of the Ayurvedic classics have expressed in some references that, they have only given the guidelines on the subjects to the readers. The readers are to expand the same according to their need and intelligence. There is much confusion of the Ayurvedic students and also of the practitioners and Teachers on the availability of the answers of a number of questions. Among many of such questions in the minds the authors raised a question i.e. is there any description of the signs of death/near death in the Ayurvedic classics as in the Modern texts? METHODOLOGY: To solve the question the Ayurvedic Samhitas especially Charaka Samhita and Susruta Samhita were searched thoroughly. After the thorough search of the two Samhitas it was observed that, the signs and symptoms mentioned under the heading “Maranalingani” in Charak Samhita Chikitsasthana 23rd chapter and “Asadhya Bisapidita Lakshanani” in Susruta Samhita Kalpasthana 3rd chapter resembles closely with the signs of death/near death mentioned in the modern classics, specially perikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology. CONCLUSION: From the comparative study of the above mentioned descriptions it was observed that, the signs and symptoms described by Charaka and Susruta are not insufficient for a physician to give death declaration. The mentioned signs and symptoms can be used as a tool to confirm death/near death of an individual.