Avaakchitiyam adhyaya of bhela indriya sthana - an explorative study

Avaakchitiyam is the twelfth chapter of Indriya Sthana of Bhela Samhita. The word 'Avaakchitiyam' refers to an inverted shadow (upside down) which is considered as a bad prognostic sign. Avaakchitiyam Adhyaya contains 17 verses dealing with various fatal conditions having poor prognosis. Previous research has established the prognostic potential of Indriya Sthana's of Charaka Samhita and Bhela Samhita. Still further works are required as the concepts documented in 'Avaakchitiyam Adhyaya' of Bhela Indriya Sthana are poorly understood with no published literature. The present study aims to explore each and every verse of 'Avaakchitiyam Adhyaya' in terms of their prognostic importance with the help of contemporary medical literature. Various conditions such as orbital asymmetry with exophthalmos and enophthalmos, paralytic lagophthalmos, Bell's palsy, ocular myopahties, eyebrow asymmetry associated with various neuro-ophthalmological disorders, peripheral neuropathies, neuropathic pain with mood disorders, scleroderma, saddle nose deformity, thermoregulatory disorders with autonomic neuropathies, myodesopsia, cenesthopathy, organic brain syndromes, cervical dystonia or torticollis with focal anhidrosis, septic shock, inflammatory bowel disease, visual snow syndrome, qualitative smell disorders, disease specific volatile organic compounds, specific anosmia, behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia are documented in 'Avaakchitiyam Adhyaya' of Bhela Indriya Sthana. The present study provides insights for future research and action.