Ashtanindita Purusha – The Clinical Revelation: A Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/IRJAY.2026.90203Keywords:
Charaka Samhita, Ashtanindita, Atisthoola, Atikrisha, Ekadasha NinditaAbstract
Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthana, 21st chapter) describes eight distinct physical constitutions termed Ashtanindita Purusha (eight undesirable constitutions). These includes Atideergha, Atihraswa, Atiloma, Aloma, Atikrishna, Atigaura, Atisthoulya and Atikrisha. These individuals are considered “Nindita”, not due to social bias, but because their extreme physical constitutions predispose them to a wide range of diseases, lower their Vyadhikshamatva, and make them difficult to treat [1]. Among the eight, Atisthoulya and Atikrisha emerge as the most clinically significant, being ‘always diseased’ and requiring constant management [2]. Atideergha and Atihraswa correlate with growth hormone disorders such as gigantism/acromegaly and dwarfism (e.g., Achondroplasia, Turner syndrome). Atiloma and Aloma map to hypertrichosis and alopecia universalis, respectively. Atikrishna (hyperpigmentation) and Atigaura (hypopigmentation) align with adrenal disorders (Addison’s, Cushings), albinism and vitiligo. Ekadasha Nindita (additional deformities like Kubja, Kana, Bhangura) are also discussed as localized structural defects [3]. This review aims to bridge the gap between these classical concepts, explore its clinical significance and establish a contemporary correlation of each Nindita Purusha with genetic, endocrinological, and metabolic disorders.
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References
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