Leads for Scientific Writing in Ayurveda Literature

Scientific writing refers to technical write up intended to communicate with academicians, scientists and researchers. Research outcomes and subjects allied to research are usually reported. Even though this type of writing seems to be relatively new, the leads for scientific writing can be traced in ancient Ayurvedic texts like Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita etc. Tantra refers to ‘science or scientific work’ and guna refers to ‘characteristics’. Hence ‘Tantraguna’ mentioned in Charaka Samhita are effective in helping authors write scientifically. Acharya Charaka quoted the characteristics a robust scientific text must have in Vimanasthana Rogabhishagjeetiya adhyaya and they are as follows:

• Sumahad yaṣasvīdhīrapuruśāsevitaṃ: The information shared must be comprehensive and accepted by successful people, such as editors and peers in the present times.

• Arthabahula: The content in the article should have wide applied aspects.

• Āptajanapūjita: The scientific content should honour or acknowledge the previous research and researchers.

• Trividhaṣiśya buddhihita: The writing should be understandable to individuals at different levels, such as students, peers, researchers/scientists.

• Arpagatapunaruktidośa: Scientific writing has zero tolerance for reputation. Hence reputation is not recommended.

• Ārśa: The writing must be research oriented and evidence based.

• Supraṇītasūtra bhāśya: The writing should follow a temporal sequence. Reporting guidelines are therefore available these days to guide the authors so that the write up is sequential in nature.

• Svādhāra: It should be based on the fundamental principles of that science.

• Anavapatitaṣabda: Usage of words should be done meticulously; unparliamentary and unacceptable language, words and jargon are not acceptable.

• Akaśṭaṣbda: As far as possible, the write up should be in simple language.

• Puśkalābhidhāna: Wide applicability.

• Kramāgatārthaṃ arthatatvaviniṣcaya pradhānaṃ: The body of the article should be in sync with the objectives listed. Any deviation from the topic is not encouraged.

• Saṃgatārthaṃ: Relevant information must be provided and irrelevant content should be omitted as much as possible.

• Asaṃkulaprakaraṇa: Focus and clarity are hallmarks of writing. Efforts should be taken to avoid ambiguity.

• Āṣuprabhodhaka: The readers should be able to quickly grasp and understand the content. Therefore, writing should start with what readers usually know and the lesser known or unknown aspects must be gradually introduced.

• Lakśaṇavat ca udāharaṇavat ca: To establish the arguments, necessary references and supportive examples must be provided.

With this background, it can be stated that the criteria mentioned in the ancient literature qualify the criteria of being called ‘peer reviewed scientific writing’.