Diagnosis occupies a central place in Ayurveda because the success of treatment depends upon the precise understanding of disease and the patient’s condition. Ayurveda does not merely identify a disease by name; rather, it evaluates the condition through an integrated understanding of dosha, dushya, srotas, nidana, samprapti, and roga-rogi bala. Among the various diagnostic approaches described in Ayurvedic literature, Sapeksha Nidan represents a relative or comparative diagnostic method in which diseases having similar clinical manifestations are distinguished on the basis of subtle differences in etiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, and prognosis. This concept is closely related to differential diagnosis in modern medicine, although Ayurvedic diagnosis remains rooted in its own epistemological principles. Classical Ayurvedic texts frequently emphasize the need to differentiate diseases with overlapping symptoms, such as Atisara and Grahani, Kasa and Shwasa, or various types of Jwara, through analytical comparison. This comparative understanding helps in establishing a specific diagnosis and selecting an appropriate line of treatment. The present review article aims to explore the concept of Sapeksha Nidan, its classical basis, practical application, and relevance in contemporary Ayurvedic diagnostics. A narrative review of classical Ayurvedic texts, including Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya, along with secondary scholarly sources, was conducted. The findings reveal that Sapeksha Nidan is an implicit but essential diagnostic principle in Ayurveda, ensuring precision in disease identification and individualized therapeutic planning. The review highlights its significance as a bridge between traditional Ayurvedic diagnostic reasoning and modern differential diagnosis.
Pooja Chambial (Fri,) studied this question.