Export Objective: The intersection of spiritual and medical traditions in ancient Indian literature offers rich insights into holistic approaches to health and life. This study aims to examine and compare the foundational parallels between classical Ayurvedic and Yogic concepts as reflected in six chapters of the Uma Samhita from the Siva Purana. Data Source: Primary data were drawn from the Siva Purana, attributed to Maharshi Vedavyasa, with a focus on the Uma Samhita section. This textual material was systematically reviewed and compared with key Ayurvedic and Yogic texts, including the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Gheranda Samhita, and Hathayoga Pradipika. Review Methods: The review analyzed discussions on the origin, development, and health of the human body, along with the concept of death. Secondary sources included historical interpretations and scholarly literature on Shaivism, Ayurveda, and Yoga. Results: The analysis revealed striking parallels between the Uma Samhita and classical Ayurveda texts. The chapters examined detail of the human life cycle—from conception to post-death—in ways that mirror Ayurvedic understanding. Concepts such as bodily development, aging, and death align with Ayurvedic principles on health and life transitions, while also incorporating metaphysical elements found in Yogic literature. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate a profound integration of spiritual and medical knowledge in ancient Indian texts. The presence of Ayurvedic concepts in the Siva Purana reflects a unique fusion of metaphysical and physiological thought, illustrating how religion and medicine were viewed as interconnected, not separate, forming a holistic framework for understanding life, health, and human existence.
Smruthi Kalyanaraman (Thu,) studied this question.
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