The Fundamental Principles (Siddhantas): Loka-Purusha Samya and Samanya-Vishesha

The success of any medical science depends entirely upon its fundamental principles (Siddhantas), which remain as everlasting truths across thousands of years. Ayurveda is not a system of random experimentation; its diagnostics and therapeutics are firmly rooted in the eternal laws of nature. To understand how an Ayurvedic physician rationally determines what heals and what harms the physical body, one must comprehend two core doctrines: Loka-Purusha Samya (the theory of macrocosm and microcosm) and Samanya-Vishesha (the principle of generic concomitance and variant factor).

By understanding these foundational laws without relying on simplified, modern translations, we can grasp the authentic depth of classical Ayurvedic pharmacology and dietetics.

The term Loka refers to the macrocosm (the vast universe or nature), and Purusha refers to the microcosm (the human body). Samya translates to absolute similarity or equivalence.

The great sage Charaka summarized this profound reality in a single classical aphorism: “Yavanto hi loke bhava-viseshah tavantah purushe, yavantah purushe tavanto loke”. This means that whichever entities, elements, and principles exist in the vast universe are equally present in the human body, and vice versa. This principle, also known as Pinda-Brahmanda Nyaya, operates on two primary levels:

A. Structural Equivalence The entire universe is developed from five primordial substances known as the Panchamahabhutas: Akasha (space/ether), Vayu (air), Tejas/Agni (fire), Jala/Ap (water), and Prithvi (earth). According to this doctrine, the physical structure of the human body is entirely composed of these exact same five primordial elements.

B. Functional Equivalence The vast activities of the universe are governed smoothly by three supreme natural forces. The moon (Soma) and rain contain the principle of cohesion and cooling; the sun (Surya/Aditya) represents the principle of thermogenesis, digestion, and transformation; and the wind (Vayu/Anila) is responsible for all propulsion and movement. In the human body, these exact universal functions are carried out by the three foundational vitiators (Tridosha): Kapha (cohesion/stability), Pitta (transformation/digestion), and Vata (movement) respectively. Because the human body is an exact epitome of the universe, environmental changes in nature directly and predictably affect the internal bodily elements

In Ayurveda, disease is fundamentally defined as the disequilibrium of the Doshas (vitiators) and Dhatus (tissues). When bodily elements undergo abnormal increase (Vriddhi) or decrease (Kshaya), they cause systemic suffering.

The absolute goal of an Ayurvedic physician is to restore this equilibrium, a state known as Dhatu Samya (“dhatu samya kriya cokta tantrasyasya prayojanam”). The primary responsibility of the physician is to decrease the abnormally increased elements and to increase the depleted ones. To achieve this, the physician relies exclusively on the laws of Samanya and Vishesha.

Samanya means similarity, generic concomitance, or that which brings about oneness (“Samanyam ekatva karam”).

Its foundational clinical law is: “Sarvada sarva bhavanam samanyam vrddhi karanam”. This dictates that the continuous or habitual consumption of foods, medicines, and activities that are similar in nature to a bodily element is the sole cause for the augmentation or increase (Vriddhi) of that element

To build up a depleted tissue, Samanya is applied in three distinct ways:

1. Dravya Samanya (Similarity of Substance): If both the ingested substance and the bodily tissue are identical in physical nature, it causes a direct increase. For instance, the bodily muscle tissue (Mamsa Dhatu) of an individual is structurally identical to animal meat. Therefore, the intake of meat directly increases the Mamsa Dhatu in the body.
2. Guna Samanya (Similarity of Quality): Increase can also be achieved using a substance that is not physically identical, provided it shares the same attributes (Gunas). For example, milk (Kshira) and the male reproductive tissue (Shukra) are entirely different physical substances. However, milk possesses the qualities of sweetness (Madhura) and coldness (Sita), which are identical to the qualities of Shukra. Therefore, drinking milk naturally increases the Shukra Dhatu.
3. Karma Samanya (Similarity of Action): Physical actions also cause systemic increases. The action of sitting in one place for a prolonged period shares the quality of stability (Sthira Guna). Because Kapha is the principle of stability in the body, the prolonged action of sitting directly increases Kapha.

When a Dosha or Dhatu has increased to dangerous, pathological levels, the physician must actively reduce it. This is done through Vishesha, which means the distinguishing, contrary, or variant factor (“Visesastu prthaktvakrt”).

Its clinical law is: “Hrasa hetur viseshasca”. This means that the application of dissimilar or opposite factors is the definitive cause for the diminution or decrease (Hrasa) of the body’s elements.

Like Samanya, Vishesha is applied in three therapeutic ways:

1. Dravya Vishesha (Opposition of Substance): If the bodily fat (Medo Dhatu) is abnormally increased (as in obesity), the physician prescribes substances that are structurally contrary to fat. For example, utilizing Gavedhuka (a specific grain) or Guggulu resin acts as a variant factor to decrease the morbidly increased Medo Dhatu.
2. Guna Vishesha (Opposition of Quality): If a patient suffers from an aggravation of Vata (which is inherently dry, cold, and light), the physician administers Taila (sesame oil). This is because oil possesses the qualities of being unctuous (Snigdha), hot (Ushna), and heavy (Guru). These opposite qualities actively dismantle and reduce the aggravated Vata. Similarly, the herb Guduchi reduces the heat of Pitta because it possesses a contrary cold (Sita) attribute.
3. Karma Vishesha (Opposition of Action): If Kapha (which governs stillness and heaviness) is dangerously increased, the physician prescribes rigorous actions like swimming, running, and jumping. This movement (Chalana) is the exact opposite of Kapha’s inherent stillness, thereby rapidly reducing it. Conversely, if the mobile Vata is aggravated, the simple action of physical rest acts as Karma Vishesha to reduce it.

Ayurvedic pharmacology and lifestyle regimens are not based on chemical compounds, but on these unshakeable natural laws. By observing the human body as an exact reflection of the universe (Loka-Purusha Samya), an authentic practitioner simply applies similarity (Samanya) to build up what is weak, and opposition (Vishesha) to reduce what is excessive, thereby ensuring absolute physiological harmony.

Dr Himanshu Arya
Ayurvedic Doctor

Dr. Himanshu Arya is an Ayurvedic doctor focused on authentic and practical Ayurvedic knowledge, based on classical texts and clinical understanding.

View Full Profile