A CRITICAL STUDY OF “PESHI” AS DESCRIBED IN SUSHRUT SAMHITA: A REVIEW ARTICLE

Abstract

Ayurveda is a human science. It provides knowledge of the structural and functional constitution of the human body. Sushrut, “Father of Surgery” according to Ayurveda, describes the human body to be made up of 6 major parts –Shadanga–4 Shakhas (extremities), Madhya(middle part/trunk) the  fifth  and Shira (head) the sixth. These parts are further subdivided into Pratyangas (sub-parts) like Sira (veins), Dhamani (arteries), Srotas (channels), Asthi (bones), Sandhi (joints), Avayava (organs), Kala (membrane) etc. Peshiis one of the Pratyangasdescribed by Sushrut. Peshiis developed from Pishit (Mamsa/ muscle) and is present in close relation to Sira, Sna-yu(ligaments), Asthiand Sandhi enveloping and protecting them. The information available regarding the Peshievokes the curiosity to determine the anatomical structural entity described in the classics. This study, therefore, analyses the information and tries to correlate it with the most suitable anatomical structure with logical interpretation.

Keywords: Peshi, Pishit (Mamsa / muscle), Sira, Snayu, Sandhi