Ayurveda - Core Siddhanta Tested in AIAPGET
AIAPGET (Ayurveda) is a single-stream postgraduate entrance test, and its Ayurveda paper rewards command of classical siddhanta over scattered trivia. Recurring themes are Tridosha and its seats, Agni–Ama, Shat Kriya Kala, Nidana Panchaka, Dravyaguna pharmacology (rasa, guna, virya, vipaka), and the correct sequencing of Panchakarma.
Tridosha as function, not substance
- Vata (Vayu + Akasha) governs all movement; Pitta (Agni + Jala) governs transformation and metabolism; Kapha (Jala + Prithvi) governs cohesion, lubrication and immunity - Charaka Sutrasthana 1.
- Classical seats: pakvashaya for Vata, nabhi/amashaya for Pitta, uras/amashaya for Kapha. Questions often ask the seat rather than the qualities.
Agni and Ama
- There are 13 agnis: 1 Jatharagni + 5 Bhutagni + 7 Dhatvagni.
- Ama is the immature, sticky residue of Agnimandya. It obstructs srotas and, combined with a dosha, generates Amavata, Grahami and Ama-jvara.
- Deepana and Pachana are given while Ama is present; Shodhana is deferred until Ama is pachana (digested).
Shat Kriya Kala (Sushruta)
Chaya → Prakopa → Prasara → Sthana Samshraya → Vyakti → Bheda. Chaya and Prakopa are managed by Samana; Prasara onwards generally needs Shodhana.
Worked example
A 38-year-old reports morning stiffness, symmetrical joint swelling, coated tongue, heaviness and loss of appetite for three weeks. Reasoning: Agnimandya → Ama formation → srotorodha → Ama lodges in the joints (Sthana Samshraya) with Vata–Kapha dominance. Plan: Langhana plus Deepana–Pachana first; avoid Snehana and Vamana until Ama is digested; then Vata–Kapha shamana, with Vaitarana Basti if needed. The trap is jumping to Snehana, which worsens Ama.
Traps that cost marks
- Confusing Prakopa (dosha aggravated in its own seat) with Prasara (dosha spreading beyond it).
- Giving Snehana in Amavata before Ama pachana.
- Mixing virya (Ushna/Sheeta potency) with vipaka (Madhura/Amla/Katu post-digestive effect).
- Omitting Samsarjana krama after Vamana or Virechana - this produces Agnimandya.
- Miscounting agnis as 7 or 12 instead of 13.