Aparajita (Clitoria ternatea)

Aparajita’s description in Brihtrayi as synonym Girikarnika (Controversy)

This has been identified with Clitoria ternatea Linn. which may better be recognized as Sankhini. The popular names of this Clitoria such as Gokarna or Garani together with partial similarity in its medicinal properties attributed to Girikarnika may have been responsible for the above opinion. It may, however, be noted that the Shirovirechaka action of Girikarnika and the purgative one of Clitoria emphasized in the literature help to differentiate between them. What, then, can be Girikarnika?

The equivalent popular name Svetasyanda given by Dalhana for Shveta Girikarnika may also indicate its Shirovirechana action. Attention may be drawn to a plant known as Badichang, Chanakhi, and Dagana and used by the tribal people, especially as an antidote to snake poison. It has been identified with Symphorema polyandrous Wight. Its small white flowers about half a dozen in number are seated on a flattened torus which is surrounded by a pseudo whorl of grey involucre leaves and which may be likened to Karnika of lotus and rose and also be used by ladies to decorate their ears. The leaves are hairy and give a distant appearance of Sephalika  (Nyctanthes ) leaves. The fruits are nearly similar in shape and size to imported Renuka fruits wrongly called seeds and when blown in powder form into the nostrils cause profuse flow (Vaisravana) of nasal secretion. Discussion about the identities of Renuka or Farenuka, Sveta and Sindhu- Vara, may be consulted for further light on this plant, which may be used as Girikarnika.

Charaka Samhita: C. S. Chi. 23/ 194

Sushruta Samhita: S. S. Su. 39/ 6, S. S. Chi. 8/ 39, S. S. Chi. 11/ 9, S. S. U. 59/ 17, S. S. U. 61/ 32

Vaghbhata: A. H. U. 36/ 57, 60

Aparajita’s description in Brihtrayi as synonym Ashvakhura (Controversy)

This has been mentioned only once in the Amrita Ghrita of C. S. Ci. 23/ 241-247 and once in A. H. U. 3/ 48. It appears that it has two varieties out of which the white (Shweta) variety has been used in the preparation of Amrita Ghrita. The Nighantus appear to identify it with Aparajita (Clitoria ternatea Linn.) i.e Raja Nighantu mentioned it as a variety of Aparajita. But it is not clear why this name should at all be given to Clitoria. Asvakhuraka appears to indicate a close similarity in the appearance of the hoof of a horse and the plant or a part of it which has been given this name. It is, therefore, reasonable to believe that when the real drug plant became unavailable, another drug of similar properties (Visaghna and useful in mental troubles) was substituted and began to be used under the original name. The real Avakhuraka has, therefore, to be searched for. In this connection, attention may be drawn to a plant known as Ghodatapa among the tribal people of the Pancamadhi (M. P.) area. It is a fern, the leaf bases of which exactly resemble the hoof of a horse in appearance, and it is used by the local people. It is still under investigation.

Charaka Samhita: C. S. Chi. 23/ 244

Vaghbhata: A. H. U. 3/ 48

• Charaka Samhita: C. S. Su. 13/ 9, C. S. Su. 27/ 154, C. S. Chi. 29/ 64
• Sushruta Samhita: S. S. Su. 46/ 187, 188    
• Vagbhata: A. H. Su. 6/ 120 

Aparajita’s description in Brihtrayi as synonym Asphota (Controversy)

The references include those for Asphot and Asphota Tender as well. Asphot and Asphota are usually considered to be Sariva and Arka respectively but according to the commentators, Girikarnika and Hapharamli are also taken. Girikarnika, although at present believed to be Clitoria ternatea Linn., is not satisfactorily identified and Hapharamali is Vallaris solanacea O. Ktze. which according to some is also considered to be Sveta Sariva. It should be noted that in many Yogas, Asphota occurs with either Arka or Sariva or even both. It thus indicates that Asphota may be altogether different from Sariva and Arka. It may, therefore, be suggested to accept Vallaris as genuine Asphota, and Arka and Sariva may be treated as its substitutes.

Charaka Samhita: C. S. Chi. 3/ 267, C. S. Chi. 7/ 111, C. S. Chi. 17/ 109, C. S. Chi. 23/ 241, C. S. Chi. 28/ 125

Sushruta Samhita: S. S. Su. 11/ 11, S. S. Chi. 6/ 13, S. S. Chi. 9/ 54, S. S. Chi. 18/ 39, S. S. Ka. 7/ 40, S. S. U. 11/ 5, 11, S. S. U. 32/ 3, S. S. U. 39/ 252

Vaghbhata: A. H. Su. 30/ 9, A. H. Chi. 8/ 49, A. H. Chi. 10/ 42, A. H. Chi. 19/ 79, A. H. Chi. 38/ 26

Aparajita’s description in Brihtrayi as Shankhapushpi (Controversy)

This drug, a well-known nervine tonic, is also a subject of controversy. Clitoria ternatea Linn. has been accepted as Shankhapuspi by most of the South Indian Vaidyas while this is believed to be Canscora decussata Schult by the majority of the Bengal Kavirajas. These two plants may be treated as Sankhini and Yavatikta respectively and may serve as partial substitutes of Sankhapuspi due to their reported action as nervine tonics. Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. bearing blue flowers may be treated as Vishnukranta which is usually believed to be a variety of Shankhapuspi.

Charaka Samhita: C. S. Chi. 1.1/ 46, 56, C. S. Chi. 1.3/ 23, 29, 30, C. S. Chi. 10/ 23, 60, C. S. Chi. 18/ 56, C. S. Chi. 21/ 61

Sushruta Samhita: S. S. Su. 42/ 18, S. S. Sa. 10/ 68, S. S. Chi. 30/ 24, S. S. U. 52/ 42

Vaghbhata: A. H. Chi. 3/ 127, A. H. U. 1/ 9, 43, A. H. U. 6/ 24, A. H. U. 7/ 24, A. H. U. 39/ 18, 44, 45, 50

Aparajita’s description in Brihtrayi as Sveta or in Sveta Dwaya (Controversy)

Sveta has been used for two drug plants which have been named Kshudra Sveta and Maha Sveta. Dalhana at one place identifies the Kshudra variety with white-flowered Sephanda and Mahasveta variety as the blue-flowered Sephanda. Chakra, on the other hand, recognizes the first variety as Sveta Aparajita and the second as another variety of Aparajit or Katabhi.  Aparajita of Cakra and Sephanda of Dalhana appear to be the same and could be identified as Kshudra Sveta. As regards Maha Sveta, Chakra has alternatively suggested another plant called Katabhi which is identified as Sveta Sirisha (Albizia procera Benth.). This being a tree species could very well be called Mahasveta. If Aparajita and Sephanda of the commentators are Clitoria ternatea Linn. this could be the Kshudra Sveta but it is accepted as Shankhini. The Shirovirechaka properties of the Sveta varieties combined with their action on the brain and in poisoning draw attention towards other herbaceous or shrubby plant species such as Sveta Vacha, Svera Durva, white-flowered Vitex negundo Linn. or Symphorema (which we have identified with Girikarnika). Sveta Vacha or even ordinary Vacha (Acorus) may be tentatively accepted as Kshudra Sveta.

Charaka Samhita: C. S. Su. 1/ 78, C. S. Su. 2/ 3, C. S. Su. 4/ 27, 50, C. S. Su. 5/ 23, c. s. Vi. 8/ 158, C. S. Chi. 3/ 266, C. S. Chi. 9/ 75, 79, C. S. Chi. 10/ 40, C. S. Chi. 23/ 69, 78, 99, 194, 212

Sushruta Samhita: S. S. Su. 39/ 3, S. S. Chi. 22/ 63, S. S. Sa. 10/ 69, S. S. Ka. 1/ 54, 65, S. S. Ka. 5/ 75, 76, S. S. Ka. 6/ 12, 19, S. S. Ka. 7/ 24, 52, S. S. U. 24/ 32

Vagbhata: A. H. Su. 15/ 28, A. H. Su. 21/ 18, A. H. U. 22/ 63, A. H. U. 34/ 2, A. H. U 35/ 46, A. H. U. 36/ 61, A. H. U. 38/ 37.