Systems Rasayana

Conceptual Foundation and Logic

Systems Rasayana is based on the Systems Biology Graphical Notation (SBGN") concept.

Rasayana tantra is a branch of Ayurveda which deals with anti-ageing, strengthening, promoting longevity, rejuvenating, building immunity and extending curative measures of diseases

SBGN diagrams are a specific set of graphs known as System Biology Graphical Notations to explain any biological knowledge. Systems Rasayana explains various knowledge points of Rasayana in relation to Ayurvedic biology based on SBGN concepts.

SBGN consists of three complementary languages: process diagram, entity relationship diagram and activity flow diagram. Together they enable scientists to represent networks of information on all kinds of biological knowledge.

This 'Systems Rasayana' graphic notation describes the scheme of the Rasayana knowledge base. It is the second publication in the series of Graphical Notations on Ayurveda, the first being 'Systems Ayurveda'. A comprehensive view of concepts and logic is possible through this approach. In addition to logical, sequential linear flow, multi-dimensional, one-to-many and many-to-many cause-effect relationships are depicted here.

This poster broadly describes logical flow, forward loops, backward loops, Process, Entity & Activity relations and their applications in health, diseases and treatment in relation to Rasayana.

Rasayana-tantra represents the fundamentals of Ayurveda which comprises preventive, promotive and curative aspects of health. It describes practical methods for the management of health and disease through its advanced measures known as Rasayana-chikitsa.

Jara-chikitsa (Geriatrics), synonymous with Rasayana-chikitsa (Rasayana treatment) is one of the eight branches of Ayurveda.

The benefits of using Rasayanas include stabilizing the aging process (Vayasthapana), immunity (Vyadhiksamatva) and treatment of chronic ailments when all other measures fail. The Rasayana effect is experienced through the rejuvenation of all Dhatu / body tissues linked with multiple functions of the body and mind as a whole.

By focusing on Rasayana as a central subject, this poster relates to more than 200 knowledge points which relate from many-to-many links at three levels of the Ayurvedic knowledge system. At the philosophical (tattva) level, it attempts to capture important conceptual and axiomatic representations, at the Scientific (Sastra) level it relates to fundamental principles of Ayurveda and at the empirical (Vyavahara) level it explains the usage of resources like plants and formulations for various Rasayana purposes.

Novere N.L. et. al. Systems Biology Graphical Notation. Nature Biotechnology 2009, 27, 735-741.