E-ISSN:2456-3110

Research Article

Anguli Pramana

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2022 Volume 7 Number 2 March
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Current updates on Anguli Pramana, an ancient tool of measurements

Visave P.1*, Shukla D.2, Choudhari D.3
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21760/jaims.7.2.5

1* Pratibha Visave, Professor, Department of Rachana Sharir, Siddhakala Ayurved College, Sangamner, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India.

2 Deepnarayan Shukla, Professor, Department of Rachana Sharir, R. A. Podar Ayurved Medical College, Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

3 Deepali Choudhari, Associate Professor, Department of Dravyaguna Vidnyan, S.S.T. Ayurved College, Sangamner, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India.

Introduction: Anguli Pramana is an ancient form of anthropometry. Though it is an age old technique of measurement, it is one of the unique hypothetical concepts put forth by acharyas. It is included in the syllabus of Rachana Sharir and students are studying over years. There is a need of updating the existing knowledge. Hence, the present study was a small step in this direction. Materials and Methods: Along with ethical clearance, the study was conducted on 770 healthy participants of age group 18-50 years in Ahmednagar and Nashik Region. Considering middle finger width of the right hand at proximal interphalangeal joint as Swa-anguli Pramana, measurements were taken for selected body parts related to the lower limb. Data obtained was analysed applying Z score test. Results: In the present study, measured values for selected parameters when compared with the standard values stated by acharya found statistically different. Discussion: Result of the present study reveal that the anthropometric values stated in ancient time are not valid in the present era. This may be due to evolutionary changes and changes in life style. The present study gives tentative information regarding the same. The result obtained is confined to the selected sample size and for selected parameters. The research can be extended further to arrive at a proper conclusion.

Keywords: Anguli Pramana, Anthropometry, Measured value, Standard value, Swa-Anguli Pramana, Ayurveda

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Pratibha Visave, Professor, Department of Rachana Sharir, Siddhakala Ayurved College, Sangamner, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India.
Email: 		Pratibha Visave, Deepnarayan Shukla, Deepali Choudhari, Current updates on Anguli Pramana, an ancient tool of measurements. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2022;7(2):28-32.
Available From
https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/1666

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2022-02-01 2022-02-02 2022-02-09 2022-02-16 2022-02-23
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
Nil Nil Yes 19%

© 2022by Pratibha Visave, Deepnarayan Shukla, Deepali Choudhariand Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences 2022;7(2)28
Visave P et al: Current updates on Anguli Pramana, an ancient tool of measurements

Introduction

Anguli Pramana is an ancient form of anthropometry. Acharya Charaka has stated the concept of ‘Sama Ayam Vistar’ i.e., proportionate body.[1] Acharyas have mentioned the description of Anguli Pramana in the context of Ayu (life span) assessment. According to them, physician should check for the Ayu of the patient before proceeding for treatment.[2,3]

Though it is an age old technique of measurement, it is one of the unique hypothetical concepts put forth by Acharyas. It is included in the syllabus of Rachana Sharir and students are studying it over years. There is a need of updating the existing knowledge. Hence, the present study was a small step in this direction. In the present era, variations are found in the measurements of various parts of the human body in terms of Anguli Pramana. It may be due to evolutionary changes as well as life style changes acquired by human being.[4,5]

In ancient classics body measurements in terms of Anguli Pramana are stated in a single number. It should be in the form of a range. In this respect, in the present study researcher has taken Anguli Pramana of some body parts related to the lower limb for its validity check in the present era. Also, derived Interquartile range for the selected parameters. Though, it is applicable to the selected sample size only, it can be helpful for extending further research.

Aims and Objectives

Aim: Generation of evidence to validate and evaluate the concept of Anguli Pramana in the present era.

Primary objective: To validate Anguli Pramana in the present era.

Secondary objective: To evaluate Anguli Pramana on a bigger population.

Materials and Methods

Study design: Observational type of study design was chosen for the present study.

Sampling technique: As the study was performed in the form of survey and because of voluntary participation, non-probability sampling technique was used for getting samples.

Sample size: In total 770 participants were selected for the study. All of them were between age group 18-50 years.

All the participants were from same geographical areas i.e., Ahmednagar and Nashik region. Also, from the same socio-economic status i.e., middle class.

Inclusion criteria: Age group between 18-50 years of gender, same geographical areas, same socio-economic class.

Participants were selected from the age group 18-50 years, as they had considered to be attained maturity in terms of growth at par.[6]

Degenerative changes occur gradually in the human body after the age of 50 years. Hence, participants were selected from the aforesaid group.

As geographical factors play an important role in the physique and physiology of individual, participants were selected from the same geographical area.[7]

Also, they were from the same socio-economic group, as it affects the standard of living as well as nutritional status of an individual.[8]

Exclusion criteria: Wheelchair bound individuals, person with disability, person having difficulty in standing steady or straight.

Wheelchair bound individuals were excluded from the study as it may cause difficulty while taking measurements like length of parameters related to the lower limb. 

Assessment parameters: Following parameters were selected for the present study,


  • Uru Ayam (Length of thigh)
  • Uru Parinah (Thigh circumference)
  • Janu Ayam (Length of knee)
  • Janu Parinah (Knee circumference)
  • Jangha Ayam (Length of leg)
  • Jangha Parinah (Leg circumference)
  • Gulpha Parinah (Ankle circumference)
  • Pad Ayam (Length of foot)
  • Pad Vistar (Width of foot)
  • Pad Parinah (Circumference of foot)

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Visave P et al: Current updates on Anguli Pramana, an ancient tool of measurements

Along with ethical clearance, the study was conducted on 770 healthy participants of age group 18-50 years in Ahmednagar and Nashik Region.

Considering middle finger width of the right hand at proximal interphalangeal joint as Swa-Anguli Pramana, measurements were taken for above mentioned selected body parts particularly related to the lower limb.[9]

Data obtained was recorded on a case record form. Data was tested for its normality using Shapiro Wilks normality test.

Anguli Pramana of selected parameters as stated by Acharya Charaka and Sushruta were considered as standard values.

The measured mean was compared with this standard value for each selected parameter separately so as to check its validity in the present era. 

Measurements taken were converted into Anguli Pramana for further processing. Data obtained was analysed applying Z score test.

Observations and Results

The outcome of the study compiled, tabulated and analysed as follows,

Table 1: Comparison of Actual average mean with the value stated by Acharya Charaka


SN Parameter Std. Value Actual Mean S.D. S. E. Z Value p Value Remark
1. Uru Ayam 18 26.9806 3.0349 0.1094 82.1111 0.0000 Significant
2. Uru Parinah 30 27.6018 3.4358 0.12380 -19.3688 0.0000 Significant
3. Janu Ayam 4 4.8965 1.8684 0.0673 13.3144 0.0000 Significant
4. Janu Parinah 16 21.3278 2.5602 0.0923 57.7449 0.0000 Significant
5. Jangha Ayam 18 21.5326 2.4155 0.0871 40.5817 0.0000 Significant
6. Jangha Parinah 16 19.7282 2.3269 0.0839 44.4604 0.0000 Significant
7. Pad Ayam 14 13.7273 1.1681 0.0421 -6.478 0.0000 Significant
8. Pad Vistar 6 5.8947 0.8886 0.03202 -3.2885 0.0010 Significant

Note: Gulpha Parinah and Pad Parinah not stated by Acharya Charaka

From the Table-1 it can be observed that there is a significant difference in the standard value stated by Acharya Charaka and the actual mean for selected parameters.

Table 2: Comparison of Actual average value with the value stated by Acharya Sushruta

SN Parameter Std. Value Actual Mean S.D. S. E. Z Value p Value Remark
1. Uru Ayam 18 26.9806 3.0349 0.1094 82.1111 0.0000 Significant
2. Uru Parinah 32 27.6018 3.4358 0.1238 -35.5216 0.0000 Significant
3. Janu Parinah 14 21.3278 2.5602 0.0923 79.4217 0.0000 Significant
4. Jangha Ayam 18 21.5326 2.4155 0.08705 40.5817 0.0000 Significant
5. Jangha Parinah 16 19.7282 2.3269 0.0839 44.4604 0.0000 Significant
6. Gulpha Parinah 14 13.5222 1.5986 0.0576 -8.2938 0.0000 Significant
7. Pad Ayam 14 13.7273 1.1681 0.0421 -6.4780 0.0000 Significant
8. Pad Vistar 5 5.8947 0.8886 0.0320 27.9413 0.0000 Significant
9. Pad Parinah 14 13.7622 1.4122 0.0509 -4.6728 0.0000 Significant

Note: Janu Ayam is not stated by Acharya Sushruta.

From the Table-2 it can be observed that there is a significant difference in the standard value stated by Acharya Sushruta and the actual mean for selected parameters. 

Table 3: Interquartile Range for selected parameters

SN Parameter Max Min Inter Quartile Range
1. Uru Ayam 29.23 26.82 2.41
2. Uru Parinah 29.6 27.48 2.12
3. Janu Ayam 5.32 4.87 0.45
4. Janu Parinah 22.65 21.34 1.31
5. Jangha Ayam 23.12 21.51 0.61
6. Jangha Parinah 21.19 19.64 1.55
7. Gulpha Parinah 14.36 13.45 0.91
8. Pad Ayam 14.46 13.68 0.78
9. Pad Vistar 6.21 5.84 0.37
10. Pad Parinah 14.38 13.69 0.69

Discussion

When the actual mean obtained for each selected parameter was compared with the standard value stated by acharya Charaka in terms of Anguli Pramana a significant difference was found (Table-1). So, it can be considered that Anguli Pramana stated by Acharya Charaka for selected parameters may not be valid in the present era. Similarly, when the actual mean obtained for each selected parameter was compared with the standard value stated by acharya Sushruta in terms of Anguli Pramana a significant difference was found (Table-2). So, it can be considered that


Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences 2022;7(2)30
Visave P et al: Current updates on Anguli Pramana, an ancient tool of measurements

Anguli Pramana stated by Acharya Sushruta for selected parameters may not be valid in the present era.

In ancient literature the measurement values are given in a single number. Those should be in the form of a range which will be better for understanding of normalcy. In the present study, interquartile range for the selected parameters was derived so as to get approximate range for the same (Table-3). Though these values are applicable for the selected sample size and selected parameters, it will serve as a basis for extending the research and future reference.

Conclusion

Outcome of the present study reveal that the anthropometric values stated in ancient time are not valid in the present era. This may be due to evolutionary changes and changes in life style. The present study gives tentative information regarding the same. The research can be extended further to arrive at a proper conclusion.

Scope for further research: The research could further be carried out using larger sample size to arrive at generalization while narrowing the scope of age group. The study can be performed in various countries with diverse ethnicities.

Reference

1. Yadavji Trikamji. Charaka Samhita revised by Charaka and Dridhabala with Ayurved Dipika commentary of Chakrapanidatta. 5th edition. Varanasi: Choukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan; 2008.738p

2. Yadavji Trikamji. Charaka Samhita revised by Charaka and Dridhabala with Ayurved Dipika commentary of Chakrapanidatta. 5th edition. Varanasi: Choukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan; 2008.739p

3. Yadavji Trikamji. Sushruta Samhita of Acharya Sushruta with Nibandha Sangraha commentary of Dalhanacharya. Varanasi: Choukhambha Orientalia. 8th edition, 2008,824p.

4. Encyclopedia [Internet] 2021 cited on 04/02/2021, 20.54 IST Available from: https://enwikipedia.org/wiki/American_Journal_of_Physical_Anthropometry

5. Gert S, Louise B. Evolutionary perspectives of Human height variation: Biological Reviews. Cambridge Philosophical Society. First published on 20-12-2014. 2016 February; 91(1): 206-234.

6. Murthy S K. Illustrated Sushruta Samhita. Reprint edition. Varanasi: Choukhambha Orientalia; 2017. 244p

7. Murthy S K. Illustrated Sushruta Samhita. Reprint edition. Varanasi: Choukhambha Orientalia; 2017. 245p

8. Khattak M Ali K, Akram Z. Socio-economic class affects nutritional status but not food habit. Nutr Food Sci [Internet]. 2012;42(3):164-72 Available from: https://doi.org/10.1108/00346651211228450

9. Visave Pratibha, Shukla Deepnarayan. Standardization of Anguli Pramana. IJAAR 2020 March-April; IV(VII): 742-746p


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