Exploring the “Purusham Purusham Veekshya Siddhanta” with Special Reference to “Personalized Medicine”: A Review

Abstract

Personalized medicine (PM) is an emerging paradigm in contemporary healthcare this decade, which emphasizes tailoring therapeutic interventions based on individual variability in genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. The foundation of such an approach has long been embedded in Ayurveda through the principle of “Purusham Purusham Veekshya,” which advocates patient-specific assessment before treatment planning. The present review aims to explore this classical Ayurvedic doctrine and examine its relevance in the context of modern PM. A comprehensive analysis of classical Ayurvedic texts, including Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya, was undertaken to elucidate the conceptual basis of “Purusham Purusham Veekshya Siddhant.” The principle highlights the importance of evaluating individual factors, such as Prakriti (constitutional type), Vikriti (pathological state), Agni (metabolic status), Desha (habitat), Kala (time/season), Vaya (age), Sattva (psychological status), and Ahara-Vihara (diet and lifestyle) before deciding therapeutic strategies. These parameters collectively determine the variability in disease manifestation and treatment response among individuals. The findings suggest a strong conceptual parallel between Ayurvedic individualized therapy and modern precision medicine. While contemporary approaches rely heavily on molecular and genetic profiling, Ayurveda provides a holistic, phenotype-based framework for personalization. Integrating these traditional principles with present biomedical advances may enhance the efficacy, safety, and patient-centeredness of healthcare.