DHEE AND DHRITI: CLASSICAL WISDOM TO COGNITIVE SCIENCE

Dr. Arunkumar B. Arali, Dr. Sinchana D. Nanda, Dr. Pratibha V. Kulkarni

Background: Cognition enables understanding, retention, decision-making and behavioural regulation. Ayurveda describes these functions through Prajna, expressed by three interdependent faculties: Dhee, Dhriti and Smriti. Their integrated role provides a basis for understanding cognition within Ayurveda and exploring its relevance to contemporary cognitive science. Objective: To examine the roles of Dhee and Dhriti in cognition and explore their relevance to contemporary cognitive science. Materials and Methods: Classical Ayurvedic texts, including Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya, along with their authoritative commentaries, were reviewed. Relevant contemporary literature on cognition, executive function, and self-regulation was also examined. A qualitative conceptual review was undertaken by analysing the Ayurvedic concepts of Jnanotpatti, Triguna, Tridosha, Vibhramsha, and Prajnaparadha and correlating them with contemporary understanding of cognitive functions. Results and Conclusion: Dhee represents active examination and discrimination, while Dhriti represents sustaining and regulatory capacity supporting appropriate action. Their disturbance may contribute to Prajnaparadha and Sarvadosha Prakopa. Functionally, Dhee relates to attention, reasoning and decision-making, while Dhriti relates to inhibitory control, persistence and self-regulation. These are functional parallels rather than direct anatomical or neurobiological equivalences. Ayurveda therefore presents cognition as an integrated process linking mental function, behaviour and health.