Sanskrit Verse
आप्तास्तु खलु रजस्तमोभ्यां निर्मुक्तास्तपोज्ञानबलेन…।
— (Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 11/19)
Explanation
Aptopadesha, or authoritative testimony, is the knowledge received from an ‘Apta’—a reliable, trustworthy source. In Ayurveda, an Apta is defined as a sage or expert who is free from the mental impurities of Rajas and Tamas and who possesses supreme knowledge. The classical Samhitas (Charaka, Sushruta, etc.) are considered Aptopadesha.
Clinical Importance
This is the primary source of Ayurvedic knowledge. A student first learns by studying the infallible words of the classical texts before verifying them with their own perception and reasoning.