Yantra (यन्त्र)

Yantras are the blunt surgical instruments used for various purposes like holding, pulling, and viewing. Sushruta descri.

Ayurvedic Principles (Siddhanta Kosha) 1 min read
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Sanskrit Verse

तत् यन्त्रं शतं एकोत्तरम्। तेषां हस्तमेव प्रधानतमं यन्त्रम्।

— (Sushruta Samhita, Sutrasthana 7/3, 5)

Explanation

Yantras are the blunt surgical instruments used for various purposes like holding, pulling, and viewing. Sushruta described 101 different types of Yantras, classifying them into six main categories (e.g., Swastika, Sandamsha). He famously stated that the hand (Hasta) is the most important of all instruments.

Clinical Importance

For students of Shalya Tantra (surgery), this is the foundation of surgical instrumentation. The detailed description of these instruments demonstrates the advanced state of surgery in ancient India.