Sri Chakra is the celebrated Yantra used in the worship of the primordial energy. The Chakra is conceived as a symbol of the human body. Some salient features of this symbolism are discussed in this article. An attempt has also been made to provide a short introduction to the Bhavanopanishad Prayogavidhi devised by Bhaskararaya, the doyen of Sri charka worshippers.

Some findings of the origin of the Brahami and Tamil scripts are presented in this paper.

The histological features of both the bark and leaf of a poisonous plant H.ferruginea  March responsible for contact dermatitis has been reported.

Invitro sporostatic effect of fresh milk from four different origin was tested against five otomycoitc pathogens. Maximum sporostatic activity was recorded in cow milk against Aspergillusniger (82.31%) followed by Candidaalbicans (78.95%), Aspergillus flavus (76.00%), Pencillium nigricans (64.40%) and Absidia corymbifera (63.53%). Goat milk caused 87.06 per cent inhibition in the spore germination of Absidia corymibifera. In all other cases a varied effect of test milk samples was noted against present test fungi.

Ayurvedic texts have adopted multiple approaches to the classification of diseases.Caraka while choosing a binary classification in Vimana sthana declares that the classifications may be numerable and innumerable basing on the criteria chosen for such classification.He gives full liberty to the individual to go in for the newer and newer classification, provided the criteria are different.Taking cue from this statement an attempt has been made at categorizing the diseases mentioned in Ayurvedic texts under different systems in keeping with the current practice in the Western Medical Sciences.

Biological effects of extracts of Dolichos biflorus seeds and Amaranthus spinosus roots administered at two different doses (25 mg of D.biflorus seeds and 25 mg of A.spinosus roots; 50mg of D.biflorus seedsand 50 mg of A.spinosus roots) for 10 consecutive days were studied in the accessory sex organs of adult male rats. The observed adverse effect on organs weight, protein content and concentration as well as the enzymatic activities in the vas defers, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate indicates the probable antiandrogenic action of the drug in the male rats.

In ancient days, Physicians having the comprehensive knowledge of Bhaishajya Kalpana, used to prepare the drugs themselves to treat their patients. So there was no doubt in obtaining genuine drug with desired therapeutic effect. But in recent years, the growing population and their life style, industrialization etc have forced physicians to depend on market preparations. As such we find the necessity of standardization of these preparations. The quality assessments of a drug, which is a chemical irrespective of the system is possible by 'Thin Layer Chromatographic technique' using known Chemical constituents as reference standards. A herbal preparation 'Kutajarishta', has been standardized by using this technique and the significance of the findings is discussed.

The present paper is concerned with 27 species belonging to 22 generate and 18 families, which yield wild edible fruits. They are arranged in alphabetical order followed by their local names and habit. An attempt has been also made to indicate the nutritive values of edible portions on the basis of documented literature. Brief illustration is furnished wherever necessary.

The present study reveals that the process of aging was elaborately described in Ayurveda. In order to prology the life span and to promote longevity a separate discipline called Rasayana Tantra was also developed. The sailent feature of this discipline are described in this article.

Some sailent features of the local health traditions of Karjat tribal block are described in this article.

Several diseases of polyuric nature were described in Ayurveda. Collectively called Prameha, this group includes an entity called Madhumeha which is the equivalent of diabetes mellitus. The medical history of the two diseases is described in the article.

The antipyretic activities of the alcoholic extracts of three species of Andrographis Wall, were assayed at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight in pyrogenic polysaccharide - induced hyperpyrexia in male albino rats. All the extracts were found to be effective in the inhibition of pyrexia. The maximal antipyretic activity was found with the alcoholic extract of Andrographis alata Nees.

Hridroga is among those diseases mentioned in Ayurveda where in the description is quite brief and the Ayurvedic view point needs clarification. In view of the increasing evidence of cardiac disorders in the present times this aspect assumes added importance. Among the five types of Hridroga described, in Vatika variety Ayurveda seems to have conceived the disease entity that comes under Ischemic Heart Disease. None of the other Cardiac afflictions seem to have been described under Hridroga. It seems that a few of the presenting features based on this Acute/important/predominant nature have been described Vatika Sotha and Swasa. It looks as though pain dominating heart disease is conceived as Hridroga. When oedema is found to be the main presenting feature it is kept under Vatika sotha and when Dysponea is the main symptom it is described as Swasa. The present article undertakes to discuss this point in detail, based on Ayurvedic concepts as well as current knowledge on medicine.

Tecomella undulate Seem is used in Ayurveda for diseases of liver and spleen. Pharmacognosy, Chemistry and antimicrobial activities of the plant are described in this article.

Morphological, microscopical and phytochemical studies of root and stem of the herb Peristrophe bicalyculata (Acanthaceae) were carried out. Presence of coumarins, alkaloids, potassium chloride (stem and root), saponins and a free sugar (root) have been here in this herb for the first time.

'Murivenna' and 'Hemajeevanti Taila' were prepared and their analytical values were reported for standardization. Thin layer chromatography was also done.

Effect of Azadirachta indica leaf extracts on duration of oestrous cycle of adult rats was studied. The extract (200 mg/kg) induced cornified phase of the cycle which persisted till the last day of treatment. Possible reasons behind the results are discussed.

The paper deals with pharmacognosy of Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, including its morphological, anatomical, chemical constituents and powder analysis. Stomata are mostly anisotricytic, isotricytic and few tetracytic. Sphaero-crystals of calcium oxalate are observed in palisade, spongy and ground parenchyma of leaf lamina, petiole and rhizome and absent in roots. Uniseriate flagellate conical hairs present only on abaxial surface of leaf and all over the petiole. The venation is palmatous actinodromous with six primary veins. Midrib consists of a single vascular bundle while petiole consists of 7 - 8, rhizome with numerous bundles are observed and root consists of tetrarch vascular bundle. Powder microscopically show fragment of epidermis, mesophyll, sphaero-crystals, trichomes, collenchyma and parenchyma of leaf, petiole, rhizome and root. Tracheary elements show annular helical and pitted types.

The effect of Musa paradisiaca stem kernel juice was investigated in experimental urolithiatic rats. Stone forming rats exhibited a significant elevation in the activities of two oxalate synthesizing enzymes - Glycollic acid oxidase and Lactate dehydrogenase. Deposition and excretion of stone forming constituents in kidney and urine were also increased in these rats. The enzyme activities and the level of crystalline components were lowered with the extract treatment. The extract also reduced the activities of urinary alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, r-glutamyl transferase, inorganic pyrophosphatase and β-glucuronidase in calculogenic rats. No appreciable changes were noticed with leucine amino peptidase activity in treated rats.

The various ceremonies (Sacraments) performed by practitioners of Hindu faith are explained in this article.