Integrating technology in Ayurveda Education: A pilot comparative study on text-based and audio-assisted learning of Ashtanga Hridaya Kalpasiddhi sthana among BAMS students
*1Braivin Camly R and 2Akshar Ashok Kulkarni
1,2Department of Samhita Siddhanta, Parul Institute of Ayurveda, Parul University, Waghodia, Vadodara - 391760 (India) Corresponding author: *Dr. Braivin Camly R Email: drbraivin@gmail.com, Phone: +919847640653
ABSTRACT
Ayurvedic education traditionally depends on textual study of Samhitas, which requires memorization and understanding of Sanskrit sutras. Modern learners, however, face challenges in comprehending classical texts due to linguistic and conceptual barriers. The integration of technology, such as audio applications providing sutra explanations, offers a potential tool to enhance comprehension and engagement among BAMS students. With this background, a pilot within-subject study was conducted among 25 BAMS students of Govt. Ayurveda College, Thiruvananthapuram, with an aim to evaluate the effectiveness of an audio software application with sutra explanation compared to text-book based learning of Ashtanga Hridaya Kalpasiddhi sthana. This comparative analysis establishes that audio-based learning tools offer substantial pedagogical advantages over conventional textbooks in understanding classical Ayurvedic texts. The implementation of such tools can be scaled up across Ayurvedic institutions to improve learning outcomes, especially in the foundational years of BAMS education.