At the present time several Yogic practices, meditation, Pranayama, and Mantra, etc. are playing important role in treating physiological and psychological problems. The ancient Indian Yoga text, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, describes six cleansing techniques. The objective of cleansing techniques is to purify and prepare the body for the practice of yoga postures, and meditation. Trataka (Yogic visual concentration technique) is one of these techniques. In this study, ancient texts and contemporary research findings are analysed to gain a better understanding of Trataka.

In Ayurvedic literature, the elaborate description of the functioning of human body, is comprised within the term “sharira vichaya”. Though similar to modern physiology, it has some unique specialities like dosha, dhatu, manas etc. Agni i.e. the biological re is one of the principal components of body physiology. The term agni means present everywhere. It is divided into three types viz. jatharagni, bhutagni and dhatvagni, that work together to maintain homeostasis in the body. Amongst these, jatharagni is the principle agni which comprises pitta dosha which digests food and splits it into essential and non essential parts. It is also responsible for favourable or ill effects in the body depending upon it's presence in healthy or vitiated state. The processes of metabolism, catabolism, transformation, digestion, deterioration of toxins are all brought about by Agni. It functions at various levels and intensities to maintain a healthy living status. Normal and optimized properties of Agni are good health, life span, strength, nourishment, glow, lustre and healthy ojas. Impaired Agni is the root of all imbalances and diseases. It is also stated that normally functioning Agni maintains life, it's alteration brings about diseases and death results on it's loss. This concept is also crucial during the treatment procedures, like while prescribing medicaments, deciding drug dosages and pathya-apathya, it is required to determine, restore and strengthen the Agni. Therefore, understanding the concept of Agni is vital for maintaining health, disease diagnosis and their treatment.

Causes of diseases are well narrated in Ayurvedic texts. Intellectual error is identified as major cause of diseases and its role in the manifestation of psychosomatic diseases is well explained in Charaka Samhita. Smriti is the faculty of mind that plays an important role in perception of knowledge. It is one of the components of Pragya according to Ayurveda. It is the recalling capacity of the knowledge which is perceived by the brain from past experiences. The Smriti is determined by various factors like Prakriti, age, Ahara-vihara, repetition of events etc. The consideration of all the factors can provide better knowledge to improve smriti. If the person is not able to grasp or retain the present events or experiences, it is known as Smritivibhransha. Modern science considers various components of memory which includes recent & past concentration, recalling, retention and recognition. Memory is the ability of an individual to record sensory stimuli, events, information, etc., retain them over short or long periods of time and recall the same at a later date when needed. Poor memory, lower retention and slow recall are common problems in today’s stressful life. Age, faulty diet, stress, emotions and other factors may lead mild cognitive impairment to memory loss. Ayurvedic science deals with various Herbo-mineral preparations & procedures mentioned for excellence of memory. Key words: Smriti, Smritivibhransha, memory, Pragya, Ayurveda protocols.