Changes

=== विगुणवायुजलदेशकालाः॥ Vitiated Air, Water, land and season ===

=== विगुणवायुजलदेशकालाः॥ Vitiated Air, Water, land and season ===

Vayu (Air), Jalam (Water), Desha (Land), Kala (Season) are the environmental factors which are common for each and every individual residing in particular region. Thus, when these are adversely affected, they can affect the entire community with same disease and similar symptoms simultaneously. A brief account on the signs of each of the factor when vitiated can be found in Charaka samhita. It is stated that, any of the above 4 environmental factors are vitiated in a manner as described in the text, can lead to Janapadodhwansa. Signs of these vitiated environmental factors as stated in Charaka samhita have been described below.  

Vayu (Air), Jalam (Water), Desha (Land), Kala (Season) are the environmental factors which are common for each and every individual residing in particular region. Thus, when these are adversely affected, they can affect the entire community with same disease and similar symptoms simultaneously. A brief account on the signs of each of the factor when vitiated can be found in Charaka samhita. It is stated that, any of the above 4 environmental factors are vitiated in a manner as described in the text, can lead to Janapadodhwansa. Signs of these vitiated environmental factors as stated in Charaka samhita have been described below (Table 1).  

==== Signs of vitiated 4 environmental factors ====

==== Signs of vitiated 4 environmental factors ====

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|+Signs of vitiation of 4 environmental factors

|+Table 1: Signs of vitiation of 4 environmental factors

|Sr No

|Sr No

|Environmental factor

|Environmental factor

==== भूतसंघाः ॥ Bhutasangha (other creatures) ====

==== भूतसंघाः ॥ Bhutasangha (other creatures) ====

The term Bhuta has been used at multiple places in varied context by Acharya Charaka. Various meanings of the term ‘Bhuta’ in Charaka have been explained in the Table2.  

The term Bhuta has been used at multiple places in varied context by Acharya Charaka. Various meanings of the term ‘Bhuta’ in Charaka have been explained in the Table 2.  

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|+Various meanings of the term Bhuta in Charaka Samhita

|+Table 2: Various meanings of the term Bhuta in Charaka Samhita

|'''Sr No'''

|'''Sr No'''

|'''Meaning of the term Bhuta'''

|'''Meaning of the term Bhuta'''

|1

|1

|Living beings

|Living beings

|Cha. Sha 1/51 Chakra

|Chakrapani commentary on Charaka Samhita Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 1 Sutram 51

|-

|-

|2

|2

|Living beings

|Living beings

|Cha. Sha 1/63 Chakra

|Chakrapani commentary on Charaka Samhita Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 1 Sutram 63

|-

|-

|3

|3

|Living beings like Evil spirits

|Living beings like Evil spirits

|Cha. Su 11/37 Chakra

|Chakrapani commentary on Charaka Samhita Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 11 Sutram 37

|-

|-

|4

|4

|Poisonous insects/worms and evil spirits

|Poisonous insects/worms and evil spirits

|Cha. Sha. 1/121 Chakra

|Chakrapani commentary on Charaka Samhita Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 1 Sutram 121

|}

|}

===== विषकृमी ॥ Poisonous creatures: =====

===== विषकृमी ॥ Poisonous creatures: =====

=== अभिशापप्रभवः जनपदोध्वंसः ॥ Curse by preceptors ===

=== अभिशापप्रभवः जनपदोध्वंसः ॥ Curse by preceptors ===

Abhishapa has been listed as one of the causes of Janapadodhwansa. Abhishapa refers to the curse by preceptors. It is said that, such a curse is strong enough to destroy a complete human settlement. Again, the ultimate cause for such a curse is Adharma or unrighteousness act. Those who get by without performing religious duties or who shirk from their religious duties tend to behave irresponsibly or are disrespectful to the preceptors, elders, the wise, sages and the nobility. Consequently, such people often get cursed by preceptors etc. Such wraths could destroy individuals or communities immediately or at a pre-determined time.<blockquote>ये लुप्तधर्माणो धर्मादपेतास्ते गुरुवृद्धसिद्धर्षिपूज्यानवमत्याहितान्याचरन्ति; ततस्ताः प्रजा गुर्वादिभिरभिशप्ता भस्मतामुपयान्ति प्रागेवानेकपुरुषकुलविनाशाय, नियतप्रत्ययोपलम्भादनियताश्चापरे ॥ (Char. Samh 3.23)</blockquote>

Abhishapa has been listed as one of the causes of Janapadodhwansa. Abhishapa refers to the curse by preceptors. It is said that, such a curse is strong enough to destroy a complete human settlement. Again, the ultimate cause for such a curse is Adharma or unrighteousness act. Those who get by without performing religious duties or who shirk from their religious duties tend to behave irresponsibly or are disrespectful to the preceptors, elders, the wise, sages and the nobility. Consequently, such people often get cursed by preceptors etc. Such wraths could destroy individuals or communities immediately or at a pre-determined time.<blockquote>ये लुप्तधर्माणो धर्मादपेतास्ते गुरुवृद्धसिद्धर्षिपूज्यानवमत्याहितान्याचरन्ति; ततस्ताः प्रजा गुर्वादिभिरभिशप्ता भस्मतामुपयान्ति प्रागेवानेकपुरुषकुलविनाशाय, नियतप्रत्ययोपलम्भादनियताश्चापरे ॥ (Char. Samh 3.23)</blockquote><blockquote>ye luptadharmāṇo dharmādapetāste guruvr̥ddhasiddharṣipūjyānavamatyāhitānyācaranti; tatastāḥ prajā gurvādibhirabhiśaptā bhasmatāmupayānti prāgevānekapuruṣakulavināśāya, niyatapratyayopalambhādaniyatāścāpare ॥ (Char. Samh 3.23)</blockquote>

== जनपदोध्वंसस्य मूलम् ॥ Fundamental cause of Janapadodhwansa ==

== जनपदोध्वंसस्य मूलम् ॥ Fundamental cause of Janapadodhwansa ==

Although various causes of Janapadodhwansa have been listed by Acharyas, the root cause or fundamental cause for all these factors is believed to be Adharma or unrighteous acts done in this life, Sins of the present life or the misdeeds of the past life. And the origin of all these acts is traced up to [[Prajnaparadha (प्रज्ञापराधः)|prajnaparadha]] (Intellectual errors). Acharya Charaka has expounded how Adharma originating from prajnaparadha causes vitiation of environmental factors and leads to destruction of human settlements as below,<blockquote>यदा वै देशनगरनिगमजनपदप्रधाना धर्ममुत्क्रम्याधर्मेण प्रजां वर्तयन्ति, तदाश्रितोपाश्रिताः रजनपदा व्यवहारोपजीविनश्च तमधर्ममभिवर्धयन्ति, ततः सोऽधर्मः प्रसभं धर्ममन्तर्धत्ते, तस्तेऽन्तर्हितधर्माणो देवताभिरपि त्यज्यन्ते; तेषां थाऽन्तर्हितधर्मणामधर्मप्रधानानामपक्रान्तदेवतानामृतवो व्यापद्यन्ते; तेन नापो यथाकालं देवो र्षति न वा वर्षति विकृतं वा वर्षति, वाता न सम्यगभिवान्ति, तिर्व्यापद्यते, लिलान्युपशुष्यन्ति, ओषधयः स्वभावं परिहायापद्यन्ते विकृतिं; तत उद्ध्वंसन्ते जनपदाः श्याभ्यवहार्यदोषात् ॥ (Char. Samh 3.23)</blockquote>Meaning: Thus when the reigning heads of countries, cities, trade guilds etc. govern the people irresponsibly by transgressing the virtuous path, then their officers, sub-ordinates and under- subordinates, people of the city and community and traders deviate from their duties as well and propagate such unrighteous acts further. Their sinful acts perforce causes the righteous acts to disappear. Because of the disappearance of righteous acts, even the Gods desert the people living in such places. This causes seasons to get impaired in these places. There is no rain in time, or never at all, or abnormal rain occurs; the air does not flow properly; the land is afflicted, the water reservoirs dry up, and herbs lose their true properties and suffer deterioration. As a consequence, the people perish as the result of infectious contact or ingestion of polluted food and water.<ref>Available from charakasamhitaonline.com (Vimanasthanam adhyaya 3 Sutram 20)</ref>  

Although various causes of Janapadodhwansa have been listed by Acharyas, the root cause or fundamental cause for all these factors is believed to be Adharma or unrighteous acts done in this life, Sins of the present life or the misdeeds of the past life. And the origin of all these acts is traced up to [[Prajnaparadha (प्रज्ञापराधः)|prajnaparadha]] (Intellectual errors). Acharya Charaka has expounded how Adharma originating from prajnaparadha causes vitiation of environmental factors and leads to destruction of human settlements.

 

According to Charaka Samhita, when the reigning heads of countries, cities, trade guilds etc. govern the people irresponsibly by transgressing the virtuous path, then their officers, sub-ordinates and under- subordinates, people of the city and community and traders deviate from their duties as well and propagate such unrighteous acts further. Their sinful acts perforce causes the righteous acts to disappear. Because of the disappearance of righteous acts, even the Gods desert the people living in such places. This causes seasons to get impaired in these places. There is no rain in time, or never at all, or abnormal rain occurs; the air does not flow properly; the land is afflicted, the water reservoirs dry up, and herbs lose their true properties and suffer deterioration. As a consequence, the people perish as the result of infectious contact or ingestion of polluted food and water.<ref>Available from charakasamhitaonline.com (Vimanasthanam adhyaya 3 Sutram 20)</ref>  

== जनपदोध्वंसस्य प्रतिकारोपायाः ॥ Treatment measures to control Janapadodhwansa ==

== जनपदोध्वंसस्य प्रतिकारोपायाः ॥ Treatment measures to control Janapadodhwansa ==

वाताज्जलं जलाद्देशं देशात् कालं स्वभावतः| विद्याद्दुष्परिहार्यत्वाद्गरीयस्तरमर्थवित् ||१०||

After listing various causes for janapadodhwansa, Acharya Charaka explained the medical management of it. Although the causes like weapons/wars, curse by preceptors have been listed specific management of the janapadodhwansa caused by these factors has not been mentioned. However, since vitiated environmental factors and illness caused by such vitiation is tricky to handle, Acharya Charaka has mentioned the holistic management for this kind of janapadodhwansa along with the general measures to manage janapadodhwansa caused due to Adharma. It has also been specifically mentioned that, the level of difficulty to handle janapadodhwansa caused by these 4 factors increases from Vayu to jalam, desha and last kala respectively . It is clear that when janapadodhwansa is developed due to vitiation of [[Kala (कालः)|kala]] it is nearly impossible to counteract the effects. <blockquote>वाताज्जलं जलाद्देशं देशात् कालं स्वभावतः। विद्याद्दुष्परिहार्यत्वाद्गरीयस्तरमर्थवित् ॥</blockquote><blockquote>वाय्वादिषु यथोक्तानां दोषाणां तु विशेषवित्। प्रतीकारस्य सौकर्ये विद्याल्लाघवलक्षणम् ॥ (Char. Samh 3.10-11)</blockquote><blockquote>vātājjalaṁ jalāddeśaṁ deśāt kālaṁ svabhāvataḥ। vidyādduṣparihāryatvādgarīyastaramarthavit ॥</blockquote><blockquote>vāyvādiṣu yathoktānāṁ doṣāṇāṁ tu viśeṣavit। pratīkārasya saukarye vidyāllāghavalakṣaṇam ॥ (Char. Samh 3.10-11)</blockquote>

 

वाय्वादिषु यथोक्तानां दोषाणां तु विशेषवित्| प्रतीकारस्य सौकर्ये विद्याल्लाघवलक्षणम्||११||

=== त्रिविधा चिकित्सा ॥ 3 modalities of treatment for Janapadodhwansa ===

=== त्रिविधा चिकित्सा ॥ 3 modalities of treatment for Janapadodhwansa ===

इत्येतद्भेषजं प्रोक्तमायुषः परिपालनम्|

While explaining the measures for holistic management of Janapadodhwansa, 3 modalities of [[Chikitsa (चिकित्सा)|chikitsa]] (treatment) have been described by Acharya Charaka. It includes Daivavyapashraya chikitsa, Yuktivyapashraya chikitsa and satvavajaya chikitsa. It is said that these treatment measures help for sustenance and survival of life and are rewarding in those who do not have niyata mrtyu (fixed predestined time of death during that critical time). <blockquote>इत्येतद्भेषजं प्रोक्तमायुषः परिपालनम्। येषामनियतो मृत्युस्तस्मिन् काले सुदारुणे ॥ (Char. Samh 3.18)</blockquote><blockquote>ityetadbheṣajaṁ proktamāyuṣaḥ paripālanam। yeṣāmaniyato mr̥tyustasmin kāle sudāruṇe ॥ (Char. Samh 3.18)</blockquote>

 

येषामनियतो मृत्युस्तस्मिन् काले सुदारुणे||१८||

==== युक्तिव्यपाश्रया चिकित्सा ॥Yuktivyapashraya ====

==== युक्तिव्यपाश्रया चिकित्सा ॥Yuktivyapashraya ====

===== पंचकर्माणि ॥ Panchakarma =====

===== पंचकर्माणि ॥ Panchakarma =====

कर्म पञ्चविधं तेषां भेषजं परमुच्यते||१३||

Along with medicinal treatments, a special modality of treatment known as [[Panchakarmas (पञ्चकर्माणि)|Panchakarma]] in Ayurveda is said to be the excellent therapy for illnesses arising from Janapadodhwansa.

===== रसायनम् ॥Rasayana =====

===== रसायनम् ॥Rasayana =====

रसायनानां विधिवच्चोपयोगः प्रशस्यते|

Rasayanam is one of the 8 specialty branches of Ayurveda. [[Rasayana (रसायनम्)|Rasayana]] treatments which are revitalising, nourishing and immuno-modulatory in nature are believed to be extremely beneficial in this situation.

==== दैवव्यपाश्रया चिकित्सा ॥ Daivavyapashraya ====

==== दैवव्यपाश्रया चिकित्सा ॥ Daivavyapashraya ====

 

 

 

==== सत्वावजयचिकित्सा ॥ Satvavajaya ====

==== सत्वावजयचिकित्सा ॥ Satvavajaya ====

सत्यं भूते दया दानं बलयो देवतार्चनम्|

 

सद्धृत्तस्यानुवृत्तिश्च प्रशमो गुप्तिरात्मनः||१५||

<blockquote>सत्यं भूते दया दानं बलयो देवतार्चनम्।  सद्धृत्तस्यानुवृत्तिश्च प्रशमो गुप्तिरात्मनः॥</blockquote><blockquote>हितं जनपदानां च शिवानामुपसेवनम्।  सेवनं ब्रह्मचर्यस्य तथैव ब्रह्मचारिणाम्॥</blockquote><blockquote>सङ्कथा धर्मशास्त्राणां महर्षीणां जितात्मनाम्।  धार्मिकैः सात्त्विकैर्नित्यं सहास्या वृद्धसम्मतैः॥ (Char. Samh. 3.15-17)</blockquote><blockquote>satyaṁ bhūte dayā dānaṁ balayo devatārcanam। saddhr̥ttasyānuvr̥ttiśca praśamo guptirātmanaḥ॥</blockquote><blockquote>hitaṁ janapadānāṁ ca śivānāmupasevanam। sevanaṁ brahmacaryasya tathaiva brahmacāriṇām॥</blockquote><blockquote>saṅkathā dharmaśāstrāṇāṁ maharṣīṇāṁ jitātmanām। dhārmikaiḥ sāttvikairnityaṁ sahāsyā vr̥ddhasammataiḥ॥ (Char. Samh. 3.15-17)</blockquote>Thus it is clear that Ayurveda Acharyas have studied the situations of Janapadodhwansa popularly known as epidemics or pandemics in depth. They have not just been able to reach upto the root cause of such situations, but also, with that perspective, helped the humanity to successfully survive such situations by managinf the imbalances of body as well as mind. This perspective not only help us to find ways to protect us in the situations of janapadodhwansa but also provide insights into the possible ways to prevent such situations in future.

== References ==

== References ==

<references />

<references />

[[Category:Ayurveda]]

[[Category:Ayurveda]]