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=== '''Rakshoganadi (Evil spirits) or Bhutasangha (other creatures)''' ===

=== Rakshoganadi (Evil spirits) or Bhutasangha (other creatures) ===

A human being is believed to develop a disease by exogenous factors that include evil spirits and other (living) creatures etc. Clinical features of many such afflictions have been discussed in detail by Charaka in relevant chapters of the treatise. Therefore, the study of the classical literature on clinical presentation of such afflictions was carried out to find similarity between COVID-19 clinical features and any type of these factors.  

A human being is believed to develop a disease by exogenous factors that include evil spirits and other (living) creatures etc. Clinical features of many such afflictions have been discussed in detail by Charaka in relevant chapters of the treatise. Therefore, the study of the classical literature on clinical presentation of such afflictions was carried out to find similarity between COVID-19 clinical features and any type of these factors.  

==== '''Rakshoganadi (Evil spirits)''' ====

==== Rakshoganadi (Evil spirits) ====

The term Raksha is explained by the commentator Chakrapani as Rakshasadi (Cha. Vi 3/22, chakra). Thus, search to find out the other meaning of word ‘Raksha’ or ‘Rakshasa’ was conducted. While explaining the management of Unmada (~Psychosis) Charaka has mentioned this term ‘Raksha’ again. (Cha. Chi 9/16, chakra). Commentary by Chakrapani on this term indicates that, the term ‘Raksha’ encompasses Rakshas and Brahma rakshasas. The term ‘Gana’ indicates group. Therefore, one can include various invisible evil spirits mentioned as disease-causing entities under this group. This group therefore would include Deva, pishachi, Gandharva etc. (Cha. Chi 9) Charka has described distinct clinical features of the diseases caused due to affliction by such spirits. It is clear from the literature that, affliction by Rakshogana etc cause diseases that predominantly include psychological and behavioural abnormalities. Sushruta has also mentioned various evil spirits and included all of them under ‘Devagana’. The similar explanation for these terms can be found in Sushruta and Dalhana’s commentary on it. (Su . Su 1/12, Su. Ut. 6/19, Su. Ut 60/7). The clinical features described by Sushruta for such afflictions also are chiefly psychosomatic. (Su. Ut. 60/14) Since the clinical features of COVID-19 do not match with any of these afflictions we rule out the cause of current Janapadodhwansa as affliction by evil spirits.  

The term Raksha is explained by the commentator Chakrapani as Rakshasadi (Cha. Vi 3/22, chakra). Thus, search to find out the other meaning of word ‘Raksha’ or ‘Rakshasa’ was conducted. While explaining the management of Unmada (~Psychosis) Charaka has mentioned this term ‘Raksha’ again. (Cha. Chi 9/16, chakra). Commentary by Chakrapani on this term indicates that, the term ‘Raksha’ encompasses Rakshas and Brahma rakshasas. The term ‘Gana’ indicates group. Therefore, one can include various invisible evil spirits mentioned as disease-causing entities under this group. This group therefore would include Deva, pishachi, Gandharva etc. (Cha. Chi 9) Charka has described distinct clinical features of the diseases caused due to affliction by such spirits. It is clear from the literature that, affliction by Rakshogana etc cause diseases that predominantly include psychological and behavioural abnormalities. Sushruta has also mentioned various evil spirits and included all of them under ‘Devagana’. The similar explanation for these terms can be found in Sushruta and Dalhana’s commentary on it. (Su . Su 1/12, Su. Ut. 6/19, Su. Ut 60/7). The clinical features described by Sushruta for such afflictions also are chiefly psychosomatic. (Su. Ut. 60/14) Since the clinical features of COVID-19 do not match with any of these afflictions we rule out the cause of current Janapadodhwansa as affliction by evil spirits.  

==== '''Bhutasangha (other creatures)''' ====

==== Bhutasangha (other creatures) ====

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

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|'''Sr No'''

|Sr No

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

|Meaning of the term Bhuta

|'''Reference'''

|Reference

|-

|-

|1

|1

Although, grossly the term ‘Bhuta’ suggests living beings, one cannot navigate to the specific clinical presentation of any classical disease explained in Charka with help of this meaning. The possibility of evil spirits (as described in treatises) being the aetiological factor for current pandemic has been ruled out earlier. Therefore, we shifted our focus to the study of classical clinical features of diseases caused by Savisha krumi i.e. poisonous creatures/insects.  

Although, grossly the term ‘Bhuta’ suggests living beings, one cannot navigate to the specific clinical presentation of any classical disease explained in Charka with help of this meaning. The possibility of evil spirits (as described in treatises) being the aetiological factor for current pandemic has been ruled out earlier. Therefore, we shifted our focus to the study of classical clinical features of diseases caused by Savisha krumi i.e. poisonous creatures/insects.  

===== '''Poisonous creatures:''' =====

===== Poisonous creatures: =====

Classical treatises like Charaka and Sushruta have described clinical features and management of toxicity induced by poisonous plants (Sthavara visha) and animals (Jangama visha) of varied types. Charaka has used the word ‘Krumi’ while explaining the term ‘Bhuta’. Therefore, it is clear that, in this context, rather than inanimate sources, animate sources of poison must be considered. Krumi are included under ‘Jangama’ group by Sushruta. (Su. Su 1/30)Thus, we further focused on clinical features of toxicity caused by various groups of animals like snakes, scorpions, rodents, dogs, spiders and insects described by classical treatises. (Cha. Chi 23)

Classical treatises like Charaka and Sushruta have described clinical features and management of toxicity induced by poisonous plants (Sthavara visha) and animals (Jangama visha) of varied types. Charaka has used the word ‘Krumi’ while explaining the term ‘Bhuta’. Therefore, it is clear that, in this context, rather than inanimate sources, animate sources of poison must be considered. Krumi are included under ‘Jangama’ group by Sushruta. (Su. Su 1/30)Thus, we further focused on clinical features of toxicity caused by various groups of animals like snakes, scorpions, rodents, dogs, spiders and insects described by classical treatises. (Cha. Chi 23)