Changes

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

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

These are the factors which are common for each and every individual in a community in a 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. After reviewing these factors (Table 1), we concluded that such a vitiation is not evident currently around the globe unvaryingly. Although the transmission of COVID-19 is through the medium of air, it is not known to be airborne but a droplet infection. (Ref) Therefore, even though preliminarily even if it is perceived that the causative factor could be vitiated air according to Ayurveda theory, classical references do not support this hypothesis. Thus, we rule out the possibility of resemblance of nature of COVID-19 etiology with vitiated air/water/land/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.  

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

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

|1

|1

|Vayu (Air)

|Vayu (Air)

|Air that is not in conformity with the season, totally calm or  violently blowing, exceedingly rough, intensely cold, intensely hot,  excessively dry, excessively humid, terribly clamorous, blowing from contrary  directions and clashing with each other (winds blowing in opposite  direction), violently spinning (whirlwind) and associated with unwholesome  odour, moisture, sand, dust and smoke

|Air that is not in conformity with the season, totally calm or  violently blowing, exceedingly rough, intensely cold, intensely hot,  excessively dry, excessively humid, terribly clamorous, blowing from contrary  directions and clashing with each other (winds blowing in opposite  direction), violently spinning (whirlwind) and associated with unwholesome  odour, moisture, sand, dust and smoke. <ref name=":0">Available from charakasamhitaonline.com ([https://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/index.php?title=Janapadodhvansaniya_Vimana#Characteristics_of_polluted_air Vimanasthanam Adhyaya 3 Sutra 6-7])</ref>

|-

|-

|2

|2

|Jalam (Water)

|Jalam (Water)

|Water that does not seem normal in smell, colour, taste and touch,  has excessive stickiness, is from a source devoid of aquatic animals and  birds or from a drying up water reservoir without pleasantness and is  basically devoid of normal attributes

|Water that does not seem normal in smell, colour, taste and touch,  has excessive stickiness, is from a source devoid of aquatic animals and  birds or from a drying up water reservoir without pleasantness and is  basically devoid of normal attributes<ref name=":0" />

|-

|-

|3

|3

|Desha (Land)

|Desha (Land)

|Any land having abnormal colour, odour, taste and touch, that which  is excessively damp and has an abundance of serpents, beasts, mosquitoes,  locusts, flies, mice, owls, birds and animals such as jackal, and jungles of  ulupa grass and weeds, is abounding in creepers, where crops have fallen,  withered or have been destroyed in an unprecedented manner, where the wind is  smoky, where (unusual) cries of birds and dogs are heard, where herds of  animals and flocks of birds of various kinds are always in a state of panic  and pain, where the people’s virtues like religion, truth, modesty, custom,  character have either declined or been given up, where the water reservoirs  always alter and are over-flowing, where there is frequent exposure to  meteorites, thunderbolts and earthquakes, where nature is full of menacing  sound and sights, where the sun, the moon and the stars are frequently  covered by dry, coppery, ruddy and grey clouds and the general atmosphere is  of constant confusion, excitement and lamentation, crying, fright and  darkness as if seized by guhyaka (ghosts and ghouls)

|Any land having abnormal colour, odour, taste and touch, that which  is excessively damp and has an abundance of serpents, beasts, mosquitoes,  locusts, flies, mice, owls, birds and animals such as jackal, and jungles of  ulupa grass and weeds, is abounding in creepers, where crops have fallen,  withered or have been destroyed in an unprecedented manner, where the wind is  smoky, where (unusual) cries of birds and dogs are heard, where herds of  animals and flocks of birds of various kinds are always in a state of panic  and pain, where the people’s virtues like religion, truth, modesty, custom,  character have either declined or been given up, where the water reservoirs  always alter and are over-flowing, where there is frequent exposure to  meteorites, thunderbolts and earthquakes, where nature is full of menacing  sound and sights, where the sun, the moon and the stars are frequently  covered by dry, coppery, ruddy and grey clouds and the general atmosphere is  of constant confusion, excitement and lamentation, crying, fright and  darkness as if seized by guhyaka (ghosts and ghouls).<ref name=":0" />

|-

|-

|4

|4

|Kala (Season)  

|Kala (Season)  

|A time is said to be unwholesome if it exhibits characteristics that  are opposite to normal or exhibit excessive or deficient characteristics  (e.g. early rains, too little rain, excessively hot summers or cold winters,  etc)

|A time is said to be unwholesome if it exhibits characteristics that  are opposite to normal or exhibit excessive or deficient characteristics  (e.g. early rains, too little rain, excessively hot summers or cold winters,  etc).<ref name=":0" />

|}

|}

=== रक्षोगणादि अथवा भूतसंघाः ॥ Rakshoganadi (Evil spirits) or Bhutasangha (other creatures) ===

=== रक्षोगणादि अथवा भूतसंघाः ॥ 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. Such evil spirits or celestial beings are known as Bhutas in Ayurveda treatises. Clinical features of many such afflictions have been discussed in detail by Charaka in relevant chapters of the treatise. There are multiple shades of meanings to the terms Bhuta and Rakshogana. They have been described below.  

==== रक्षोगणादि ॥ Rakshoganadi (Evil spirits) ====

==== रक्षोगणादि ॥ 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 <ref>Commentary by Chakrapani on Charaka samhita (Vimanasthanam adhyaya 3 Sutram 22)</ref>. While explaining the management of Unmada (~Psychosis) Charaka has mentioned this term ‘Raksha’ again.<ref>Chakrapani Commentary of Charaka Samhita (Chikitsasthanam Adhyaya 9 Sutram 16)</ref> 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 (देवः)|Deva]], pishachi, Gandharva etc.<ref>Charaka Samhita (Chikitsathanam Adhyayam 9)</ref> 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.  

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

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