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Desha in Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदे देश:) (view source)
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The term 'Desha' literally means country, site, location, land or region. In Ayurveda, 'Desha' refers to the site, area of residence or location of a person. It also refers to the body of a person which is the location of his mind, atman and senses. Ayurveda scholars have deeply studied the effects of the climate and other environmental factors of the region where a person resides on his/her health. Therefore, Desha has been considered as an important concept in Ayurveda which is taken into accounts while making a diagnosis, assessing strength and planning a treatment.
== Introduction ==
Disha is derived from ‘Dish Nirdesh’ which has been considered in nine ‘Karana Dravyas’ in the Indian philosophy and Ayurveda. Disha (direction) denotes Desha also which is directed or divided from one part to other. In Ayurveda the term Desha has been applied for both form as Disha (direction) and Desha (place) directed or divided part. Both are important for the maintenance of health prevention and cure of disease too. Commonly Desha term is in sense of site location, land etc. In reference of site and location Desha has been applied and described in two dimensional way in Ayurvedic classics known as Bhumi Desha (Specific part of land or geographical part) and Atura Desha (the site of disease body and mind). In reference of architecting, collection of drugs, quality of river water property of air etc. are described on the basis of Bhumi Desha. The air, water coming from specific direction has specific property. The aim of this study is collection, exploration and interpretation of the subject matter related to Desha and its impact of health and disease in human beings as described in the Ayurveda classics. <ref>Meena, Dinesh & Singh, Rani. (2015). CRITICAL REVIEW OF THE CONCEPT OF DESHA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HEALTH AND DISEASE. International Journal of Research in Ayurveda & Pharmacy. 6. 563-567. 10.7897/2277-4343.065105. </ref>
== Classification of Desha (Area of residence) ==
=== Jangala Desha ( Dry land ) ===
Dry land, land surface is characterized by rocky, sandy with full of stones, appearance of mirages in summer, small ponds, open spaces, hot weather, thorny bushes, scanty rainfall. Predominance of dry wind and arid desert. Plants are mostly thorny, trees like Khadira (Acacia catechu), Aswakarana (Dipterocarpus alatus), Sallaki (Boswellia serrate), Aswatha (Ficus religosa), Vata (Ficus benghalinses), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Sami (Prosopis cineraria), Arka (Calotropis procera), Pello (Salvadora persica), etc. are common. Abundant crops like Cotton (Gossypium herbaccum), ground nut, Bajra (Pennisetum glaucum), etc are prevalent. The people of Jangala Desha tend more towards Vata and Pitta dominant constitution. They are harsh, strong and rough in nature and are more prone to Vata- Pitta dominant diseases.2-5 Jangala Desha (arid, desert- like land) is that in which the land is like the sky, high, with less water and trees, such as karira (Capparis decidua), Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Pilu (Salvadora persica), karkandhu trees (which have very little of sap and are thorny and rough) abound, plenty of antelopes, deer’s, bucks and donkeys, fruits which are very sweet and with people suffering from diseases caused by Vata. Jangala has less quantity of water and trees and people suffer from disease of Pitta, Asruka, Maruta (Vata). (Mishra Brahmasankara,Vaisya R. (Bha.P.5/5-6) of Bhavamisra:, (Vol.-1) Chaukhamba Sanskrita Sansthan, Varanasi U.P., India 10th edition.2002;107)
=== Anupa Desha (Marshy land) ===
Marshy land is moist & humid. Land surface is uneven. Hills, lakes, well, river are found in great numbers and underground water level is not deep, coastal areas and variety of fruits & vegetables; Hintal (Date palm), Tamala (Garcinia sps.), Narikela (Coconut tree), Kadali (Banana tree). Sea coasts or river banks are full of trees. In between the forests many flowering climbers are found. Paddy, sugarcane, plantain tree etc. The individuals of Anupa Desha tend more towards Kapha and Vata dominant constitution. They are usually delicate, beautiful and gentle in nature and are more prone to Kaphaj and Vataj diseases.7-10 Anupa Desha (Marshy land) is to be understood by presence of plenty of rivers, mountains, reservoirs of water (ponds, lakes etc.) with abundance of lotus flowers, swan, crane, goose, lark and other such birds, animals, like the rabbit, bear, buffalo, deer, duck etc. Plenty of trees with more flowers, green vegetation full of fruits, yield of different kinds of paddy, plantains, sugarcanes etc.11
=== Sadharana Desha (Dry and Marshy land) ===
Mixed characteristics of both Jangala and Anup Desha are found .With proper balance of dry land and moist season, open spaces & forests. The animals and crops have the combined characters of Jangala and Anupa Desha. People are Sama Doshaj prakarti.12- 13 The land which has mixed features (of both) is called Sadharana Desha. Because cold, rain, heat and breeze are in equal proportion, leading to balance in Doshas’ also, hence it is best.14
Anupa, Sadharana: Anupa Sadharana is the land which has more features of Anupa Desha. It is the originating place for Lavana and Amla Rasa. Jangala, Sadharana:- Is the land which has more features of Jangala Desha. Jangala Sadharana Desha is the originating place for Tikta and Kasaya Rasa.1
== Classification of Desha on the basis of Panchamahabhuta ==
The character of that particular Mahabhuta dominates in that particular Deshas. This factor is most important in classification of Trivida Desha. Acharya Susruta has given Panchabhautika classification of Bhumi on the basis of overall appearance of that area. 1. Parthiva Bhumi Desha-Full of heavy rocks, greyish or blackish coloured soil and huge trees are present. 2. Apya Bhumi Desha-Smooth, full of water and grass, delicate trees and whitish soil are present. 3. Agneya Bhumi Desha-Different coloured of soil, mixed with plenty of small stones and smaller trees are present. 4. Vayaviya Bhumi Desha-Rough and ash coloured stones, with plenty of dry small trees with holes are found. 5. Akasiya Bhumi Desha- The land is soft, even with holes in it and is having tasteless huge trees and mountains. The colour of the soil is greyish black in colour.
== Relation between Janpadodhwamsa (epidemics) and Desha ==
In Janpadodhwamsa chapter, Desha is considered as one of the important environmental factor responsible for the causation of epidemic diseases which inflicts the person having dissimilar constitution, food, body, strength, suitability, mind and age simultaneously. Therefore when the place is having normal features then epidemics do not occur but the place when get polluted by any means the epidemic diseases are occurred. When an epidemic disease breaks out in a region, it affects a large number of people in the community, who are not similar in all respects. Such diseases are very powerful; their mode of spread very quick and their source is common. Ancient scholars of Ayurveda recognized that such epidemics are due to use of contaminated air, water, land and season because these four factors are common to all in a community.25 The impact on health of incident in Hiroshima and Nagasaki of Japan and Bhopal gas tragedy also in India is known to the entire world. People of these regions are still suffering from various genetic disorders.
== The specific Desha has specific type of climate and dietic culture which becomes as specific cause of specific disease as ==
The people of the eastern side and Chinese use excessively Kshara which produces injurious effect on hair, eyes, heart and virility. People of villages, towns, cities and countries, where this is used in excess, suffer from blindness, impotency, baldness, grey hair and heart disease characterized by sawing pain.30 The people of Balhika, Saurastrika, Saindhava and Sauviraka Desha are in habit of
excessive use of lavana which it produces fatigue, lassitude and weakness in the body. People of villages, towns, cities and countries, where it is used in excess people suffer various health problems. So all these aspect important to understand the cause of disorders according to the Desha in the individual.31This is a unique contribution of Kasyapa Samhita about the treatment of Amlapitta according to Desha. In human beings, this disease (Amlapitta) often develops in Anupa Desha (marshy place) that is why it should be treated with the medicine growing in Jangala Desha (arid zone). If it does not get pacified with this, the person should go to other place, because a particular Desha (region) is known as good where people live with disease free State.32 The diseases are also categorised on the basis of Desha and Disha. In Madhava Nidana it is stated that the Shlipada (filariasis) occurs specially in those places, where there is always a collection of stagnating water and dampness round the year. These types of places are termed as Anupa Desha (marshy place) and the peoples residing in these places are more prone for filariasis.33 Raktapitta (bleeding disorder) as Urdhwa, Adhoga and Tiryaka due to direction of bleeding from the body.
== Desha and the principles of management of disease ==
Acharya Susruta stated that disease originated in Anu Desha (marshy place) and shifted to Jangala Desha (arid zone or Vice versa) they lose their severity also. The Doshas, accumulated in its native place may not aggravate in another. If appropriate regimen is followed, there is no fear of disease caused by place. In spite of innate qualities of the place, one should take precaution in diet, sleep, activities etc. 41 The balance state of Doshas is known as health. The first and foremost principles are avoidance of the cause of diseases. Therefore if someone takes Dravy( Ahara / Aushadh) of similar quality of Desha, Doshas will be alleviated leading to diseases. The scholars of Ayurveda have directed to use Ahara (diet) and Vihara (life style) opposing to Desha. There is a specific concept in Ayurveda entitled Viruddha Ahara which indicates various type of Viruddha Ahara. One of them is Desha Viruddha according to that the Ruksha Ahara in Jangala Desha is Desha Viruddha because if natures of both are similar it will aggravate Doshas. The diet should also be taken against Prakriti (constitution). The similar type of diet in specific Desha will aggravate the Dosha strongly and diseases born by it will be severe and acute. The quality of drugs are also described according to Desha and the collection of the drugs are described keeping the View of different Dishas also.
== References ==
[[Category:Ayurveda]]
The term 'Desha' literally means country, site, location, land or region. In Ayurveda, 'Desha' refers to the site, area of residence or location of a person. It also refers to the body of a person which is the location of his mind, atman and senses. Ayurveda scholars have deeply studied the effects of the climate and other environmental factors of the region where a person resides on his/her health. Therefore, Desha has been considered as an important concept in Ayurveda which is taken into accounts while making a diagnosis, assessing strength and planning a treatment.
== Introduction ==
Disha is derived from ‘Dish Nirdesh’ which has been considered in nine ‘Karana Dravyas’ in the Indian philosophy and Ayurveda. Disha (direction) denotes Desha also which is directed or divided from one part to other. In Ayurveda the term Desha has been applied for both form as Disha (direction) and Desha (place) directed or divided part. Both are important for the maintenance of health prevention and cure of disease too. Commonly Desha term is in sense of site location, land etc. In reference of site and location Desha has been applied and described in two dimensional way in Ayurvedic classics known as Bhumi Desha (Specific part of land or geographical part) and Atura Desha (the site of disease body and mind). In reference of architecting, collection of drugs, quality of river water property of air etc. are described on the basis of Bhumi Desha. The air, water coming from specific direction has specific property. The aim of this study is collection, exploration and interpretation of the subject matter related to Desha and its impact of health and disease in human beings as described in the Ayurveda classics. <ref>Meena, Dinesh & Singh, Rani. (2015). CRITICAL REVIEW OF THE CONCEPT OF DESHA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HEALTH AND DISEASE. International Journal of Research in Ayurveda & Pharmacy. 6. 563-567. 10.7897/2277-4343.065105. </ref>
== Classification of Desha (Area of residence) ==
=== Jangala Desha ( Dry land ) ===
Dry land, land surface is characterized by rocky, sandy with full of stones, appearance of mirages in summer, small ponds, open spaces, hot weather, thorny bushes, scanty rainfall. Predominance of dry wind and arid desert. Plants are mostly thorny, trees like Khadira (Acacia catechu), Aswakarana (Dipterocarpus alatus), Sallaki (Boswellia serrate), Aswatha (Ficus religosa), Vata (Ficus benghalinses), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Sami (Prosopis cineraria), Arka (Calotropis procera), Pello (Salvadora persica), etc. are common. Abundant crops like Cotton (Gossypium herbaccum), ground nut, Bajra (Pennisetum glaucum), etc are prevalent. The people of Jangala Desha tend more towards Vata and Pitta dominant constitution. They are harsh, strong and rough in nature and are more prone to Vata- Pitta dominant diseases.2-5 Jangala Desha (arid, desert- like land) is that in which the land is like the sky, high, with less water and trees, such as karira (Capparis decidua), Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Pilu (Salvadora persica), karkandhu trees (which have very little of sap and are thorny and rough) abound, plenty of antelopes, deer’s, bucks and donkeys, fruits which are very sweet and with people suffering from diseases caused by Vata. Jangala has less quantity of water and trees and people suffer from disease of Pitta, Asruka, Maruta (Vata). (Mishra Brahmasankara,Vaisya R. (Bha.P.5/5-6) of Bhavamisra:, (Vol.-1) Chaukhamba Sanskrita Sansthan, Varanasi U.P., India 10th edition.2002;107)
=== Anupa Desha (Marshy land) ===
Marshy land is moist & humid. Land surface is uneven. Hills, lakes, well, river are found in great numbers and underground water level is not deep, coastal areas and variety of fruits & vegetables; Hintal (Date palm), Tamala (Garcinia sps.), Narikela (Coconut tree), Kadali (Banana tree). Sea coasts or river banks are full of trees. In between the forests many flowering climbers are found. Paddy, sugarcane, plantain tree etc. The individuals of Anupa Desha tend more towards Kapha and Vata dominant constitution. They are usually delicate, beautiful and gentle in nature and are more prone to Kaphaj and Vataj diseases.7-10 Anupa Desha (Marshy land) is to be understood by presence of plenty of rivers, mountains, reservoirs of water (ponds, lakes etc.) with abundance of lotus flowers, swan, crane, goose, lark and other such birds, animals, like the rabbit, bear, buffalo, deer, duck etc. Plenty of trees with more flowers, green vegetation full of fruits, yield of different kinds of paddy, plantains, sugarcanes etc.11
=== Sadharana Desha (Dry and Marshy land) ===
Mixed characteristics of both Jangala and Anup Desha are found .With proper balance of dry land and moist season, open spaces & forests. The animals and crops have the combined characters of Jangala and Anupa Desha. People are Sama Doshaj prakarti.12- 13 The land which has mixed features (of both) is called Sadharana Desha. Because cold, rain, heat and breeze are in equal proportion, leading to balance in Doshas’ also, hence it is best.14
Anupa, Sadharana: Anupa Sadharana is the land which has more features of Anupa Desha. It is the originating place for Lavana and Amla Rasa. Jangala, Sadharana:- Is the land which has more features of Jangala Desha. Jangala Sadharana Desha is the originating place for Tikta and Kasaya Rasa.1
== Classification of Desha on the basis of Panchamahabhuta ==
The character of that particular Mahabhuta dominates in that particular Deshas. This factor is most important in classification of Trivida Desha. Acharya Susruta has given Panchabhautika classification of Bhumi on the basis of overall appearance of that area. 1. Parthiva Bhumi Desha-Full of heavy rocks, greyish or blackish coloured soil and huge trees are present. 2. Apya Bhumi Desha-Smooth, full of water and grass, delicate trees and whitish soil are present. 3. Agneya Bhumi Desha-Different coloured of soil, mixed with plenty of small stones and smaller trees are present. 4. Vayaviya Bhumi Desha-Rough and ash coloured stones, with plenty of dry small trees with holes are found. 5. Akasiya Bhumi Desha- The land is soft, even with holes in it and is having tasteless huge trees and mountains. The colour of the soil is greyish black in colour.
== Relation between Janpadodhwamsa (epidemics) and Desha ==
In Janpadodhwamsa chapter, Desha is considered as one of the important environmental factor responsible for the causation of epidemic diseases which inflicts the person having dissimilar constitution, food, body, strength, suitability, mind and age simultaneously. Therefore when the place is having normal features then epidemics do not occur but the place when get polluted by any means the epidemic diseases are occurred. When an epidemic disease breaks out in a region, it affects a large number of people in the community, who are not similar in all respects. Such diseases are very powerful; their mode of spread very quick and their source is common. Ancient scholars of Ayurveda recognized that such epidemics are due to use of contaminated air, water, land and season because these four factors are common to all in a community.25 The impact on health of incident in Hiroshima and Nagasaki of Japan and Bhopal gas tragedy also in India is known to the entire world. People of these regions are still suffering from various genetic disorders.
== The specific Desha has specific type of climate and dietic culture which becomes as specific cause of specific disease as ==
The people of the eastern side and Chinese use excessively Kshara which produces injurious effect on hair, eyes, heart and virility. People of villages, towns, cities and countries, where this is used in excess, suffer from blindness, impotency, baldness, grey hair and heart disease characterized by sawing pain.30 The people of Balhika, Saurastrika, Saindhava and Sauviraka Desha are in habit of
excessive use of lavana which it produces fatigue, lassitude and weakness in the body. People of villages, towns, cities and countries, where it is used in excess people suffer various health problems. So all these aspect important to understand the cause of disorders according to the Desha in the individual.31This is a unique contribution of Kasyapa Samhita about the treatment of Amlapitta according to Desha. In human beings, this disease (Amlapitta) often develops in Anupa Desha (marshy place) that is why it should be treated with the medicine growing in Jangala Desha (arid zone). If it does not get pacified with this, the person should go to other place, because a particular Desha (region) is known as good where people live with disease free State.32 The diseases are also categorised on the basis of Desha and Disha. In Madhava Nidana it is stated that the Shlipada (filariasis) occurs specially in those places, where there is always a collection of stagnating water and dampness round the year. These types of places are termed as Anupa Desha (marshy place) and the peoples residing in these places are more prone for filariasis.33 Raktapitta (bleeding disorder) as Urdhwa, Adhoga and Tiryaka due to direction of bleeding from the body.
== Desha and the principles of management of disease ==
Acharya Susruta stated that disease originated in Anu Desha (marshy place) and shifted to Jangala Desha (arid zone or Vice versa) they lose their severity also. The Doshas, accumulated in its native place may not aggravate in another. If appropriate regimen is followed, there is no fear of disease caused by place. In spite of innate qualities of the place, one should take precaution in diet, sleep, activities etc. 41 The balance state of Doshas is known as health. The first and foremost principles are avoidance of the cause of diseases. Therefore if someone takes Dravy( Ahara / Aushadh) of similar quality of Desha, Doshas will be alleviated leading to diseases. The scholars of Ayurveda have directed to use Ahara (diet) and Vihara (life style) opposing to Desha. There is a specific concept in Ayurveda entitled Viruddha Ahara which indicates various type of Viruddha Ahara. One of them is Desha Viruddha according to that the Ruksha Ahara in Jangala Desha is Desha Viruddha because if natures of both are similar it will aggravate Doshas. The diet should also be taken against Prakriti (constitution). The similar type of diet in specific Desha will aggravate the Dosha strongly and diseases born by it will be severe and acute. The quality of drugs are also described according to Desha and the collection of the drugs are described keeping the View of different Dishas also.
== References ==
[[Category:Ayurveda]]