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== निरुक्तिः Etymology ==

== निरुक्तिः Etymology ==

The term Desha is derived from the root term Disha (दिश). Disha  is  further described as  ‘Dish  Nirdesh’ (दिश निर्देशे) . It  has been  considered  in  nine ‘Karana Dravyas’ (कारण द्रव्याणि) in the Bharatiya Shastras, Darshanas and Ayurveda. <blockquote>दिश्यते निर्द्दिश्यते इति । दिश निर्द्देशे + कर्म्मणि घञ् ।) भूगोलभागविशेषः । (Shab. 2.747)<ref>Shabdakalpadruma [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%83 2.747]</ref></blockquote>Disha (direction) denotes Desha also which is directed or divided from one part to other.  

The term Desha is derived from the root term Disha (दिश). Disha  is  further described as  ‘Dish  Nirdesh’ (दिश निर्देशे) . It  has been  considered  in  nine ‘Karana Dravyas’ (कारण द्रव्याणि) in the Bharatiya Shastras, Darshanas and Ayurveda. <blockquote>दिश्यते निर्द्दिश्यते इति । दिश निर्द्देशे + कर्म्मणि घञ् ।) भूगोलभागविशेषः । (Shab. 2.747)<ref>Shabdakalpadruma [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%83 2.747]</ref></blockquote>Disha (direction) denotes Desha also which is directed or divided from one part to other. <blockquote>देशः पुनः स्थानं; स द्रव्याणामुत्पत्तिप्रचारौ देशसात्म्यं चाचष्टे (५)|२२| Cha. vi. 1.22</blockquote>

 

देशः पुनः स्थानं; स द्रव्याणामुत्पत्तिप्रचारौ देशसात्म्यं चाचष्टे (५)|२२| Cha. vi. 1.22

== Classification of Bhumi Desha (Area of residence/ geographical land) ==

== Classification of Bhumi Desha (Area of residence/ geographical land) ==

One more disease known as Shlipada (equivalent to Filariasis or elephantitis) is said to be predominantly originating in Anupa desha where there is always a collection of stagnant water dampness throughout the year. One can find that such conditions are usually not commonly found everwhere but in specific region that is Desha as mentioned in Ayurveda, number of cases suffering from this are observed. This is the effect of land on health of the individuals residing on it. <ref>Murthy, K.R. Srikantha: Madhava Nidana (Ma.Ni.39/6) with English Translation,  Chaukhambha  Orientalia,  Varanasi,  U.P.,  India  2009;135 </ref>

One more disease known as Shlipada (equivalent to Filariasis or elephantitis) is said to be predominantly originating in Anupa desha where there is always a collection of stagnant water dampness throughout the year. One can find that such conditions are usually not commonly found everwhere but in specific region that is Desha as mentioned in Ayurveda, number of cases suffering from this are observed. This is the effect of land on health of the individuals residing on it. <ref>Murthy, K.R. Srikantha: Madhava Nidana (Ma.Ni.39/6) with English Translation,  Chaukhambha  Orientalia,  Varanasi,  U.P.,  India  2009;135 </ref>

Deshasatmya

== Deshasatmya ==

 

The concept of Deshsatmya discussed in Ayurveda is important to understand the desirable diet and lifestyle for people residing in that region. Whatever diet and lifestyle help in maintaining the balance of doshas and dhatus in a person residing in the desha having particular properties, is known to be Desha satmya for him/her. <blockquote>देशसात्म्येन च देशविपरीतगुणं सात्म्यं गृह्यते; यथा- आनूपे उष्णरूक्षादि, धन्वनि च शीतस्निग्धादि, ओकसात्म्यं तु उपयोक्तृग्रहणेन गृहीतम्|| Chakrapani Cha. vi. 1.22</blockquote>Meaning: Deshasatmya refers to having used to or accustomed to the diet which is opposite in properties to that of Desha. e.g. Diet in ushna( Hot) and ruksha (dry) properties is satmya in Anupa desha, shita (cold) and snigdha (unctous) in Janhgala desha.

The concept of Deshsatmya discussed in Ayurveda is important to understand the desirable diet and lifestyle for people residing in that region. Whatever diet andlifestyle help in maintaing thebalance of doshas and dhatus in a person residing in the desha having particular properties, is known to be Desha satmya for him/her.  

 

देशसात्म्येन च देशविपरीतगुणं सात्म्यं गृह्यते; यथा- आनूपे उष्णरूक्षादि, धन्वनि च शीतस्निग्धादि, ओकसात्म्यं तु उपयोक्तृग्रहणेन गृहीतम्|| Chakrapani Cha. vi. 1.22

 

At the same time, eating local is on popular trending diet idea which coincides or shares common concept with Deshasatmya.  

तत्र देशे साधारणे जाङ्गले वा यथाकालं शिशिरातपपवनसलिलसेविते समे शुचौ प्रदक्षिणोदके श्मशान-चैत्य-देवयजनागार-सभा-श्वभ्राराम-वल्मीकोषरविरहिते कुशरोहिषास्तीर्णे स्निग्धकृष्णमधुरमृत्तिके सुवर्णवर्णमधुरमृत्तिके वा मृदावफालकृष्टेऽनुपहतेऽन्यैर्बलवत्तरैर्द्रुमैरौषधानि जातानि प्रशस्यन्ते||९|| Cha ka 1. 9

The equilibrium of Doshas is known as health. The first and foremost principles of disease treatment is avoidance of the cause of diseases. Therefore if someone takes substance (diet/ medicine) of similar quality of Desha, Doshas will be aggravated 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 18 types of Ahara (diet patterns) that are incompatible for health. One of them is Desha Viruddha according to which the Ruksha (dry) Ahara in Jangala Desha is Desha Viruddha because if natures of both are similar it will aggravate Doshas. The quality of drugs are also described according to Desha.  

The ideal region for collection of herbs is said to be sadharana desha or janagla desha.

Desha is also one of the important factor to be considered while collecting herbs for preparing medicines. In order to obtain potent herbs for medicines, Ayurveda scholars have provided a guideline for collecting herbs. The time/season of collection, region of collection, method, direction, area are the important aspects of collection method discussed in guidelines. <blockquote>तत्र देशे साधारणे जाङ्गले वा यथाकालं शिशिरातपपवनसलिलसेविते समे शुचौ प्रदक्षिणोदके श्मशान-चैत्य-देवयजनागार-सभा-श्वभ्राराम-वल्मीकोषरविरहिते कुशरोहिषास्तीर्णे स्निग्धकृष्णमधुरमृत्तिके सुवर्णवर्णमधुरमृत्तिके वा मृदावफालकृष्टेऽनुपहतेऽन्यैर्बलवत्तरैर्द्रुमैरौषधानि जातानि प्रशस्यन्ते||९|| Cha ka 1. 9</blockquote>

In that herbs growing on land as described below are desirable and said to be effective.  

* In that herbs growing on land as described below are desirable and said to be effective.

* Plants growing on land covered with ''kusha'' and ''rohisha'' plants, having unctuous, black, sweet or golden sweet soil, soft, un-ploughed  and unaffected by other stronger plants are recommended.  

== Desha and the principles of management of disease ==

== 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.

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.

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Ayurveda]]

[[Category:Ayurveda]]