Prajnaparadha (प्रज्ञापराधः)

Prajnaparadha is a term often used in Ayurveda to describe one of the three main causes of diseases. It refers to the actions performed by an individual, out of inappropriate decisions taken without considering the possible adverse effects. Prajnaparadha is considered to be the root cause of misconduct or unrighteous actions of an individual. Improper understanding of object or lack of control over ego and mind in spite of proper understanding or inability to recollect the potential dangers of planned actions, all could be considered as Prajnaparadhas. These intellectual errors lead to improper actions that result in imbalances of bodily constituents.

Introduction:

Ayurveda considers 3 main causes of the disease.

According to Acharya Charaka the causes are as follows, (Ref: Cha soo 11/ 43 ) (Cha. Vi 7/6)

1. Asatmendriyartha Samyoga (Inappropriate contact of objects with sense organs)
2. Pradnyaparadha (Intellectual error) and
3. Parinama (Consequenses)

Heena (Under/ deficient), Mithya (Inappropriate/perverted) or Ati (Excessive) yoga (union, exposure or contact) with any 3 of the above is said to result in development of diseases.

Acharya Vagbhata in Sootrasthana and Acharya Charaka at other place has stated the 3 cases of disease as Heena (Under/ deficient), Mithya (Inappropriate/perverted) or Ati (Excessive) exposure or contact with Kala, Artha and Karma. Here Kala and Parinama, Artha and Asatmendriyartha and Karma and Prajnaparadha are the synonymously used terms. Charaka has clarified that Kaal is also known as Parinama (Cha.Soo. 11/ 42) while Charka defines Prajnaparadha as threefold action (of body, mind and speech) having 3 subdivisions (Heena/mithya/atiyoga) is called as Prajnaparadha.

Asatmendriyartha Samyoga-

Samyoga means union. Here the union is of the Indriya (sense organ or motor organ) and Indriyartha (the subject of the knowledge or an object). When there is excessive exposure to a subject, disuse or perverted use of any sense organ it is called as Asatmendriyartha Samyoga. Excessive or atiyoga forms of this factor comprises excessive reading, thinking, mental work or physical activity, listening to loud sound for prolonged period etc.

Inappropriate unification of any Indriya (Sense and motor organs) & Indriyartha (Subject of knowledge or object), leads to diseases related to that respective Indriya such as Atiyoga of Rasanendriya includes overeating the food only to pacify the taste buds leads to Rogas (Diseases) such as Ajeerna (Indigestion), Ateesara (Loose motions) etc.

Parinama (Kala)-

Kala is the term referred to the various times of the year divided into 6 Rutu (seasons) like Hemant, Greeshma and Varsha characterised by Cold, Heat and Rains respectively. These external factors like cold, heat and rains affect the bodily constituents. Their excess, deficient or abnormal occurrences lead to imbalance in Doshas resulting in disease development. For example excessive rains, deficient rains or rains in the season of cold represent abnormal seasonal variations and considered as the cause for development of diseases. In Sootrasthana,

Pradnyaparadha:

Incorrect understanding or lack of understanding by the intellect and inappropriate actions performed out of it are called as intellectual errors or Prajnaparadha. It includes Vegavarodha (Suppression of bodily urges involving actions like sneezing, coughing, urinating etc), Ati-sahasa sevana (over exertion or performing activities demanding energy out of the capacity of one’s body and mind etc. This leads to imbalances in Doshas and disease development. (Agnivesha . Charaka, Dridhabala, Charaka Samhita, Sharira Sthana, Katidhapurushiya Shariradhyaya, 1/102-109. 7th ed. Varanasi: Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office; 2002. Text with English Translation and Critical Exposition Based on Chakrapanidatta's ‘Ayurveda Dipika’, by Dr. Ram Karan Sharma and Vaidya Bhagvan Dash.)

Etymology:

Literally, the word Pradnya means "wisdom" or "intelligence"

Apradha means "offence".

Thus, the meaning of term ‘Pradnyaparadha’ becomes "an offence against wisdom".

It is called as an offense because such actions adversely affect the individual who is performing those actions and in spite of knowing this, one takes a step towards it. Therefore these actions are considered thoughtless actions that are undertaken without apprehending their detrimental effects ignoring one’s wisdom or inner voice.

Definition:

Acharya Charka has defined the term Prajnaparadha in details as follows, (Cha. Sharrer 1/ 102)

Meaning: The unwholesome actions performed due to derranged intellect, Restraint (Control) and Memory are known as Prajnaparadha. It vitiates all doshas.

Dhee vibhransha:

Dhee is the term used to indicate Buddhi. By default, Buddhi works rightly and can discriminate between what is eternal and non-eternal, what is right and wrong, what is favourable and unfavourable, what is wholesome and unwholesome. Therefore, derangement of Dhee is when adherence to wrong discrimination between these things is observed and intellect fails to perform its role in selecting the right choice. (cha. Sha 1/ 99)

Dhruti Vibhransha:

The function of Dhruti is to impart control over organs. Dhruti Bhansha is derangement in this function leading to inability to control the mind indulged in sensual pleasures. (cha. Sha 1/ 100)

Smruti Vibhransha:

Smruti perform the action of recollection for maintain the bodily balances. In Smruti vibhransha recollection of knowledge of reality is impaired due to covering of self by manasa dosha like Rajas and Tamas. This incapacitates individual to recollect the right approach and leads to improper choices. (cha. Sha 1/ 101)

Examples of Prajnaparadha : (Cha. Sha 1/103-108)

The unwholesome actions performed due to intellectual error includes following

• Vegodeeran Forcible propulsion of natural urges
• Vegavarodha Suppression of strong, forceful natural urges
• Sahasa Sevana Over indulgence in exertion
• Nareenam Atisevanam Over indulgence in carnal pleasures
• KArmakalatipaatascha – Excessive or delayed actions Mithyarambhascha KArmanam – Procrastination or wrong initiation of a task
• Vinaya lopa – Disappearance of Modesty
• Achaara lopa- Bad conduct or misbehaviour
• Poojyanam Abhidharshana- Rebuking the respected and venerable men
• Wilfully doing unrighteous actions and involving in activities that are known to affect body and mind adversely
• Akaladesha sanchara- Roaming about to an inappropriate place at a wrong time
• Friendship with wicked persons
• Violating the rules of noble conduct mentioned in Sadvrutta
• Generating the emotions of envy, conceit, anger, greed, ignorance, narcosis and delusions.

All actions performed out of above said intellectual errors and other similar actions due to intellectual errors stemming from Raja (Manas dosha) and Moha (Greed and infatuation) are included in Prajnaparadha.

Types of Prajnaparadha:

In another discourse Acharya Charaka has defined Prajnaparadha as threefold action (verbal, Physical and mental) having 3 subdivisions (Heena/mithya/atiyoga). These are also called as Kayik, Vachik and Manasika Karmas commonly referred as ‘Karma’. (Ashang hruday sootra 1/ 19) (Cha. Soo 11/ 37) Hence Prajnaparadha could be comprises of 3 types of karmas viz.

1. Kayika (Physical)
2. Vachika (Verbal) and
3. Manasika (Mental)

Effect of Prajnaparadha

The actions stimulated by pradnyaparadha disturb the balance if tridosa system in the body and vitiate manasa doshas namely Rajas and Tamas creating a background and favourable conditions for development of disease.

There are ample improper actions stimulated by Prajnaparadha which are root causes of various diseases, e.g., habit of suppression of any natural urge is a result of Prajnaparadha and enlisted as a cause of nearly all the diseases by Acharya Vagbhata. (Ashtang Hruday sootra 4/ )

Prajnaparadha and Adharma:

According to Acharya Charaka, all illnesses can be attributed either to Nija Hetus (endogenous factors) like an imbalance of the three dosha or Aagantu hetu (exogenous factors). On the basis of this criteria Acharya Charaka has classified diseases in 2 categories viz. Nija and Agantu. The later group includes epidemics and catastrophes known as ‘Janapadodhvansa’.

Acharya Charaka has attributed epidemics and catastrophe to the immorality and unrighteous acts (adharma) of corrupt leaders (Kings in ancient time), the effects of which spiral down the social order and spread to every level of society. He also refers to bad karma (asat-karman) of past life as another cause of Janapadodhvansa. (Cha. Viman 4/20) The root cause of both, Adharama and Asat-karma, lies in prajnaparadha (Car 3.3.19).

Both Adharma (Unrighteous acts) and Asat Karma (Evil or wicked actions) involve various activities of an individual or a group of individuals that are annoying and hurting to others. As this chain of Adharma and Asat karma continues unrighteousness takes hand over the righteousness. Nature and environment get affected and this results in derangement of natural elements, occurrence of calamities and catastrophes, Wars etc which takes a toll on lives of many at a time. Ayurveda infers that the life span of individuals depends on Daiva as well as Purushakara. Here Daiva is the term used to denote the effects of deeds of past life and Puruushakara indicates the effects of Karmas of present life. (Cha. Viman 4/ 30). Therefore, the death of innocent people in involved in pious righteous acts in present life prematurely in such catastrophes or calamities is attributed to their strong Daiva (Effect of karma of past life).

Role of Prajnaparadha in Preventive medicine:

Parinama (Kaala) is a Nishpratikriya Hetu (Beyond the capability of our control) i.e it is not in our hands but remaining 2 Hetu (Asatmendriyartha Samyoga & Pradnyaparadha), can be avoided by Sadvrittacharana (Following the code of good conduct expounded by Ayurveda), so diseases could be avoided.

Thus, it can be inferred that Prajnaparadha refers to those actions, which are undertaken in spite of being aware of the potential dangers. This, causes imbalance and vitiation of all doshas of Sharira and manasa that hampers the body's normal functions, making the body home to various ailments.

Prajnaparadha holds greater relevance in contemporary times. Committing errors wilfully, neglecting the potential dangers and indulging in sensual pleasures excessively is nothing but an intellectual blasphemy. Various addictions like smoking, alcoholism, misconducts like abusing elders and noble people and physical inactivity with faulty food habits are rooted in Prajnaparadha . Thus, considering this factor as a cause of lifestyle diseases holds tremendous significance as a basis for preventive medicine and signifies the importance of mindful approach while making the choices that not only affect an individual but also those around the individ