Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S
Doshabala Pravritta Vyadhis are a group of diseases which are categorized under ‘Adhyatmika Vyadhis’ explained by Acharya Sushruta.
Ref – Sushruta Sutra Sthana, Chapter 24, verse 5
Doshabala Pravritta Vyadhis: Part of Adhyatmika Vyadhis
Adhyatmika Vyadhis is itself a category of diseases which is a part and parcel of Trividha Vyadhis – the threefold classification of diseases explained by Acharya Sushruta. The other two are – Adidaivika Vyadhi and Adibhautika Vyadhi.
So, Doshabala Pravritta Vyadhis, being a part of Adhyatmika Vyadhis, will carry the features of this category and will also have its own specific features which gives it the designation of being doshabala pravrtta.
In this article we shall study about Doshabala Pravrtta Vyadhis and their sub-classification.
Doshabala Pravrtta Vyadhis
दोषबलप्रवृत्ता ये आतङ्कसमुत्पन्ना मिथ्याहारचारकृताश्च; ते ऽपि द्विविधाः_ आमाशयसमित्थाः, पक्वाशयसमुत्थाश्च; पुनश्च द्विविधाः- शारिरा, मानसाश्च।(Su.Su.24/5)
Meaning of Doshabala Pravrtta Vyadhi
– Doshabala Pravrtta – caused due to the strength of aggravated doshas
– Vyadhi – diseases
Definition of Doshabala Pravrtta Vyadhis –
Doshabala Pravrtta Vyadhis are those diseases which are produced by –
– Mithya Ahara – excessive and regular consumption of improper, incompatible and unwholesome foods
– Mithya Achara – excessively and regularly indulging in improper, incompatible and unwholesome activities, actions and behaviors
When one consumes these mithya ahara and indulges in mithya vihara and achara, they will disturb the doshas and cause their aggravation. The doshas which have aggravated and gained immense destructive strength would invade the tissues and organs of the body and cause various diseases wherever they reach. These diseases caused by doshas aggravated by mithya ahara and achara are called Doshabala Pravrtta Vyadhis.
Examples of Doshabala Pravritta Vyadhis –
There are many diseases which fall under the umbrella of this category of diseases. Some examples include –
– Jwara – fever
– Atisara – diarrhea
– Grahani – irritable bowel / inflammatory bowel syndrome
– Pandu roga – anemia
– Kustha – skin diseases
– Agnimandya – sluggishness of digestion fire
– Ajirna – indigestion of food
– Visucika – cholera
– Chardi – vomiting
– Pravahika – dysentery
– Krimi roga – parasitic / helminthic diseases / worm infestations, infections
– Upasarga rogas – contagious diseases
– Rajayakshma – tuberculosis, complex disease syndromes etc.
Types of Doshabala Parivrtta Vyadhis
Doshabala Pravrtta Vyadhis are of two kinds. They are –
1. Amashaya Samuttha Vyadhi
These diseases take their origin from the stomach and small intestine.
Example –
– krimiroga,
– chardi,
– agnimandya,
– ajirna,
– alasaka,
– anaha (amottha)
– grahani,
– kapha disorders
2. Pakvashaya Samuttha Vyadhi
These diseases take their origin from the large intestine.
Examples –
– atisara,
– pravahika,
– adhmana,
– atopa,
– grahani,
– krimiroga,
– vibandha / kostha baddhata,
– udavarta,
– anaha (purishaja)
– vataja rogas etc.
Other classification of Doshabala Pravrtta Vyadhis
Doshabala Pravrtta Vyadhis can also be of two more kinds, as caused by doshas of the body and those of mind respectively –
1. Sharira Vyadhi
These diseases are manifested at the physical level i.e. in the body – somatic diseases. They are caused by aggravation or imbalance of physical doshas i.e. vata, pitta and kapha.
Examples (as mentioned above) –
– Jwara
– Atisara
– Hrdroga
– Shwasa
– Kasa
– Abhisyanda
– Pratisyaya
– Shiroroga
– Karnanada
– Kamala
– Udara
– Gulma
– Prameha
– Klaibya
– Pradara
– Mutrakrichra
– Mutrashmari
– Amavata
– Vatashonita
– Pakshavadha
– Ardita
– Shula etc.
2. Manasa / Manasika Vyadhi
These diseases are manifested at the mental level i.e. in the mind – mental / psychological / psychiatric diseases. They are caused by aggravation or imbalance of doshas of the mind i.e. rajas and tamas.
Examples –
– Unmada
– Apasmara
– Atattvabhinivesha
– Avasada
– Chinta
– Shoka
– Bhaya
– Lobha
– Manovaha sroto dushti janya rogas etc.
Modern thoughts
Doshabala Pravrtta Vyadhis comprise of –
– Physical disorders
– Mental disorders
– Psychosomatic disorders
Prevention and cure
Nidana Parivarjana – One should keep away from mithya ahara and mithya achara, which are the main causes for doshabala pravrtta vyadhis.
Panchakarma – Most diseases which have their origin from the stomach will be caused by agnimandya or kapha aggravation. Pitta too might be involved. Deepana and Pachana for agnimandya and ama should be included. Vamana is the best treatment for Amashaya Samuttha Vyadhis and so is Virechana. Vasti and Virechana are the best therapies for Pakvashaya Samuttha Vyadhis.
For Sharira Vyadhis – The below mentioned principles should be adopted –
– Langhana and Pachana – for mild to moderate aggravation of doshas and for presence of diseases of mild to moderate intensity,
– Doshavasechana – Shodhana / Panchakarma therapies for excessively aggravated doshas
– Dosha Pratyanika Chikitsa – for tackling the predominantly aggravated dosha or doshas
– Vyadhi Pratyanika Chikitsa – disease specific treatments as per the manifested disease
– Shamana Chikitsa – for conditions requiring palliative approach
– Rasayana Chikitsa – for long term immunity
For Manasa Vyadhis – The below mentioned principles should be adopted –
– Sattvavajaya Chikitsa – to conquer the mind imbalances, includes counseling and psychotherapy
– Dhee, Dhairya and Atmadi Vijnana – treatments to promote intelligence and thought process, counseling and psychotherapy and therapies to make the person to realize the ‘self-worth’
– Unmada Chikitsa – treatment on the lines of unmada chikitsa
– Apasmara Chikitsa – treating on the lines of apasmara chikitsa
– Line of treatment of Manovaha Sroto Dushti Janya Vikara
