Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S
Daivabala Pravritta Vyadhis are group of diseases which are categorized under a bigger category of diseases called Adidaivika Vyadhis explained by Acharya Sushruta.
Ref – Sushruta Sutra Sthana, Chapter 24, verse 5
Daivabala Pravritta Vyadhis: Part of Adidaivika Vyadhis
Adidaivika Vyadhis itself is one among the threefold classification of diseases explained by Acharya Sushruta. The other two categories which fall under the threefold classification of diseases are Adyatmika and Adibhautika Vyadhis.
All those diseases which are caused by divine interferences of natural forces are called Adidaivika Vyadhis. While we can address some, most of them are those which we cannot control. Diseases caused by natural calamities or disasters, those caused by curse and anger of gods, preceptors, Brahmins, elders, curse etc and naturally caused diseases fall under the umbrella of Adidaivika Vyadhis.
Being included under the umbrella of Adidaivika Vyadhis, Daivabala Pravritta Vyadhis will have the features of the mentioned category of disease and will also have certain features specific to themselves, by the virtue of which they can be identified and designated as Daivabala Pravrtta Vyadhis.
In this article we shall study about Daivabala Pravrtta Vyadhis and their sub-classification.
Daivabala Pravritta Vyadhis
दैवबलप्रवृत्तां ये देवद्रोहादभिशप्तका अथर्वणकृता उपसर्गजाश्च।(Su.Su.24/7)
Meaning of Daivabala Pravrtta Vyadhi
– Daivabala Pravrtta – caused due to the strength of agitated divine, supernatural, natural or unknown factors
– Vyadhi – diseases
Definition of Daivabala Pravrtta Vyadhis –
Daivabala Pravrtta Vyadhis are the diseases that are produced due to abnormal variations in the coldness, heat and rains which occur in the six seasons i.e. diseases caused due to the strength of abnormal or vitiated seasons / time factor.
Daivabala Pravrtta Vyadhis are those diseases which are caused by the below mentioned causes –
– Krodha – anger and aggravation of Deva etc Grahas (supernatural energies, entities or powers)
– Abhishapa – being cursed by the humiliated divine beings – Deva – Gods, Guru – teachers, Vipra – Brahmanas, Siddha – divine people, Rishi – sages or saints (when one ignores, insults or rejects them)
– Atharvana Krta – due to the effect of Atharvana Rites – i.e. implementation or administration of Abhicharaka Mantras or Maraka Mantras (hymns which effect destruction of others regarding whom they have been chanted upon) over others, as explained in Atharva Veda – sorcery, witchcraft etc
– Upasarga – developing diseases from proximity of contact with another diseased person – infections, contamination
– Sankramaka Roga – contagious diseases
Examples of Daivabala Pravrtta Vyadhis
Examples for Daivabala Pravrtta Vyadhis based on the definition given above shall be shortlisted as below enumerated –
– Idiopathic disorders
– Diseases caused due to sorcery and witchcraft
– Contagious diseases
– Infectious diseases
– Diseases caused due to contact and contamination
Types of Daivabala Pravrtta Vyadhis
Classification 1
There are two kinds of Daivabala Pravrtta Vyadhis. They are –
1. Vidyut Ashani Krta
These are the diseases or impact on human life and health due to the destruction impacted by the natural disasters like lightening, thunder storms, falling of comets and asteroids etc.
2. Pishaachadi Krta
These are the diseases caused by unseen and unperceived ominous superpowers or entities like ghosts, demons, spirits etc.
Many kinds of idiopathic diseases and infectious diseases can be considered in this category of classification. This is because idiopathic diseases are caused due to unknown causes and infectious diseases are caused due to unseen entities like different kinds of microorganisms.
Classification 2
Yet another classification provides us with two more types of Daivabala Pravrtta Vyadhis –
1. Samsargaja Vyadhi
Samsargaja Vyadhis are diseases caused due to the presence of people / entities who have the ability to impart curse on people, around us. Example – Deva – God etc. supernatural and divine forces, as explained above. Presence of such entities in our proximity can cause diseases due to their curse. Also, coming in direct contact with people suffering from infections or contagious diseases will cause the same diseases they have been suffering from, in us also.
Even in this category, infectious, contagious and idiopathic diseases can be included.
2. Akasmika Vyadhi
Akasmika means sudden. Those diseases which occur without any reason i.e. whose causes are not properly known and manifest suddenly without any clue or notice are called as Akasmika Vyadhis.
In this category, epidemic diseases and idiopathic diseases can be included.
Modern thoughts
All kinds of idiopathic disorders, infectious, contagious and epidemic diseases, diseases caused due to sorcery and witchcraft and also those caused by contact and contamination are included under Daivabala Pravrtta Vyadhis.
Prevention and cure
If the root causes for the diseases, especially the source of infection or contact is known, as in akasmika, samsargaja or pishachadi krta vyadhis, one can keep away from those causes. Much cannot be done in case of Vidyudashani Krta Vyadhis apart from taking caution during seasonal aggravations or doing damage control once they affect us.
If upasarga rogas like kustha, jwara, sosha, abhishhyanda etc are caused and manifest with their symptoms, they should be addressed with ‘vyadhi pratyanika chikitsa’ i.e. disease specific interventions, including preventive and curative measures detailed in these contexts in the treatises.
If sorcery or witchcraft are found out to be the sources of Daivabala Pravrtta Vyadhis, Daiva Vyapashraya Chikitsa i.e. different modalities and interventions / methods mentioned in the description of these divine or non-medicinal treatments, should be brought into practice, as in Pishachadi Krta Vyadhis.