Glimpse on Roganidan by Vagbhata: A Bird's Eye View

Byadgi P.S et al / IJRAP 2011, 2 (5) 1402-1404 ISSN 2229-3566 Review Article www.ijrap.net GLIMPSE ON ROGANIDAN BY VAGBHATA: A BIRD’S EYE VIEW Sharma Reetu, Byadgi P.S.* and Paliwal Murlidhar Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India Received on: 12/08/11 Revised on: 21/09/11 Accepted on: 10/10/11 *Corresponding author Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT Vagbhata is one of the three classic writers of Ayurveda, along with Charaka and Sushruta. Vagbhata is believed to be writer of two important works Ashtanga Sangraha and the Ashtanga Hridaya The two texts frankly acknowledge the authority of Samhitas of Caraka and Susruta and closely follow in the footsteps of the earlier masterpieces. Both these books are still studied all over India but they are more popular in South India. These texts are very popular till present era as they are easier to understand and contain essence of earlier treatises with original contribution. If we critically analyze the subject matter related to Ayurvedic diagnostics which has been added by Vagbhata then we will find that it forms important platform. This paper deals mainly with the subject matter related to Ayurvedic diagnostics which has been added by the Vagbhata . KEYWORDS: Astanga Hridaya, Astanga Sangraha, kayagni, pacakamsa, trividha pariksha INTRODUCTION Ayurveda science of life is regarded to be evolved in post Vedic period. Since then many texts have been written regarding this science. Three major texts Charaka Samhita, Susruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hridaya are included under Vrihattrayi. Beside this Ashtanga Sangraha is also another important text of ancient period. Several Vagbhata are known in Indian history as authors of work on different branches of learning. There are three important medical works associated with the name of Vagbhata. They are Astanga Sangraha, Astanga Hridaya and Rasa Ratna Samucchaya is one and the same. All particulars like work, written, identity, date as well as religion of Vagbhata are a matter of controversy. These subjects have been attracting since long the attention of several scholars. Hoernle introduced the name Vagbhata I and Vagbhata II for the authors of Astanga Sangraha and Astanga Hridaya respectively. Among all the scholars who worked on the identity, authorship, religion and date of Vagbhata, P.V.Sharma has made extensive study and research based on external and internal evidences. P.V.Sharma has concluded that the authors of the two works Astanga Sangraha and Astanga Hridaya are different. Based on various evidences date of Vagbhata I may be about 500 AD and that of Vagbhata II about 600 AD1. Vagbhata’s works are unique as cumbersome material of the earlier Samhitas has been dealt in easy manner, making them easier to understand. Vagbhata I is the author of Astanga Sangraha. The earlier classics of Ayurveda were devoted primarily to one branch of Ayurveda and Vagbhata I felt the need of compiling in one treatise all the eight branches of Ayurveda. The Astanga Sangraha is a new type of work and it is the last among the ancient classical works and the first amongst compilatory works of medieval period. Earlier to the compiling of Astanga sangraha, each of these branches had its own separate books, written by sages but their study was difficult. Explaining the need for his book Vagbhata says “each one of the texts written by them by it does not describe all the diseases, to study all the texts would require a whole life time, since many things are common to all the texts. This text has been written with emphasis on Kaya Chikitsa2. Astanga Hridaya and Ashtanga Sangraha as the name itself suggests explains all the branches and topics in a lucid manner so that it can be easily understood by all. These treatises are known for their simple language and explanation. Vagbhata has compiled the work as an essence of all earlier classic texts. Concept of Diagnosis Vagbhata has not only compiled the matter but he has arranged the matter in different way. Nidana Sthana has been kept after Sharira Sthana which is more scientific as one can understand pathogenesis of any disease only when one has sound knowledge of physiology and anatomy. So Vagbhata has described “disease pathogenesis” after describing anatomical and physiological aspects. Vagbhata described total 16 chapters in nidansthan, comprises of almost all important medical ailments. Considering the importance of nidan section astanga hridaya has not curtailed chapters as it was done in other sections. Contribution related to Basic concepts Vagbhata is also known for certain contribution in field of Ayurvedic Physiology which forms base of Ayurvedic Diagnostics. Vagbhata not only compiled the earlier ancient material and added new methods and theories. Vagbhata was first to mention the names of all the five types of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Charaka has given names of five types of Vata only and Sushruta has added names of five types of pitta. This was result of gradual development of concepts. Vagbhata assigned single important function of each dhatu. Rather than giving larger number of functions to each dhatu Vagbhata has assigned single function making understanding of function of each dhatus easier. Preenana, jivana, lepa, sneha, dharana, purana and garbhotpada are the functions of the dhatus respectively. These dhatus support the body and also serve as food for the dhatus always3. Regarding digestion of food and medicine Vagbhata has mentioned that it takes around 4 yaam i.e. 12 hours for digestion of food and medicine digestion takes around 2 yaam. While mentioning regimen for food intake Sangraha has stated that 1/3rd or half of kukshi should be filled by food which is solid in nature whereas Hridaya states that Kukshi should be divided in 4 parts in which one part should be covered with liquids, one part by air and rest with solid food. Ashraya Ashrayi Bhava is considered to be novel contribution of Vagbhata. According to him in the Asthi resides vayu, in sweda and rakta resides pitta and in the remaining dhatus and malas resides sleshma in intimate relation as the ashraya and ashrayi respectively; the medicine/therapies which cause the increase and decrease of the one also cause increase and decrease of the other respectively except in the case of asthi and vata. This concept forms base of treatment principle and thus it is important and precious contribution made by Vagbhata. Another important concept which vagbhata has added is regarding Pachakansa. He states that Kayagni present in its own place has portions of itself present in the dhatus also. Their decrease (in International Journal of Research in Ayurveda & Pharmacy Byadgi P.S et al / IJRAP 2011, 2 (5) 1402-1404 quantities, qualities or function) and increase (in quantities, qualities added Prashna Pariksha in Trividha Pariksha of Charaka making it or function) give rise to increase or decrease of dhatus respectively. clinically more applicable. Rasa pariksha has been excluded in The preceding dhatu which is either increased or decreased give rise Pratyaksha most probably on practical grounds. Itsing (7th century) to the succeeding dhatu of the same condition. Generally all diseases in his book ‘A record of Buddhist practices in India’ writes that are produced by mandagni i.e. from weak digestive activity; it also during that Shabda and Akriti pariksha were given importance in arises from indigestion, contaminated foods and accumulation of diagnosis. With the time Rasa, Gandha and Shabda pariksha lost malas4. their clinical applicability, Anumana was merged in Prashna Pariksha and new scheme of clinical examination ‘Trividha General causes of disease manifestation Next important contribution in field of Ayujrvedic diagnostics by Pariksha’ was evolved – Darshan, Sparshan and Prashna Pariksha. It Vagbhata is concept of improperly metabolized substance called is said that patient is to be examined by Darshana(inspection), ama, which manifests in Amashaya5. In opinion of others ama is Sparshana(palpation) and Prashana(interrogation, questioning) etc, formed after mixing with agitated dosas like a formation of poison the disease is to be examined by its Nidana, Pragrupa, Lakshana, after mixing with various kinds of kodrava. Describing sama Upashaya and Samprapti12. condition Vagbhata says that it is a condition which manifests due to New concepts about Diseases amalgamation of dosha and dushyas resulting into formation of In Rakta-pitta chapter he said that root cause is vitiation of rakta and various kinds of disorders6. In both texts Vegadharana has been Yakrita and Pliha are the seat which are still considered to be places considered as the root cause of all diseases7. All diseases were of blood formation during embryonic development. Vagbhata is first supposed to be arising from voluntary suppression of forcible to establish the fact that Kamala can occur independently without initiation of the urges of the body; the methods of treatment of such Pandu13. Vagbhata has described urinary diseases into two broad diseases have also been indicated. Kasa has been included in place categories – Mutra Atipravrittaja and Mutra Apravrittaja roga. of Udgara in Astanga Sangraha while classifying Prameha has been kept under mutra atipravrittaj roga14. 20 types of 8 navegandharaniya . He says that just as slit develops surely, in mutra apravrittaja rogas have been told and ashmari, mutrakriccha course of time, even in pure water kept undisturbed in a earthern pot, and mutraghata are kept under this category. Few new diseases have in the same manner dirt accumulates inside body, hence it should be been described by Vagbhata like Haridraka15, Ratrika, Purvaratrika removed from the body at appropriate time. The doshas undergoing jwara16, urdhwaguda etc. Vagbhata has told 36 kshudra roga increase slowly, in the body of such persons, who are negligent of (Sushruta - 44), 94 netraroga (Sushruta - 76), 25 karnaroga (Sushruta taking purification measures, produce many diseases quickly which - 28), 18 nasaroga (Sushruta - 31), 75 mukharoga (Sushruta - 65), 8 might defy treatment. No of such diseases are enumerated such as types of bhagandara adding 3 new types etc. Ati Sthaulya, Agni sadana, Meha, Kushta, Hataujasa, Vibhransa, Prognosis of Diseases Shwasa etc. All these diseases develop in the body when the The art of prognosis was fully developed in Ancient time. In channels of rasa dhatu become coated with the increased doshas9. Charaka Samhita, description of prognosis is available in detail in a separate section- Indriya Sthana. In Sushruta Samhita Arishta Classification of diseases New concept of disease classification is given by Vagbhata. Vigyan is described only in 6 chapters in Sutra Sthana. With the According to him diseases manifest either as the chief one or as time ‘Arishta Vigyan’ or science related to prognosis gradually lost retinue(associate, accompanying) of another disease; known its luster as it was limited to 4 chapters in Sharira sthana of Ashtanga respectively as anubandhya(leader, primary, chief) and anubandha Sangraha and after that only two chapters were devoted in Astanga (follower, secondary, associate) the former is independent and has Hridaya Sharira Sthana. While discussing sadhya-asadhyata, specific, well defined features, cause and diagnosis. The latter is its Vagbhata says that a male patient is easy to cure. This kind of opposite. Similarly the doshas are of two kinds anubandhya and reference is absent in earlier texts. This reference is logical as male anubandha10. have strong constitution and so they can be easily treated. Relation Diseases which are secondary are of two kinds – purogami of diseases with astrology has been clearly recognized by Vagbhata. (manifesting first) and anugami (manifesting later).The former is According to him if Grahas are favourable then disease will be also known as purvarupa and latter is known as upadrava. They easily curable17. generally subside with the cure of the primary diseases but when CONCLUSION they do not subside they should be treated after treating the powerful From above discussion it is clear that Vagbhata felt need of one. Beside this seven varieties of diseases have been described. compiling in one treatise all the eight branches of Ayurveda and so These are sahaja, Garbhaja, Jataja, Pidaja, Kalaja, Prabhavaja and with this aim Astanga Sangraha and Astanga Hridaya was written. Svabhavaja11. This classification is extension of Sushruta’s Astanga Sangraha was first amongst compilatory works of medieval classification of diseases. This classification is so scientific that it period. Earlier to the compiling of Astanga sangraha, each of these includes almost all the diseases. Trividha – diseases are 3 kinds viz. branches had its own separate books, written by sages but their study those born from bad acts which are seen (committed in the present was difficult. Astanga Hridaya is another compilation work which is life), those born from bad acts committed previously (in earlier known for its easy language. We cannot assign these great works lives) and those born from combination of both. Diseases which merely a compilatory work as they are also known for their novel arise from specific doshas are known as dosotha rogas, those which contribution especially in the field of Ayurvedic diagnostics. This arise without any cause are known as karmaja; those which have list is long and few contributions as discussed above are Ashraya severe onset and manifestation are known as doshakarmaja (born Ashrayi Bhava, Pachakansa, concept of improperly metabolized from combination of dosha and bad acts of previous lives). substance called ama, new concept of disease classification, and description of Panch Nidana in separate chapter, Trividha Pariksha, Contribution in respect to Rogi Roga Pariksha Vagbhata is first to describe Panch Nidana in separate chapter introduction of new diseases etc. Diagnostics forms the very ‘Sarvaroga Nidana”. This scheme has been followed by Madhava backbone of Ayurveda and without proper recognition of this branch Nidana which is considered best text in Ayurvedic diagnostics. In we cannot treat patient properly. It can be concluded that comparison to Astanga Sangraha, Astanga Hridaya has given new contribution of Vagbhata in field of Ayurvedic Diagnostics is and simple definition covering all aspects regarding Panch Nidana. noteworthy. Their importance is proven by the fact that Madhava has given priority to Vagbhata’s verses over Charaka. Astanga Samrgaha has International Journal of Research in Ayurveda & Pharmacy Byadgi P.S et al / IJRAP 2011, 2 (5) 1402-1404 REFERENCES 1. History of Indian Medicine in India – From Antiquity to 1ooo AD, edited by P.V.Sharma, 1st print, Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, 1992, Vagbhata by B.Rama Rao, page no. 127 2. Vagbhata. Ayuskamiya adhyaya. In, Prof.K.R. Shrikanth Murthy. Astanga Sangraha of Vagbhata, Fifth Edition. Varanasi,Chaukhambha Orientalia, 2002;page no.-4-5 3. Vagbhata. Ayuskamiya adhyaya. In, Prof.K.R. Shrikanth Murthy. Astanga sangraha of Vagbhata, Fifth Edition. Varanasi,Chaukhambha Orientalia 2002;page no.-9 4. Vagbhata. 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