Janapadodhvansa

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Janapadodhvansa (also spelled as janapadodhvamsa) means destruction of communities due to a common cause. The affliction of diseases in society disrupting the physical, psychological, social health of community is phenomenon observed since inception of life on the earth. The pandemic and epidemic situations are considered to be as old as human evolution. Ayurveda texts have thus also extensively mentioned the pandemic conditions at various places commonly referred to as janapadodhvansa, maraka or janamara. Acharya Charak has explained the concept of janapadodhvansain vimana sthana of the treatise Charak samhita. The concept of janapadodhvansais thus reference point for the description of disease origin and spread in the population highlighting the principles of epidemiology in ayurveda.

Contributors
Section/Chapter/topic Concepts/Janapadodhvansa
Authors Bhojani M. K. 1,
Joglekar Aishwarya 2
Reviewer Basisht G.3,
Editor Deole Y.S.4
Affiliations 1 Department of Sharir Kriya, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, India
2 Department of Department of Samhita Siddhant, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, India
3 Rheumatologist, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.
4 Department of Kayachikitsa, G. J. Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India
Correspondence emails meera.samhita@aiia.gov.in,
carakasamhita@gmail.com
Publisher Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre, I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, India
Date of publication: May 16, 2023
DOI 10.47468/CSNE.2023.e01.s09.137

What is janapadodhvansa?

Janapadodhvansa is defined as a phenomenon in which a large population is inflicted with one particular disease irrespective of their prakriti (phenotype), ahara (dietary habits), dehabala (innate immunity and strength), satmya (behavioural habits and lifestyle) and sattva (mental conditions), vayasa (age group) (Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 3/6)

Etymology

Janapad refers to group of people/inhabitants or community while uddhwansa refers to the destruction of the community. Thus it is a condition where large group of people or entire community is destroyeddue to the natural or artificial phenomena.

Synonyms of janapadodhvansa

Janapadodhvansa is quoted as janamara by Acharya Bhela and Maraka by Acharya Sushrut (Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 6/19) indicating the prevalence of epidemics in those times as well.

Causes of janapadodhvansa

Two types of causes of origin of diseases (vyadhi-utpatti hetu) are described. Common aetiological factors (sadharana hetu) can produce diseases in almost all the beings (bahujana sadharana).Specific etiological factors (asadharana hetu) are personalized and differ from individual to individual. (Chakrapani on Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 3/3)Janapadodhvansa chapter deals with the common causes of disease occurrence in large community.
The four main environmental factors like vata (vitiated air or atmospheric factors), jala (vitiated water), desha (geographical factors or those related to vitiated land and soil resources), kaala (seasonal and climatic conditions)are focused to cause epidemic situations. (Cha. Sa Vimana Sthana 3/6). These can be summarized as given in the table below: (Table No. 1 – Entity causative of janapadodhvansa and its interpretation in present context)

Entity Signs of vitiation Present context
Vayu Vishama vayu - showing characteristics contradictory to normalair conditions This represents the climate change that causes impact on the social and environmental determinants of health.[1]
Atichala – fast blowing winds / squall These are natural phenomena that can cause a loss of human and environmental resources over a large area.[2]
Ati- stimita –stagnation of air Poor air circulation and damp atmosphere promotes the spread of bacteria and viruses.[3]
Atiparusha – excessive dryness This can be correlated with low air humidity resulting in excessive dryness in air especially indoor air.[4]
Ati sheeta- excessive cold air Exposure to cold weather which can occur in the high altitude regions and extremes of climate especially during winter season.[5]
Ati abhishyandi – overt humidity in air An increase in air humidity that triggers rise in the occurrence of diseases.[6]
Ati ushna- excessive heat in surrounding air Excessive hot atmosphere can lead to conditions like heat exhaustion.[7]
Ati kundalinaam- hurricanes or cyclones. Cycloneis a system of storms or winds that rotate at centre of atmosphere with at a very high speed usually associated with heavy rains.[8] It possesses potential to destruct habitations over a large area.
Asatmya gandha – foul smelling Odor pollution is emerging risk factor for the populations exposed to industrial pollution, generalized climate change and environmental pollution.[9]
Containing bashpa (fog), sikta (air pollutant like industrial effluents, solid pollutant particulate matter), panshu (micro pollutants), dhuma (smoke or smog) The particulate matter is mixture of microscopic solids and liquid droplets suspended in air. These include pollutants like acids, organic chemicals, soil, dust particles and allergens.[10]
Udaka
(water) 		Vikruta gandha- altered odour
Vikruta varna- altered colour
Vikruta rasa- altered taste
Vikruta sparsha, kleda bahula – altered consistency. 		These are the indicators of water pollution. All these conditions depict lack of acceptability of drinking water due to the presence of taste and odour which is otherwise absent in water suitable for consumption.[11]
Upakranta jalachara – Devoid of biota and animals due to the death of animals This condition is similar to famine where the lands are devoid of biota as a cause of extreme scarcity of food and water resources.[12]
Upaksheena jalashaya – drying up of water resources- indication of drought Drought is a prolonged dry period in the natural climate cycle. This slow-onset disaster is characterizedby lack of precipitation, resulting in a water shortage.[13]
Apreetikara aapada guna –Water sources having questionable palatability and quality. The water quality is affected by pollutants and particulate matter rendering it undesirable taste, odour, colour and consistency. If the drinking water is not of optimum quality, it threatens the overall health of community.[14]
Desha
(Soil or region) 		Dhoomrapavana – region having polluted atmosphere.
Kshubhita salilashaya – pollution of available water resources. 		This can be compared with environmental pollution, overcrowding, altered quality of soil and water, lack of sanitation and resources.[15]
Vikruta varna – alteration in normal colour
Vikruta gandha – altered smell, presence of odour otherwise absent in the drinking water
vikruta sparsha – altered texture or consistency of water
Kledabahula – excessive water content in the atmosphere or presence of stickiness 		This indicates the soil pollution. It is defined as the presence of toxic chemicals in the form of pollutants or contaminants in soil, in concentrations high enough to cause a risk to human health and/or the ecosystem.[16]
Upasrushta sari srupa vyala mashaka makshika mushaka – having more organisms like flies, snakes, rats etc.
Pratanadi bahula – excess growth of climbers and hyacinth especially in the water resources
Atishushka nashta shasya – withering of crops
Vyathita vividha mruga pakshi - Disturbed ecosystems 		This refers to the disruption of biota and ecosystems and environmental pollution leading to death of plants and animals in the region.[17]
Nashta dharma aachara sheela – loss of sense of humanity and responsibility amongst the civilians Disruption of social conduct and behaviour. These factors determine the effect on the social, behavioural determinants of health.[18]
Pratata ulka pata - area more prone to occurrence of natural calamities like meteors etc.
Bhumikampa – occurrence of earthquakes. 		This refers to susceptibility of region for the occurrence of natural calamities.[19] These are a sudden events in nature that usually results in serious morbidity and mortality. floods ,earthquakes, tornados etc.
Kaala Yatha ritu -viparita lakshana – excessive seasonal variations.
yatha ritu- hina linga, ati linga 		Kaala factor is the seasonal occurrence of diseases. These also indicate the disease conditions arising from the disrupted climate.[20]

Acharya Sushruta states vyapanna ritu (unfavourable seasons) as the primary cause of janapadodhvansa or maraca. Seasonal variations whether gradual or transient lead to disturbance in equilibrium of doshas, thus affecting the health of population. (Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 6/21)

Adharma (inappropriate bahaviour) as a cause

Adharma (inappropriate behaviour) is another cause of janapadodhvansa can be described as not abiding to one’s prescribed duties and responsibilities. (Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 3/24) This can be associated with the human conduct and behaviour responsible for the occurrence of diseases. This reflects on the social determinants of health. The researches have proved that human behaviour is equally responsible in occurrence of epidemics as it results in excessive exploitation of natural resources, increase in pollution, increase in incidence of warfare, decreased social harmony, disturbance of ecosystems and deterioration of universal health.[21] Pragyaparadha (intellectual errors), shashtraprabhava (warfare), rakshogana (infectious conditions) and abhishapa (inappropriate social behaviour) are social, behavioral determinants of health. These can be termed as host specific factors for disease occurrence.
Adharma as a hetu of janapadodhvansa can be illustrated in the table as given below (Table No. 2-Hetu of janapadodhvansa in purview of adharma)

Hetu of janapadodhvansa in purview of adharma
Prajnaparadha Prajnaparadha is intellectual mistake or knowingly performing sinful or inappropriate actions. (Cha. Sa. Shareera Sthana 1/102)This can be compared with the imbalance in public health and lack of healthcare management systems, lack of personal hygiene and lack of awareness regarding preservation of health which affects the health of community.[22]
Shashtraprabhava Casualties occurring due to the conditions like war, riots etc. It is the leading cause of deterioration of physical and mental health of many countries.[23]
Rakshogana This represent the microbes that cause the disease.

Most common types of epidemics are of infectious type and have zoonotic spread. For example Spanish flu, Swine flu, Bird flu, Typhoid fever, Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and COVID-19 that have emerged in the recent times.[24]

Abhishapa These refer to the compromised social and community manners and etiquette guidelines thus decreasing public health i.e. absence of sadvritta palana (code of conduct).[25]

Thus the three majoretiological causes of Janapadodhwans can be featured in the figure as given below- (Figure No. 1 – Major Hetu of Janapadodhvansa)

Figure No. 1 – Major Hetu of Janapadodhvansa

Jwara (fever) as a prime linga (~representative symptom) of janapadodhvansajanya vyadhi

Jwara is characterized as a condition affecting both physical and mental wellbeing. It is the chief disorder amongst all other diseases affecting every living being at the time of birth and death. (Cha. Sa. Nidana Sthana 1/35) Most of the epidemics related to infectious diseases are types of influenza or are almost always associated with fever.[26] Outbreak of Spanish Flu, dengue fever, swine flu, bird flu, typhoid, cholera, and even the present day COVID-19 are examples of jwara that resulted in some or the other form of janapadodhvansa.[27]
Sushruta (Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 6/21) on the other hand has also explained few other manifestations of maraka like kasa (cough, bronchitis, lower respiratory tract infections), shwasa (respiratory infections, pneumonia), vamathu (gastric disturbance, nausea), pratishyaya (rhinitis, coryza or upper respiratory tract infections), shiroruja (headache)besides jwara. These are also commonly observed infectious diseases posing havoc in the community.
Similarly, Sushruta mentions that the infection can also spread through surface contact with things like beddings, blankets, seating arrangement, vehicles, jewellery and accessories. (Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 6/21)

Management of janapadodhvansa (Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 3/13-18)

Acharya Charaka mentions the need of collection of medicinal herbs and commodities which are important for supporting the life in emergencies or epidemics beforehand, as there can be scarcity of the even most basic life needs during such period. (Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 3/4)This denotes the basis of disaster management and organisation of healthcare facilities during epidemics. The hospitals should be well prepared with all the emergency and required facilities to combat the health consequences of disasters.[28]
The principal line of treatment in the management of diseaseslike jwara is pachana (medications enhancing digestion), vamana (therapeutic emesis) and apatarpana (depleting procedures). (Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 3/40) Ushnodaka (warm water) helps in achieving all the above criteria. It is also indicated for the treatment of jwara as it pacifies vata and kapha dosha. (Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 3/40) It facilitates digestion and relieves anorexia due to its deepana (appetizing), pachana (digestion) properties. It satiatestrishna (thirst), when consumed even in small quantities. Its consumption is especially indicated in management of conditions like kasa (cough), peenasa (sinusitis), nava jwara (pyrexia), shwasa (breathing abnormality), etc. which represent majority of infectious diseases.(Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 22/58)
The generalized principles for management of janapadodhvansa include the measures for the promotion, preservation and correction of both physical and mental health. The panchakarma is the main line of treatment in these conditions. (Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 3/13) Vamana is important for the radical removal of vitiated dosha especially the kapha dosha and helps in pacifying the jwara and nausea (hrillasa) related conditions associated with the infection. (Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 3/146) Virechana also helps to evacuate the vitiated dosha through the faeces and corrects the agni vitiation. (Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 3/169) Basti controls the vitiated vata and helps in excretion of the toxins and faecal matter from the bowel region. (Cha. Sa. Siddhi Sthana 1/40) Due to nasya or nasal instillation invading pathogens get adsorbed on the surface restricting their growth and further progressiom. Nasya is thus particularly useful in the treatment and prevention of respiratory tract infections. Snehana (internal administration of ghee or oil) in form of go-ghrita ( ghee). Jwara involves the obstruction of swedavaha strotas ( body channels carrying sweat) hence it will help to expel the toxins by inducing the process of swedana. (Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 3/130) Deepana pachana treatments play an important role at every step in management as maintenance of agni function is of prime importance in prevention of any disease.
Dhoomapana is a treatment where the particulate matter in dhooma (medicated smoke) has anti-microbial activity and maintains integrity of respiratory tract. It is thus indicated in many respiratory conditions (Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 5/27-32).Gandusha (Oil pulling),kavala (gargling), dantapavana (brushing or cleaning of teeth) act as mechanical barriers by avoiding the entry of pathogens through the buccal cavity.Sharira parimarjana (cleaning of body surface) and snana (bathing) measures contribute to cleansing of the body surfaces and also includes hasta,pada and mukha prakshalana i.e. hand and feet sanitization to prevent the spread of disease. (Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 5/93-94)
The rasayana chikitsa forms the backbone of treatment of janapadodhvansa as it is pivotal in enhancing the immune response to pathogenic external and internal invasion and stress. (Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 3/13)Different rasayana acting on pranavaha, rasavaha strotas, annavaha strotas depending on the dosha and site involvement can thus be implemented for management of janapadodhvansavyadhi. Use of various rasayana like Chyavanaprasha rasayana (Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 1/1/62-74), Bramha rasayana (Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 1/1/41-57), Amalaki rasayana (Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 1/2/9-14) etc. are popular in clinical scenario for of maintenance of health during pandemic conditions.
Other non-pharmacological and psychotherapy based approaches like sadvritta palana (following proper code of conduct) and behavioural attributes like satyabhashana (honesty), bhootadaya (compassion), bali (sacrifice), devata archana (devotion), daana (charity), vriddhopaseva (showing care and empathy towards the elderly) are mentioned to facilitate the social and mental health. Providing support and care to people and families affected with pandemics is of vital importance to balance the psychological components of health especially during the pandemic like conditions. (Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 3/15-16)
Sadvritta emphasizes on the spread and containment of the sansargajanya vyadhi (infectious diseases) and their mode of transmission. (Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 8/18) The sadvritta focuses on various domains like physical health, social behaviour, psychological state,hygiene, food etiquettes thus providing holistic care.
The treatment and preventive aspects of epidemics in purview of ayurveda can be summarized in the following table-



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References

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  5. ↑ Cold Related Illnesses | NIOSH |CDC [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2022 Jan 23]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/coldstress/coldrelatedillnesses.html
  6. ↑ Wolkoff P. Indoor air humidity, air quality, and health – An overview. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. 2018 Apr 1;221(3):376–90.
  7. ↑ WHO | Information and public health advice: heat and health [Internet]. WHO. World Health Organization; [cited 2020 Apr 5]. Available from: http://www.who.int/globalchange/publications/heat-and-health/en/
  8. ↑ Definition of CYCLONE [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jan 21]. Available from: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cyclone
  9. ↑ Ranveer A, Pawar P, Latake P. Odour Pollution and Its Measurement. International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET). 2015 Dec 1;3:221–9.
  10. ↑ Particulate Matter Effects on Health - Air (U.S. National Park Service) [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jan 19]. Available from: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/air/humanhealth-pm.html
  11. ↑ Water Quality Monitoring - A Practical Guide to the Design and Implementation of Freshwater Quality Studies and Monitoring Programmes, Edited by Jamie Bartram and Richard Balance, Published on behalf of United Nations Environment Programme and the World Health Organization, 1996, Page No.-1,2
  12. ↑ Famine Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jan 23]. Available from: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/famine
  13. ↑ Drought [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jan 21]. Available from: https://www.who.int/westernpacific/health-topics/drought
  14. ↑ Common Perceptible Water Quality Issues [Internet]. [cited 2020 Apr 5]. Available from: https://www.wqa.org/learn-about-water/perceptible-issues
  15. ↑ Briggs D. Environmental pollution and the global burden of disease. Br Med Bull. 2003 Dec 1;68(1):1–24.
  16. ↑ What Is Soil Pollution | Environmental Pollution Centers [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jan 23]. Available from: https://www.environmentalpollutioncenters.org/soil/
  17. ↑ Corvalán C, Hales S, McMichael AJ, Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (Program), World Health Organization, editors. Ecosystems and human well-being: health synthesis. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2005. 53 p. (Millennium ecosystem assessment).
  18. ↑ Social determinants of health [Internet]. [cited 2021 Jul 21]. Available from: https://www.who.int/westernpacific/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health
  19. ↑ Definition of NATURAL DISASTER [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jan 23]. Available from: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/natural+disaster
  20. ↑ Grassly NC, Fraser C. Seasonal infectious disease epidemiology. Proc Biol Sci. 2006 Oct 7;273(1600):2541–50.
  21. ↑ Funk S, Salathé M, Jansen VAA. Modelling the influence of human behaviour on the spread of infectious diseases: a review. J R Soc Interface. 2010 Sep 6;7(50):1247–56.
  22. ↑ Organisation mondiale de la santé. Managing epidemics: key facts about major deadly diseases. 2018.
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  28. ↑ Hospital Preparedness for Epidemics [Internet]. [cited 2020 Apr 9]. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications-detail/hospital-preparedness-for-epidemics
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