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==== Health and Disease: Causes ====

==== Health and Disease: Causes ====

The principle causes of disease are, a) Kala parinama, b) Prajnaparadha, and c) Asatmyaindriyartha Samayoga. (Sutra Sthana, 1/54 and Sharira Sthana, 1/98). In this context, it is important to note that kala (time), buddhi (intellect), and indriyartha (sense objects) are the three basic factors that govern an individual’s state of health and disease. Samayoga, or favorable conditions, are conducive to health while vishamayoga (ayoga, atiyoga, and mithyayoga) of kala, buddhi, and indriyartha leads to disease. In the state of health, the basic components of the body – doshas, dhatus, and mala – are in a state of equilibrium, implied by the term samayoga.

The principle causes of disease are:

Desha (habitat or local environment), and its role in health and disease

#''Kala parinama'',  

The role of desha is significant in matters of health and disease. It denotes the habitat of an individual and is also considered among the karana dravyas in Sutra Sthana Chapter 1. Desha influences the individual’s diet, etiological factors responsible for various diseases, availability of medicinal plants. In fact, extending the man-environment, relationship,  examination of one’s locale to be an important factor in the diagnosis of a disease. Desha is classified into three types: anupa desha (marshy land), jangala desha (forested or wooded land), and sadharana desha (mix of marshy and forested land). (Kalpa Sthana, 1/6). The concept of oka satmya (adjustment or adapting to a particular diet or behavior due to habitual use or practice) is also closely related to desha and season. A diet or medication suitable to a particular region or time may be contraindicated in another.

#''Prajnaparadha'', and  

Kala (temporal factors), and its role in health and disease

#''Asatmyaindriyartha Samayoga''. ([[Sutra Sthana]], 1/54 and [[Sharira Sthana]], 1/98).  

 

In this context, it is important to note that ''kala'' (time), ''buddhi'' (intellect), and ''indriyartha'' (sense objects) are the three basic factors that govern an individual’s state of health and disease. ''Samayoga'', or favorable conditions, are conducive to health while ''vishamayoga'' (''ayoga, atiyoga'', and ''mithyayoga'') of ''kala, buddhi'', and ''indriyartha'' leads to disease. In the state of health, the basic components of the body – ''doshas, dhatus,'' and ''mala'' – are in a state of equilibrium, implied by the term ''samayoga''.

 

===== ''Desha'' (habitat or local environment), and its role in health and disease =====

 

The role of ''desha'' is significant in matters of health and disease. It denotes the habitat of an individual and is also considered among the karana dravyas in [[Sutra Sthana]] Chapter 1. Desha influences the individual’s diet, etiological factors responsible for various diseases, availability of medicinal plants. In fact, extending the man-environment, relationship,  examination of one’s locale to be an important factor in the diagnosis of a disease. Desha is classified into three types: anupa desha (marshy land), jangala desha (forested or wooded land), and sadharana desha (mix of marshy and forested land). (Kalpa Sthana, 1/6). The concept of oka satmya (adjustment or adapting to a particular diet or behavior due to habitual use or practice) is also closely related to desha and season. A diet or medication suitable to a particular region or time may be contraindicated in another.

 

===== Kala (temporal factors), and its role in health and disease =====

 

Kala plays a very important role, and is a universal factor that affects the purusha and the loka. Vedic texts talk of various time spans, quite similar to those in modern sciences – describing the life-spans of the universe and various celestial objects, as well as that of the purusha. It is also a Karana dravya, (Sutra Sthana, 1/48). Kala does not only mean time, but also seasons (ritu), and from that standpoint, plays an important role in determining causative factors of diseases or prescribing therapies for maintaining health.  (Sutra Sthana , 11/23, Vimana Sthana, 1/21/6, Sutra Sthana 6/4).  

Kala plays a very important role, and is a universal factor that affects the purusha and the loka. Vedic texts talk of various time spans, quite similar to those in modern sciences – describing the life-spans of the universe and various celestial objects, as well as that of the purusha. It is also a Karana dravya, (Sutra Sthana, 1/48). Kala does not only mean time, but also seasons (ritu), and from that standpoint, plays an important role in determining causative factors of diseases or prescribing therapies for maintaining health.  (Sutra Sthana , 11/23, Vimana Sthana, 1/21/6, Sutra Sthana 6/4).  

Kala also influences doshika rhythm. External environmental changes brought about by changes in the season influence the pattern of doshika changes in the body. These have been described to be of three stages: chaya (or sanchaya, accumulation), prakopa (vitiation, aggravation), and prashamana (remission to normalcy) (Sutra Sthana, 17/114). These stages generally occur in a natural manner through normal seasonal variations, and therefore care and adjustment in diet and lifestyle to account for these changes is specially advised.  

Kala also influences doshika rhythm. External environmental changes brought about by changes in the season influence the pattern of doshika changes in the body. These have been described to be of three stages: chaya (or sanchaya, accumulation), prakopa (vitiation, aggravation), and prashamana (remission to normalcy) (Sutra Sthana, 17/114). These stages generally occur in a natural manner through normal seasonal variations, and therefore care and adjustment in diet and lifestyle to account for these changes is specially advised.  

Influence of purusha on loka: janapadodhwamsha

 

==== Influence of purusha on loka: janapadodhwamsha ====

 

While the purusha is influenced by his environment, the loka is also influenced by purusha by his virtuous as well as destructive activities. The concept of janpadodhwamsha talks of natural as well as man-made calamities and epidemics (Sutra Sthana, 1/41, Vimana Sthana, 3/9/11).  In their natural elements, air, water, land, and seasons are indispensable in this order. This indicates that desha and kala/ritu are the most important factors from the standpoint of maintenance of health or for the occurrence of diseases. Vitiation of these four factors, besides the actions of one’s past life, has a direct bearing on the state of physical and mental health of individuals in particular and societies in general.  

While the purusha is influenced by his environment, the loka is also influenced by purusha by his virtuous as well as destructive activities. The concept of janpadodhwamsha talks of natural as well as man-made calamities and epidemics (Sutra Sthana, 1/41, Vimana Sthana, 3/9/11).  In their natural elements, air, water, land, and seasons are indispensable in this order. This indicates that desha and kala/ritu are the most important factors from the standpoint of maintenance of health or for the occurrence of diseases. Vitiation of these four factors, besides the actions of one’s past life, has a direct bearing on the state of physical and mental health of individuals in particular and societies in general.  

The path to achieve a status of complete human being and salvation is described in this chapter.  

The path to achieve a status of complete human being and salvation is described in this chapter.  

In conclusion, the causes of somatic and mental health conditions are emphasized, and invariably all point to imbalances in the equilibrium between man and his environment.  

In conclusion, the causes of somatic and mental health conditions are emphasized, and invariably all point to imbalances in the equilibrium between man and his environment.  

References:

References: