Changes

Basti (therapeutic  enema) is defined as the therapy which goes up to the nabhi (umbilical region), kati (lumbar region), parshva (sides of the chest) and kukshi (pelvic region), churns up the fecal matter including all the other morbid matter located there and appropriately eliminates them. Therapeutic enemas possess all attributes and actions for curing all type of diseases, due to its purifactory action by causing downwards movement of vata dosha, pitta dosha, kapha dosha and feces. Vitiation of vata dosha leads to many diseases in shakha (peripheral tissue elements), koshtha (visceras of thorax and abdomen), marma (vital spots including joints), urdhva (upper part of the body), sarvavayava (entire body)  and anga (individual parts of the body). Due to vikshepa (sepration) and sanghata (combination) properties vata dosha is responsible for vikshepa (separation) and sanghata (combination) of feces, urine, pitta dosha including other excreta and tissue element and sustain body. When vata dosha get exceedingly aggravated there is no remedy other than basti for it’s alleviation. Therapeutic enema is also considered an important procedure in the treatment of diseases affecting elephants, camels, cattle, horses, sheep and goats. Basti is also effective treatment for always sick persons mentioned above.

Basti (therapeutic  enema) is defined as the therapy which goes up to the nabhi (umbilical region), kati (lumbar region), parshva (sides of the chest) and kukshi (pelvic region), churns up the fecal matter including all the other morbid matter located there and appropriately eliminates them. Therapeutic enemas possess all attributes and actions for curing all type of diseases, due to its purifactory action by causing downwards movement of vata dosha, pitta dosha, kapha dosha and feces. Vitiation of vata dosha leads to many diseases in shakha (peripheral tissue elements), koshtha (visceras of thorax and abdomen), marma (vital spots including joints), urdhva (upper part of the body), sarvavayava (entire body)  and anga (individual parts of the body). Due to vikshepa (sepration) and sanghata (combination) properties vata dosha is responsible for vikshepa (separation) and sanghata (combination) of feces, urine, pitta dosha including other excreta and tissue element and sustain body. When vata dosha get exceedingly aggravated there is no remedy other than basti for it’s alleviation. Therapeutic enema is also considered an important procedure in the treatment of diseases affecting elephants, camels, cattle, horses, sheep and goats. Basti is also effective treatment for always sick persons mentioned above.

          

          

 

अथातःफलमात्रासिद्धिंव्याख्यास्यामः||१||  

अथातःफलमात्रासिद्धिंव्याख्यास्यामः||१||  

इति ह स्माह भगवानात्रेयः||२||

इति ह स्माह भगवानात्रेयः||२||

tadamanyata vAtalaM punarbaDisho glAnikaraM balApaham||7||  

tadamanyata vAtalaM punarbaDisho glAnikaraM balApaham||7||  

kuTajaM prashashaMsa cottamaM na balaghnaM kaphapittahAri ca|  

kuTajaM prashashaMsa cottamaM na balaghnaM kaphapittahAri ca|  

Views of Badisha regarding kutaja (Holorrhena antidysenterica) fruit :

Views of Badisha regarding kutaja (Holorrhena antidysenterica) fruit :

phalanAma visheShatastvato labhate~anyeShu phaleShu satsvapi||14||

phalanAma visheShatastvato labhate~anyeShu phaleShu satsvapi||14||

According to Punarvasu Atreya, Jimutaka is useful for the treatment of kustha (skin diseases), katu tumbi is useful for treatment of meha (urinary disease including diabetes). Fruit of of kutaja is useful for heart diseases, dharmagava is useful for panduroga (anemia), kritavedhana is useful for udara roga (abdominal diseases including acites) and madana –phala is useful for all disease, because it is sweet, slightly astringent as well as bitter in taste, ununctuous and slightly pungent, hot and viscid. It eliminates kapha dosha and pitta dosha, eliminates doshas (three entities regulating function of the body and mind), is harmless and cause downwards movement of vata dosha. The term ‘phala’ specifically indicate madana-phala, even though there are several fruits which are used in the medicine.(12-14)

According to Punarvasu Atreya, Jimutaka is useful for the treatment of kustha (skin diseases), katu tumbi is useful for treatment of meha (urinary disease including diabetes). Fruit of of kutaja is useful for heart diseases, dharmagava is useful for panduroga (anemia), kritavedhana is useful for udara roga (abdominal diseases including acites) and madana –phala is useful for all disease, because it is sweet, slightly astringent as well as bitter in taste, ununctuous and slightly pungent, hot and viscid. It eliminates kapha dosha and pitta dosha, eliminates doshas (three entities regulating function of the body and mind), is harmless and cause downwards movement of vata dosha. The term ‘phala’ specifically indicate madana-phala, even though there are several fruits which are used in the medicine.(12-14)

गुरुणेति वचस्युदाहृते मुनिसङ्घेन च पूजिते ततः  |  

गुरुणेति वचस्युदाहृते मुनिसङ्घेन च पूजिते ततः  |  

Therapeutic enema has been described as it posesses, all attributes and action for curing all type of disease. But here question is raised by the learned scholar that the medicated enema does not reach above the lebel of umbilicus, then how it is possible for medicated enema to eliminate all type of morbid doshas (vata,pitta and kapha)from all over the body? (16)

Therapeutic enema has been described as it posesses, all attributes and action for curing all type of disease. But here question is raised by the learned scholar that the medicated enema does not reach above the lebel of umbilicus, then how it is possible for medicated enema to eliminate all type of morbid doshas (vata,pitta and kapha)from all over the body? (16)

Effect of basti (therapeutic enemas):  

Effect of basti (therapeutic enemas):  

तद्गुरुरब्रवीदिदं शरीरं तन्त्रयतेऽनिलः सङ्गविघातात् [३] |  

तद्गुरुरब्रवीदिदं शरीरं तन्त्रयतेऽनिलः सङ्गविघातात् [३] |  

केवल एव दोषसहितो वा स्वाशयगः प्रकोपमुपयाति||१७||  

केवल एव दोषसहितो वा स्वाशयगः प्रकोपमुपयाति||१७||  

तपवनंसपित्तकफविट्कंशुद्धिकरोऽनुलोमयतिबस्तिः|  

तपवनंसपित्तकफविट्कंशुद्धिकरोऽनुलोमयतिबस्तिः|  

Answering above question, Punarvasu Atreya  has  mentioned that urinary bladder of goats and sheep should be use as enema receptacle in case of elephants and camels , urinary bladder of buffalo should be use in case of cows and horses and urinary bladder of old ox (jarad gava) should be used in case of  goats and sheep, as  veterinary physicians who are proficient in the administration of medicated enema to animals advise.(20)

Answering above question, Punarvasu Atreya  has  mentioned that urinary bladder of goats and sheep should be use as enema receptacle in case of elephants and camels , urinary bladder of buffalo should be use in case of cows and horses and urinary bladder of old ox (jarad gava) should be used in case of  goats and sheep, as  veterinary physicians who are proficient in the administration of medicated enema to animals advise.(20)

Length of enema nozzles for different animals:

Length of enema nozzles for different animals:

अरत्निमष्टादशषोडशाङ्गुलं तथैव नेत्रं हि दशाङ्गुलं क्रमात्|  

अरत्निमष्टादशषोडशाङ्गुलं तथैव नेत्रं हि दशाङ्गुलं क्रमात्|  

गजोष्ट्रगोश्वाव्यजबस्तिसन्धौ चतुर्थभागोपनयं हितं वदेत्  ||२१||  

गजोष्ट्रगोश्वाव्यजबस्तिसन्धौ चतुर्थभागोपनयं हितं वदेत्  ||२१||  

aratnimaṣṭādaśaṣōḍaśāṅgulaṁ tathaiva nētraṁ hi daśāṅgulaṁ  kramāt|  

aratnimaṣṭādaśaṣōḍaśāṅgulaṁ tathaiva nētraṁ hi daśāṅgulaṁ  kramāt|  

Specific enema for curing disease of elephants:

Specific enema for curing disease of elephants:

For curing disease of elephant recipe of verse no.23 should be added with decoction of ashvattha(Ficus religiosa), vata(Ficus benghalensis), khadira(Acacia catechu), pragraha(Oroxylum indicum),  shala(Shorea robusta),  and fruit of tala( Borassus flabellifer).

For curing disease of elephant recipe of verse no.23 should be added with decoction of ashvattha(Ficus religiosa), vata(Ficus benghalensis), khadira(Acacia catechu), pragraha(Oroxylum indicum),  shala(Shorea robusta),  and fruit of tala( Borassus flabellifer).

Specific enema for curing disease of cattles:

Specific enema for curing disease of cattles:

For curing disease of cattles recipe of verse no.23 should be added with decoction of mudga-parni(Vigna trilobata), masa-parni(Teramnus labialis), dhava(Anogeissus latifolia), shigru (Moringa oleifera), patali(Baliospermum montanum), madhuka-sara(Madhuca Indica),, nikumbha (Baliospermum montanum), citraka(Plumbago zeylanica), palasha (Butea monosperma), bhutika (Cymbopogon citratus), deva-daru (Cedrus deodara) and  katu-rohini (Picrorhiza kurroa).

For curing disease of cattles recipe of verse no.23 should be added with decoction of mudga-parni(Vigna trilobata), masa-parni(Teramnus labialis), dhava(Anogeissus latifolia), shigru (Moringa oleifera), patali(Baliospermum montanum), madhuka-sara(Madhuca Indica),, nikumbha (Baliospermum montanum), citraka(Plumbago zeylanica), palasha (Butea monosperma), bhutika (Cymbopogon citratus), deva-daru (Cedrus deodara) and  katu-rohini (Picrorhiza kurroa).

Specific enema for curing disease of horses:

Specific enema for curing disease of horses:

For curing disease of horses  recipe of verse no.23 should be added in addition with decoction of palasa(Butea monosperma), danti (Baliospermum  montanum), sura-daru (Cedrus deodara), kattarina(Sterculia urens) and dravanti( Croton tiglium).

For curing disease of horses  recipe of verse no.23 should be added in addition with decoction of palasa(Butea monosperma), danti (Baliospermum  montanum), sura-daru (Cedrus deodara), kattarina(Sterculia urens) and dravanti( Croton tiglium).

satatAturAshca diShTAH phalamAtrAyAM hitaM caiShAm||37||

satatAturAshca diShTAH phalamAtrAyAM hitaM caiShAm||37||

Thus in this chapter entitled Phala matra-siddhi therapeutic efficacy of the various fruits used in medicated enemas for specific diseases, importance of the medicated enemas therapies, enemas receptacle, length of enema nozzles for different animals, enema recipes for cattles, categories of persons who are eternally sick and their treatment are discussed .(37)

Thus in this chapter entitled Phala matra-siddhi therapeutic efficacy of the various fruits used in medicated enemas for specific diseases, importance of the medicated enemas therapies, enemas receptacle, length of enema nozzles for different animals, enema recipes for cattles, categories of persons who are eternally sick and their treatment are discussed .(37)

इत्यग्निवेशकृते तन्त्रे चरकप्रतिसंस्कृतेऽप्राप्ते दृढबलसम्पूरिते  

इत्यग्निवेशकृते तन्त्रे चरकप्रतिसंस्कृतेऽप्राप्ते दृढबलसम्पूरिते  

सिद्धिस्थाने फलमात्रासिद्धिर्नामैकादशोऽध्यायः||११||  

सिद्धिस्थाने फलमात्रासिद्धिर्नामैकादशोऽध्यायः||११||  

siddhisthAne phalamAtrAsiddhirnAmaikAdasho~adhyAyaH||11||  

siddhisthAne phalamAtrAsiddhirnAmaikAdasho~adhyAyaH||11||  

Thus, ends the eleventh chapter of siddhi section entitled Phala matra-siddhi, Agnivesa work  as  redacted by Charak and because of its non-availability supplemented by Dridhabala.[11]

Thus, ends the eleventh chapter of siddhi section entitled Phala matra-siddhi, Agnivesa work  as  redacted by Charak and because of its non-availability supplemented by Dridhabala.[11]

Tattva vimarsha: 

 

=== ''Tattva Vimarsha'' ===

 

• Every drug has some good effects as well as some bad effects. There is no drug that is entirely free from shortcomings or entirely free from good effects. Therefore, in disease conditions, drug which posesses superior qualities shall be considered for medicated enemas.  

• Every drug has some good effects as well as some bad effects. There is no drug that is entirely free from shortcomings or entirely free from good effects. Therefore, in disease conditions, drug which posesses superior qualities shall be considered for medicated enemas.  

• Jimutaka (Luffa echinata) is useful for the treatment of kushtha (skin diseases); katu tumbi (Lagenaria siceraria) is useful for treatment of meha (urinary disease including diabetes); fruit of of kutaja (Holorrhena antidysenterica) is useful for heart diseases; dharmagava (Luffa cylindrica) is useful for panduroga (anemia); kritavedhana (Luffa acutangula) is useful for udara roga (abdominal diseases including acites).  

• Jimutaka (Luffa echinata) is useful for the treatment of kushtha (skin diseases); katu tumbi (Lagenaria siceraria) is useful for treatment of meha (urinary disease including diabetes); fruit of of kutaja (Holorrhena antidysenterica) is useful for heart diseases; dharmagava (Luffa cylindrica) is useful for panduroga (anemia); kritavedhana (Luffa acutangula) is useful for udara roga (abdominal diseases including acites).  

• The persons, who always suppress natural urges, never take food in time, always untimely void stool, urine, etc., and resort to untimely different regimens suffer from frequent and continuous illness. Certain persons like priests, king’s servants, courtesans and merchants are frequently sick because of excessive stress of the job and suppression of natural urges.

• The persons, who always suppress natural urges, never take food in time, always untimely void stool, urine, etc., and resort to untimely different regimens suffer from frequent and continuous illness. Certain persons like priests, king’s servants, courtesans and merchants are frequently sick because of excessive stress of the job and suppression of natural urges.

• Basti ( therapeutic) is the best treatment for most diseases.

• Basti ( therapeutic) is the best treatment for most diseases.

Vidhi Vimarsha:  

 

=== ''Vidhi Vimarsha'' ===

   

Verse 5 to 16: Various medicinal fruits, advantages and disadvantages:  

Verse 5 to 16: Various medicinal fruits, advantages and disadvantages:  

Jimutaka (Luffa echinata):

Jimutaka (Luffa echinata):

Kritavedhana (Luffa acutangula):

Kritavedhana (Luffa acutangula):

Advantages: It is promoter of vata dosha and eliminate excessively aggravated kapha and pitta dosha. Kritavedhana is useful for udara roga (abdominal diseases including ascitis). Therapeutic properties of kritavedhana  (Luffa acutangula) are described in sixth  chapter of  Kalpasthana  and sixty  recipes are described for emetic therapy.

Advantages: It is promoter of vata dosha and eliminate excessively aggravated kapha and pitta dosha. Kritavedhana is useful for udara roga (abdominal diseases including ascitis). Therapeutic properties of kritavedhana  (Luffa acutangula) are described in sixth  chapter of  Kalpasthana  and sixty  recipes are described for emetic therapy.

Disadvantages: is pungent and it reduces strength in excess.

Disadvantages: is pungent and it reduces strength in excess.

Madanaphala (Randia dumetorum):  

Madanaphala (Randia dumetorum):  

Advantages: It is useful for all disease, because it is sweet, slightly astringent as well as bitter in taste, ununctuous and slightly pungent, hot and viscid properties. It eliminates kapha and pitta dosha, is harmless and cause downwards movement of vata dosha.  

Advantages: It is useful for all disease, because it is sweet, slightly astringent as well as bitter in taste, ununctuous and slightly pungent, hot and viscid properties. It eliminates kapha and pitta dosha, is harmless and cause downwards movement of vata dosha.  

Reasons of frequent or permanent illnesses (verse 27-35):  

Reasons of frequent or permanent illnesses (verse 27-35):  

Certain persons like priests, king servants, courtesans and merchants are frequently sick. This is because of inability to follow proper dietary regimen, improper lifestyle habits, excessive stress due to high responsibility in the job, greediness and suppression of natural urges. These patients are seen in today’s clinical practice. Therefore, their training about the rules given in swastha chatushka (chapters 5 to 8 of Sutra sthana) with basti therapy is important to avoid frequent illnesses.   

Certain persons like priests, king servants, courtesans and merchants are frequently sick. This is because of inability to follow proper dietary regimen, improper lifestyle habits, excessive stress due to high responsibility in the job, greediness and suppression of natural urges. These patients are seen in today’s clinical practice. Therefore, their training about the rules given in swastha chatushka (chapters 5 to 8 of Sutra sthana) with basti therapy is important to avoid frequent illnesses.   

References:

 

=== References ===

 

1. Ibidem, Agnivesh ,Charaka,Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthan Sadavirecanasatasritiya, 4/9

1. Ibidem, Agnivesh ,Charaka,Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthan Sadavirecanasatasritiya, 4/9

2. Agnivesh ,Charaka,Charaka Samhita Vimansthan,Rogabhisakajitiya , 8/6,edited by Yadavaji Trikmaji Acharya,1st edition,Chaukhambha Surbharti Prakashana Orientalia;2011.  

2. Agnivesh ,Charaka,Charaka Samhita Vimansthan,Rogabhisakajitiya , 8/6,edited by Yadavaji Trikmaji Acharya,1st edition,Chaukhambha Surbharti Prakashana Orientalia;2011.  

30. Ibidem ,Agnivesh ,Charaka,Dridhabala ,Charaka Siddhisthan, Bastisutriya siddhi , 3/35-68  

30. Ibidem ,Agnivesh ,Charaka,Dridhabala ,Charaka Siddhisthan, Bastisutriya siddhi , 3/35-68  

31. Ibidem ,Agnivesh ,Charaka,Dridhabala ,Charaka Samhita, Siddhisthan .Kalpanasiddhi ,1/27   

31. Ibidem ,Agnivesh ,Charaka,Dridhabala ,Charaka Samhita, Siddhisthan .Kalpanasiddhi ,1/27   

Glossary:

 

=== Glossary ===

 

1. Vijjala -Slimy, smeary, very vicid  (m.w. p. 961)

1. Vijjala -Slimy, smeary, very vicid  (m.w. p. 961)

2. Teksna- Operating speedily, doing anything quickly (m.w. p. 157)

2. Teksna- Operating speedily, doing anything quickly (m.w. p. 157)