Ayurveda is well-known for its precise basic concepts that follows Nature. Each and every thing in Nature is made up of Panchamahabhuta. Aakash, Vaayu, Teja, Aap and Prithavi are the Panchamahabhuta.
Many theories have been put forward about evolution. " How life started on earth??" The question asked by many. Big Bang Theory and all. Ayurveda answers it in terms of "Panchamahabhutatmak srushti ". In our books of science/biology, we studied Stanley Miller's experiment. He developed a special apparatus, resembaling with primitive atmosphere on earth. It was a sealed glass apparatus with water, some primitive gases like ammonia, methane; 2 electrodes, heat source etc. It was a classic experiment on the origin of life which was conducted in 1952 and published in 1953 by Stanley Miller and Harold Urey at the University of Chicago. They were able to show that there were over 20 different amino acids produced in Miller's original experiment.
We in Ayurveda believe everything starts with and ends at Panchamahabhutas. If we look at the Miller's experiment he actually used Panchamahabhutas. Sealed glass apparatus = Akash Mahabhuta, Gases, steam and their movement in apparatus = Vaayu Mahabhuta , Electrodes and heat = Tej Mahabhuta , Water = Aap Mahabhuta, Formed Amino acids = Prithavi Mahabhuta ..
See the image below
" Srushti utpatti" seems irrelevant when it comes to diagnosis and treatment of disease. But Aakashat vaayu ---- Vaayoragne ---- Aagnerapa ---- Adabhya Prithavi. This exact sequence is followed in each disorder that is vyaadhi utpatti. Let's see how??
Aakash = Kha vaigunya. Any deviation from normalcy is Vyaadhikar. Kha vaigunya in Dhatu or srotasa vitiates Vaat dosh. Vaayu is most important dosha of all three. Remember "Pitta pangu, kapha pangu ... " sutra ???? Yes thats why Vaayu is the hidden culprit in almost all samprapti. Due to Kha vaigunya, Vaat gets a room. Vaat gets vitiated, it gets pratilomit, it changes its direction and it hampers the Aagni sanstha and its functions. As we know air is important for combustion/ burning but excess air has a power that can put out the fire also. Agnimandya causes all diseases ( रोगाः सर्वेsपि मंदाग्नौ....) . Aap and Prithavi Mahabhuta (pradhan mahabhuta in dushya i.e. sapta dhatu) gets affected finally and symptoms occur.
Similarly we can see tha aushadhi also from Panchabhautik aspect.
1) Manoduarbalya, aatisar, sransa, bhanga, jaal Mahabhuta atipravrutti ( aatisar, prameha, pradar, raktapitta, dushta vrana, sravi vrana etc. ) kshayaj samprapti; in such conditions we have to use Parthiv dravya like gairik, different bhasmas, pancha kshiri vruksha, laksha, guggulu, padmak, gandhavan dravya like jatamansi, vacha etc.
Following are the properties and functions of Parthiv Dravya :
गुरू, खर , कठीण, स्थिर, मन्द, विशद, सान्द्र, स्थुल --- उपचय, संघात, गौरव, स्थैर्य, बल, अधोगमन
2) Tikshana gunajanya vyaadhi, amlapitta, daha, kamala, rasa kshayaj vyadhi, manas vyadhi, bhayaj vyadi ( जलं आश्वासकराणां) . These are the conditions where Aapya dravya has to be used. Like siddha jala, hima, fant, peya, manda, kashay, ushir, kamal, mustak, gokshur, dhanyak, chandan etc.
Following are the properties and functions of Aapya Dravya :
स्निग्ध, शीत, मन्द, मृदु, सान्द्र, पिच्छिल, स्तिमित, सर --- क्लेदन, स्नेहन, बंधन, विष्यंदन, मार्दव, प्रल्हादन
3) Pitta kshayajanya vyadhi, agnimandya, krimi, shaitya, stambh, swapa, shool, aam pradhan awastha ; in such conditions Taijas Dravya has to be used. Like shunthi, maricha, pimpalli, vacha, chitrak, bhallatak etc.
Following are the properties and functions of Taijas Dravya :
उष्ण, तीक्ष्ण, सूक्ष्म, लघु, विशद, रूक्ष, खर ---- दहन, पचन ; प्रभा, वर्ण प्रकाशन, दारू, तापन, उर्ध्व गमन
4) Medorog, santarpanothha vyadhi, kleda bahul awastha, bahu dosha awastha, gaurav, kaphaj agni mandya, vruddhi ( as an any unwanted growth) in such conditions Vaayaviy Dravya has to be used. Like kutaj, triphala, kanchanar, punarnava, tulasi, vaasa etc.
Following are the properties and functions of Vaayaviya Dravya :
लघु, शीत, रूक्ष, खर, विशद, सूक्ष्म, व्यवायी, विकासी ---- विरूक्षण, विचारण, ग्लपन, वैशद्यकर, लाघवकर, कर्शण, आशुकारी
5) Srotasa avarodha, all avarodhajanya samprapti, vruddhi ( as an any unwanted growth) kled, med, aam vruddhi etc. In such conditions Aakashiya Dravya should be used. Like kuataki, kumari, haritaki, triphala etc.
Following are the properties and functions of Aakashiya Dravya :
मृदू, लघु, श्लक्ष्ण, सूक्ष्म, व्यवायी, विशद, विविक्त ---- मार्दव, सौषिर्य, लाघव, विवरण
Ayurved principles has many gems 💎 Panchamahabhutik Siddhanta is one of the important siddhanta that can be applied for diagnosing as well as treating the disease.
Which are your favorite principles of Ayurveda ?? Do tell me in the comments below, also would like your suggestions on " Which principle should be the next one??" I have one in my mind.. "Lok purush samya siddhanta"
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Jay Ayurved
Vd. Prajakta Patel
(M.D. Dravya)