Agadatantra
CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE OF TOXIC CONCEPTS OF AYURVEDA
A medical speciality is a branch of medical practice, which is focused on procuring skills to treat a defined group of patients and their diseases. The system of modern medical specialities evolved gradually during the 19th century. Throughout history, the most important division was into surgical and internal medicine. Like any other science, Ayurveda also contains speciality branches through which it offers the utmost benefit for diseased persons and helps to maintain a healthy body and mind. Ayurveda consists of Ashtanga or eight speciality branches. The classification of these eight branches is based on Nidana and Samprapti of a disease. When we go through the texts, the signs and symptoms of many diseases are similar, may it be any clinical condition seen through the perspective of any branch. But, when the treatment approach for those diseases is observed, they differ to one another and are primarily based on the respective Nidana and Samprapti. It is the root cause of the disease and the course of its progress which decides to which speciality care the patient needs to consult. Such methods of interventions yield more fruitful results, which can only be cherished through Ayurveda. Agadatantra, is one among Ashtanga, which is commonly called ‘Visha Chikitsa. According to Chakrapani Datta’s commentary on the statement of Charaka Acharya in Chikitsa Sthaana 23rd chapter, the spectrum of diseases caused by Visha can be broadly
classified into those symptoms produced by external exposure of toxins (dehasambandhi visha) and those produced after the intake of food materials(annadigata visha). Acharya has given equal importance to both exposures which signify the role of contaminated food intake in disease causation. Thus, it includes all diseases as explained in Nidana Sthaana where the toxin is one of the important causative factors (either from external exposure to a toxin or through the food) for disease manifestation. The modern system of medicine has started to quantify the significance of various kinds of toxin exposure (environmental and through food) and their relation to disease causation. Here more than the bacterial toxin load of food, other food additives and adulterants which gets mixed with food (colors, preservatives, sweeteners etc.) is more important. Various forms of exposure to toxins occur through different adhistana of visha (plant origin - Sthavara, animal origin – Jangama and mineral origin – dhatu) and artificial combination (Kritrimavisha). The importance of Agadatantra treatment principles in snakebite management and other insect bites which is effectively practices in many regions are beyond explanation. The areas least focused by Ayurveda physicians include the concept of Gara visha (Kritrima/ artificial), Dushivisha and Viruddha ahara in disease manifestation. Here Gara visha and Dushivisha can enter the body through both ways, through food and by other external sources.
The Ancient Ayurveda | May-Jun 2021 | Issue 7 | 19
