Ayurvedic concept of Dushit Jala and its Shodhana Vidhi

Priyanka; Ramesh Chandra Tiwari; Ved Bhushan Sharma; Rakesh Bhutiani

Ayurvedic concept of Dushit Jala and its Shodhana Vidhi

Priyanka.^1*, Tiwari R.², Sharma V.³, Bhutiani R.⁴

DOI:

^1* Priyanka, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Agad Tantra, Uttarakhand Ayurved University, Rishikul Campus, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India.

² Ramesh Chandra Tiwari, Professor & H.O.D, PG Dept. of Agadtantra, Uttarakhand Ayurved University, Rishikul Campus, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India.

³ Ved Bhushan Sharma, Assistant Professor, PG Dept. of Agadtantra, Uttarakhand Ayurved University, Rishikul Campus, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India.

⁴ Rakesh Bhutiani, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Zoology and Environmental Science, Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India.

Water is the most important natural resource which forms an essential nutrient for the survival of life. An adult can survive 7-10 days without food and water and if only water is supplied, can survive about 50-60 days. The basic physiological requirement for drinking water has been estimated at about 2 liters per head per day. Water is a precious gift of nature. It is the dispersion medium for all biochemical reactions of the living process and takes part in many of these reactions. Water is also a vital resource for agriculture, manufacturing, transportation and many other human activities. Most of the water on Earth (nearly 97%) is salt water which is found in the oceans we cannot drink and use salt water for crops and many other activities because of its high salt content. We can remove salt from ocean water, but because the process is very expensive so it not possible. Only about 3% of Earth's water is fresh. 2% of the Earth's water (about 66% of all fresh water) is found in glaciers. Because it is in frozen form so the fresh water in glaciers is not available for use for people or plants. Only 1% of all the Earth's water is found in useable form for humans and animals. This fresh water is found in lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, and ground. Ayurvedic literature explains the theory of Panchmahabutas, which are considered as the fundamental of our body & nature and Jala is one among them. The ancient literature of Ayurveda explains the concept of Jala, Dushit Jala & its Shodhana Vidhi in a very unique way. This review article has attempted to compile the whole ayurvedic literature regarding Dushit Jala & its Shodhana Vidhi.

Keywords: Water, Ayurveda, Panchmahabutas, Dushit Jala, Shodhana Vidhi

Corresponding Author	How to Cite this Article	To Browse
Priyanka, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Agad Tantra, Uttarakhand Ayurved University, Rishikul Campus, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India. Email:	Priyanka, Ramesh Chandra Tiwari, Ved Bhushan Sharma, Rakesh Bhutiani, Ayurvedic concept of Dushit Jala and its Shodhana Vidhi. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2022;7(3):162-166. Available From https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/1734

Introduction

Water, as a vital nutrient, performs numerous critical roles in the human body. It acts as a building material; as a solvent, reaction medium, reactant and reaction product; as a carrier for nutrients and waste products; in thermoregulation and as a lubricant and shock absorber. The regulation of water balance is very precise and is essential for the maintenance of health and life Water is an elixir for life. Water is the main constituent of Human body that is about 70%. Water is essential for digestion, dissolution of nutrients, regulation of body temperature, and removal of waste from the body through tears, perspiration, urine and faeces. Water is a universal solvent for ions, required for cell signaling, enzyme activation, mineralization of organic compounds and properties. Water also plays a key role in digestion, removal of toxins and lubrication of cavities such as joints. It is also involved in epithelial transport, hormone release, cell proliferation, migration and cell death. Jala is a clear, odorless liquid, obtained from natural sources such as a rain, river and lakes & rendered fit for human consumption. According to Bhav Prakash Nighantu Water is considered to be the Jeewa (life). Jala is described in our Granthas since Vedic Kala.

Aim and Objectives

1. To review the Ayurvedic literature regarding Dushit Jala.
2. To review the Ayurvedic literature regarding Shodhana Vidhi of Dushit Jala.

Methodology

Acharya Charaka has described properties of Aahitkar Jala in Sutrasthana chapter 27 “Annapana Vidhi Adhyaya” as Slimy,having insects, Klinna,full of leaves, algae and mud, having abnormal colour, taste, viscous and foul smelling water is not wholesome.^[1]

Acharya Charaka has mentioned Lakshan of Vikrit Jala in Vimansthana Chapter-3 “Janpado Dhwanshiyaya Adhyaya” as Water should be known as devoid of merits when it is excessively deranged in respect of smell, colour, taste and touch, is too slimy,deserted by acquatic birds, aquatic animals are reduced and is unpleasing.^[2]Acharya Susruta has mentioned Lakshana of Dushit Jala in Kalpasthana Chapter-3 Shlok no.7-8.^[3]

Acharya Susruta has described disease due to intake of Dushit Jala in Sutrasthana chapter-45 Shlok no.15-16.^[4]
Table 1: Dushita Jala Lakshana according to different Nighantu

Nighantu	Dushita Jala lakshana
Dhanwantri Nighantu[5]	Varjya Jala description – Trina, Parna Yukta, Kalusham, Visha Yukta.
Kaideva Nighantu[6]	Description of Kalushm Toyam – Nili, Shaival, Kardam, Phenil, Durgandhayukta, Garam, Vikritvarna, Vikrit Rasa, Ghanam, Krimiyukta.
Bhavaprakash Nighantu[7]	Avguna Jala Lakshana described as Picchil, Krimil, Klinn, Parna, Shaival, Vivarna, Viras, Sandhra, Durgandhita
Raj Nighantu[8]	Vista, Mutra, Aruna Evam Nilika Visha Yukta, Tapt, Ghan, Phenil, Dantgrahy, Shaivala and Krimiyukta.
Shaligram Nighantu[9]	Nindita Jala Lakshana described as - Pichhil, Krimil, Klinn, Parna, Shaival, Kardam, Vivarna, Virasa, Durgandha
Priya Nighantu[10]	Picchil, Krimil, Parna, Shaival, Avilam, Vivarna, Durgandha Yukta

Table 2: Jala Shodhana Vidhi according To Susruta Samhita.

Jala shodhana (Purification method)	Jala Prasadana (Clearing turbidity)[7]	Jala Niksepana (Water stand)[5]	Jala Sheetikarana (Water cooling method)[7]
Aatyadhik Dushit Jala purified by - Aganikwathnm	Kataka	Phalkam- (Wood of shalmali)	Pravaatsthapnam –(Keeping in the open air.)
Alpa Dosh Dushit Jala purified by - Suryatap-Pratapnm	Gomeda	Trystkam- (Tripod with octagonal top).	Udak-Prakshepana – (Tying wet cloth around water filled) vessel.
Madhya Dosh Dushit Jala purified by -Taptaay Pind, Sikta, Lostranaam.	Bis Granthi	Munjvalaya (Circular structure made up of dried grass).	Yashtika Bhramnam (stirring with a stick).
	Saivala Mula	Udakmanchika (Ring of dried grass or cane ring structures built at height to place the water pots).	Vyanjana (fanning)
	Vastra	Shikya (Swing made up of rope).	Vastrodharana (straining through cloth).
	Mukta		Balookaprakshepana (Keeping water pot within sand bed).
	Mani		Shikya Avlambnm (suspending on swing).

Jala Shodhana Vidhi (Water Purification Methods)

Vedic Kala

Yajurveda
By the help of scientific methods and natural methods passing sunrays through water purifies it. Kusha (grass) also purifies the water.^[11]

Susruta Samhita: Acharya Susruta has described Jala Shodhana Vidhi in Dravdravya Vidhi Adhyaya in Sutrasthana.^[12]

Some Shodhaka Dravya and Jala Shodhan Vidhi described in Susruta Samhita Kalpasthana Adhyaya. Dhava, Ashvakarna, Asana, Paribhadra, Paatala, Siddhaka, Moksaka, Rajadruma and Somvalka should be burnt and the ash spread on the water of lakes, reservoirs of water and a handful of this ash should be put into the pot containing drinking water to be used when needed.^[13]

Astanga Samgrha: Jala Shodhana Vidhi described in Drava Dravya Vijaniya Adhyaya by Asthanga Samgrha as:^[14]

Polluted water should be filtered through thick cloth to remove insects and worms, heated by fire, exposed to sunlight or by immersing red hot iron balls into it and it should be purified by Parnimulla, Kamalnaal, Mukta, seeds of Nirmali (Kataka), algae, thick cloth and Gomedaka.

Table 3: Jala Shodhana Vidhi according to Astanga Samgrha

Sanskar	Prasadana (By putting in water)	Durgandha Nashana (By putting these flowers into water)
Filtered through thick cloth	Parnimool	Patla
Heated by fire	Bisa Granthi	Karveer
Exposure to Sunlight	Mukta
Immersing red-hot iron balls into water	Katak
	Shaivala (Algae)
	Thick clothes
	Gomedaka

Jala Prokshana Yogas^[15]

Various Jala Pokshana Yoga like Bilvaadi Yoga and Shelvaadi Yoga using different drug have been mentioned to detoxify the poisoned water. The Kwath should be prepared using the drugs which are mentioned in each Yoga and it should be sprinkled in the poisoned water.

Nighantu Kala

Dhanvantri Nighantu: Not specific but Kwathit Jala
Kaideva Nighantu^[16]
Purification: Boiling, Exposure to sunlight, Immersing red hot iron, stone sand into water.
Prasadana: Mukta, Gomeda, Kataka
Filter: Filtering by clean cloth
Suvasit: Patlapushpa, Naagkeshar, Punnaga, Champaka, Kapoor, Chandan.

Bhavaprakash Nighantu^[17]

Purification: Boiling, Exposure to sunlight, Immersing redhot Gold, silver, iron, stone sand into water.
Prasadana: Parnmool, Bisgranthi, Mukta, Kanak, Shaivaal, Gomeda
Filter: Filtering by clean cloth
Suvasit: Kapoor, Chameli Pushpa, Punnaga, Patla

Shaligram Nighantu^[18]

Purification: Boiling, Exposure to sunlight, immersing red-hot Gold, silver, iron, stone sand into water.
Prasadana: Parnamool, Bisagranthi, Mukta, Kanak, Shaivaal, Gomeda.
Filter: Filtering by clean cloth.
Suvasit: Kapoor, Chameli Pushpa, Punnaga, Patla.

Discussion

Discussion has great significance in any review article. The aim of this review article is to find out the new facts or verification of old facts. The most important part any study is discussion, where in all the actual facts are presented in a combined format. If all the points are discussed with proper reasoning, then they help to draw a proper conclusion. Water is a key resource for human civilization, for human life, for our economy, agriculture and for every aspect of our existence. Water is becoming a rare resource in the world. In India alone the International water management Institute (IWMI) predicted that by 2025, one person in three will live in condition of absolute water scarcity.

Conclusion

In our Vedas, Samhita, Nighantu Jala is considered to be Jeeva (life). According to Acharya Charaka water is the best revival agent for life. Pure water does not occur in nature. It contains natural and manmade impurities. A brief description of Jala, Dushit jala and its Shodhana Vidhi are very well explained in our ayurvedic literature. Shodhana is necessary because human cannot intake Dushit Jala. This Dushit Jala (contaminated water) causes water borne diseases like Cholera, typhoid, viral hepatitis A, amoebiasis, giardiasis, bacillary dysentery, diarrhea, heavy metals poisoning like lead, arsenic etc.

Reference

1. Sharma PV. Caraka Samhita, Text with English Translation. Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi. Sutrasthana, chapter-27, shlok-215, page:212.

2. Sharma PV. Caraka Samhita, Text with English Translation. Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi. Vimanasthana, chapter-3, shlok-6, page:315.

3. Acharya Susruta. Susruta Samhita. edited by Dr. Ambika Dutta Shastri, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthana, Varanasi, reprint:2010, Poorvardha, kalpasthana, chapter-3, shloka-7-8

4. Acharya Susruta. Susruta samhita, edited by Dr. Ambika Dutta Shastri, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthana, Varanasi, reprint:2010, Poorvardha, Sutrasthana, chapter 45, shloka-15-16

5. Priyavrata Sharma, Guru Prasad Sharma. Dhanvantri Nighantu. Chaukhmba Orientalia, Varanasi. reprint 1998, Page no 229, shloka no-283-293.

6. Kaiydeva. Kaiydeva Nighantu (Pathya-apathya Vibhedika) edited by PV Sharma and Guru Prasad Sharma. Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi. second edition: 2006, page no 335.

7. Prof Gyanendra Pandey, Acharya Bhavamishra. Bhavaprakasha Nighantu. Chaukhamba Bharti Academy, Varanasi. reprint:2004, page no 539.

8. Narhari Pandit. Raj Nighantu edited by Indradeva Tripathi. Chaukhamba Krishdas Academy, Varanasi. 3rd edition : 2003, page no 285.

9. Vaidya Shaligram. Shaligram

Nighantu. Khemraja Shrikrishnadasa Prakashna, Bombay. Print: II, Page no736.

10. Priyavrat Sharma. Priya Nighantu. Chaukhamba Subharti Prakashana, Varanasi. print: 2004, page no227.

11. Om Prakash Verma. Yajurveda. Vaidic Pragya Prakashana, Shaharanpur. first edition:2007.

12. Acharya Sushruta. Sushruta Samhita, edited by Dr Ambika Dutta Shastri. Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthana, Varanasi. reprint:2010, Poorvardha, Sutra Sthana, chapter no-45, shloka no-12,17,18,19.

13. Acharya Sushruta. Sushruta Samhita, edited by Dr Ambika Dutta Shastri, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthana, Varanasi. reprint:2010, Poorvardha, Kalpasthana, chapter no-3,shloka no-8.

14. Acharya Vridha Vagbhatta. Astanga Samgraha translated by prof KR Srikantha Murthy. Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi. print :2005, Chapter-6, shloka no 26-27.

15. Acharya Vridha Vagbhatta. Astanga Samgraha translated by prof KR Srikantha Murthy. Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi. print :2005, Chapter-8, Shloka no 103-104,105-106.

16. Kaiydeva. Kaiydeva Nighantu (Pathya-apathya vibhedika) edited by PV Sharma and Guru Prasad Sharma. Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi. second edition: 2006, page no 335.

17. Prof Gyanendra Pandey, Acharya Bhavamishra. Bhavaprakasha Nighantu. Chaukhamba Bharti Academy, Varanasi. reprint:2004, page no 539.

18. Vaidya Shaligram. Shaligram Nighantu. Khemraja Shrikrishnadasa Prakashna, Bombay. print: II, page no736.

Manuscript Received	Review Round 1	Review Round 2	Review Round 3	Accepted
2022-03-05	2022-03-07	2022-03-14	2022-03-21	2022-03-27
Conflict of Interest	Funding	Ethical Approval	Plagiarism X-checker	Note
Nil	Nil	Yes	19%

Review Article

Dushit Jala

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences