E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Nidra

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2022 Volume 7 Number 9 October
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Nidra - A Literary Review

Patil S.1*, Samyam S.2, Pallavi S.3
DOI:

1* Sankanagoud Patil, Associate Professor, Department of PG Studies in Swasthavritta, JSS Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Mysuru, Karnataka, India.

2 SG Samyam, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of PG Studies in Swasthavritta, JSS Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Mysuru, Karnataka, India.

3 SL Pallavi, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of PG Studies in Swasthavritta, JSS Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Mysuru, Karnataka, India.

Sleep plays a key role in the survival of a human being. Sleep deprivation has more negative effects on the quality of life of an individual than food deprivation. More than 1/3rd of a human’s life is spent in sleeping. Sleep is one of the 13 Adharaniya Vegas, [1] i.e., the urges that should not be controlled. Sleep is also one the Trayopasthambhas according to Ayurveda [2] i.e., the three pillars of life. Sleeplessness has been mentioned as a symptom in multiple diseases.

Keywords: Nidra, Sleep, Trayopasthambha, Ayurveda

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Sankanagoud Patil, Associate Professor, Department of PG Studies in Swasthavritta, JSS Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Mysuru, Karnataka, India.
Email: 		Sankanagoud Patil, SG Samyam, SL Pallavi, Nidra - A Literary Review. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2022;7(9):147-150.
Available From
https://www.jaims.in/jaims/article/view/2089

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2022-08-30 2022-09-01 2022-09-08 2022-09-15 2022-09-22
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
Nil Nil Yes 16%

© 2022by Sankanagoud Patil, SG Samyam, SL Pallaviand Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

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Introduction

The Life of a person depends on the three pillars of life, i.e., Aahara, Nidra and Brahmacharya. Among them, Nidra is a phenomenon which has been widely mentioned to intend different meanings in a wide array of Sanskrit literature. For example, In Markandeya Purana,[3] Nidra is a word associated with Yoga Nidra i.e., The sleep of Vishnu which causes the illusion that this entire world is real, when in fact, it is illusionary. However, in Ayureda, Nidra is generally referred to the day to day sleep a person does with a few exceptions.

The causes for Nidra: According to Sushruta Samhita,[4] Nidra is caused mainly due to habit or nature, in the sense that it is the nature of living organisms to sleep. According to Charaka Samhita [5] and Ashtanga Sangraha,[6] Nidra is

induced due to tiredness of the person and due to the person needing rest due to continuous work in a day. Also, according to Ashtanga Sangraha,[7] Nidra also happens due to the characteristic of night i.e., a time in which Tamas is more predominant.

Physiology: According to Sushruta,[8] Nidra happens when Tamas and Shleshma enter the heart, causing the heart to slow down its activities which is told by an example of a lotus blooming and closing its petals around itself. According to Bhela Samhita,[9] Nidra happens when Shleshma and Tamas together enter Heart, Ears and Eyes where it’s also mentioned that only the Praana, Mind, and Agni are active during sleep and depending on the sleep, Indriyas can also be active.

Classification: Acharya Vagbhata has classified Nidra into 7 types in Ashtanga Sangraha,[10] i.e.,

  • Kaalasvabhava - Naturally occurring Nidra
  • Aamaya - Due to Diseases
  • Chittakheda - Due to Tiredness of the mind
  • Dehakheda - Due to Tiredness of the body
  • Kaphaja - Due to Kapha Dosha
  • Aagantuja - Due to External Factors
  • Tamobhava - Due to predominance of Tamas

Acharya Vagbhata says, the first type preserves life, the last type is considered a Paapa or a sin and the rest of the others are related to an unhealthy state of Mind and Body.

Acharya Charaka[11] has similarly classified Nidra into 7 types i.e.,

  • Tamobhava - Due to Tamas
  • Shleshmasamudbhava - Due to Shleshma or Kapha Dosha
  • Manahshramasambhava - Due to tiredness of mind
  • Sharirashramasambhava - Due to tiredness of body
  • Aagantuki - Due to external factors
  • Vyaadhyanuvartini - Due to diseases
  • Raatrisvabhaavaprabhava - Due to the nature of night

Sushruta, though doesn’t directly provide a classification of Nidra, and divides Nidra Based on the Guna[12] more present in the mind of an individual i.e.,

  • In Saatvika People - Nidra happens at midnight
  • In Raajasika People - Nidra happens randomly without any cause for it
  • In Taamasika People - Nidra happens both in day and night.

Sushruta also considers death as a type of Nidra which is named as Taamasi Nidra which happens when Shleshma along with Tamas enters into Samjnaavaha Srotas i.e., the channel which carries consciousness.

Divasvapna: Divasvapna[13] or sleeping during the day is generally considered unhealthy. According to Acharya Sushruta, Divasvapna does Prakopa of all the three Doshas. However, as mentioned by Hemadri, there are other opinions also i.e., Khaaranadi[14] says that Divasvapna does the Prakopa of only Pitta and Kapha Doshas while Bhela opines that Divasvapna in a supine position only increases Kapha in the Koshtha. Everybody however, agree that generally, Divasvapna is unhealthy.

However, there have been exceptions mentioned. According to Sushruta Samhita,[15] Divasvapna can be done by those who stayed awake at night for half the time stayed awake at night by them. Also, Divasvapna is mentioned to be permitted during Greeshma Ritu or Summer Season. Along with that, Acharya Vagbhata[16] mentions Divasvapna can be done in many diseased conditions like Rajayakshma.


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Divasvapna can also be done by old aged people and children.

Nidranaasha[17]

Nidranaasha or loss of sleep is also considered unhealthy. It is caused by Vaata, Pitta, worry, Kshaya and Injury. Nidranaasha has been mentioned generally as a condition caused due to multiple factors In Sushruta Samhita,[18] and the treatment for this condition is mentioned as Abhyanga, Keeping oil on Head, Udvartana and General Brimhana Chikitsa.

Atinidraa[19]

Sleeping excessively is considered a Pathological condition which happens because of Increase in Shleshma Dosha. In Such a condition, treatments like Dhumapana, Virechana, Nasya, and Langhana are advised. Intake of Barley on a regular basis is said to relieve one of this condition.

Nidra as a Vega[20]

In almost all Samhitas, Nidra is an urge which should not be controlled nor induced. Inducing or controlling this Vega or Urge is said to cause a lot of symptoms like heaviness of head, Blackouts, Heaviness of the body and Body pains. The treatment for this is told to be sleeping itself.

Discussion

In Ayurveda, Nidra has been explained both as a physiological phenomenon and as a pathological condition. The proper sleep, the time in which sleep has to be done and the undesired effects of Nidra not properly done has also been told. Physiological Sleep has also been classified among healthy individuals based on their Prakriti and their General Mental State. Sleep has also been discussed as an urge which when controlled can lead to a wide array of diseased. Sleep during the day has been given special importance in the context of diseases as an etiological factor.

Conclusion

Nidra done at the proper time in a proper way helps in keeping the person healthy but the same Nidra, if done otherwise can lead to multiple problem in the health of an individual. Thus, the proper maintain of sleep regimen is important.


Reference

1. Vagbhata. Ashtanga Hridayam, with Sarvangasundara and Ayurved Rasayana Commentary by Arundutta and Hemadri respectively, Pt. Hari Sadashiva ShastriParadkara, editor. Sutrasthana, 4th Adhyaya, 01 verse, Sarvangasundara Commentary. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashana; Reprint 2010.

2. K. N. Shastri and G. N. Chaturvedi, “Agnivesha’s Charaka Samhita, Vidyotini Commentary,” In: Chikitsasthana, Chaukhamba Bharati Academy, Varanasi, 2004, Sutrasthana 11/35.

3. Markandeya Purana Saavarnika Manvantara Devi Mahatmya 1/69

4. Kaviraj Ambikadatta Shashtri. Sushruta Samhita. Varanasi; Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan; Reprint 2018, Sharira Sthana 4/33

5. K. N. Shastri and G. N. Chaturvedi, “Agnivesha’s Charaka Samhita, Vidyotini Commentary,” In: Chikitsasthana, Chaukhamba Bharati Academy, Varanasi, 2004, Sutrasthana 21/35

6. Vagbhatas: Astanga Samgraha with Hindi commentary Vol-1 by Kaviraj Atridev Gupta & Rajvaidya Pandit Sri Nanda Kishor Sharma Bhisagacarya, Krishnadas Ayurveda Series-31, Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, Edition-2002, Sutrasthana 9/29

7. Vagbhatas: Astanga Samgraha with Hindi commentary Vol-1 by Kaviraj Atridev Gupta & Rajvaidya Pandit Sri Nanda Kishor Sharma Bhisagacarya, Krishnadas Ayurveda Series-31, Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, Edition-2002, Sutrasthana 9/28

8. Kaviraj Ambikadatta Shashtri. Sushruta Samhita. Varanasi; Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan; Reprint 2018. Sharirasthana 4/32

9. Bhela Samhita by Bhela Charya. Translated by K.H. Krish-namurthy, Edited by Sharma P.V. Chowkhamba VishwaBharati, Varanasi; 2000, Chikitsa Sthana 13/3.

10. Vagbhatas: Astanga Samgraha with Hindi commentary Vol-1 by Kaviraj Atridev Gupta & Rajvaidya Pandit Sri Nanda Kishor Sharma Bhisagacarya, Krishnadas Ayurveda Series-31, Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, Edition-2002, Sutrasthana 9/49


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11. K. N. Shastri and G. N. Chaturvedi, “Agnivesha’s Charaka Samhita, Vidyotini Commentary,” In: Chikitsasthana, Chaukhamba Bharati Academy, Varanasi, 2004, Sutrasthana 21/58.

12. Kaviraj Ambikadatta Shashtri. Sushruta Samhita. Varanasi; Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan; Reprint 2018, Sharira Sthana 4/33

13. Kaviraj Ambikadatta Shashtri. Sushruta Samhita. Varanasi; Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan; Reprint 2018, Sharira Sthana 4/38

14. Vagbhata. Ashtanga Hridayam, with Sarvangasundara and Ayurved Rasayana Commentary by Arundutta and Hemadri respectively, Pt. Hari Sadashiva ShastriParadkara, editor. Sutrasthana, 7th Adhyaya, 55 verse, Sarvangasundara Commentary. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashana; Reprint 2010.

15. Kaviraj Ambikadatta Shashtri. Sushruta Samhita. Varanasi; Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan; Reprint 2018, Sharira Sthana 4/38.

16. Vagbhatas: Astanga Samgraha with Hindi commentary Vol-1 by Kaviraj Atridev Gupta & Rajvaidya Pandit Sri Nanda Kishor Sharma Bhisagacarya, Krishnadas Ayurveda Series-31, Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, Edition-2002, Sutrasthana 9/36.

17. Kaviraj Ambikadatta Shashtri. Sushruta Samhita. Varanasi; Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan; Reprint 2018, Sharira Sthana 4/38.

18. Kaviraj Ambikadatta Shashtri. Sushruta Samhita. Varanasi; Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan; Reprint 2018, Sharira Sthana 4/42.

19. Vagbhatas: Astanga Samgraha with Hindi commentary Vol-1 by Kaviraj Atridev Gupta & Rajvaidya Pandit Sri Nanda Kishor Sharma Bhisagacarya, Krishnadas Ayurveda Series-31, Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, Edition-2002, Sutrasthana 9/40.

20. K. N. Shastri and G. N. Chaturvedi, “Agnivesha’s Charaka Samhita, Vidyotini Commentary,” In: Chikitsasthana, Chaukhamba Bharati Academy, Varanasi, 2004, Sutrasthana 7/3.


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