E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Hita-Ahita Ahara

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2023 Volume 8 Number 5 May
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Concept of Hita-Ahita Ahara and its relevance in preservation of good health w.s.r. to Pathyatam Ahara

R. Raut N.1*, R. Mishra B.2, B. Mishra A.3
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21760/jaims.8.5.25

1* Nikita R. Raut, Final Year Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Basic Principles of Ayurveda, Shri Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.

2 Brijesh R. Mishra, Vice Principal, Professor, HOD & Guide, Department of Basic Principles of Ayurveda, Shri Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.

3 Abhishek B. Mishra, BAMS (MUHS), , FOPC, Manager - Product Team, Kapiva Ayurved, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

The science and methodology of living a physically, physiologically, spiritually, and mentally balanced life is what we call as Ayurveda. It does not merely focus on curing the diseases of the unhealthy people but it also prioritises preservation of good health in already healthy individuals. The lifestyle we have moulded ourselves into after the modern civilization took place has kept us at a bay from having a perfect health, a healthy mind, and a healthy body. When it comes to maintaining good health or even curing the diseases of the patients, first thing we should take care of is the diet. i.e. ‘Ahara’ as we call it in Ayurvedic terminologies. Ayurveda has also coined the term ‘Trayopasthamba’ which literally means the three pillars of human health. It includes- Ahara, Nidra & Bramhacharya.[1] Ahara is the utmost important factor when it comes to leading a disease free, healthy life as per Ayurveda. Today, even modern science cannot deny the impact of diet on human health. A German Philosopher Ludwig Feuerbach coined a famous phrase ‘we are what we eat’ which Ayurveda approves of and supports with many theories. This article focuses on Acharya Sushruta’s perspective of ‘Hita-Ahita Ahara’ along with Pathyatam Ahara and how it directly impacts human health.

Keywords: Ahara, Ayurveda, Hita, Ahita, Diet, Pathyatam, Health

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Nikita R. Raut, Final Year Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Basic Principles of Ayurveda, Shri Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.
Email: 		Nikita R. Raut, Brijesh R. Mishra, Abhishek B. Mishra, Concept of Hita-Ahita Ahara and its relevance in preservation of good health w.s.r. to Pathyatam Ahara. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2023;8(5):154-158.
Available From
https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/2485

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2023-03-25 2023-03-27 2023-04-03 2023-04-10 2023-04-16
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
Nil Nil Yes 19%

© 2023by Nikita R. Raut, Brijesh R. Mishra, Abhishek B. Mishraand 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

‘Praninam Punarmulamaharo Balavaranaoujasam Cha’ meaning food is the cause of strength, colour (complexion) of person and vitality of all living beings.[2] It is made clear from above statement that how important it is to consume food which is nutritious and provides good health. Ayurveda has always focused on the concept of ‘Agni’ digestive fire along with the proper food consumption. Every single human has different digestive capacity according to their Prakurti, body type, body physique etc. so what you eat on the daily basis becomes even more important in terms of maintaining good health. Diet regimen, how to eat, what to eat, when to eat etc all these concepts have been made clear in Ayurveda textbooks. The way food impacts our daily activities is remarkable and however busy our routine lives may have become, we need to draw our attention to what we eat and how is it beneficial to our overall health, is it providing all the Rasas that are required for growth & development, is it providing enough energy to perform daily activities, is it keeping you active all day etc. WHO also recognises the challenges and opportunities related with the food safety and hence understands and approves importance of food under the slogan for 2015 “From farm to plate, make food safe”.[3] This article thus helps us get the clear understanding of how some Ahara Dravyas are effortlessly, naturally always beneficial, and helpful in maintenance of good health while some are not, Pathyatam Dravyas and how they are truly beneficial to human health as put forth by Acharya Sushruta.

Concept of Hita-Ahita: Some Acharya suggest that the substances which are beneficial for Vata Dosha can cause disturbance in Pitta Dosha and this is the reason that no substance can be completely beneficial i.e., Hita or completely non-beneficial i.e., Ahita. Acharya Sushruta has quoted otherwise. According to him, substances can be completely beneficial (Hita) or completely non-beneficial to the living beings (Ahita) naturally or by combination. ‘Swabhavatah’ i.e., due to its basic ‘Prakruti’. In all the state of the substances, its true nature i.e., ‘Prakruti’ remains the same. Like the heat in fire, fluidity in water etc. ‘Sanyogatah’ means by mixing or by combination with one, two, three substances. Desha, Kala, Matra and Sanskar all work in cohesion and in accordance with the true nature (Swabhav)

of any substance. This helps to determine whether the Dravya (substance) is Swabhavatah Ekanta Hita, Swabhavatah Ekanta Ahita, Sanyogtah Ekanta Hita, Sanyogtah Ekanta Ahita or Hita-Ahita.[4]

SN Term Definition Example
1. Hita The Ahara or Vihar which is suitable, beneficial, can provide proper nutrition either by its true nature or by any combination is called ‘Hita’ Jala, Ghrita. Dugdha etc.
2, Ahita The Ahara or Vihar which is always unsuitable disadvantageous for human health is called ‘Ahita’. Agni, Kshar, Visha

Dravya Bhedas / Classification of substances[5]

Acharya Sushruta has divided Ahara Dravyas overall into three categories-

1. Ekanta Hita

2. Ekanta Ahita

3. Hita- Ahita

Ekanta Hita: These are the substances which are always suitable and accustomed to living beings (man) by birth like water, ghee, milk, Porridge (Boiling rice).

Acharya Dalhana has explained the concept of Satmya- ‘Jati Satmya’. It is defined as the substance which settles with the soul and body, that it does not create any disorder. The word ‘Satmya’ literally means the substances which are in complete alignment with the natural constitution of an individual, Satmya means wholesomeness, agreement with nature, suitability or simply habit. For the body to remain in healthy state, understanding the notion of ‘Satmya’ is essential. It plays crucial role in management of disease as well. Jati Satmya substances can be logically called as Ekanta Hita substances to the body.

Ekanta Ahita: The substances which are always unsuitable and performing actions like burning, cooking, and destroying/ killing such as fire, caustic alkali, poison etc. These substances are consciously used considering its proper quantity for treatment purposes but Acharya Dalhana has mentioned that they are still Ekanta Ahita since ‘Teshamev Sanyogtah’ i.e., while combined with any other substances, the combined other substances turned Ahita due to these fire, caustic alkali, poison.

Hita-Ahita: These are the substances which are suitable and unsuitable both, those which are mentioned as suitable to Vata and unsuitable to Pitta etc.


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Pathyatama Ahara / Best Suitable Diet

Best suitable food materials for human health are mentioned in the table below according to their respective categories:

SN Food Category Food Materials Included
1. Shuka Dhanya (Paddy/ Rice) Raktshali, Shastika, Kanguka, Mukundaka, Panduka, Pitaka, Pramodaka, Kalaka, Asanpushpaka, Kardamaka, Shakunahruta, Sugandhak, Kalama
2. Kudhanya Nivara, Kodrava, Uddhalaka
3. Sudhanya Godhuma, Shyamak, Venuyava
4. Vaidala/ Shami Dhanya (Pulses) Mudga, Vanamudga, Makushtaka. Kalaya, Masura, Mangalaya, Chanaka, Harenu, Adhaki, Satina
5. Jangala (Animal Meat) Harina (Ena), Kuranga, Mrugamatruka, Shwadanshtra, Karala (Different types of deer)
6. Vishkir (Types of birds) Lava, Tittir, Kapinijal, Vartika, Vartir
7. Pratuda (Types of birds) Kapota
8. Falavarga (Fruits) Dadima, Amalaka
9. Shaka Varga (Green leafy Vegetables) Chilla, Vastuka, Sunishannak, Jivanti, Tanduliyaka, Mandukaparni
10. Ghrita Varga (Ghee) Gavya Ghrita
11. Lavana (Salt) Saindhava

Apart from these Yava, Krakar are also included in Pathyatama Ahara.

Relevance of Pathyatama Ahara in preservation of good health

1. Shali Varga is sweet in taste, cold in potency, Laghupaka (pungent after digestion), bestow strength, mitigate Pitta, increase Vata and Kapha slightly, unctuous (creates unctuousness) cause constipation and less faeces. Among these, Lohitakae., Raktashali is the best, it mitigates all the Doshas, increases semen and urine, good for vision, colour, strength, voice, and heart (mind), relieves thirst, good for ulcers, cures fever, mitigates all the Doshas and poison. Other varieties are inferior to this (Lohitaka) in properties in their respective order.[7]

2. Kudhanya Varga (millets) are hot in potency, astringent, sweet, in taste, dry, pungent after digestion, mitigate Kapha, binds the urine and aggravate Vata and Pitta. Kodrava, Nivara, Syamaka are astringent sweet in taste and mitigate Pitta and cold in potency.[8]

3. Godhuma is said to be sweet, not easily digestible, bestows strength and stability, augments semen and taste is unctuous, very cold in potency, mitigates Vata and Pitta, increases Kapha, unites fractures and is laxative.[9]


4. Venuyava is dry, hot in potency, pungent after digestion, binds urine, mitigate Kapha, astringent in taste and aggravates Vata.[10]
5. Mudga, is not aggravating Vata greatly (aggravates slightly), bestows clear vision; the green coloured variety is superior, Vanamudga (wild variety) is similar to Mudga in properties.[11]

6. Masura is sweet after digestion and causes constipation. Makusthaka destroys worms, Kalaya aggravates Vata Adhaki mitigates Kapha and Pitta and does not aggravate Vata greatly. Chanaka increases Vata, cold in potency, sweet and slight astringent in taste, causes dryness, mitigates Kapha, Rakta and Pitta, diminishes virility in males; when combined with ghee it is a best mitigator of all the three Doshas. Harenu and Satina are to be understood as binding the faeces.[12]

7. Yava is astringent, sweet and pungent after digestion, cold in potency, mitigates Kapha and Pitta, good for wounds always like Tila; produces retention of urine greatly and increases flatus and faeces greatly; bestows stability, digestive power, intelligence, good voice and colour (complexion), is slightly slimy, mitigates Fat, Vata and thirst, is very dry (creates dryness) and purifies blood and Pitta.[13]
8. Meat of Jangala Vargae., group of swift runners especially deers is astringent-sweet in taste, easily digestible, mitigate Vata and Pitta; is penetrating, good for the heart (pleasant) and cleanse the urinary bladder.[14]

9. Meat of Vishkirae., Scatterers type of birds, generally is easily digestible, cold in potency sweet and astringent in taste and mitigates all the Doshas.[15]

10. Meat of Pratuda birds (Kapota) generally is astringent-sweet in taste, aggravates Vata, mitigates Pitta and Kapha, cold in potency, binds urination, defaecation and produces less of faeces.[16]
11. Dadima is astringent in secondary taste, does not cause increase of Pitta greatly, kindles digestion, help taste, good for heart (or mind) and binds the faeces, produces constipation. It is of two kinds, sweet and sour - the sweet kind mitigates all the three Doshas and the sour kind mitigates Vata and Kapha.[17]

12. Amalaki Phala is sour, slightly sweet, bitter, astringent, and pungent, laxative, good for vision, mitigates all the Doshas, is aphrodisiac; it mitigates


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Vata by its sourness, Pitta by its sweetness and cold potency and Kapha by its dryness and astringency hence best among fruits.[18]

13. In Shaka Varga, Jivanti is good for eyes and mitigates all Doshas. Tanduliyaka is sweet both in taste and after digestion, cures bleeding diseases and intoxication, very cold potency, causes dryness and removes poison. Vastuka is pungent after digestion, kills worms, augment intelligence, digestive power, and strength of the body, slightly alkaline in taste, mitigates all the three Doshas, helps taste and laxative. Chilla is similar to Vastuka in properties. Mandukaparni is astringent, mitigates Pitta, sweet in taste and also after digestion, cold in potency and easily digestible. Sunishannak does not cause heartburn, mitigates all the three Doshas and causes constipation.[19]

14. Gavya Sarpi (Ghee obtained from cow’s butter) is sweet after digestion, cold in potency, mitigate Vata, Pitta and poison; best for eyes, bestows strength and very good in properties.[20]

15. Saindhava Lavana is good for eyes, heart, and taste, easy for digestion, kindles digestion, unctuous, slightly sweet, aphrodisiac, cold in potency and best to mitigate Doshas.[21]

16. Meat of Krakar, mitigates Vata and Pitta, aphrodisiac, increases the power of intelligence and digestion, easily digestible and good for heart (or mind).[22]

Discussion

Hita-Ahita Ahara concept by Acharya Sushruta is exclusive and very important in terms of following a proper diet to acquire good health. But the concept of Ekanta Hita and Ekanta Ahita substances is bit of a complex since according to Ayurveda every living being has a different physical constitution so either Ekanta Hita or Ekanta Ahita substances can have different levels of effects in terms of health in different people. It also depends on the state of living being i.e., health or illness. That is why there is this practical concept by modern Acharyas called Swabhavatah Ekanta Hita, Swabhavatah Ekanta Ahita, Sanyogatah Ekanta Hita or Sanyogatah Ekanta Ahita. It is easy to understand and hence apply the power of healthy diet with help of this concept originally coined by Acharya Sushruta.


Acharya Sushruta has also explained the concept of Pathyatam Ahara which is much more efficient when we understand and learn why certain substances are termed as Pathyatam i.e., best suitable than others. Here, the list of fifty-three substances has been given in order to suggest their health benefits. We have compiled the references about how these substances help in keeping our being in alignment with good health. The properties all the Pathyatam substances possess are the reason they are termed as Pathyatam i.e., best suitable substances for good health of living beings. Learning the properties of all the Pathyatam substances only helps us, physicians to understand human health and the need of good diet i.e., Ahara better.

Conclusion

The concept of Hita-Ahita Ahara is root of understanding what it required to have good health. Though the substances can be broadly classified as Ekanta Hita and Ekanta Ahita but in terms of actual application as a physician there can be many diverse situations where we will have to use Yukti Pramana to decide what is Ekanta Hita and Ekanta Ahita for our patient in the given circumstances. In case of Pathyatam Ahara, with the help of knowledge of properties of these substances, it will be a lot easier to help patient and even healthy individuals to maintain good health.

Reference

1. Y. G. Joshi translated, Charak Samhita Vol I, M. Vaidyamitra Prakashan, reprint 2014, Sutrasthan Chapter no. 11, Verse no. 35, page no. 163.

2. Keval Krushna Thakral translated, Sushruta Samhita, Vol. 1, Chaukhamba Orientalia, reprint 2020, Sutrasthana Chapter no. 46, verse no. 3, Page no. 544.

3. http://www.who.int/

4. Keval Krushna Thakral translated, Sushruta Samhita, Vol. 1, Chaukhamba Orientalia, reprint 2020, Sutrasthana Chapter no. 20, verse no. 3, Page no. 230.

5. Keval Krushna Thakral translated, Sushruta Samhita, Vol. 1, Chaukhamba Orientalia, reprint 2020, Sutrasthana Chapter no. 20, verse no. 4, Page no. 230.


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6. K. R. Srikantha Murthy translated Susruta Samhita Vol. I, Chaukhamba Orientalia, reprint 2017, Sutrasthan Chapter no. 20, verse no. 5, page no. 145.

7. K. R. Srikantha Murthy translated Susruta Samhita Vol. I, Chaukhamba Orientalia, reprint 2017, Sutrasthan Chapter no. 46, verse no. 5-7, page no. 371.

8. K. R. Srikantha Murthy translated Susruta Samhita Vol. I, Chaukhamba Orientalia, reprint 2017, Sutrasthan Chapter no. 46, verse no. 22-23, page no. 374.

9. K. R. Srikantha Murthy translated Susruta Samhita Vol. I, Chaukhamba Orientalia, reprint 2017, Sutrasthan Chapter no. 46, verse no. 43, page no. 377.

10. K. R. Srikantha Murthy translated Susruta Samhita Vol. I, Chaukhamba Orientalia, reprint 2017, Sutrasthan Chapter no. 46, verse no. 26, page no. 374.

11. K. R. Srikantha Murthy translated Susruta Samhita Vol. I, Chaukhamba Orientalia, reprint 2017, Sutrasthan Chapter no. 46, verse no. 29, page no. 375.

12. K. R. Srikantha Murthy translated Susruta Samhita Vol. I, Chaukhamba Orientalia, reprint 2017, Sutrasthan Chapter no. 46, verse no. 30-32, page no. 375.

13. K. R. Srikantha Murthy translated Susruta Samhita Vol. I, Chaukhamba Orientalia, reprint 2017, Sutrasthan Chapter no. 46, verse no. 41-42, page no. 377.

14. K. R. Srikantha Murthy translated Susruta Samhita Vol. I, Chaukhamba Orientalia, reprint 2017, Sutrasthan Chapter no. 46, verse no. 54, page no. 380.

15. K. R. Srikantha Murthy translated Susruta Samhita Vol. I, Chaukhamba Orientalia, reprint 2017, Sutrasthan Chapter no. 46, verse no. 60, page no. 381.

16. K. R. Srikantha Murthy translated Susruta Samhita Vol. I, Chaukhamba Orientalia, reprint 2017, Sutrasthan Chapter no. 46, verse no. 68, page no. 382.


17. K. R. Srikantha Murthy translated Susruta Samhita Vol. I, Chaukhamba Orientalia, reprint 2017, Sutrasthan Chapter no. 46, verse no. 141-142, page no. 394.

18. K. R. Srikantha Murthy translated Susruta Samhita Vol. I, Chaukhamba Orientalia, reprint 2017, Sutrasthan Chapter no. 46, verse no. 143-144, page no. 394.

19. K. R. Srikantha Murthy translated Susruta Samhita Vol. I, Chaukhamba Orientalia, reprint 2017, Sutrasthan Chapter no. 46, verse no. 252, 258, 260,261, 264, 26, page no. 410-412.

20. K. R. Srikantha Murthy translated Susruta Samhita Vol. I, Chaukhamba Orientalia, reprint 2017, Sutrasthan Chapter no. 45, verse no. 97, page no. 345.

21. K. R. Srikantha Murthy translated Susruta Samhita Vol. I, Chaukhamba Orientalia, reprint 2017, Sutrasthan Chapter no. 46, verse no. 314, page no. 420.

22. K. R. Srikantha Murthy translated Susruta Samhita Vol. I, Chaukhamba Orientalia, reprint 2017, Sutrasthan Chapter no. 46, verse no. 63, page no. 381.


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