E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Vyadhikshamatvam

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2023 Volume 8 Number 7 July
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Concept of Vyadhikshamatvam

Sajwan A.1*, Joshi A.2, Kumar Thakur B.3
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21760/jaims.8.7.25

1* Ankita Sajwan, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Rog Nidan evam Vikriti Vigyan, Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Patna, Bihar, India.

2 Akanksha Joshi, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Rog Nidan evam Vikriti Vigyan, Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Patna, Bihar, India.

3 Basant Kumar Thakur, Professor & HOD, Department of Rog Nidan evam Vikriti Vigyan, Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Patna, Bihar, India.

The natural ability of the body to fight diseases or prevent diseases is called Vyadhikshamatva (immunity). The body has an inherent capability to defend itself from the ailments, which termed as ‘Prakritirakshini’. This protects the body from the ill effects of unwholesome food, regimes and other non-conductive factors. The intervention by the physician is required only when the ‘Prakritirakshini’ or inherent power to protect the body fails. The innate ability to resist diseases is explained as Vyadhikshamatva by Charaka. Without the depletion of the natural strength of the body the disease doesn’t occur thus, strengthening the immune system is a natural way to help the body fight against the disease causing pathogens. The present article is aimed to review the concept of Vyadhikshamatva and various factors that help in occurrence and prevention of disease.

Keywords: Vyadhikshamatva, Prakritirakshini, Sahaja Bala, Kalaja Bala, Yuktikrita Bala, Ojas, Immunity

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Ankita Sajwan, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Rog Nidan evam Vikriti Vigyan, Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Patna, Bihar, India.
Email: 		Ankita Sajwan, Akanksha Joshi, Basant Kumar Thakur, Concept of Vyadhikshamatvam. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2023;8(7):134-138.
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https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/2502

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2023-05-20 2023-05-22 2023-05-29 2023-06-05 2023-06-12
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© 2023by Ankita Sajwan, Akanksha Joshi, Basant Kumar Thakurand 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

To maintain the health and prevent from diseases is Vyadhikshamatva. Acharya Charaka has introduced the term Vyadhikshamatva in Ayurveda. It means all Doshas are neither of equal strength nor all the bodies capable of resisting disease equally. Vyadhikshamatva has direct role with respect to disease incidence and progress, when etiological factors come in contact with the body, it results in diseases. At the same time, the body tries to resist the disease either to avoid its manifestation or to suppress its intensity.

Chakrapanidatta expounds it as “Vyadhiksamatvam Vyadhibala Virodhitvam Vyadyutpada Pratibandhakatvam Iti Yavat” i.e., the individual resistance to disease includes both the capacity of attenuation of the manifested disease as well as the prevention of the unmanifested one.[1]

According to above quotation Vyadhikshamatva can be understood as follows.

1. Sharirabala, opposite to the Vyadhibala which is already manifested (Resistance to the disease) is “Vyadhibala-Virodhitva”. It may be correlated with Yuktikrita Bala or acquired immunity.

2. Sharirabala, which oppose the manifestation of the Vyadhi (Immunity for the disease) that is “Vyadhi-Utpadak-Pratibaandhakatva”. It may be correlated with Sahaja Bala or innate immunity.

Materials

Ayurvedic textual materials were referred, mainly Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Astanga Hridaya and available commentaries of these Samhitas, for the study. Available modern literature and journals etc.

Factors responsible for Vyadhikshamatva

Vyadhikshamatva depends on the maintenance of the equilibrium of Doshas and the healthiness of Dhatus. The factors which have to be checked while examining a patient have been described by Charaka. Bala (strength) is one of them.

Types of Bala (Vyadhikshamatva)[2]

This Bala (capacity to resist disease) is attainable from three sources i.e.

1. Sahaja,

2. Kalaja,

3. Yuktikrita

Sahaja Bala: This type of Bala or resistance is related to be Prakruta (Natural, in born, genetic) and it exists from birth. It comprehends both Sarira and Sattwa. Hence it depends on the healthiness of Shukra and Aartava and also on the appropriateness of time and place. Mother’s milk helps in fighting abdominal infections in new born. These readymade antibodies present in mother’s milk is an example of passive natural immunity.

Kalaja Bala (seasonal resistance): Bala is derived by the effect of Kala is called Kalaja Bala. Kala is divided into Nityaga and Avasthika. Nityaga depends upon season and Avasthika is the diseased state. It refers to the natural (innate) immune power present in the body by virtue of age and seasons.

Rutu Janya Bala

Aalpa Bala - Aadana Kala (Shishira,Vasant and Grishma Rutus).

Uttam Bala - Visarga Kala (Varsha, Sharada, Hemanta Rutus).

Vaya Krit: The Old age persons will have poor resistance and the middle aged persons naturally possess good resistance.

Yuktikrita Bala (artificially acquired)

This Bala is acquired by the consumption of wholesome food (ghee, milk etc.), practice of ideal regimen (exercise etc.) and by the appropriate use of Rasayana and Vajikarana drugs. This can also be generated in the body by inoculating the various toxic antigens in the body in low dose forming antibodies against them in the body to fight against the future disease. The Ayurvedokta example of ‘Vishkanya’ is one such example of Yukti Krita Vyadhikshama Bala.[3]

Bala Vridhikar Bhava[4]

Acharya Charaka has described Bala Vridhikar Bhava to improve strength of the body as follows.

1. Desha (birth place) - Birth of a person in a country where people are naturally strong.

2. Kula (family) - Birth in a race of strong people.

3. Kala (time) - Birth at the time when people


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are naturally gain strength. As per Acharya Charaka at the end of the Visarga Kala and at the beginning of Aadana kala the strength in human beings is maximum.

4. Sukhascha Kaalayoga - Favorable conditions in all aspects leading to good strength.

5. Beeja Kshetra Sampat - Excellence of Beeja (Sperm & Ovum) and Kshetra (Uterus) qualities.

6. Ahara Sampaccha - Excellence of nourishment. Bala is achieved by proper combination of the intake of wholesome food like Rakta Shali, Mudga Yusha, Saindhava, Amalaka Other regimen to maintain proper Bala like proper rest, exercise and appropriate use of Rasayana-Yogas.

7. Shareer Sampaccha - Excellence of bodily constitution. Acharya Charaka has mentioned those who have well compact body are strong otherwise weak.

8. Satmyasampaccha - Excellence of suitability substance conducive to an individual is called “Satmya” and the use of such substances result in the wellbeing of that individual.

9. Satvasampaccha - Excellence of the mind. On the basis of Bala, Satva is of three types - Pravara, Madhya and Pravara-Satva-Purusha is called as Satva-Sarapurusha. Satva-Sarapurusha with small body structure will be able to tolerate different type of disease states.

10. Swabhav Sampaccha - It refers to the person’s engagement in strength increasing measures.

11. Yuvan (youth) - An individual has good strength in middle age as compared to childhood and old age.

12. Karma (Exercise) - The Karmaj Bala here refers to the strength obtained through exercise. The exercise tones the muscles and arouses the appetite and boosts the immunity.

13. Sanharsha - It is the orgasm obtained after sexual intercourse. This releases the happy endorphins in the body which gives pleasing sensation and happy and contended mood.

Ayurveda propounds that prevention is an equally important aspect of disease management as cure and thus, strengthening the immune system, is a natural way to help the body fight against the disease-causing pathogens.

Relation between Immunity and Ojasa

Chakrapanidatta says that Ojas, which is Sara or essence of all Dhatus. It is directly related to the strength of the body. Hence immunity is also dependent Ojas. It is also known as an Uttamapranayathana (best seat of life). It is observed that in diseases accompanied by profuse tissue loss there is also diminution of strength, Ojas and immunity. This condition is observed in tuberculosis, diabetes, anemia etc.[5]

Type of Ojas[6]

According to Acharya Chakrapanidatta, Ojasa is of two types

1. Para Ojas: found in Hridaya (heart), have a quantity of eight drops and loss of even single drop are fatal to the person.

2. Apara Ojas: Ardhanjali Pramana (half Anjali), the depletion of this Ojas is not so deleterious as compared to Paraojas.

Ojas and Bala are resultant of Agnivyapara (proper digestion) and assimilation of the wholesome food. So, any impairment in the Agnivyapara and lack of wholesome food will affect the quality of Ojas.

Vitiation of Ojas[7]

1. Ojovisramsa: Dalhana and Chakrapanidatta explain Visramsa as leakage of Ojas from the Dhatuvaha Srotansi or the impairment of the distribution of Ojas to the Dhatus. The symptomatologies associated with Visramsa are flaccidity of joints, weakness of the body, displacement of Doshas and obstruction of activity.

2. Ojovyapath: the condition is explained by Chakrapanidatta as the diminution of natural qualities of Ojas by the vitiated Doshas. Dalhana explains this as a movement of Ojas away from the natural state as a result of its interaction with vitiated Doshas and Dhushyas. It presents the following symptoms, Sthabdagurugatrata (inertness and heaviness of extremities), Vatasopha (swelling due to Vata), Glani (feeling of fatigue), Varnabheda (discolouration of the skin or change of complexion), Tandra (drowsiness) and Nidra (sleepiness).

3. Ojakshaya: The Kshaya of Ojas is brought about by Abhigata (trauma), Kshayat (diminution of dhatus), Krodha (anger),


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Soka (grief), Dainya (anxiety), Srama (exhaustion) and hunger (Kshudha). The symptomatology of Kshaya of Ojas includes: Murcha (loss of consciousness), Mamsakshaya (wasting of muscle), Moha (stupor), Pralapa (delirium) and Marana (death). Dalhana says that here the normal function of Bala is also impaired.

Avyadhisaha Sharirani: Individuals incapable of resisting diseases.

  • Over Obese individual.
  • Over emaciated person
  • Whose muscle and blood are diminishing markedly.
  • Debilitated person.
  • One who consumes unwholesome food.
  • One who consumes less amount of food.
  • Whose mental faculties are weak.

One the other hand, individuals having opposite type of physical constitution are capable of resisting diseases.[8]

Contributing factors for Vyadhiksamatva

Nonviolence is the best among the promoters of longevity of living beings; Knowledge is the best among promoters of nourishment.[9]

Strength, health, longevity and vital breath are dependent on the condition of Agni. When the proper quantity of food and drinks supplied to a person which is commensurate with the power of digestion in the form fuel, which sustains the Agni otherwise leads to abnormal functions.[10]

For the maintenance of equilibrium state of Dhatu the following adaptations are essential.

a. Proper use of actions and consumption of food contrary to the properties of place time and the self.

b. Avoid over utilization and improper utilization of time, intellect and sense objects.

c. Non suppression of impelled urges.

d. Do not indulge in activities which are beyond one’s own capacity.[11]

Discussion

Vyadhikshamatvam depends upon the maintenance of the equilibrium of Doshas and the healthiness of

tissues and channels. Similarly, the Bala (strength) of the body is related to immunity and it also depends upon the healthiness of tissues. Amongst the factors responsible for immunity, the greatest importance has been assigned to the healthy condition of the three tissues- blood, muscle, and bone. In our opinion the reasons for this are:[12]

1. There is a typical relation between these three and Tridosha - i.e., between blood and Pitta, muscle and Kapha, bone and Vata. The healthy condition of these three tissues will naturally maintain equilibrium of the three Doshas, which is also required for resisting disease.

2. The white cells of the blood are the force, which fights against any infection and prevents any foreign substance from entering the body; the plasma of the blood contains gamma globulins.

3. Red bone marrow in the bones is the reticuloendothelial system responsible for the manufacture of the red and white cells of the blood.

Conclusion

After the brief discussion on the Vyadhikshamatavam, it shows that, it is the primary goals of every individual to live disease free life. Vyadhikshamatva depends upon various factors like equilibrium state of Dosha, Dushya, Bala, dietary habits, Agni, Ojas, Satva, Satmya etc. Health as well as disease is dependent on these factors.

Reference

1. Roga Vijnana and Vikriti Vijnana Vol-Ⅰ by Dr. Manoj Sankaranarayana foreword by Padmasri. Dr.K.Rajagopalan Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office, Varanasi Edition 2nd , 2011, page-227.

2. Caraka Samhita of Agnivesa revised by Caraka and Drdhabala, By Pt. Kasinatha Sastri. Dr. Gorakha Natha Chaturvedi, Part-1, Chaukhamba Bharati Academy, Reprint year-2015, Page-228

3. Critical analysis of Ayurvedokta Vyadhikshamatva concept w.s.r. to modern immunity by Subhash D. Waghe and Sanjay P.Deshmukh, ayurlog NJ-RAS , April- june 2019|Vol. 7th | Issue: 2nd e-ISSN: 2320-7379.

4. Text book of Ayurvediya Vikrti- Vigyana and Roga Nidana by Dr. P.S. Byadgi, Chaukhambha Publications, Volume Ⅰ, Revised 2nd Edition, page-268.


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5. Pathology in Ayurveda (vikruti Vijnyan) by Dr. Subhash Ranade and Dr. Mrs. Sunanda Ranade, Narendra Prakashan, Pune-2. Edition 1st 2003, Page-110.

6. Roga Vijnana and Vikriti Vijnana Vol-Ⅰ by Dr. Manoj Sankaranarayana foreword by Padmasri. Dr.K.Rajagopalan, Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office, Varanasi Edition 2nd , 2011, page-232.

7. Susruta Samhita of Maharsi- Susruta, Edited by Kaviraja Ambikadutta Shastri, Vol-Ⅰ Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan, Reprint Edition 2017, page-80.

8. Caraka Samhita of Agnivesa revised by Caraka and Drdhabala, By Pt. Kasinatha Sastri. Dr. Gorakha Natha Chaturvedi, Part-1, Chaukhamba Bharati Academy, Reprint year-2015, Page-570.

9. Caraka Samhita of Agnivesa revised by Caraka and Drdhabala, By Pt. Kasinatha Sastri. Dr. Gorakha Natha Chaturvedi, Part-1, Chaukhamba Bharati Academy, Reprint year-2015, Page-584.

10. Caraka Samhita of Agnivesa revised by Caraka and Drdhabala, By Pt. Kasinatha Sastri. Dr. Gorakha Natha Chaturvedi, Part-1, Chaukhamba Bharati Academy, Reprint year-2015, Page-566.

11. Caraka Samhita of Agnivesa revised by Caraka and Drdhabala, By Pt. Kasinatha Sastri. Dr. Gorakha Natha Chaturvedi, Part-1, Chaukhamba Bharati Academy, Reprint year-2015, Page-797.

12. Pathology in Ayurveda (Vikruti Vijnyan) by Dr. Subhash Ranade and Dr. Mrs. Sunanda Ranade, Narendra Prakashan, Pune-2. Edition 1st 2003, Page-111-112.


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