Concept of Janapadodhwamsa in perspective of today's environment affecting human health

Abstract

Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine, clearly mentioned about diseases causing epidemic under a broad term ‘Janapadodhwamsa’ which literally means demolition of people or community. There are four factors that has been described which are common and essential for every living being i.e., Vayu (air), Jala (water), Desha (land) and Kala (season). Any abnormal alteration in these four factors can significantly influence individual or community or environment or all of them together. The reason for Janpadodhwansa has been described as Adharma (immorality) and the root cause of Adharma is said to be Prajnaparadha (delinquency of wisdom). Considering the noteworthiness of Janpadodhwansa, a whole chapter has been depicted in Charak Samhita illustrating its onset, causes, peculiar features and management. In Janapadodhwamsa, persons having distinct Prakriti (constitution), Aahara (diet), Deha (body), Bala (strength), Satmya (suitableness), Mana (mind) and Vaya (age) may be affected by one particular disease simultaneously. In Ayurveda terms like virus, bacteria don’t exist, but term like Krumi, Bhuta etc. were considered as a causative factor for the diseases. On the basis of characteristic features of vitiated four factors in Ayurveda classics, catastrophe conditions like cyclones, earthquakes, endemic/epidemic or pandemic disease outbreak etc., may simulate with Janpadodhwansa. Restrained utilisation of natural, man-made resources, adoption of Ayurveda dietetics and lifestyle, Panchakarma therapies, Rasayana therapies may effectively contribute to prevent and manage these situations especially like disease outbreak. This review primarily focussed on the need of understanding the topic of Janpadodhwansa in current scenario.