Dr. Sathye B. V
M.Sc; Ph.D
The source wise classification leads to understanding about the time and efforts of digesting capacity, required to utilize the member of the substances than each class. Audbhida of vegetable / plant origin, is relatively easy to get digested in shortest time. Comparatively Jamghama, substances from animal origin are easy to digest if they are of liquid nature. If substances of animal origin are more and more compact in architecture, they are difficult to ingest and digest. They take a longer time and effort for utilization by beings.
The classified Paarthiva_s are really dense in architecture and contain the least water component. Therefore they are to be subjected to batteries of processes whereby their heterogeneous character is modified and made suitable for various ingestion etc. Out of shaped entities those having some water component, are easier for intake. Common salt is basically a substance from Paarthiva or mineral category. But compared to other minerals it is easily used up, by the body because it has the suitable water component. The origin of this mineral is from a global water reservoir, the sea. The metals of mineral origin, the biological entities of animal origin, available after cutting, open the body of the animal, are relatively difficult, as compared to biological substance like milk, for acceptance by the body.
Plants products that emerge for the most, by breaking open the ground from below are substantially easy to be homogeneously accepted by beings. This classification is also for pointing out the difference in the lasting characters observed in the members of three classes:
- Paarthiva or Mineral
- From animals
- All herbs
The Paarthiva_s-minerals, exhibit a long lasting quality in general. The plants as a whole perish quickly, except the hard structured barks, central core, & seeds. Water / moisture rich in components is prone to decompose and lose its utility as a nourishing food item. The biological entities obtained without cutting the body are easy for acceptance, quick in replenishing, but they do not show a long-lasting nature. Biological substances obtained after cutting open the living-killed body shows a little longer lasting pattern. The materials from the long lasting groups if suitably processed can enhance the tissues capacities, by preventing or deferring the decomposition, putrefaction process observed in beings. The shape retaining minerals when capably processed, endow the usual body tissue building. Plant material, however, is basic material as all animals are dependent on it. If grass, weeds, is not available to the initial range of animals; the so-called higher hierarchical animals cannot survive. The source wise classification therefore, is dependent on many aspects of decision.
All such substances when they reach inside the body, their behavior is different. Therefore after utility prone classification, scientists have given the patterns of behavior of the inside of the body.
Out of the innumerable materials, some (try to) pacify the Dosha, some prefer to disturb the usual functions of Dhaatu_s-tissues, and some contribute to the routine health maintenance; whereby it can be stated that there are three varieties of actions of intake in the body.
The reference is as follows:
किंचिद्दोषप्रशनमं किंचिध्दातुप्रदूषणम् ॥
स्वस्थवृत्तौ मतं किंचित्रिविधं द्रव्यमुच्यते ॥ C.Su.1/67
It is the experience of all that spices, medicines, make one aware of the substance consumed earlier, by a specific (usually unwanted bitter) taste in the mouth, the next day. But the rice, chapatti (unleavened bread), consumption does not make one aware of the taste next day. If over cooked rice, or burnt wheat preparation is deliberately consumed, even though rejected by the tongue; it does not reappear in mouth, or does not produce the sensation that the body has received something for the maintenance of tissues. It sticks on the inside of digestive track and disturbs the function of the track.
If by accident or deliberate intention, poisonous material reaches the inside of the body, the body attempts to throw it out instantaneously. Such substances on contact, disturb immediately the body tissues or organs. The usual food items do not initiate any such reaction. This clearly shows that behavior of entrants is different. Considering this difference in destiny of intake, all entities Dravya together are classified into three types:
- Doshapras`hamana possessing antagonizing effect on vitiated Dosha_s towards pacification.
- Dhaatupradooshan`a type even though not akin to tissues, it continues to cling on them and consequently, hampers the routine tissue function, progressively for the most, but at times abruptly.
- Svasthavrittimata type after-assimilation in the body gets homogenized with tissues, and therefore this type is useful for everyday health maintenance. The term Svasthavritti means health maintenance, the end part Mata means one that is approved for maintenance of positive health.
From three types elaborated above, one can guess that they stand for firstly therapeutic material, secondly poisonous or tissue harmful intake / contact, and thirdly usual nourishing food range respectively.
These effects of substances are after the initial taste dependant on the main Dosha antagonizing activity. It is dependant on many components together rather than the taste of the substance alone. The actions due to taste are more apparent, as compared to these three types. This classification is based on the total effects of entities, noted by three observations. They are:
- Conversion, absorption, and homogenization with existing tissues, by compensation of wear and tear, or addition of tissue units.
- Entry inside the body and re-excretion through Dosha channels to leave the body after the work is over.
- Entry inside the body even though primarily rejected, and continuation of stay in tissues without homogenization with them. This decreases the strength of tissues as the unsuitable substance is forcibly occupying place.
This materializes due to certain specific components existing in that substance. This according to commentator is Dravya Prabhaava. Here Dosha denotes the vitiated Dos`ha as well as Rasaadi Dhaatu. Thus Doshapras`hamana pacifies vitiated Dosha_s and Dhaatu_s also, as the first attack of vitiated Dosha_s is on Dhaatu_s. Such substances reappear in track along with the usual Dosha appearance. Medicines enter in, do the desired correcting action and leave the tissue zone as by themselves, as they are not akin to tissues. Since the corrective action is followed by getting along with Dosha_s away from tissues, they are most beneficial to the body. The Dhaatupradooshana substances do not leave the tissues and perpetually disturb their structure and function. They are to be avoided in management and professional should be on guard for this type of substances. Here Dhaatu implies Dosha_s in normal state (Sama/equilibrium), and Rasaadi Dhaatu_s and Mala_s too, as in healthy individual, all play an equal role in maintaining normalcy. So the substance or entity, which vitiates any of these components, is referred to as Dhaatupradooshan`a e.g. Visha i.e. poison, vitiates Dosha_sas well as Dhaatu_sand Mala_s, by all varieties of vitiations mild, moderate, sever etc.
The beneficial food items, after ingestion, digestion, absorption, enter in the tissue and contribute to their progression not leaving or disturbing them in any event. They are named as really approved for health progress. Repeated continuity of this is responsible for, an individual having normal state of Dosha, Agni, Dhaatu_sas well as Mala with their properties and functions (suitable to his Prakriti) along with pleased / calm / tranquil state of Aatman (soul), Indriya (senses) and Manas (mind). The substances which maintain the state of equilibrium (Svaasthya) are called as Svasthavrittikara / Svasthavrittimata. E.g. usual rice (Rakta S`haali) . It is also useful for pacifying Dosha_sand used in therapeutics for the same. But still its prominent function is to maintain health and hence it is called, Svasthavrittimata instead of Doshapras`hamana.
The description that, some are of this particularity is after the observation that there are entities possessing multiple roles. Classification however, is by noting the dominance as elsewhere. Maricha (black piper) is a material that pacifies Kapha and increases Pitta hence can come under both the categories viz. Doshapras`hamana and Dhaatupradooshan`a. But pacification of Kapha and increase of Pitta are functions devoted to Rasa, the dominant component. Hence Kinchit word is used to avoid inclusion of Dravya of one category to the other as single Dravya acts in multidimensional way.
An individual can be aware of type on intake. If after 10 -12 hours the taste of a substance is experienced without intake, note that the previous intake was rich in Doshapras`hamana group rather than Svasthavrittimata group. The special occasion celebration dishes are prepared by adding more spice rich components. The next day if one pays attention to the taste in the mouth, it is realized that, even without intake in the morning the previous intakes taste is noted. This is due to more of reappearing components than simply entering in nutritive food items. Vices that have fate of disturbing or weakening tissues (tobacco, alcohol) are initially rejected by the body while they are entering in; they have to be given step by step, for acceptance. Except fine chemicals natural Dhaatupradooshan`a items are not welcomed by the scrutiny machinery at the mouth and nose entry point. The sense organs are programmed to welcome the Svasthavrittimata entities.
Dr. Sathye B. V
Sr.Scientist AyuSoft. Pune.
Last updated on May 18th, 2021 at 09:55 am