Broad Classification of Attributes by Charaka

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S

Reference and Context – Sharira Gunas are the attributes of the physique. Acharya Charaka has described two forms of Sharira Gunas in ‘Sharira Vichaya Shaarira’ chapter of Charaka Samhita. Ref – Charaka Sharira Sthana, Chapter 6, Verse 17 (Cha.Sha.6/17).

Dvividha Sharira Gunaha

शरीरगुणाः पुनर्व्दिविधाः संग्र्हेण- मलभूताः, प्रसादभूताश्च| तत्र मलभूतास्ते ये शरीरस्याबाधकराः स्युः| तद्यथा- शरीरच्छिद्रेषूपदेहाः पृथग्जन्मानो बहिर्मुखाः, परिपक्वाश्च धातवः, प्रकुपिताश्च वातपित्तश्लेष्माणः, ये चान्येऽपिकेचिच्छरीरे तिष्ठन्तो भावाः शरीरस्योपघातायोपपद्यन्ते, सर्वांस्तान्मले संचक्ष्महे; इतरांस्तु प्रसादे , गुर्वादींश्चद्रवान्तान् गुणभेदेन, रसादींश्च शुक्रान्तान् द्रव्यभेदेन||Charaka Vimana – 6/17

Sharira Gunas are of two varieties. They’re –

1. Malabhuta Gunaha – wastes of the physique which are supposed to be excreted
2. Prasadabhuta Gunaha – nourishing components which are supposed to help the physique and its functioning

1. Malabhuta Gunas

Amongst each the gunas, Malabhuta Gunas are the undesirable issues within the physique. They’re meant to be excreted to maintain the physique clear and wholesome. These components are described as ‘Sharira Badhakaraha’ i.e. these which afflict the physique with ache and discomfort.

They’re current in a single or the opposite of the beneath talked about kinds –

a. Sharira Chidreshu Upadehaha – These are varied substances that are fashioned in varied orifices and channels of the physique. They’re the divergent kinds and are within the technique of being faraway from the physique. These types of malabhuta gunas are the impurities which trigger upadeha within the sharira chidras i.e. they’re current within the type of impurities which follow the partitions of varied orifices and channels contained in the physique. This additional causes obstructions at a number of locations of the physique hampering many common features.

b. Pruthak Janmano Bahirmukhaha – the wastes, putrefied substances individually produced within the eyes, ears and nostril and exterior orifices of the physique.

c. Paripakascha Dhatavaha – the blood and different tissues which have gotten suppurated and have acquired the type of pus and different troublesome substances.

d. Prakupitascha Vata Pitta Shleshmanaha – vitiated vata, pitta and kapha

e. Ye cha anye api kechit satire tishtanto bhavaha sharirasya upaghataya upapadhyante, sarvaan taan male sanchakshmahe – the above mentioned and some other comparable such substances which whereas current within the physique tends to trigger destruction of the physique belong to the class of Malabhuta Gunas.

2. Prasadabhuta Gunaha

Itaran tu Prasade – Acharya Charaka says ‘the others are Prasada Bhuta’. This implies to say that, every thing else within the physique, aside from these described below Malabhuta Gunas above ought to be thought of as Prasadabhuta Gunas i.e. pure, nourishing or supporting attributes of the physique. They’re additionally the constructing blocks of the physique.

These Prasadabhutas are within the type of –

a. Gurvadin cha Dravantan Guna Bhedan – the gunas i.e. qualities of the physique and totally different parts of the physique beginning with guru – heaviness and ending with drava – liquidity, that are twenty in quantity, generally known as as Gurvadi Gunas – are the Prasada Bhutas of the physique.

b. Rasadin cha Shukrantan Dravya Bhedena – the seven tissues of the physique starting with rasa – lymph or plasma and ending with shukra – semen, are additionally the prasada bhuta gunas of the physique.

One ought to preserve the stability of tridoshas

Since Acharya Charaka counts the vitiated vata, pitta and kapha amongst the malabhuta gunas, he additionally emphasizes the significance of conserving them in a state of stability for one to expertise complete well being within the speedy subsequent verse.

तेषां सर्वेषामेव वातपित्तश्लेष्माणो दुष्टा दूषयितारो भवन्ति, दोषस्वभावात्| वातादीनां पुनर्धात्वन्तरे कालान्तरे प्रदुष्टानां विविधाशितपीतीयेऽध्याये विज्ञानान्युक्तानि| एतावत्येव दुष्टदोषगतिर्यावत् संस्पर्शनाच्छरीरधातूनाम्| प्रकृतिभूतानां तु खलु वातादीनां फलमारोग्यम्| तस्मादेषां प्रकृतिभावे प्रयतितव्यं बुध्दिमद्भ्दिरिति||Charaka Vimana Sthana 6/18

By their very nature, the three doshas i.e. vata, pitta and kapha vitiate the physique and its parts. These doshas would vitiate the tissues of the physique once they get vitiated by exogenous components. He additionally states that the indicators and signs of the vitiation of varied dhatus in several instances have already been described in Vividha Ashita Pitiya Adhyaya – twenty eighth chapter of Sutra Sthana. Such are the manifestations of the vitiated doshas once they are available in contact with physique parts, primarily the tissues of the physique.

However, when these doshas are in a state of normalcy and are balanced, they’re liable for the upkeep of well being of the people. Due to this fact, a clever man ought to at all times attempt to preserve these doshas in a traditional state.

Acharya Charaka additional provides 

भवति चात्र- शरीरं सर्वथा सर्वं सर्वदा वेद यो भिषक्| आयुर्वेदं स कार्त्स्न्येन वेद लोकसुखप्रदम्||१९|| Charaka Vimana Sthana, 6/19 (Cha.Vi.6/19)

‘The doctor who’s at all times conversant and properly versed with varied facets of your complete physique as is described within the sharira gunas above, can also be very proficient in Ayurveda. Resulting from this data he may bestow happiness and well being to your complete world’.

Associated AIAPGET Questions

1. The ‘Malabhuta Sharira Guna Sangraha’ is outlined as (Cha.Sha.6/17)
2. Sharira chidresu upadeha pruthak janmano bahirmukhaa
3.   Paripakvascha dhatavaha
4. Prakupitascha vatapittashleshmana
5.   All of the above

Ans – d. All of the above.

This query was requested in Uttarakhand College Lecturer Screening Check – 2018, Kaya Chikitsa.

Different attainable Questions

2. Which amongst these will not be talked about as Sharira Prasadabhuta Gunas by Acharya Charaka?
3. Gurvadi Gunas
4.   Rasadi Dhatus
5. Ojas
6.   a & b

Ans – c – Ojas. Ref – Cha.Vi.6/17

3. What number of Sharira Gunas does Acharya Charaka grossly describe in Vimana Sthana?
4. 2
5.   3
6. 4
7.   6

Ans – a. 2, Malabhuta and Prasadabhuta Gunas. Cha.Vi.6/17

4. That are included below Prasadabhuta Sharira Gunas in response to Charaka?
5. Gurvadi Gunas and Tridoshas
6.   Gurvadi Gunas and Ojas
7. Sapta Dhatus and Gurvadi Gunas
8.   Saptadhatus and Ojas

Ans – c. Sapta Dhatus and Gurvadi Gunas. Cha.Vi.6/17