Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S
There are numerous dravyas – substances within the creation, in truth innumerable. However are all of the substances appropriate to us (from the well being perspective)? The opposite a part of the doubt might be – are all substances unsuitable for well being? The trickiest query which surfaces from that is – are there some substances that are appropriate in addition to unsuitable for us?
Acharya Sushruta offers a clarification for this idea.
Ref – Sushruta Samhita Sutra Sthana Chapter 20, Verse 3 (Su.Su.20/3, 4)
Ekanta Hita, Ekanta Ahita and Hita Ahita Dravyas
यद्धायोःपथ्यंतत्पित्तस्यापथ्यमित्यनेनहेतुनानकिंचिद्रव्यमेकान्तेनहितमहितंवाऽस्तीतिकेचिदाचार्याबुवते।तत्तुनसम्यक्; इहखलुयस्माद्रव्याणिस्वभावतःसंयोगतश्चैकान्तहितान्येकान्ताहितानिहिताहितानिचभवन्ति॥३॥
There are such a lot of classifications of Dravya – substance. The beneath talked about is one more classification of dravyas based mostly on their hita – suitability and ahita – non-suitability by way of well being.
The dravyas are labeled into three sorts i.e.
– Ekanta Hita Dravyas
– Ekanta Ahita Dravyas and
– Hita-Ahita Dravyas
What are these dravyas? Allow us to talk about every considered one of them briefly, with appropriate examples a bit later. However allow us to see, what context led to this dialogue and classification in Sushruta Samhita.
The chapter through which this dialogue of useful and non-beneficial substances takes place is known as ‘Hitahita Adhyaya’.
The grasp, quoting the opinion of some consultants says –
‘These substances that are pathya i.e. appropriate and healthful for Vayu, will not be appropriate for pitta’. This contains medicinens, meals, actions and behaviors. Some authorities based mostly on this precept opine that no substances on the earth are both completely or at all times appropriate, always and in all circumstances for all people. Equally, no substances on the earth are both completely or at all times unsuitable, always and in all circumstances for all people.
This opinion is inaccurate. In keeping with Dhanvantari faculty, all of the substances by their very nature and because of their mixture or by probability are both –
1. Hita – at all times completely appropriate or
2. Ahita – at all times completely unsuitable or
3. Hita Ahita – at all times completely each i.e. appropriate and unsuitable based on state of affairs, want or utilization.
This dialogue brings us to one more classification of Dravya.
तत्र, एकान्तहितानीजातिसात्म्यात्सलिलघृतदुग्धौदनप्रभृतीनि; एकान्ताहितानितुदहनपचनमारणादिषुप्रवृत्तान्यलक्षारविषादीनि, संयोगादपराणिविषतुल्यानिभवन्ति, हिताहितानितुयद्धायोःपथ्यंतत्पित्तस्यापथ्यमिति॥४॥
1. Ekanta Hita (Hita) Dravya – substances that are at all times appropriate
These are the substances which don’t hurt the physique of the particular person regardless of utilizing them at all times and therefore completely appropriate.
Amongst these, the beneath talked about sorts of drugs are at all times appropriate –
– Water
– Ghee
– Milk
– Porridge and related different substances (which we use usually)
These substances are at all times appropriate due to being accustomed genetically, over a interval of generations or accustomed to the particular person proper from his or her beginning. Since they’re accustomed, they’re additionally not dangerous.
2. Ekanta Ahita (Ahita) Dravya – substances that are at all times unsuitable
These are the substances which hurt the physique rapidly. Subsequently, they can’t be used even for brief intervals of time and therefore they’re completely unsuitable.
Amongst these, the beneath talked about substances are at all times unsuitable –
– Hearth used for dahana – burning
– Caustic alkali used for pachana – cooking
– Poison used for marana – inflicting demise
Some hita dravya i.e. appropriate substances, because of the mixture, may even act just like poison. Subsequently, they’re additionally at all times ahita – unsuitable.
3. Hita-Ahita Dravya – substances that are each appropriate and unsuitable in numerous circumstances
These are the substances which don’t trigger hurt in some sure circumstances i.e. when utilized in correct amount, in correct time (season) and that are ready after correct admixture, processing and many others. However the identical substances may cause hurt in sure different circumstances, like when utilized in improper amount, improper time or season and when ready after improper admixture, processing and many others. So, situationally, they’re appropriate and unsuitable additionally. They’re thought of as suitable-unsuitable substances.
The substances that are each appropriate and unsuitable are additionally these substances, that are talked about as appropriate to Vata and unsuitable to Pitta and many others. within the instance given within the early a part of the dialogue.
