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Ayurveda
Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa.
Classification of Vyadhi is done after taking many aspects into consideration, such as – similar characteristics,
causative factors, numbers, Dosha involvement etc.
Pain or grief (physical or mental pain) is the predominant manifestation of almost diseases. If this is taken into
consideration, the diseases can be said to be of only one type, with pain and or grief as predominant manifestation
all diseases are alike and fall intot eh same category.
According to Harita all diseases are Karmaja. This means to tell that all the diseases have their origin in karma or
deeds done in the previous birth or this birth. The nature and gradient of disease we suffer depends on the quality
and quantity of karma we have done. Here karma and vyadhi have cause and effect relationship and one is said to
acquire vyadhi or vyadhis on the basis of karma.
Samanya Vyadhi:
Samanya Vyadhis are those diseases which are caused by the vitiated doshas (i.e. Vata, Pitta and Kapha)
either individually or in combinations of two or three. Agantu Vyadhis (diseases caused due to external
causes) like abhighatajanya (diseases caused due to injury or trauma) etc are also included in this category.
Below mentioned are the Samanyaja Vadhis –
8 types of each of
Udara rogas (abdominal diseases),
Mutraghata (urinary obstruction),
Ksheera Doshas (disorders of breast milk),
Veerya Vikaras (disorders of semen or reproductive fluid)
7 types of each of
Kushta (skin diseases)
Prameha Pidakas (Diabetic carbuncles)
Visarpa (erysipelas or herpes)
6 types of each of
Atisara (diarrhoea)
Udavarta (upper movement of vayu)
5 types of each of
Gulma (abdominal tumours)
Pleeha (spleen enlargement)
Kasa (cough)
Shwasa (dyspnoea, breathing disorders)
Hikka (hiccough)
Trishna (thirst disorders)
Chardi (vomiting)
Aruchi (anorexia, tastelessness)
Shiroroga (headaches)
Hridroga (heart diseases)
Panduroga (anaemia)
Unmada (insanity)
4 types of each of
Apasmara (epilepsy)
Netra roga (eye diseases)
Karna roga (ear diseases)
Pratishyaya (cold congestion)
Mukha roga (oral diseases)
Grahani Roga (duodenal disorders, mal-absorption diseases)
Mada (intoxication)
Murcha (fainting, unconsciousness)
Shosha (emaciation)
Napunsakata (impotence)
3 types of each of
Shotha (swelling)
Kilasa (leucoderma)
Raktapitta (bleeding disorders)
2 types of each of
Jwara (fevers)
Vrana (ulcers, sores)
Ayama (positional disorders)
Gridhrasi (sciatica)
Kamala (jaundice)
Ama (immature essence of digestion)
Vatarakta (gout)
Arsha (piles, haemorrhoids)
1 type of
Urustambha (thigh stiffness disorder)
Sanyasa (syncope)
Mahagada (great disease)
20 types of each of
Krimi Rogas (helminthic diseases, worm infestations)
Prameha (urinary diseases, diabetes)
Yoni Vyapat (vaginal disorders)
Nanatmaja Vyadhi:
Nanatmaja diseases are those which are definitely caused by the vitiation of only one dosha (either vata or
pitta or kapha). Nanatmaja vyadhis are nija vyadhis i.e. caused by specific dosha. They will not be caused without
the involvement of vitiated dosha. Just like a bird and its shadow cannot be separated immaterial where the bird is
flying, a nanatmaja vyadhi cannot be imagined without the involvement of a dosha. The understanding of nanatmaja
vyadhis helps us to know the dosha involved and to plan appropriate dosha-specific treatment with precision.
Vata Nanatmaja Vyadhis – Nanatmaja diseases caused by vitiated Vayu (alone), they are 80 in number.
Below mentioned are the names of these 80 diseases.
Pitta Nanatmaja Vyadhis – Nanatmaja diseases caused by vitiated Pitta (alone), they are 40 in number.
Below mentioned are the names of these 40 diseases.
Kapha Nanatmaja Vyadhis – Nanatmaja diseases caused by vitiated Kapha (alone), they are 20 in number.
Below mentioned are the names of these 20 diseases.
Read in detail about these nanatmaja vyadhi here – Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana 20th chapter
Vaikruta Vyadhi (unnatural disease) – This is a contrary condition of Prakruta Vyadhi. In this, the dosha
which naturally doesn’t get vitiated in a particular season, gives rise to a disease in that particular season,
the disease will be called Vaikrutha Vyadhi. Example, Vata doesn’t aggravate in Sharad Ritu which is a
season of aggravation of pitta. But if Vata produces a disease in Sharad Ritu, that disease will be called
Vaikrutha Vyadhi.
Example: Amlapitta (hyperacidity, acid peptic diseases) gets manifested on consumption and exposure to
Pitta aggravating factors like foods which are hot, pungent, spicy, sour etc.
It gets manifested with its symptoms like indigestion (avipaka), vomiting sensation (utklesha), sour and
bitter belchings (amla tikta udgaara), heaviness of the body (gourava) etc.
It gets pacified by pitta alleviating factors like foods rich in sweet, bitter and astringent tastes, sheeta ahara,
vihara etc.
Thus Amlapitta is a Anubandhya or Swatantra Vyadhi.
Anubandha Vyadhi or Paratantra Vyadhi – Disease which is caused by other disease, manifests with signs
and symptoms of other disease and gets pacified with treatment or medicines administered for other disease
is called Paratantra or Anubandha Vyadhi. In modern day terms it can be called as a secondary or
associated disease. This disease doesn’t manifest independently but develops on the backdrop of some
other disease (primary disease).
Paschat Jaata Vyadhi – This is a disease which gets manifested as a consequence of Anubandha Vyadhi
(secondary disease). Thus, the Anubandha vyadhi forms the Cause and Purvarupa (premonitory stage) of
Paschat Jaata Vyadhi. Paschat Jaata Vyadhi is also called as Upadrava or complication of a disease.
Anupakrama (Pratyakhyeya) – The diseases which cannot be cured or out of reach of treatment is called
Anupakrama. The diseases which cannot be cured by any treatment or medicines, in which the sense organs have
lost their power of perceiving and have gone weak, the patient has become weak and debilitated and in which the
arishta lakshanas (signs of impending death) have manifested are considered to be Anupakrama or Pratyakhyeya
(incurable)
Read related: How To Make Prognosis Of Disease According To Ayurveda?
3 types of diseases:
Aadhyatmika, Aadidaivika and Adibhoutika Vyadhis
Aadhyatmika Vyadhis:
Atma in this context means the body along with mind. The diseases manifesting in the body and mind levels are
called Aadhyatmika Vyadhis. Psychosomatic diseases fall into this category. The diseases occurring due to vitiated –
Doshas (Both physical and mental) are all considered as Adhyatmika Vyadhis.
Adibala-pravritta vyadhis –
The diseases which are caused due to the morbidity of sperm and or ovum are called Adibala pravritta vyadhis. The
hereditary diseases fall under this category and are inherited from the parents. They are also called by other names
i.e. Sanchari vyadhi (by Yagnavalkya), Kulaja Vyadhi (by Charaka), Sahaja Vyadhi (by Vagbhata) and
Prakritibhava Vyadhi (by Bhela).
Adibala Pravritta Vyadhis are again of 2 sub-types. They are a) Matruja Vyadhis – diseases coming from the
morbidity in the ovum, inherited by mother (maternal disorders) and b) Pitruja Vyadhis – diseases coming from
morbidity in the sperm, inherited by father (paternal diseases).
Examples of Aadibala pravritta diseases are – Arsha (piles), Kushta (skin diseases), Rajayakshma (tuberculosis),
Madhumeha (diabetes), Shwitra (leucoderma) and Apasmara (disorders of memory, epilepsy).
The other diseases which could be included under Adibala Pravritta diseases are cancer, lipoma, haemophilia,
hemicrania or migraine, eczema, asthma, deaf-autism, gout, fragilitas ossium, hay fever, huntingtons chorea,
hysteria, short-sightedness, colour blindness, cataract, high blood pressure, obesity, hormonal disorders, peptic
ulcers, cleft palate, cleft lips etc.
Sushruta has classified Janmabala Pravritta Vyadhis into 2 subtypes. They are:
a) Rasa krita – When the mother to be takes food of any particular taste or food in excess, they tend to produce
some diseases in the child. These diseases are called Rasa krita vyadhis. Example, excessive consumption of only
sweet taste foods will causes diseases like prameha (diabetes), mookata (dumbness) or sthoolata (obesity), Excessive
consumption of salt taste causes vali (wrinkling of skin), palita (premature greying), khalitya (premature baldness)
etc conditions. Similarly excessive consumption of foods rich in sour taste will cause raktapitta (bleeding disorders),
netra roga (eye disorders), twak rogas (skin diseases) etc. excessive consumption of pungent taste foods will cause
shukralpata (less semen), snatana haani (miscarriage, death of foetus in the womb etc) etc conditions, More
consumption of bitter taste leads to conditions like shosha (wasting diseases, dryness of the body), nirbalata (loss of
strength, weakness) etc and excess intake of astringent taste will cause karshya (blackish discolouration of body),
aanaaha (flatulence) and udavarta (upward movement of vata) etc conditions. Excessive consumption of Madhya
(alcoholic drinks) will cause trishna (thirst), smriti nasha (loss of memory), unmada (insanity, lunacy) etc diseases.
b) Dauhrida Apachara krita – The mother with child in her womb is called Dauhrida or ‘the one with 2 hearts’.
When the heart of the child manifests and gets functional within the womb of the mother, the childs wishes are
manifested through the mother. Ayurveda insists to fulfil all the demands put forth by the mother in Dauhridaya
stage. If not, the unfulfilled wishes will manifest in the form of physical or mental disorders in the child. These
diseases caused in the child due to the non-fulfilment of the wishes of the mother during pregnancy are called
Dauhrida Apachara Krita Vyadhis.
1. a) Vyapanna ritu kruta – due to abnormal seasonal variations. These are of 18 types. Basically the seasons are
6 in number. They are Shishira (late winter), Vasanta (spring), Grishma (summer), Varsha (monsoon), Sharad
(autumn) and Hemanta (early winter).
In each season, abnormal variations take place in 3 forms i.e.
Ayoga or heena yoga (deficit manifestation) – Example less heat or lack of heat in Grishma or summer season
Atiyoga (excessive manifestation) – Example, severe and abnormal heat in Grishma or summer season
Mithya yoga (perverted or inconsistent manifestation) – Example, absence of heat and heavy rains during Grishma
or summer season or heat altering with rains and cold in summer season
These 3 i.e. ayoga, atiyoga and mithya yoga are applicable to all the 6 seasons. Thus 18 types of seasonal variations
are formed
b) Avyapanna ritu kruta – the diseases caused due to disturbance of doshas naturally occurring in the normal
seasons. There will be no seasonal variations but the normal season will itself influence on the doshas causing either
their increase or decrease, which when not balanced by administration of suitable diet and lifestyle, treatments and
medicines will lead to manifestation of diseases.
Every dosha aggravates in particular season meant for its vitiation. Vata accumulates in Grishma (summer) and
vitiates in Varsha Ritu (monsoon season). Pitta accumulates in Varsha (monsoon) ritu and vitiates in Sharad ritu
(autumn season). Kapha accumulates in Shishira (late winter) and vitiates in Vasanta ritu (spring season). These
seasons of accumulation and vitiation of doshas are responsible for vitiation of doshas.
This is quite natural in everyone, as a rule. If the seasonal regimen is strictly followed and discipline followed with
respect to diet and lifestyle, these doshas do not progress to cause disease and gets pacified naturally in their next
season. On the contrary, if the dosha vitiation is neglected and not managed in these seasons they tend to cause
diseases.
Daivabala pravritta –
The diseases caused due to the below mentioned causes is called Daivabala Pravritta vyadhis:
Anger and aggravation of devadi grahas (gods etc supernatural powers and energies)
Curse given by deva (gods), guru (teachers), vipra (Brahmins), siddha (divine people), rishi (sages and saits) etc
(when we ignore, insult or reject them)
Administration or implementation of Abhicharaka mantras or maraka mantras (hymns effecting destruction of
others) explained in Atharva veda over others
Upasarga – infections and contamination
Sankramaka roga – contagious diseases
Daivabala Pravritta vyadhis are of 2 types –
1. a) Vidhyut Ashanee krita – diseases and or destruction caused by natural disasters like lightening, thunder
storms, falling of asteroids and comets etc
2. b) Pishaachaadi krita – Diseases caused by pishacha (ominous super-powers like ghosts, spirits) etc
These diseases are also classified into these 2 types:
1. a) Samsargaja – Diseases caused due to the presence of people who impart curse on us (example deva etc as
explained in the above context) in our proximity or by direct contact with the people who are suffering from
infected and or contagious diseases
2. b) Aakasmika – The diseases whose causes are not known and which manifest suddenly are called Aakasmika
vyadhis
Swabhaava bala pravritta –
They are natural manifestations of the body which are seen on daily basis. But since they too trouble us for a short
duration until they are warded off, they may be called as Vyadhis or short time vyadhis. Death also occurs naturally
(when it occurs naturally) and is also swabhava pravritta, manifested due to its nature. Swabhava bala pravritta
means the diseases which get naturally manifested. Example, hunger, thirst, sleep, death etc occur due to the nature
of the body and are called Swabhava bala Pravritta. This again is of 2 types:
1. a) Kaala Krita – The Swabhava bala pravritta vyadhis which occure in proper time are called Kaala Krita
Vyadhis. Example, feeling of hunger when it is time to have food, getting sleep when it is time to sleep, getting
old when we cross 70 years of age, death when the time of death comes (when we have crossed 100 years of
our living) etc occur due to the effect and influence of time factor. All these diseases occur when they need to
occur, in proper time scheduled for them to occur. They are also called Parirakshana Krita Vyadhis. These
diseases occur due to proper maintenance of selves by properly following the rules and regulations of a
systematic way of life and diet.
2. b) Akaala Krita – The Swabhava bala pravritta vyadhis which occur in improper time i.e. untimely occurence,
are called Akaala Krita Vyadhis. They occur due to our negligence and improper maintenance of selves, when
we follow erratic lifestyle and food practices. Since these diseases occur due to failed protection of our selves,
they are called Aparirakshana krita vyadhis.
Aadhi bhoutika Vyadhis:
This is only of one type. It is called Sanghaata Bala Pravritta Vyadhi.
These diseases occur due to elements of nature. Generally they are Aagantu rogas (diseases occurring due to injuries
etc).
Causes: Weak person fighting or wrestling with a strong person, injury, attack, physical torture etc
Aagantuja Vyadhi – These diseases are caused by micro-organisms, poisonous air, polluted water, fire, trauma etc
external causes.
Maanasa Vyadhi – These diseases are caused by vitiated manasika doshas (doshas operating at mental level i.e. raja
and tama). This happens when one doesn’t get what they like, when someone gets what they don’t want etc.
Marma-asthi-sandhigata –
Marma means vital and most important points, areas, tissues and organs of the body. Vasti (urinary bladder),
Hridaya (Heart) and Shira (head / brain) are said to be the 3 most important Marmas of the body. Apart from these,
Sushruta has explained 107 marmas and have classified them under 5 main categories (depending on the effect of
damage to the marma). They are –
Sadhyo Pranahara Marmas – marmas which when injured will cause immediate death or permanent damage of
the particular tissue or organ in question
Kalantara Pranahara Marmas – marmas which when injured will cause death at a slow rate (delayed death or
delayed functional loss)
Vishalyaghna Marmas – marmas which cause death when the foreign body is removed from them, example,
when a bullet or arrow is stuck in this marma, the person lives as long as the foreign body is intact, but once the
bullet or arrow is removed, the person dies.
Rujakara Marmas – Marmas which cause severe pain are called Rujakara Marmas.
Vaikalyakara Marmas – Marmas which cause temporary or permanent deformity are called Vaikalyakara
Marmas.
Marmas are the meeting places of Mamsa (muscle), Sira (blood vessels), Snayu (ligaments, tendons and nerves),
Asthi (bones) and Sandhi (joints). Name of the marma is also given on the basis of the predominant tissue present in
the congruence. On the basis of the predominance of tissue, the marma is classified into 5 varieties. They are:
Mamsa marma – marma predominantly having muscle tissue, example guda or anus and rectum
Sira marma – marma predominantly having blood vessels example, hridaya or heart
Snayu marma – marma predominantly having ligaments and tendons, example, vasti or urinary bladder
Asthi marma – marma predominantly having the bones, example,
Sandhi marma – marma predominantly having joints, example, Janu sandhi marma (knee joint)
Injury to these organs and tissues or diseases which damage these marmas, asthi, sandhis and the structures around
the anatomical joints are called marma-asthi-sandhi gata vyadhis.
Pratyutpanna Karmaja vyadhis – the diseases manifested as an effect of bad deeds done by our present body (this
life or incarnation) are called Prati utpanna karmaja vyadhis.
Daiva karmaja vyadhis or Poorva karmaja vyadhis – The diseases manifested as an effect of bad deeds done by our
previous body (previous life, birth or incarnation) are called Daiva or poorva karmaja vyadhis.
Parakruta karmaja vyadhis – If someone else does wrong deeds against us, we suffer from pain. As a result of pain
and grief we develop hatred and revenge against the other person. This results in many types of physical and mental
pains. These diseases are called parakruta karmaja vyadhis (diseases occurring due to someone else’s mistakes).
Prak-Kevala Vyadhi – The disease which exists from the beginning and is not a purvarupa (premonitory symptom)
or upadrava (complication) of some other disease is called Prak-kevala vyadhi.
Anya Lakshana – The disease which gets manifested as a symptom of a yet to be manifested disease (future disease)
is called Anya Lakshana or Purvarupa.
Karmaja Vyadhis – The diseases which occur due to the sins and bad deeds done in the previous birth (papa karma)
are called Karmaja or Poorva apacharaja or Adrushta karmaja vyadhis.
Dosha Karmaja Vyadhis – The diseases which occur due to both the above said factors is called Dosha karmaja
vyadhis.
Bhuta – supernatural forces like deva (god), raakshasa (demons), yaksha, pishacha etc and all the micro-
organisms (bacteria, virus etc)
Visha – varieties of poisons, poison may enter the body through oral consumption, touch (contact), bite and sting
of poisonous insects and animals etc
Vaayu – polluted air, hot and humid air etc
Fire – accidents and burns caused by fire
Vidhyut – electricity, lightening etc
Samprahara – being attacked by weapons etc
Nakha aghata – scratch by nails of human beings or animals
Danta aghata – animal bite
Abhichaara – witchcraft
Abhishaapa – curse
Abhishanga – contamination (contagious diseases), infections
Surya – sun burns
Bandhana – tying with rope etc
Shaareerika Vyadhi – The diseases caused by the Shareerika doshas i.e. Vata, Pitta and or Kapha vitiated in various
proportions and getting mixed in various combinations are called Shaaririka Vyadhis or Nija Vyadhis. These
diseases are also caused by the consumption of food in excess or deficit or improperly balanced (in terms of quality
and or quantity). They are also caused by the below said factors –
Heena yoga (deficit influence or contact), Mithya yoga (perverted influence or contact) and Ati yoga (excessive
influence or contact) of Kala (seasons)
Heena yoga (deficit perception or contact), Mithya yoga (perverted perception or contact) and Ati yoga (excessive
perception or contact) of Indriya arthas or subjects of sense organs (Subjects of sense organs are: perception of sight
or vision by the eyes, sound by the ears, touch by the skin, smell by the nose and taste by the tongue)
Heena yoga (deficit influence or performance), Mithya yoga (perverted influence or performance) and Ati yoga
(excessive influence or performance) of Karma or activities (deeds)
Maanasika Vyadhis – The diseases manifested due to the vitiation of Rajas and Tamas, the doshas (morbidity or
contaminants) of mind are called Manasika Vyadhis (mind or mental disorders). The most important Manasika
Vyadhis are kama (lust), krodha (anger, lobha (greed), moha (confusion), eershya (jealousy), maana (egoism,
stubborn), mada (intoxication), shoka (grief), chinta (worry) etc.
Swabhavika Vyadhis – The diseases which occur naturally due to the nature of the body are called Swabhavika
Vyadhis. Example, kshudha (hunger), trishna (thirst), nidraa (sleep), jaraa (old age, ageing), mrityu (death), marma
bhedi (severe pains and griefs) etc.
1. Based on permutations and combinations of doshas – Vataja, Pittaja, kaphaja, Vataja Pittaja, Vata Kaphaja,
Pitta Kaphaja and Tridoshaja / Sannipataja.
2. Aadibala Pravruttadi Sushrutokta Saptavidha Vyadhis –
Already in the Trividha Vyadhis (3 types of diseases) category, we have seen the diseases being classified as –
Aadhyatmika, Adhidaivika and Adhibhoutika which were once again sub-classified into 3, 3 and 1 types
respectively. Taking these subtypes together we get 7 types of Vyadhis as said below –