Abstract

CONCEPT OF VISHA AS HETU IN MANIFESTATION OF VYADHI: A LITERARY REVIEW

Dr. Neha Barua* and Dr. Vandana Thakur 

ABSTRACT

The word Visha has been derived from ‘Vis’ dhatu after having ‘kta’ proportion. Visha dravyas are the substances which produce discomfort in body. Visha can be a Hetu for many diseases and it can also cause death. Visha has been classified into different types on the bases of origin, composition, potency etc. Visha shows its effects on all Dhatus after invading them one by one. Visha dravya easily spreads over the body and develops disease. Visha dravyas are also Tridoshaprakopaka due to their properties. These properties or Gunas are Laghu, Ruksha, Aashu, Vishad, vyavayi Teekshna, Vikasi, Sukshma, Ushna, Anirneshaya. When visha shows its effect immediately without undergoing stages of Sanchay and Prakop it can be called as Pradhanik hetu. But if it deteriorates the healthy Dhatus and produces a disease after vitiating the Doshas then it will be considered a Hetu other than Pradhanik. Its Gunas are similar to those of Madya and opposite to that of Ojas. Therefore, it afflicts the essence of all Dhatus i.e. Ojas and produces different kinds of vyadhi. The effects of Visha are dependent on many factors like properties or Gunas of Visha, their potency, nature of the substance as well as Prakriti of the person affected.

Keywords: Visha, hetu, Vyadhi, Guna, Prakriti.