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.
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