Janapadhdwamsa: A concept of Epidemic in Ayurveda

Abstract

Ayurveda, the science of knowledge, is a holistic system of medicine and beholds various unique concepts. Janapadhdwamsa is one of them. In ayurvedic text clear explaination about janapadhdwamsa, its causes, features and treatment can be observed. These concepts hold good till date and the concept is similar to the concept of epidemic in contemporary science. Janapadhdwamsa (janapada+ udhdwamsa) literally meaning destruction of the group of people at a time is caused mainly by pragyaparadha (intellectual blasphemy) caused by adharma(immorality) leading to the vitiation of the four common cause of janapadhdwamsa ie vayu, udaka, desha and kaala. These vikrita bhava (feature) have distinct features. Similarly, an epidemic is the rapid spread of disease to a large number of people in a given population within a short period of time. For the treatment of janapadhdwamsa rasayana sevana, panchakarma, sadvritta palana, use of drugs previously collected should be used. Similar concepts are also indicated in the contemporary science. This paper will focus on the concept of janapadhdwamsa in various ayurvedic text, its cause and management with reference to epidemic. Keywords: janapadhdwamsa, epidemic, janapadhdwamsakara bhavas