Chronology of the Six Padarthas Described by Acharya Charaka, Ideas and Reasoning: A Hypothetical Dialogue

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S

Padarthas means something which exists, will be named and conceptualized within the creation falls beneath the class of Padartha. It merely means – ‘objects of expertise’. In line with Vaisheshika faculty, Padarthas will be grossly labeled into Bhava Padarthas (actual existent issues) & Abhava Padarthas (non-existent issues).

In line with Vaisheshika faculty, the Bhava Badarthas i.e. true existent issues are six in quantity. They’re known as Shad Padarthas i.e. six substances. They’re –

1. Dravya – substances
2. Guna – qualities
3. Karma – actions
4. Samanya – generality
5. Vishesha – particularity
6. Samavaya – inherence

Ayurveda additionally has accepted the identical six padarthas.

Acharya Charaka has given a unique chronology of those six padarthas. On this article we’ll talk about Charaka’s chronology of Padarthas and a small hypothetical dialogue on the attainable motive for a unique and distinctive chronology given by the Acharya.

Acharya Charaka’s distinctive chronology of Padarthas and attainable causes for a similar

सामान्यं च विशेषं च गुणान् द्रव्याणि कर्म च||२८||
समवायं च तज्ज्ञात्वा तन्त्रोक्तं विधिमास्थिताः|
लेभिरे परमं शर्म जीवितं चाप्यनित्वरम् ||२९|| (Cha.Su.1/28-29)

Acharya Charaka says that the revered sages visualized the six padarthas with their divine intuitive powers. They’re –

1. Samanya – widespread, generality
2. Vishesha – specialty, particularity
3. Guna – qualities
4. Dravya – substances
5. Karma – actions
6. Samavaya – inseparability, inherence 

After totally figuring out these padarthas, the sages acted on the prescriptions as defined within the science. On account of this, they attained highest ranges of well-being and an inexhaustible longevity of life.

Right here, we are able to see that the chronology of padarthas given by Charaka is sort of totally different and distinctive.

Associated AIAPGET Questions

1. What’s the proper chronology of Padarthas talked about by Acharya Charaka?
2. Dravya, Guna, Karma, Samanya, Vishesha and Samavaya
3.   Samavaya, Vishesha, Samanya, Guna, Dravya and Karma
4. Samanya, Vishesha, Guna, Dravya, Karma and Samavaya
5.   Dravya, Samanya, Vishesha, Guna, Karma and Samavaya

Ans – c.

2. Acharya Charaka has enumerated the Shad Padarthas in –
3. Charaka Vimana Sthana Chapter 1
4.   Charaka Sharira Sthana Chapter 1
5. Charaka Sutra Sthana Chapter 1
6.   Charaka Kalpa Sthana Chapter 1

Ans – c.

Possible Causes (hypothetical dialogue)

Once we see the precise and hottest chronology, we perceive that the Dravya has been talked about first and given extra significance compared to the opposite padarthas. Dravya means substance. It’s the substance which is essential as a result of it beholds the Gunas i.e. qualities or attributes and Karma i.e. the actions.

Ashraya-Ashrayi Relationship – Gunas and Karmas can not independently exist they usually want an abode to dwell. This ashraya or dwelling for Gunas and Karmas is supplied by Dravya. So, if there’s a substance, it must have its qualities and actions embedded in it, sure collectively in an inseparable relationship. If Dravya is Ashraya i.e. residence, Gunas and Karmas are the Ashrayis i.e. dependents / residents.

The karmas and gunas can’t be separated from drava till and except the dravya is destroyed. As mentioned, that which binds the dravya with its gunas and karmas is an inseparable relationship. This inseparable relationship is one more padartha known as Samavayi, which is popularly put on the finish of the checklist of padarthas i.e. the sixth padartha.

Samanya means ‘the rule of commonality’. It’s used to extend or improve the elements, attributes, actions or options. Vishesha means ‘the rule of distinction’. It’s used to lower or deplete the elements, attributes, actions or options. Each these are talked about as fourth and fifth padarthas. They kind an integral a part of Ayurveda Therapeutic / Curing fundamentals. Additionally they kind the inspiration ideas for ‘Samya-Vaishamya’ Chikitsa Siddhanta i.e. therapy of illnesses by making use of the ideas of commonality and variations. Samya and Vaishamya are additionally the phrases that are derived from Samanya and Vishesha and imply the identical.

Why this distinctive chronology by Acharya Charaka?

When one thing is described in a chronology, we regularly get a doubt if it’s a random classification in chronology with out the intent of chronological presentation or if it’s a classification in chronology with intent and readability with a function of doing it. I assume it’s the second case on this context, as is all the time with no matter has been offered in Charaka Samhita. Contemplating this, I’ll attempt to put in my interpretations of Acharya Charaka’s distinctive chronology of the shad padarthas.

Samanya and Vishesha come first within the Charaka’s chronology as a result of they’re the padarthas that are extremely helpful in treating illnesses.

Samanya restores the physique elements which have been misplaced. The medicines, meals and actions we use in remedy on this context may have qualities much like these elements or attributes which have been misplaced within the physique. For instance, Masha or blackgram has qualities of Mamsa i.e. meat. So, it’s used to revive the muscle bulk or strengthen the muscle groups. Herbs which have ushna – sizzling and tikshna – penetrating properties improve Agni – digestive hearth and therefore appropriate metabolism, as a result of they’ve properties much like these of Agni and therefore used as Deepana – hearth enhancing herbs. Instance – ginger, lengthy pepper, black pepper, cumin seeds and so on. The identical Padartha can contribute in the direction of pathology. For instance, when kapha-increasing meals that are wealthy in chilly and unctuous qualities are utilized in extra, they improve kapha and result in kapha problems. The treatment will probably be Vishesha – administration of ‘anti-kapha’ medicines, meals and therapies.

Vishesha however, acts reverse of Samanya. The medicines, meals and actions we use in remedy herein may have qualities reverse to these elements or attributes which have elevated within the physique. Owing to those qualities this Padartha would act as depleting remedy in distinction to Samanya which acts as complementing / supplementing remedy. Instance – sizzling meals and comforts are given to fight kapha improve or to deal with ama and illnesses brought on as a consequence of ama. Scorching meals and comforts have qualities reverse to these of kapha and ama. Treatments to the illnesses which develop into half and parcel of therapy ideas usually function due to the Vishesha precept. That is the inspiration for dosha and illness particular remedies (dosha pratyanika and vyadhi pratyanika chikitsa). Likewise, the identical padartha can contribute in the direction of pathology. For instance, when meals or actions that are of reverse nature or qualities of these of tissues are taken, they destroy the tissues and result in illnesses and lack of energy and immunity. The treatment will probably be Samanya – administration of medicines, meals and therapies which might improve the misplaced tissues – like Rasayana, Balya, Brimhana remedies.

Since Samanya and Vishesha ideas kind the majority of therapy of Ayurveda, Acharya Charaka has included them on the prime of ‘Padarth Checklist’ within the chronology of Padarthas.

Gunas are positioned third within the checklist of Padarthas. It is because, Samanya and Vishesha are depending on the qualities contained within the dravya inflicting them.

Dravya is positioned fourth within the checklist of Padarthas as a result of it beholds the gunas that are liable for the samanya or vishesha impact of the dravyas.

Karma is the motion of dravya. The motion of dravya occurs within the type of samanya or vishesha owing to the gunas contained within the dravya. Due to this fact, Karma is positioned fifth within the chronology of Padarthas.

Samavaya is coexistence. All the pieces occurs when Dravya and the gunas and karma contained in them coexist and cooperate. This inseparable relationship between the talked about padarthas is the essential basis to grasp the mode of motion of something used within the remedies. Due to this fact, Samanya, the binding substance, has been positioned on the backside of the checklist.

Simply earlier than concluding

Lastly, this distinctive chronology of Padarthas by Acharya Charaka reveals that the association of padarthas on this order was not simply to interrupt the sample however was to prioritize the checklist in accordance to what’s wanted for medical follow and what suits the place within the faculty of studying of Acharya Charaka. Actually, Acharya Charaka himself has given most patterns and chronologies to the divine Ayurveda Medical System which have been both adopted as such or manipulated and differentially understood as per comfort within the later eras with the development and evolution of Ayurveda Shastra.

Dravya could also be an important Padartha however Acharya Charaka positioned Samanya and Vishesha on the prime and advocated the significance of the identical, as a result of he was a clinician and understanding these padarthas is essential for all physicians who’re all set for Ayurveda manner of medical follow.