Review on Dhavashwakarnadhi Jalasodhana yoga

Introduction

Water pollution is one of the major problem faced by the 21st century. Only 2 % of the planets water resource is fresh and hence its contamination poses a great threat to the existence of life. It has gained more importance since industrial revolution occurred but it has its origin from ancient times itself. Due to the industrialisation, rivers become most susceptible for contamination, as they are known to be the carriers of agricultural run-offs and wastes. Worldwide approximately 5 million of people or more have perished because of waterborne diseases.2 Polluted water is usually treated chemically and biologically before they release in to water bodies. Ayurvedic classics mentions various methods for the purification of water by implementing traditional and ancient methods like use of drugs for cleansing the water by retaining its natural benefits. The principles told by ancient classical texts are found too applicable even today. The treatment methods which were told thousands of years ago seem to be working even today and survive in the presence of well-developed modern medical science. The process of purification of water is aimed to alter toxic elements, microbes etc. Water considered as Jeeva (life) in Ayurveda. Guna of water is Madhura, Sheetala and Ruchikaraka. As per Susrutha water help in relieving Daha (thirst), Bhrama (giddiness), Nidra (sleepy feeling), Visha-vyadhi (toxins), Bala (strength), Veerya (potency: ability to function), Pushti (energy) etc 3. Materials and methods A thorough review on the classical references of the Dhavashwakarnadhi yoga along with its rasapanchakas, classical categorization, chemical constituents etc of the individual drugs & some other texts dravyaguna textbooks are referred. The actions of those drugs in the purification of water is discussed with the references in classical texts as well as in the views of various articles are compiled and arranged in a systemic manner . Results and Discussion Water is regarded as the most valuable and natural resource which sustains life. Contamination of water has been a major crisis right from the period of the Samhithas.1 Dhavashwakarnadhi yoga mentioned by Acharya Susrutha, for the purification of contaminated water.It includes Dhava, Aswakarna, Asana, Paribhadra, Patala, Sidhaka, Mokshaka, Rajadhruma and Somavalka. These nine drugs in the bhasma form can be either spread to the lake like water sources or to the pot of water. The amount of the bhasma is anjali (4 pala =192 gm) for 1drona (12.288 litres) of water whether in a pot or in a lake1. The Ayurvedic properties of these drugs also play a role in removing the impurities from the contaminated water by retaining the natural qualities of the water. Controversies are found for Aswakarna and Sidhaka as Sidhaka is having a synonym as aswakarna6 Dhanwantari nigandu includes Asana and Mokshaka in Amradhi varga , Paribhadra in Guduchyadhi varga, Sidhaka in Chandhanadhi varga.4,5 The chemical constituents present in these group of drugs when used in a combination as bhasma form help in removing or neutralising the harmful substances in the polluted water.4,5 Acharya Sushruta has mention about Jalaprasadana vidhi which deals with various methods for water purification.Among them Dhavashwakarnadhi yoga plays a major role as it useful for purifying the drinking water as well as other water sources like lake etc. The taste of water is because of combination of different Mahabhutas, taste is sometimes depends on predominance of Mahabhuta11.Sushrutacharya mentioned the qualities of polluted water that which is covered with slush, algae, leaves of lotus etc. water does not exposed to sun rays, moon and air and having smell, colour and taste should be considered as defective. Such water have defect in its touch, sight, taste, odour, potency etc. Roughness, sliminess, warmth, producing tingling of the teeth are blemishes of touch. Presence of slush, sand, algae and many colours are blemishes of sight; prominence of taste is the blemishes of taste; unpleasant odor is the blemishes of smell; producing thirst, heaviness, abdominal pain, salivation are blemishes of potency, getting digested after a long time or constipation are the blemishes of water after digestion12. By the administration of the Dhavashwakarnadhi yoga in to the water in the bhasma form will help in removing the blemishes in the form of colour ,odour,potency etc from the water. Acharya Susrutha mentions this yoga by the combination of this nine drugs in the bhasma form .Bhasma means an ash obtained through incineration.It is used for maintaining optimum alkalinity ,neutralisng harmful acids leads to illness. Importance of Bhasma includes potent in small dose,does not have any specific taste,act quickly,available as very fine particles,have good stability as compared to other dosage forms etc.so by the combined action of the drugs in Dhavashwakarnadhi yoga in the form of bhasma will help in removing as well as neutralising the polluted water by retaining their natural qualities.Most of the drugs possess kashaya -tikta rasa,leghu-ruksa guna,seetha as well as usna veerya and katu vipaka. Also the chemical constituents of all the ingrediants in the yoga will possess a depurative effect on the water thereby maintain the purity of the water.Majority of the drugs in the formulation possess pharmacological properties like anti-bacterial,anti-fungal,antipoisonous,depurative action etc. As due to above qualities it will help in removing impurities from water in a larger extend. To make the water desirable for use, different techniques are mentioned in Samhitas like this.The range of action of this combination of drugs may be in the form of killing the harmful organisms,detoxifying harmful chemicals,maintaining the pH of the safe water etc. Recognizing an economic and easily accessible system for improving water quality remains as essential for any isolated community. CONCLUSION On detailed study on the yoga that is mentioned by Acharya Susrutha for the purification of the water, it is observed that combined action of these 9 drugs along with its chemical constituents, rasapanchakas ,bhasma form etc will result in the removal of impurities from the water in a larger extent. The methods which are explainined in Samhitas give better results and more purified water in a cost effective way. Moreover, certain area of the world still lack purification methods due to its high cost. The methods mentioned by Acharaya Susruta are cost effective, easy to follow and reproducible with minimum ill- effect to the nature and human health. So these methods needs to be revived and brought into practice. So the standardisation of these and further studies can be conducted to see the effect of these combinations in water purification are found to necessary mainly for the developing countries .