Chapter 6.28: Vata Disorders Treatment (Vatavyadhi Chikitsa / वातव्याधिचिकित्सा)
Vatavyadhi Chikitsa deals with diseases particularly caused by vata dosha. It is an important chapter as it encompasses a large spectrum of disorders especially concerned with neurological system, musculoskeletal system, reticulo-endothelial system and further pervades to all other systems in the body. The chapter highlights the five sub classifications of vata, their habitat and functions. The etiological factors of vatavyadhi are enlisted and two major pathology viz, dhatukshaya and avarana are detailed. In dhatukshaya, vitiated vata assumes the status of gatavata (increased movement of vata) and occupies various sites leading to dhatugata (affecting tissues) vata, ashayagata (affecting various sites) vata and avayava (organs) gatavata. Avarana (obstruction by covering) is a distinct pathology of vata in which the free mobility of vata is hampered. Accordingly, avarana may happen either due to two other dosha, dhatu (rakta, etc.) or mala (waste). Avarana may also happen in between tw
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan by Vagbhata
id="Summary">Summary tatra shlokau- pa~jcAtmanaH sthānavashAccharIre sthānani karmANi ca dehadhAtoH | prānaeshvaraH prānabhRutAM karoti kriyA ca teShAmakhilA niruktA | tatra ślōkau- The vata being the subject of this chapter, the habitats and functions of the five-fold body sustaining element vata, have been dealt with here. The causes of provocation, the diseases which this life controlling principle of vata gives rise to in the persons, when provoked, both in its own habitat and in other places, both in conditions of occlusion and in no occlusion, and the treatment of all those disease have been fully expounded here. The physician guided by the directions of the science, should administer the treatment, giving full consideration to factors of place, similarity, season and strength. [248-249] Thus, in the section on ‘Therapeutics’, in the treatise compiled by Agnivesha and revised by Charak, the twenty-eighth chapter entitled Vatavyadhi Chikitsa not being available, the same as restored by Dridhabala, is completed.[28]