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

Sanghatabala Pravritta Vyadhis are a group of diseases which fall under yet another big category of diseases called Adibhautika Vyadhis explained by Acharya Sushruta.

Ref – Sushruta Sutra Sthana, Chapter 24, verse 6

Sanghatabala Pravritta Vyadhis: Part of Adibhautika Vyadhis

Adibhautika Vyadhis itself is one among the threefold classification of diseases explained by Acharya Sushruta, the other two categories being Adyatmika Vyadhis and Adidaivika Vyadhis.

All those diseases which are caused by the impact or contact by the bhutas i.e. elements of nature and the injuries / trauma occuringn therein are classified under the category of Sanghatabala Pravrtta Vyadhis. These may include injury by natural forces or elements like earth (hard materials like stone, weapon etc), air or breeze, fire, water etc. or materials made up of and predominant with one of these elements. Diseases or effects caused by injuries, attacks, tortures etc. fall under this group.

Sanghatabala Pravrtta Vyadhis is the only category and sub-classification / subtype of Adibhautika Vyadhis. Being an Adibhautika Vyadhi, Sanghatabala Pravrtta Vyadhis will have its features also, apart from having its own features by the virtue of which they can be identified and designated as Sanghatabala Pravrtta Vyadhis.

In this article we shall study about Sanghatabala Pravrtta Vyadhis and their sub-classification.

Sanghatabala Pravrtta Vyadhis

संघातबलप्रवृत्ता य आगन्तवो दुर्बलस्य, बलवद्विग्रहत् ; तेऽपि द्विविधाः- शस्त्रकृता, व्यालकृताश्च। एते आधिभौतिकाः ॥६॥(Su.Su.24/6)

Meaning of Sanghatabala Pravrtta Vyadhi

–        Sanghata Pravrtta – caused due to the effect of contact / assault, accident or injury

–        Vyadhi – diseases

Definition of Sanghatabala Pravrtta Vyadhis –

Sanghata means contact with some object or material which can lead to trauma / injury. The diseases which are caused due to external or accidental causes, like an assault caused by strong persons over the weaker ones are called as Sanghatabala Pravrtta Vyadhis. These diseases are also Adhibhautika Vyadhis because they are caused by things which are made up of bhutas – elements of nature and are also caused by external objects.

These diseases are caused by elements of nature or things made out of them. Generally, they are Agantu Rogas / Vyadhis – diseases occurring due to external injuries or caused by external agents / forces. They are also the diseases caused by impact of injury, assault, torture, oppression etc.

Examples of Sanghatabala Pravrtta Vyadhis

–        Impact or effects of or diseases caused by injury / trauma 

–        Impact or effects of or diseases caused due to attack or assault by external forces / things – with stick, wood, arrow, weapons, stones, sword etc.

–        Impact or effects of or diseases caused by torture or oppression

–        Impact of effects of or diseases caused by attack by animals

Types of Sanghatabala Pravrtta Vyadhis

There are two types of Sanghatabala Pravrtta Vyadhis. They are –

1. Shastrakrta Vyadhis

Shastra means weapons or sharp instruments. All diseases caused by weapons or instruments are called Shastrakrta Vyadhis. Example – being attacked by someone by a wood, arrow, sword, stones, weapons etc.

2. Vyalakrta Vyadhis

Vyala means wild animals. All diseases caused by the attack of animals (wild animals) are called Vyalakrta Vyadhis. Examples – injuries caused by the tooth (bite), nails (scratches), horns (stab or puncture), poison (poisoning by bite or by fangs or contact with poisonous animals, insects or reptiles) – affected by the animals.

Modern thoughts

All kinds of injuries, accidental traumas, assaults and poisoning should be considered as Sanghatabala Pravrtta Vyadhis.

Prevention and cure

Prevention – Injuries, accidents and assault / attack can either be sudden, without our knowledge or in unavoidable circumstances, the attacks by animals too. Many times, it is not preventable, unless it is within our knowledge, we have initiated or triggered or part of an incident which can bring injury upon us or we are suddenly trapped amidst scenes of violence like a mob attack.

Treatment / Management – When occurred, Sanghatabala Pravrtta Vyadhis should be managed according to the condition.

Sanghatabala Pravrtta Vyadhis shall be treated with the below mentioned principles –

–        Agantuja Vyadhi Chikitsa – lines of treating diseases caused by external forces / factors

–        Vrana Chikitsa – line of treating wounds and ulcers

–        Dushta Vrana Chikitsa – lines of treating contaminated or infected wounds

–        Visha Chikitsa – lines of management of poisoning

Also,

If the injury, accident or assault have given rise to some systemic diseases in the long run, treatment for the manifested conditions should be planned and executed accordingly.

If there is affliction of mind in traumatic or accident conditions, sattvavajaya chikitsa – psychotherapy should be included in the action plan.

The vyalakrta vyadhis belong to the experts of agada tantra or visha vaidyas – experts in handling cases of acute and chronic poisoning and should be referred to them for the cases to be effectively handled.

At one or the other point of these diseases, there will be aggravation of one or the other doshas. Therefore, dosha pratyanika chikitsa – dosha specific interventions should be planned in sync with involved dosha or doshas.