CONCEPT OF VIRUDDHA AHARA AND ITS ROLE IN ORIGINATION OF MANOVIKAR

Dr. Prabhat Patel*, Rashmi Choudhary, Dr. Smt. Gunwanti Ratre and Dr. Rupendra Chandrakar

ABSTRACT

Ayurveda emphasis mainly on role Ahara and believes that healthy nutrition nourishes the mind, body, and soul. Mind is directly influenced by the quality of food eaten, food preparation, appearance, aroma and freshness of the food. According to Charak samhita, complexion, good voice, long life, understanding, happiness, satisfaction, growth, strength and intelligence are all established through food. Wholesome diet is a main cause for the growth and development of the body and mind. On the other hand, when person indulged in unwholesome diet (Viruddha Ahara), produces various diseases like unmad(insanity), mada(narcosis) etc. Viruddha Ahara (unwholesome diet) is a unique concept mentioned in Ayurveda resulting from unsuitable combination, contradictory qualities, faulty processing method, time, place, dose, faulty consumption method. Frequent intake of unwholesome diet creates Ama which vitiates the doshas and obstruct the shrotas(channels) of the body. This Ama visha spread over hridaya and manovaha shrotas leading to the malfunctioning of mental activities, so as resulting in damaged mind and unstable intellect. Therefore, for a good health, person should always eat wholesome food and avoid Viruddha Ahara (incompatible diet) as in Kashyap Samhita also, it is mentioned that food plays an important role to treat illness and maintain health and that’s why he called food as Mahabhaishajya.

Keywords: Ahara, Ama, Hridaya, Viruddha Ahara, Manas vikara.