Introduction

INTRODUCTION

Truth is unique and everlasting, multiple approaches to understand and explain the
truth may lead to diverge ways of its presentation, but this does not change the core of
this exercise i.e. the truth. This diversity in explaining truth is probably the reason as
at times one may feel these reveal divergent conclusions. While studying these
different approaches one should never forget that these roads may be different but
they lead to same goal. In case of Indian sciences this notion aggravates, acquires
more complexity as it is innate style of Indian civilization to indulge in different
paths. This has been rightly quoted by Shri Bal Gangadhara Tilaka a legendary figure
in Indian philosophy as

This may be the reason why certain Indian schools of thoughts restricted their
complete exercise to elaborate these multiple methods of expression and coined an
idiom for it as Anekanta vada. This technique of explaining multiple methods for a
common material may at times seem tricky for a novice but once familiarity is
achieved to this style, its enumerable benefits emerge out. These diversities provide
manifold distinct logics and options for resolving a specific problem and also serve as
a method to validate the outcomes/ findings

Ayurveda, the holistic science of life has in fact accepted this as its research
methodology and established its principles on multiple sets of careful observations
done by multiple methods by different observers. The verified results of these
observations were termed as siddhantas.
A nearer term to siddhanta used in Ayurveda literature is vada. Apparently
vada and siddhanta may appear analogous but there is explicit difference among
them. Siddhanta is a defined conclusion based on various repeated observations
drawn carefully after performing a specific act, whereas vada is a version or notion
which is open for discussion and provides a basic platform. Vadas provide a
preliminary stage for derivation of newer siddhantas. Among these, karya karana
vada emerged first and provided basis for evolution of shat karana siddhanta in
Ayurveda. Under the paradigm of karya karana siddhanta a tide of various vadas

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surged such as dravya pradhanya, guna pradhanya and so on. At times it appears as if
these vadas are contrary to each other but in fact these are multiple dimensions of a
same thing which cannot be explained by any single vada. Above and all in spite of
combined explanation of all these vadas, comprehensive explanation of the truth
remains still far from achieved. This can be quoted in the words of vedas as

This breach between efforts and goal further drives for amplified vigorous
attempts which lead to amplified diversity of thoughts and newer approaches. Such
diversity when evident in a branch of science, reflect the endeavour in that field and is
a certain sign of developed era of that science. Here lies the beauty of various vadas
under shat karana siddhanta in Ayurveda. One important vada among them is guna
karana vada which attributes gunas as principle karana and adjudge them as a device
for identification, explanation, selection and utilization for achieving the aim of
Ayurveda.
Ayurveda accepts guna as principle karana and categorize them in four
subclasses viz vishesha, gurvadi, adhyatmika and paradi gunas. These four subclasses
are mutually related and often are present in adjuvant state to each others. There is
definite inter as well as intra relationship in between these subclasses of gunas.
Rational behind dividing subclasses of these gunas is based on their proximity to each
others. Among these four subclasses overall impression indicates that gurvadi gunas
are given more importance. For comprehensive understanding and optimal utilization
of potential hidden in these gunas; it is necessary to explain and understand each of
these sub classes individually.
Among these subclasses paradi gunas deserve a special place as they are
quoted by Charaka as keys for successful treatment. Interestingly Chakrapani has
commented that these paradi gunas are of lesser importance as compared to not only
gurvadi but other two subclasses also. This remark is contradictory to Charakas
explanation about paradi gunas. Paradi gunas are a set of specifically devised
properties which are mutually associated and are inevitable for a vaidya as well as
pharmacist. Without proper knowledge of these gunas it is not possible to accomplish
the desired effects of treatment and hence are regarded as keys to success.
In this class samskara guna perhaps play a pivotal role as it provides a tool for
a physician as well as pharmacist to modify, alter and transform a raw drug into aptly

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matching armour to fight a disease. Samskara guna is further classified in three

subtypes by Prashastapada as bhavana, vega and sthitisthapakatva. Though direct
citation of these subtypes is not evident in Charaka Samhita, these subtypes were well
accepted by Charaka. Charaka has magnificently used them to serve the aim of
Ayurveda.
Hypothetically a good medicine should possess three important characters these are
Multidimensional usage
Quick action
Long shelf life
Multidimensional usage:
Increasing number of the drugs in a patient increases complexity of treatment.
Compatibility of drugs with each others, their interactions; different kala, anupanas
and pathaypathyas increase financial as well as mental burden on patient. Apart from
this psychological status of patient also hampers as number of medicines prescribed
increases. On contrary if there is one medicine which can cure all diseases will be best
hypothetical option but no such medicine exists. So a medicine which can cure many
symptoms is preferred by patients. This potency (virya) of medicine in multiple
pathological conditions is nothing but affluence of properties (gunas) present in the
drug.
Quick action:
Quick action is a must and one of most desired qualities of a medicine. A
common blame for Ayurveda medicines is its slower action as compared to other
systems of medicine. Quicker the action better is the medicine is a very common
feeling among lay men. A saying rightly quotes the nature of patients as Impatience
is first symptom of a patient. Thus quicker action is a must have attribute for a good
medicine.
Long shelf life:
Stronger medicines having quicker action but lesser shelf life and need to be
prepared repeatedly such as daily basis; cannot become popular enough among the
patients. Furthermore in this period of fast life, sparing time for preparation on daily
basis is becoming a difficult task, economical burden and manpower consumption add
to these odds. Ready medicines which can be stored for a longer duration of time and
capable of maintaining properties for this duration are anticipated by patients. This

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necessity is driving force for invention of various kashaya kalpanas and their
upakalpanas in pharmaceutics.
These all three basic requirements can be completed by applying samskara
guna as bhavana samskara can add newer gunas in a drug which increase its
dimensions and will be useful in more and more disease conditions. Vega samskara
can help in faster absorption and deeper penetration of medicine in human body
resulting in reducing the duration of treatment and earlier relief from agony.
Sthitisthapakatava samskara can enhance shelf life of a drug and protect the qualities
present in drug making it available for treating diseases over a longer duration of
period.

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Thus samskara can be a key to success in treatment by virtue of its ability to

help in preparation of a supreme drug which is capable to serve as a finest tool for a
vaidya to fight a disease. Now with advent of time, physician and pharmacist these
two roles have emerged as two different branches. In olden days vaidya himself used
be a pharmacist but now a days scenario is changing and hence these properties are
must be possessed by pharmacist as well as vaidya.
Interpreting sthitisthapakatva property in relation to drug Ayurveda science is
for bhutadaya. Word bhutadaya includes all the living as well as non living creatures.
Thus a drug should be also able to maintain its supreme stage i.e. sampanna avastha
of gunas which can be maintained by sthitisthapakatva samskara which can be in turn
interpreted as maintaining taruna avastha of a drug.
Interpreting sthitisthapakatva property in clinical discipline, it can be
considered as a key factor accountable for development of Rasayana discipline of
Ayurveda and is equally important in sthapana (protection and preservation) of taruna
avastha (sthiti) of vaya in which human beings possess with qualities in life.
Taking these all points in mind samskara guna was selected for this present study
with special emphasis on its sthitisthapakatva aspect. Hypothesis of study was framed
as
Hypothesis:
Paradi gunas posses the pharmaceutical and therapeutical importance and
applicability. Specifically the role of samskara guna in various aspects of

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pharmaceutics, pharmacology and therapeutics will be evaluated in the context of

stability of gunas in Haritaki in the present study with following aims and objectives.
Aim and objectives:
1. To explore the concept of paradi gunas as principal karana as well as its
applied aspect.
2. To study paradi gunas in context of pharmaceutical and therapeutic usage and
applicability.
3. Specific aspect of samskara guna among the group of paradi gunas and its
applicability on sthitisthapakatva aspect i.e. stability of gunas
4. To evaluate the sthitisthapakatva samskara pharmaceutically,
pharmacologically, and therapeutically, in Haritaki selected as trial drug.
For testing this hypothesis and to fulfil these aims and objectives study was designed
with these materials and methods
Materials and methods:
Study was carried out in two stages
1. Conceptual study
2. Applied study
Conceptual Study:
Available Ayurvedic and allied literature from darshanas was studied for
comprehensive understanding of paradi gunas.
Critical analysis of compiled material was done in the light of hypothesis and
also for analysis of observations and results of applied study.
Relevant information from various different texts, journals and internet media
was also utilized based on availability and necessity.
Applied Study:
Applied study has been carried out in following four parts.
Pharmaceutical study
Freshly collected pericarp of Haritaki (Terminalia chebula Retz) was
powdered and levigated with Haritaki kashaya for three times. (Bhavana)
The prepared bhavita churna was divided in two equal parts one of which was
kept as churna where as second group was used to prepare tablets (vati).
Both the medicines were stored in HDPE containers on the same date and in
same environmental conditions for the duration of one year.

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Analytical study:
Both the samples of medicines were subjected to analysis at an interval of four
months (120 days) for the duration of one year.
Parameters
Physical parameters such as color, taste, appearance, odor etc
A.P.I. standard parameters and
FTIR spectroscopy
Other analytical tools such as
Volumetric tannin analysis,
Electronic pH,
Microbial load,
Total phenolic content (expressed in terms of Gallic acid),
HPTLC profile,
Quantification of Gallic acid by HPTLC
were also adopted and conducted for two times; once within the year as a fresh
medicine and secondly after completion of one year as old.
Experimental study:
Anulomana karma of drug was experimentally evaluated in mice.
Animals were procured from Animal house attached to pharmacology laboratory, I P
G T & R A Jamnagar.
Experiment was carried out after obtaining permission from Institutional Animal
Ethics Committee. Institutional Animal Ethics Committee had approved the
experimental protocol (Approval number; IAEC/09/11/07) and the care of animals
was taken as per the CPCSEA guidelines.
Grouping:
Grouping was done as
Group 1 Control
Group 2 Three times Haritaki kashaya bhavita Haritaki Churna
newly prepared.
Group 3 Tablets three times of Haritaki kashaya bhavita Haritaki
Churna newly prepared
Group 4 - Three times Haritaki kashaya bhavita Haritaki Churna
stored for One year

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Group 5 - Tablets of three times Haritaki kashaya bhavita Haritaki

Vati stored for one year
Dosage:
Dose was fixed on the basis of body surface area ratio of standard table of Paget and
Barens (1961) which was found to be 550 mg/kg.
Experimental Model
Kaolin Expulsion test in Mice
Clinical study:
Due approval of Institutional Ethics committee was taken. Institutional Ethics
Committee had approved the study protocol (Order No. P.G.T./7-A/Ethics/2010-
2011/3381dated 07-01-2011)
For the applied aspect of the study materials were the patients, drug and the research
plan for the study as specified below-
Criteria for selection of patients
Exclusion criteria
Drug selection and posology
Grouping/sampling
Criteria for assessment
Investigations
Plan of Study and Design:
A special research Performa was prepared for the diagnosis and assessment of the
patient.
Design selected for this study was open comparative clinical study patients were
allocated by lottery method. (Random sampling method)
Criteria for Selection:
For this study, patients suffering from purishaja anaha were selected from O.P.D and
I.P.D of Basic principles, I.P.G.T and R.A, Jamnagar.
Patients having age between 30-70 years.
Patients having the symptoms of purishaja anaha as per classics.
Patients having complaints of unsatisfactory bowel motions.
Patients having complaints of irregular bowel motions.
Exclusion Criteria:
Patients having age less than 30 years and more than 70 years.

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Patients suffering from any systemic disease which intervenes with

treatment
Patient having any established pathology of mahasrotas
Patients suffering from dravamala pravritti
Patients in which Haritaki is contraindicated.
Criteria for Assessment:
Improvement in symptoms was assessed by scoring and gradation pattern.
A special questionnaire was prepared and provided for self analysis of
purishaja anaha by patient himself as no specific objective parameters are
available for assessment of the disease.
Results were assessed statistically by paired t test, unpaired t test and multiple
ANNOVA.
Percentage analysis was also applied.
Grouping and Sampling:
Phase 1-
Patients were randomly divided in two groups:
Group A- In this group three times Haritaki kashaya bhavita Haritaki Churna
newly prepared was provided.
Group B- In the second group, three times Haritaki kashaya bhavita Haritaki
tablet newly prepared was provided.
Phase 2-
Group C - In the third group three times Haritaki kashaya bhavita Haritaki
churna stored for one year was provided.
Group D - In the fourth group three times Haritaki kashaya bhavita Haritaki
tablets stored for one year was provided.
Drug and Posology:
Group A- Group B-
Three times Haritaki Kashaya bhavita Three times Haritaki kashaya bhavita
Haritaki Churna newly prepared Haritaki Tablets newly prepared
Latin name - Terminalia chebula Retz Latin name - Terminalia chebula Retz
Dose - 2 gm Dose - 4 tablets of 500 mg each
Anupana - Luke warm water Anupana - Luke warm water
Kala - Apana kala, twice a day Kala - Apana kala, twice a day
Duration - 7days Duration - 7days
Kalpana - Churna Kalpana - Vati

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Group C- Group D-
Three times Haritaki kashaya bhavita Three times Haritaki kashaya bhavita
Haritaki Chura one year old Haritaki Tablets one year old
Latin name - Terminalia chebula Retz Latin name - Terminalia chebula Retz
Dose - 2 gm Dose - 2 gm
Anupana - Luke warm water Anupana - Luke warm water
Kala - Apana kala, twice a day Kala - Apana kala, twice a day
Duration - 7days Duration - 7days
Kalpana - Churna Kalpana - Vati
Investigations:
Routine pathological tests as blood, urine, stool etc. were carried out to assess
the actual status of patient and to rule out any other pathology.
Sama and Nirama pariksha of stool was carried out as per Ayurveda.
Review of previous works:
No direct and detailed research study is carried out in Ayurvedic field specifically on
the above topic as per the information available, but the research works done on
gunas in general and in particular are as follows,
1. Dr. Gotecha M - Guna Parigyana - Jamnagar 1958, Dept. of Basic
Principles
2. Rao T. Srinivas - Pancha Bhautikaguna w.s.r. to Guru and Laghu.
Jamnagar 1970, Dept. of Basic Principles
3. Dr Suman S. N. - Snigdha evam Ruksha Gunon Ka Adhyayan - B.H.U.
1971, Dept. of Dravyaguna
4. Dr. Bhalerao S. S. & Prof. Dwivedi R.R.- A comprehensive study of
Gunas and evolution of some objective parameters in the context of
Snigdha and Ruksha Gunas. Jamnagar, 1998, Dept. of Basic Principles
5. Dr. Anand Buchake & Prof. P. P. Sharma - An assessment of the activities
of Ruksha guna w.s.r. to Sthaulya, Jamnagar, 2002, Dept. of Dravyaguna
6. Dr. Umang Pandya & Prof. R. R. Dwivedi- Pancabhautika assessment of
Guru and Laghu Gunas with some objective parameters. Jamnagar, 2004,
Dept. of Basic Principles
7. Dr.Dilip Nalage & Prof. R. R. Dwivedi A study of Samskara and its role
in alteration of Pancha bhautika composition of dravya, Jamnagar, 2005,
Dept. of Basic Principles

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8. Dr. Potbhare Balaji M & Prof. R. R. Dwivedi - Concept of Snigdha Guna

and applied study to evolve some objective parameters Jamnagar, 2005,
Dept. of Basic Principles
9. Dr. Sangram Mishra & Prof. R. R. Dwivedi - Fundamental and applied
study of Snigdha and Ruksa Guna W.S.R. to Rasa - Rakta Gata Sneha
(Hyper lipidemia) Jamanagar 2008, Dept of Basic Principles
10. Dr Santosh Mane & Prof. R. R. Dwivedi - Evolution and evaluation of
some objective parameters for Usna and Sita Guna based upon
Pancabhautik theory. Jamanagar 2008, Dept of Basic Principles
11. Dr. Ajay Kumar Rout & Prof. R. R. Dwivedi Conceptual and Applied
study of Paradi Guna wsr to Samyoga Guna, Jamanagar 2009, Dept of
Basic Principles
12. Dr. Hemant S. Pol & Dr. Mahesh Vyas - The concept of drava guna & its
role in physio pathology w.s.r. to amlapitta. Jamanagar 2009, Dept of
Basic Principles
Among these works eight works are related to gurvadi gunas and are
specifically aimed at finding some objective parameters for evaluation of
these gunas. Two works are related to paradi gunas which are again
repeated bellow
1. Dr.Dilip Nalage & Prof. R. R. Dwivedi A study of Samskara and its role
in alteration of Pancha bhautika composition of dravya, Jamnagar, 2005,
Dept. of Basic Principles
2. Dr. Ajay Kumar Rout & Prof. R. R. Dwivedi Conceptual and Applied
study of Paradi Guna wsr to Samyoga Guna, Jamanagar 2009, Dept of
Basic Principles
Among this first work was related to samskara guna as a tool for altering
pancha mahabhauitka composition of a drug. Second study covered
samyoga guna in detail. Thus there is no direct work carried out on this
concept.

Introduction X