LITERARY REVIEW OF JANAPADODHWANSA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO COVID – 19

Abstract

Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine, clearly mentioned epidemic under a broad term 'Janapadodhwansa'. According to Ayurveda there are two types of Vyadhis based on causative factors which are stated in Charaka Samhita vimansthan chapter 3. Acharya Sushruta called it as Maraka and Acharya Bhela called it as Janamaar. There are four factors that has been described which are getting vitiated in Janopadodhwamsa.These are Vayu (air),Jala (water),Desha (land) and Kaala (season). Among these four factors Kaala is mainly main factor. Many of today's medical sciences coincide with some of the basic principles of Ayurveda.Today whole world is suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic.To assess the concepts of epidemiology in Ayurveda and to compare the same with recent COVID-19 pandemic, literary study of the epidemic was done thoroughly, including classical treatises like Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita & modern textbooks of epidemiology. Most of the concepts of Ayurveda about Janopadodhwamsa are found relevant to current theories of pandemic/epidemic. When COVID-19 pandemic compares with Janopadodhwamsa, it shows similarity in concepts like causative factors,modes of transmission,methods of prevention of outbreaks etc.Also,control measures of COVID-19 can be compared with Hetu-viparit & Vyadhi-viparitchikitsa. The concepts described in Ayurveda regarding Janapadodhwansa are more or like the present modern concept of the pandemic or epidemic.Thus, the ancient Indian medicinal systems were well known to the fact of the epidemics & outbreaks of infectious diseases