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Introduction

The Jyotish science is complimentary and contemporary to the Ayurvedic medical science. The principles of Jyotish science have been applied in Ayurvedic science at various places. Utpata (natural calamity) is one such concept which not only indicate about likely development of epidemic diseases but also about the overall fortune of the affected region where these utapatas occur. As perjyotishacharyaVarahamihir, the abnormal state of environment is ‘Utpata’.  Ayurveda, had referred it as abnormal state of 4 environmental factors likeVata(wind), Jala(water), Desha (Area) and Kala (Season) and referred their abnormality as VikrutVata, VikrutJala, Vikrut Desha and Vikrut Kala while enumerating the causes of epidemic diseases (JanapadaUdhwansaVyadhis).  From both science point of view Utpats are created by supernatural power like God in reaction to sinful acts of the society to show their displeasure and wrath. As per acharya Punarvasu, the Adharma (sins), Shastra prabhav (wars), Abhishapa(curse), and Rakshas(microbes) are the 4 major causes of Utpatas. Along with this acharya Sushruta had also added the causes like malefic grahasand Nakshatras as the causes for Utpatas. Ayurvedic and Jyotish science have given the characteristic features of the various Utpatas. The concept of Utpata could be helpful in predicting the likely diseases in the affected geographical population. Hence there is need to study this concept critically.Both the sciences had advocated the ‘Shanti Vidhana ‘ (pacifying measures) for minimizing the effects of calamities, Ayurveda had also suggested to break the chain of Adharmacharan (sinful acts), Abhishapa(curse) , Shastra (wars) and Rakshas(microbes) by maintaining the noble conduct and hygienic behavior.

MATERIAL & METHOD

Literary method of research was adopted in the present study. Critical and comparative study of  of Ayurvedic literature and Jyotish science literature was done to come to logical conclusion

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Definition of Utpata (Natural Calamities)

As per acharya Varahamihir, the abnormal state of environment is ‘Utpata’[1]

Ayurveda, had also referred it as abnormal state of 4 environmental factors like Vata (wind), Jala (water), Desha (Area) and Kala (Season) and referred them asVikrutVata, VikrutJala, Vikrut Desha and Vikrut Kala while enumerating the causes of epidemic diseases (JanapadaUdhwansaVyadhis).[2]

In today’s modern terminology, Utpata can be called as natural calamity.

Causes of Utpata (Natural Calamities) As Per Jyotish

As per Jyotish science the cause of natural calamity is the sinful inhuman and unhygienic behavior (apchara) as a result of which the, God gets annoyed and shows his wrath in the form of natural calamities. The calamities (Utpata) may occur on land or space.[3]

Causes of Utpata (Natural Calamities) As Per Ayurveda

Acharya Vagbhata and Indukara are of the opinion that the reason for natural calamities due to wind, water, tropics and seasons is because of malefic planetary transition as well as the sinful acts. The calamities (Utpata) may occur on land or space.[4]

As per Acharya Punarvasu, there are four major causes of natural calamities as under [5] :

1. Adharma(Iniquity/Sin)  - Acharya Punarvasu is of the opinion that the sinful deeds done purposely to get undue advantage leads to moral downfall of the society initiating the vicious chain of sinful acts as a result of which, Gods also leaves that place and show his wrath in the form of alteration of environment.

2. Shastra Prabhava(Wars) - Acharya Punarvasu says that when anger, greed and ego supersedes over the general common sense, the rulers engage themselves in unnecessary battles. The use of weapons of mass destruction in battles, leads to huge casualties, diseases and alteration of environment.

3. Rakshogana (microbes) – Acharya Punarvasu is of the opinion that the sins (adharma) and unhygienic behavior (apachara) leads to the growth of microbes (Rakshogana and Bhuta sangha) causing microbial pollution of the environment.

4. Abhishapa (Curse) – As per acharya Punarvasu, due to rising sinful acts in society, peoples show disrespect towards elders, teachers, learneds, rishis and other noble persons. The constant insult and humiliation of noble persons force them to show their wrath in the form of curse towards the ungrateful society resulting in natural calamities and epidemic diseases.1

As per acharya Sushruta, following are the causes of Utpata and epidemics[6]

1. Ritu Vyapat               - (Seasonal abnormality)

2. Viparit Anna Aushadhi        - (Intake of contaminated food and drugs)

3. Abhicharaj Krutya  -         (Evil hymen induced demons)

4. Abhishapa of Guru/Siddhas  -   (Curse by teacher or learneds)

5. Raksha Krodha    -            (Microbial invasion)

6. KayikVachik Manas Adharma  (Psychosomatic Sinful acts)

7. Visha -     (Toxins)

8. GarhitGraha Nakshatra Char - (Malefic Planetary & Constellation movement)

Characteristics of Utpata causing Factors

Vayu Utpata (Wind Calamity)

As Per Ayurvedic Science

The characteristics of unnatural wind are – The wind flowing against the seasonal rule i.e. very stable, very unstable, very heavy, very cold, very hot, very humid, noisy with tornado and unpleasant smell, sand, dust and smoke is an abnormal wind giving rise to the disease.[7]

As Per Jyotish Science

If the wind flows with high speed continuously till seven days, it indicates the Vayu Utpata and leads to fear and heavy rain.[8]. The wind flowing along with the sand, dryness in opposite direction with all the features of nuisance is horrible and indicates Vayu Utpata.[8]

As Per Ayurvedic Science

Jala Utpata (Water Calamity)

The characteristics of unnatural water are – The water which is having abnormal smell, colour, taste, touch, moisture, without the aquatic creatures and birds, which had reduced to mud in lake and which is unpleasant and had lost the qualities, gives rise to the diseases.[9]

As Per Jyotish Science

As per Jyotish science, the change in smell and taste of the water, sudden drying of the water source and sudden flow of water from the land without digging it, indicates the JalaUtpatlaxanas (water calamity features).[10]

DeshaUtpata (Demic Calamity)

As Per Ayurvedic Science

The characteristics of endemic zone are – The country in which the colour, smell, taste and touch of the land had gone abnormal, the land which had acquired lot of moisture and there is growth of branches of herbs and shrubs, tendrils and grass, the land which harbor harmful snakes, insects, mosquitoes, sand flies, rats, owls, vultures, the land which had declined in qualities and crops, the land where birds make terrible sounds, where dogs barks and cries terribly, land where there is a frequent fall of meteorite (ulka), lightening (vidyut), earthquakes (Bhukampa),where there is abnormal sound comes out of earth,  where the sun, moon and other stars are covered under the dry, whitish reddish clouds, where the morals and ethics of the society had gone down and where there is rise in theft and robbery, a country where there is shouting and compassionate call, chaos and anxiety everywhere is a abnormal country which eventually by altering the environmental harmony leads to the epidemic diseases and loss of the human lives.[11]

As Per Jyotish Science

If the shivalinga or idol of God or temple gets cracked or makes sound or shivers or sweats without any reason are utpat laxanas in the country and indicates the losses to king and the country.[12] The country in which the flames are seen without the fire and even the fuel does not get ignited indicates the country related Utpat laxanas which are going to cause pain to the countrymen.[13]. Similarly, the country in which there is smoke without the fire, shower of dust, darkness in day, disappearance of constellations (nakshatras) in cloudless sky during night or appearance of constellations (nakshatras) in cloudless sky during the day indicate, Utpat laxanas and are horrible.[14] Similarly, the burning in cities, domestic animal and humans without the fire is horrible and indicate Utpat laxana.[15] If the rainbow is seen during day or night in either east or west direction in cloudless sky, it indicates the impending food crisis that is going to take place.[16]

KalaUtpata (Seasonal Calamity)

As Per Ayurvedic Science

The characteristics of abnormal season are – The season which shows the abnormal features is disease genic. Examples are – summer showing features of rainy reason and rainy season having either drought or flood like situation due to heavy rain. The winter season, showing warmness and summer season, showing features of coolness are some of the abnormalities of seasons which by altering the environmental ecosystem leads to the diseases.[17] [18]

As Per Jyotish Science

As per Jyotish science, the food crisis (durbhikshya) due to draught or flood, diseases due to untimely raining and raining without the clouds in the sky indicates the water related seasonal calamities. It also indicates the attack from the enemy state or death of the ruling king. The coolness in summer and warmness in winter, the opposite changes of weather in all seasons indicate the season related calamities which leads to diseases (rogabhaya) or misfortune (daivabhaya) or fear from king (raj bhaya) within six months.[19]

Additional Factors In Which Utpat Features Can Be Seen

As per acharya Sushruta, beside above factors the Utpat features can be noticed in [20]

1. Gruha – Home

2. Dara/Bharya – Wife

3. Shayan – Cot

4. Aasan – Chair

5. Yana – Chariot, cart etc

6 Wahan – Bullocks, Elephants, Horses etc

7. Mani – Rock crystal etc

8. Ratna – Ruby etc.

Epidemic Diseases Due To Utpata As Per Ayurveda

The contaminated air due to Utpata enters the nose and affects the respiratory system,  giving rise to various flu like symptoms such as rhinorrhea, cough, dyspnea, anosmia, headache and fever and rash like pox.[20]

Contaminated Food & Drugs Cause for Epidemics

The intake of contaminated food and drugs during the abnormal seasons leads to epidemics.[21]

The Shantividhana (Pacifying Measures) For Utpatas As Per Ayurveda

As per acharya Sushruta, following measures should be adopted for pacifying the Utpat laxanas.[22]

1. SthanParityaga – Deserting the affected zone

2. Shanti Karma – Pacifying rituals

3. Prayaschitta– Penance/apology

4. Mangal – Wearing auspicious gemstones, drug roots etc

5. Japa– Chanting of ‘Omkar’ Mantra or mantras of vedas

6. Homa– Votive oblation ritual

7. Upahara– Gifts to the gods

8. Ejya – Yagya / Sacred fire

9. Anjali Namaskara – Bowing with folded hands to Gods and teachers

10. Tapa – Self pain by observing fast etc

11. Niyam– Following the ethics and codes mentioned in religious texts

12. Daya– Being merciful towards mankind and animals

13. Dana – Offering donations of wealth to needy

14. Diksha – Accepting mantras from teachers

15. Abhypagama – Forfeiting to teachers, Gods and Bramhins

The Shantividhana (Pacifying Measures) For Utpatas As Per Jyotish

The appearance of microbes, indicate the impending epidemic diseases. Hence, acharya Garga had suggested the following pacifying measures (Shanti Vidhan) in the form of worship of lord Endra and Endrani, donating food to the bramhanas, and giving Bali to the Gods etc.[23]

If there is Utapata due to fire, then votive oblations (homa) with woods of milky trees, flax seeds and ghee should be done. Also the gold should be donated to the bramhins.[24]

If there is Utapata due to water, then Yagya for Sun, moon and wind should be performed. Also donate the food, cow, gold to the bramhins.[25]

Modern Calamity Terms

A tornado is a violent storm comprised of extremely strong winds spiraling around a central point in a funnel shaped cloud. A cyclone is large destructive storm that is comprised of strong winds rotating around a center of low pressure. Tornadic events are often accompanied by other forms of severe weather including strong thunderstorm, strong winds, lightening and hail.

Table No. 1- Causes of Utpata

Table No. 2- Characteristics of Utpata

Table No. 3and 4 Predictions of Utpata

Table No. 5and 6 -Worldwide Eclipses in 2019 & 2020

Table No. 7 - Number of Notable Cyclones worldwide Between 2019 To 2020

Discussion

In ‘UtpatLaxanadhyaya’ of his treatise ‘Brihat Samhita’ jyotishacharyaVarahamihir had mentioned that whatever is telling about Utpatas is taken from the earlier work of acharya ‘Garaga’ who in turn have learned it from Muni ‘Atri’. As perjyotishacharyaVarahamihir, the abnormal state of environment is ‘Utpata’.  AyurvedacharyaAtreyaPunarvasu, had referred it as abnormal state of 4 environmental factors likeVata(wind), Jala(water), Desha (Area) and Kala (Season) and referred their abnormality as VikrutVata, VikrutJala, Vikrut Desha and Vikrut Kala while enumerating the causes of epidemic diseases (JanapadaUdhwansaVyadhis).  From both science point of view Utpatas are created by supernatural power like God in reaction to sinful acts of the society to show their displeasure and wrath. As per acharya Punarvasu, the Adharma (sins), Shastra prabhav (wars), Abhishapa(curse), and Rakshas(microbes) are the 4 major causes of  Utpatas. Ayurvedic and Jyotish science have given the characteristic features of the various Utpatas. Whereas the Ayurvedic description of Utpatas mainly indicates the impending diseases, the Jyotishiya description  focus on development of diseases as well as about impending doom on population and ruler of that area and effect on crops, trees, domestic animals. The season related Utpat features are also found in Ayurvedic concept of ‘TrividhRoga Karanam’ (three major causes of the diseases) wherein the heena(negligible),mithya (perverted) and atiyoga (excessive) of ritus (seasons), produce same features. While telling sinful act as the basic reason behind natural calamities, ancient acharyas are emphasizing the need to observe noble conduct, ethics, morality and hygienic behavior in the society to create the healthy society. The society which is engaged in sinful acts, lies and deception of each other, showing disregard for elders and noble persons and lost all morality, is also prone to break the rules of hygienic behavior and likely to face the diseases. Similarly, the excessive killing of humans in war, and killing of animals and birds for eating misbalance the environmental ecosystem. It also favours the growth microorganism on blood media due to excessive bloodshed giving rise to various infectious epidemic diseases. Though at present there is no mechanism to understand the wrath of noble persons and Gods giving rise to natural calamities but theory of curse given in Ayurveda and Jyotish science, holds truth somewhere as both science believes in God and KarmajVyadhis (diseases due to bad deeds). The God and nature may be considered synonymous while thinking of Utpatas. In nutshell, the social, moral,microbial pollution of environment brings out the Utpatas. As per acharya Dalhana, the contaminated infectious airdroplets due to Utpata enters the nose and affects the respiratory system to give rise to various flu like symptoms such as rhinorrhea, cough, dyspnea, anosmia, headache and fever. There is need to study the causes of natural calamities and epidemic diseases mentioned in ancient science in view of rising global pandemics like COVID-19, Influenza, Bird flu etc.

Attempt was made to study the effect of Earthquakes, eclipses , cyclones and tornados in view of present global pandemic of COVID-19. Rarely solar eclipse can occur one fortnight before and after lunar eclipse. This happened in 2018 and in 2020. Acharya Varamihir, had mentioned that any eclipse occurring before its schedule time is anUtpat indicating feature [B.S.5/16]. It was observed that Solar eclipse took place on December 26, 2019 when this global pandemic of COVID-19 set in. Again solar eclipse took place on June 21, 2020 when there was surge in cases of COVID 19 across the globe. This was the eclipse before the schedule time. Hence, it proves the Utpat indicating nature of the eclipses (grahanas).

Total 20,212 Earthquakes occurred between  January 2019 to June 2020 which is significantly high proving the Utpatlaxanas.

Total 9 cyclones occurred from November 2019 to January 2020 with each month counting for 3 cyclones when Global pandemic of COVID 19 started spreading. These are the heist number of cyclones counting for any other months of the year thus proving it as the Utpatlaxana.

America topped the list of the nation in number of notable tornadoes per year. Highest number of tornados 251 occurred in the month of April 2020 in US when surge of Corona virus took place suggesting it as a natural calamity to indicate about the future problems which occurred in the form of COVID pandemic in US.

Conclusion

1. Utpatas are the natural calamities and can be used to predict future epidemic diseases.
2. Utpatas may be considered as the wrath of the nature in response to environmental pollution and misbalance of natural ecosystem.
3. Microbial proliferation due to battles and bloodshed may give rise to natural calamities and epidemic diseases.
4. There is need to study the causes of natural calamities and epidemic diseases mentioned in ancient science in view of rising global pandemics.