HTML Full Text

Introduction

Ayurveda and Jyotish science are complimentary to each other. Ayurveda had incorporated in itself lot of Jyotishiya concepts. Panchanga (five divisons of time) is one of them. It is applied during auspicious timings of various sanskaras to auspicious timings of drug administration, collection and storage and surgical intervention. Panchanga is an astrological concept used to determine the favourable and auspicious timings required for doing the particular things based upon the five factors such as – 1. Tithi, 2. Wara, 3. Nakshatra, 4. Yoga and 5. Karana. The review of Jyotish literature showed that at ancient Jyotish acharyas have divided the Nakshatras on the basis of their nature and given the detail account of functions to be done under that category of Nakshatras. Similarly, there auspicious Tithis and Waras (dates), Karan and Yogas which are indicated for performing particular functions. The Jyotishiya concept of Panchanga is very well applied in Ayurvedic science to perform surgical procedures as well as to administer medicines , collect raw drugs, messenger related omens, and sanskaras.

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

Application of Panchanga Concept In Ayurveda

In auspicious day, Tithi, Karana, Nakshatra and Muhurta, the surgeon should worship Agni and Brmhana and do swastivachana and then carry out the surgical procedure by avoiding the cut on vital parts, blood vessels, nerves and bones.[1] After administrating snehana and swedana, the patient should be given the Madanfala decoction mixed with honey, salt and yashtimadhu for vamana (emesis) on auspicious day, Nakshatra, Tithi, Karan and Muhurta after worshiping the Gods, bramhnas, teachers and senior physicians.[2]After administrating snehana and swedana, the patient should be given the Trivrutta paste in 1 Karsha quantity (12 g) mixed with water for virechana (purgation) on auspicious day, Nakshatra, Tithi, Karan and Muhurta after worshiping the Gods, bramhnas, teachers and senior physicians.[3]  Take the dravyas used for ‘Kalyanaka Ghrita’ and Gandhagana dravyas and medicate the ghee of cow. Give this ghrita in auspicious Tithi and Nakshatra to the patient.[4]

Application of Panchanga In Drug Collection

One should collect the emetic ‘Madanfala’ drug in Vasant or Greeshma Ritu (summer) in Pushya, Ashwini or Mrigshira Nakshatra and Mitra Muhurta.[9] One should collect the antidirroheal ‘Kutaja’ drug in Pushya Nakshatra.[10]  As per acharya Vagbhata, on auspicious day of white half and when moon is in Pushya, Punarwasu, Hasta, Chitra, Mrigashira, Revati or Shatabhisha Nakshatra, and in auspicious muhurta, one should bring the ‘Anjana’ formed in the Sindhu river. [11]  Before the Nakshatras (stars/constellations), Graha ganas (Planets), Chandra (Mooon), Surya (Sun), Anila (Wind), Anala (Fire) gets abnormal and the natural seasonal environment gets changed, and the herbal drugs give up their medicinal properties, one should collect the drugs.[12]   One should uproot the drugs for making ‘Prasarni Taila’ in auspicious day and Nakshatra with prior swastivachana and prayer.[12]  One should prepare the pratisarniya Vanhi Kshara for treating the Piles on auspicious day and Nakshatra.[13][14][15]

Application of Nakshatra In History Taking of The  Patient

As per acharya Arundutta, examiner should interrogate about the Nakshatra in which the diseases had took place while noting the history of the patient as there  are constellation derived fevers  which are easy or difficult to treat as per the Nakshatra in which they are developed. [16]

Application of Panchanga In Upanayan sanskara

Upanayan sanskara is performed for the deserving student on auspicious day, karana, muhurta and nakshatra.[17 &18]

Application of Panchanga In Karnavedhan Sanskara

Ear piercing ceremony (Karnavedhan Sanskara) should be performed in the sixth or seventh month, in the bright half and on an auspicious day, Tithi, Karana, Nakshatra and Muhurta.[19]

Application of Panchanga In Vedarambha/Vidy-aarambha Sanskara

On auspicious day, in pushya, hasta or shrawan constellation, auspicious Karana, Yoga, Muhurta and auspicious position of Moon of uttarayan kala, the student should observe the fast on previous day and on next day, the student desirous of undergoing the educational training should get ready with hairs cut and bath.[20]

Application of Panchanga In Annaprashan Sanskara

In the sixth month, Annaprashan Sanskar should be done. Paediatrician should ask the parents to feed the baby with various fruits in the sixth month. After eruption of teeths, in the 10th month, on auspicious day when there is Prajapatya Nakshatra is ruling, after offering the prayer to the God and Brahmins and recitation of ‘swastivachana’ by the brahmanas, the fried meat preparation made from the flesh of patridge, sparrow or hen should be offered to the fire along with the mantras. Out of the remained food, little quantity should be fed to the baby 3 to 5 times. After 12 months, the baby should be given the light food like rice.[21]

Application of Panchanga In Prasawagar Prawesh

On entering the 9th month of pregnancy, the pregnant lady should enter the obstetric room on auspicious day, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana and Maitra Muhurta and wait for labor pain to start.[22]

Application of Panchanga During Bath of The Child

The baby afflicted from grahas should be bathed in Rewati, Shrawan, Swati, Prajapati,Uttar Bhadrapada, Uttar Ashadha, Uttara Falguni, Pushya and Moola Nakshatas.[23]

Application of Panchanga In Assessing The Messenger Related Omen

The messenger coming when physician is busy in Pitrukarya or Devakarya, or when there is earthquake, thundering, eclipse or afternoon , in midnight and evening or when there are  inauspicious planets like Rahu or Ketu  in ascendant ( ashubha graha in lagna),  and in Nakshatras like Krutika, Ardra, Ashlesha, Magha, Moola, Purvaashadha, Purvaphadrapada, Purvafalguni or Bharani is inauspicious. And messenger coming in Tithis like Chaturthi, Navami, Shashthi is also inauspicious.[24] [25] The messenger coming when there is no evening, no afternoon,  no inauspicious planet in ascendant ( ashubha graha in lagna), who have not came in Ugra or Dhruva Nakshatras and who have not came in Tithis like Chaturthi, Navami,, Chaturdashi or Rikta and who have not came in events like eclipse is auspicious.[26]

Acharya Chakrapni had mentioned Jyotishacharya Varahmihir in his commentary here to give the details of Ugra Nakshatras. Ugra Nakshatras are All 3 Purva (Aashadha falguni, Bhadrapada), Bharani and Magha are Ugra Nakshatras. One can perform terrible work like uprooting, killing, capturing , poisoning, burning, attack in these Nakshatras. Dhruva Nakshatras are – All 3 Uttara and Rohini are Dhruva Nakshatras and in the ruling of these Nakshatras. One can perform shantipuja, Abhisheka, plantation, city development, religious work and other such works which requires stability. [27]

OBSERVATIONS

Discussion

The review of Ayurvedic literature shows that jyotishiya concept of Panchanga has been utilized in Ayurveda during various procedures like while performing surgery, drug administration, drug collection, drug storage, the rituals like ear piercing, naming feeding and starting of education, (Karnavedhan, Namkaran, Annaprashan, upnayan sansakara) , during arrival of messenger, to ensure the beneficial outcome of the various procedures. During patient interrogation, it is used to decide the prognosis of the disease as per the Nakshatra in which the disease is produced. It is considered that the procedures done under auspicious and favourable timings brings the positive and favourable outcome. The Various tasks to be performed under particular tithi, war, nakshatra, yoga and karana have also been mentioned in Jyotish granthas. Ayurvedic acharyas like Charaka, Sushruta, Vagbhata, Harita and Chakrapani have extensively used this concept in their respective texts. It seems that during ancient time physician were also well versed in astrological science. The review of literature showed that  ancient Ayurvedic acharyas have used the concept of  ‘Panchanga’ for deciding the auspicious timing to carry out the particular task depending upon the suitability of five factors like tithi, war, nakshatra, yoga and karana.  Jyotish acharyas have divided the Nakshatras on the basis of their nature and given the detail account of functions to be done under that category of Nakshatras. It is observed and concluded that during the ruling of  Dhruva (stable) nakshatra, the procedure that require stability and durability should be performed like putting various implants in the body. The medicine given or surgery done, during the ruling of Kshipra (fast) nakshatra, yield fast results. Hence they are suitable for all types of medical conditions. The medicine given or surgery done during ruling of Chara (moving) nakshatra, removes the various obstructive conditions from calculi, thrombus, intestinal obstruction etc. promptly. Though the most of the medical procedures are prohibited under the ruling of Ugra and Tikshna (sharp and aggressive) Nakshatras, the procedures like Agnikarma, Laser and radition therapy, chemotherapy, sclerotherapy, oncosurgery etc could be done in these Nakshatras. Any procedure done during the ruling of Mrudu (soft) Nakshatras, gets easily accomplished.

RESULTS

1. The surgery done and medicine administered during  Sunday and Thursday , Bhadra and Purna tithis, Kshipra Nakshatras, Shobhan Yoga, Chatushpada Karana should yield the maximum beneficial effects.
2. Bhadra and Purna tithis are usually favourable for doing surgeries and administering medicines. Sunday and Thursday waras are usually favourable for doing surgeries and administering medicines.
3. Shobhan and Siddha Yogas are usually favourable for doing surgeries and administering medicines. Shakuni, Chatushpad and Bawa Karanas are usually favourable for doing surgeries and administering medicines.
4. During the ruling of Dhruva (Stable) Nakshatras like Uttara bhadrapada, Uttara falguni, Uttara Ashadha and Rohini, the medical procedures which requires stability and durability like, intraocular Implant, fracture correction, Organ transplantation , in vitro fertilization etc could be carried out.
5. During the ruling of Mrudu Sadharan (soft) Nakshatra like Anuradha,Vishakha, Krutika ,  Mrugashira, Chitra  and Revati , all the general Medical therapy and surgery could be done.
6. The medicine given or surgery done during ruling of Kshipra (fast) nakshatra like Ashwini, Pushya and Hasta, yields fast results. Hence they are suitable for all types of medical conditions.
7. During the ruling of Chara (moving) Nakshatras like Shatabhisha, Dhanishtha , Punarwasu, Shrawan, Nakshatra, generally all the medicines could be administered in this muhurta.
8. The delicate and curative medical procedures may not be done during Ardra , Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Purva Bhadrapada, Purva Falguni , Purva Aashadha, Magha, Moola  and Bharani Nakshatra but the aggressive therapeutic measures like cancer chemotherapy, radiotherapy, cancer surgery, cauterization, laser therapy could be done in these Nakshatras. But prognosis is usually bad. 

Conclusion

1. Surgery should be done and medicine should be administered during  tithis like Bhadra and Purna.
2. Surgery should be done and medicine should be administered during waras like Sunday and Thursday.
3. Surgery should be done and medicine should be administered during Kshipra Nakshatras like Ashwini, Pushya and Hasta.
4. Surgery should be done and medicine should be administered during Yogas like, Shobhan Yoga.
5. Surgery should be done and medicine should be administered during Karanas like Chatushpada and Bawa .
6. The astrological concept of ‘Panchanga’ is well applied in Ayurvedic science.