Trividha Bodhya Sangraha as a Diagnostic Approach to Anukta Vyadhi

Abstract

Changes in diet, lifestyle, environment and pathogens have led to newly emerging diseases that are not named in the classical Ayurvedic texts. Such diseases are termed Anukta Vyadhi (unenumerated diseases). Acharya Charaka advised that a physician need not feel embarrassed at being unable to name a disease, because understanding the underlying pathology matters more than nomenclature. For this purpose, he described Trividha Bodhya Sangraha (threefold set of factors to be understood). Aim: To explore Trividha Bodhya Sangraha as a diagnostic approach to Anukta Vyadhi. Methods: A conceptual literature review of classical texts, mainly the Charaka Samhita and Ashtanga Hridaya with their commentaries, along with published research articles. Results: The framework comprises Vikara Prakriti (nature of the disease), Vikara Adhishthana (site of the disease, physical or psychological) and Vikara Samutthana (etiology: dietary, lifestyle and environmental). Applied to coronavirus disease 2019 as an illustrative newly emerged disease, it defined the nature of the illness, its seat in the chest region and respiratory channels, and its etiological link with Janapadodhwamsa (community-wide epidemic destruction). The same three factors also organised the assessment of a named disease, Prameha (group of urinary disorders including diabetes mellitus). Conclusion: After the disease is assessed, treatment is planned opposite to the vitiated dosha (bioenergetic humours), affected Dushya (tissues) and causative factors. Trividha Bodhya Sangraha can therefore serve as a diagnostic tool, along with other diagnostic methods, for understanding and managing emerging diseases.