Author - Shrinidhi k. Acharya, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur

1. Scientific Understanding of Jataharini and Graha Rogas
Dr. Shrinidhi K. Acharya
M.D.(Ay), PhD
National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur

2. Jataharini – Graha roga what exactly is this ?
 What will be your answer ?
 What you except from a BAMS student ?
 What you except from a clinical practioner ?
 How to understand it?

3. Why it looks like out dated topic?
 Untouched topics
 More mythological explanation
 Difficult to understand the concept
 Don't know the clinical utility of the subject
 Scientific truth has been explained under religious bottle

4. Graha Roga – Graha Chikitsa
are you confused?
 Grahas explained in Astanga Ayurveda –i.e. Graha chikitsa as a separate
Branch - and Grahas of Kauamarabrithya?
 Definitions of Kaumarabrithya giving more importance for the Graha.
 Charaka is silent about Bala Grahas, Shusrutha and Asthanga Sangraha
explained, Astanga Sangraha also dedicated separate chapters for Graha in
Uttara Tantra
 Later books like Ravana krita Kumara tantra, Chakradatta , Gadanigraha ,
Bhaishajjya Ratnavali also mentioned Graha Rogas.

5. Does Graha Roga – Graha
Badha are one and same ?
 Less subjective – More objective symptoms in Graha
Roga
 Different morphological structure explained for Graha
Roga
 Definite causative factors for its affliction has been
explained
 No periodicity is mentioned
 Definite Dosha vitiation and pathological changes
 Onset and progression is very rapid . So difficult to
diagnose and treatment

6. Then What is Graha-Badha?
 In certain Graha- there may be personality change and
behavior changes –
 There will be sudden personality change in a normal
person
 Start behaving like Deva , Gandharva , Asura etc
 Such explanations are also available in Astanga
sangraha Uttara Tantra
 Fever is must as a Porva Roopa – not seen in Graha
Badha

7. What to do when cause is invisible ?
 Every happening, disease, has got a cause.
 Some time causes is visible – some time
invisible
 Contemporary science - Go for certain
investigation when causes is not found.
 If still not identified - Disease of unknown
origin – Idiopathic.

8. How to name and identify the unknown
causes in Ayurveda ?
 Disease can’t exists without a cause-Ayurveda believe in
Karya karana vada.
 Analpam- Aprathyaksham, Invisible entity are enormous
in this world.
 Cause unknown - chronic presentation
 ( Hereditary disease, etc) poorva Janma kritha papa,
Daivika shakti , Atma karma etc
 Cause unknown but acute presentation -
 Bhoota , Preta , Pishacha , Graha , Jataharini martikaya ,
Rakshasha Asura , etc
 Hence Graha Rogas are counted in acute/emergency /
severe presentations with cause unknown .

9. What contemporary sciences say
when cause is not visible ?
 Cause not found by physical examination
 Cause not found by even advanced investigation
 Cause is so potent that it runs unnoticed
 Idiopathic, Cause is not clearly known
 Fever of unknown origin
 Idiopathic epilepsy
 Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia , Nephrotic syndrome etc

10. Hypothesis……… becomes theory
‘Graha, Bhuta, Preta, Rakshasa, Pishacha,
Jataharini, Asura can be considered as
different microorganism like Virus, Bacteria,
Protozoa, spirochetes, etc which are widely
spread in this universe ’

11. How to understand the Graha
 Attack the body – hence living
 Cause Himsa- Torturing
 Bayanaka , Amanusha …Mortality rate is very high
Moves out during -night hours
 Cause the Pracchana Vyadhi
 Cause severe disorders- Teevra
 Frequently changes the size and shape
 Invisible by the naked eye
 Aptha vakya should be considered.
 Shastra chakshu- Divya chakshu – Jyana chakshu- can
visualize the Graha

12. Similarities between Graha and
Micro organisms
 Living – moving
 Low temperature areas – humidity areas
 Invisible but living – not seen by naked eye
 Seen by a special aide
 Change the shape and size as per situation
 It cause – Himsa ( pain )- Antigenic property
 Cause physical and psychological disturbance –
Generalized involvement
 Need empherical treatment –Aptha vakya

13. What is Buta- Preta-Pishacha…?
 Buta – Pishacha
 This is also type of Bhuta
 Like to reside in Mamsa ( Pishita)
 Preta – Punaruthpathi Hetu
 Craving for Re-existence
 Atma -when didn't find body it is called as Preta
 Type of Bhuta
 Rakshasa
 From which one has to be protected.
 Like to reside in Mamsa, rakta Vasa
 Rakshoghna gana – Siddartaka , sala , Guggulu, vacha sarshapa etc
 Amasusha in nature

14. Non zygotic nature of Graha etc
 Story of skanda Purana
 Skanda is main Graha – Baladhara
 Asexual type of reproduction , spores etc
 All microorganisms are Non zygotic products

15. So Graha is ……
 Invisible , living entity – microscopic nature
 Passes through different phases of life cycle
 Antigenic to the body and cause pain and torture
 Can be visualized by special aide like microscope
 Leads to generalized disease with acute rapid severe
presentation
 Follows the incubation period
 Fever is the first symptom in any infections.
 Himsa – Rati- Archana
 So Graha Roga = Micro organisms

16. So…Grahas can be ….
 Terrible or Bhayanaka
 Desperately need a host for its existence
 Moving towards the host is its natural
tendency
 Movement towards those area with less
resistance

17. Similarities between Graha and
Micro organisms
Nature Graha Rogas Micro organisms
Living Living (as they move
and attack)
Living
Prone time of
movement
Night hours Dark areas/low
temperature areas
humidity
Method of invasion Hold/seize the body,
attack and cause
Pracchana Vyadhi
Entry will be identified
only after the first
symptom
Incubation period Can’t be idendetified
like entry of Atma
inside the body,image
inside a mirror
Follows the incubation
period
Size and shape Change size and shape
frequently as per
demand
Pass through different
stages of life cycle like
larva,egg, spores etc.

18. Nature Graha Rogas Micro organisms
Generalized/localised Cause generalized affliction of
body requiring both Yukti and
Daiva vypashraya chikitsa
Cause generalized
involvement (both body and
mind)
Presence of fever Cause fever as a purva rupa Usually causes fever as the
first symptom
Visibility Invisible and visible only
through certain visual aids or
special vision power
Invisible by naked eye -
visible by a microscope
Entry inside the body Enters the human body who
follows Adharma
Enters the human body in
search of definite and
indefinite host in an
immuno-deficient person
Diagnosis Difficult due to rapid onset,
progression and severity
Diagnosis of an individual
organism is impossible
without culture study

19. Nature Graha Rogas Micro organisms
Treatment Apta vakya should be
followed suggesting need
of an expert’s opinion
Previous experiences,
prevalence rate of
infection in a given area
and empirical treatment
will be followed
Intention of entry Himsa (tissue injury),
Rati(sexual thrust to
complete life cycle),
Archana(nourishment)
In search of host, to get
nourishment and to
complete reproductive
cycle are the three main
intention
Out come of invasion Does Raksha (protection)
of the body
Infection leave back
certain immunity

20. Why Micro organism attack the body?
 Hygienic issue- personal, community
 Low socio- economical status
 Improper food habits, life style
 Adulteration of food
 Contamination of Air, water and milk
 Epidemic and Endemic – break down
 Environmental Hazards - sudden changes in Climate
 Early rain – late summer season, late rainy – early winter
season

21. Why Micro organism attack the body?
 Drought , flood , war , excess destruction
 Improper dispose of waste, dead body etc.
 Contionus work – Sahasa Karma
 Contact of contaminated person
 Travelling from one area to other
 Neglecting the time to time health tips by concerned
authority.
 Over coming the experts advice
 Any conditions which weakens our Immune system

22. Why Grahas – Jataharini etc
attack the body?
 Adharma – Wrong way of living
 (Skanda’s Order- Go and attack those who follows the
Adharma)
 Adharma is that acts – which disturbs the Physical,
psychological , spiritual , social health will be afflicted.
 Not following Swasta vritha, Sad vritha , Dinacharya, Ritu
charya, Achara Rasayana, personal hygiene, Dashavida
papa.
 Adharma create loop holes in the body and make body
more vulnerable to Graha Rogas.
 This create the loop hole in the Immune system of the body

23. Why Grahas – Jataharini etc attack the body?
 Praluptha Dharma – Deviation from Dharma
 Kama- Krodha – Lobha , Mada etc
 Bhinna Vrutha –Change in the conduct
 Bhinna Achara - Change in life style
 Ashoucha , Maliyasa – Unclean , unhygienic

24. Why Grahas – Jataharini etc attack the body?
 Treatment of infectious disorders need support by
many ways, experts opinion, investigation reports etc.
 Consultation by Bhramanis, Gurus, Sages who were
the source of knowledge in those days.
 Lack of consultation may leads to wrong
management and diagnosis- which is quoted as
Guru shapa, Deva shapa.
 They are respected with religious outlook so there
may be certain Psychological effects also.
Role of Consultation

25. Why Grahas – Jataharini etc.
attack the body?
 In the context of Bhuta it is told that-
 Sadhya Prajnaparadha
 Poorva Kritha Prajayaparada
 Poorva Krita Karmasya Parinama Kala
 Papa Karma

26. Cont…
 Role of Manas – faith
 Movement in Lonely and inauspicious places
 Fearful condition -
 Taking food in broken vessels
 Sharing the garlands , vessels, dress , food etc
 Anger, frighten , cruel minded
 Mithya Ahara Vihara
 Neglecting the hygiene – social, personal.
Community

27. Entry of micro-organism in to the
Human body
 From different route it can enter
 Individual organism has got its own preference
 Enter in search of a definite and indefinite host
 To complete the life cycle
 To get nourish , comfort , to increase colonies
 Like to take the ready made food
 Able to enter – if it is able to over come body immune system
which creates solid barrier
 Only immune compromised states, extreme degree of unhygienic
, malnutrition , abnormal life style which disturbs the biological
rhythm leads to its entry.

28. Entry of the Grahas
 Himsa
 Torture or giving the pain is the only intention
 Bayanaka – Amanusha – virulent
 Antigenic nature
 Viral infection is best example
 Deha dhatu Pratyaneeka bhutani ….
 Antigen – antibody reaction
 Allergy – hypersensitive reaction, sneezing etc
 Severity of Himsa depends on strength of body
immune system.

29. Rati
 Body manipulation – desired body movements
 Searching for host
 Completion of life cycle – asexual life cycle
 Example of malaria
 Worm infestation

30. Archana
 In the context of Bhuta –
 ‘Sarvepi cha prayena Ahara Kama..mamsa asruk
vasashina ’
 Nourished, pleased, worshipped
 few enters only with intention of getting
nourishment and for causing the disease or Himsa.
 Tubercular bacteria

31. Entry of Bhuta ---
 Likely to afflict those with Jwara
 Those suffering from Vruna ( ulcer . Wounded)
 Even in the treatment – care should be taken just
like Vranita
 Those with smell of pus , Mamsa, Rakta Sneha
Ganda

32. Most vulnerable area /
timing of Graha’s entry
 Ekantha vasa- Shoonya Graha vasa
 Meeting of Four roads
 Copulation during the Dust and dawn
 During days fort night , full moon days
 Copulation during menstrual cycle
 Wrong procedure of Reading, teaching etc
 Time of great war/ destruction of property , city /
community /
 Near the tree, temple , crematorium

33. Most vulnerable area / timing of
Graha’s entry
 Streeyam prajanana Kale – during the time of delivery
 Over coming the rules of Brahmacharya
 ( Niyame Bhramacharye vritha bhange )
 During the time of Vomiting , purgation etc
 While touching the inauspicious things
 Entering the temple with out taking bath
 Eating without bathing
 Intake of meat honey jaggery Tila , Madya( wine etc
which is left by others
 Wondering at night hours at street and Burial ground

34. Incubation period
 This is the unique nature of micro organism
 Every organism has got its own incubation
period
 Period after entering inside the body to
production of the first symptom
 Patient has no clue about the disease till
production of symptom
 Never visualized a micro organism entering
inside the body

35. Incubation period of Graha
 Grahas will also fulfill the nature of Incubation
period.
 They cause Pracchanna Vyadhi – Hidden disorder
 Just like entry of Atma – inside the body
 Just like entry of Light inside the mirror to produce
the image
 Just like Talia entering inside the Beeja

36. World of Micro organisms
 Infinite number –
 Prathyaksham Alpam, Aprathyaksham – analpam
 They are invisible- but inseparable
 Maintains the Echo- system of the world
 First living organisms which evolved in the earth.
 You cant imagine our existence without micro organism
 They never intended to attack- but it is the host tendency
 Bubuksita Kim Na Karothi Papam
 It is just a host tendency

37. World of Bhuta and Graha ….
 Parivaro ethi anantho Bhuta loke – The family of the Bhuta etc is infinite
 There are 18- Bhutadipathi-
 (Sura, Asura , Gandharva , Uraga, Yaksha, Bhrahma rakshasa , Rakshasa Pishacha, Preta,
Kushmandaka, Akshodha, Manu kirana , Vetala pitara , Rishi , Vrudha sidda etc )
 Each is further divided in to cores of subtypes
 Why this name has been given ?
 Surasuradhi Samvasa, Samsarga, Sheelachara, Karma
 They live in the same body
 live within same Dhatus
 Follows conduct and nourishes
 Do the same karma
 By nature they want to attack the body – due to host dependency , and use the host body
for all its activity

38. World of Bhuta and Graha –portal
of entry
 Their virulence varies a lot
 Portal of entry is different
 Sura – Asura – First produce disease of mind –just by looking
 ( avalokayanthe )
 ( Psychological disturbance followed by physical disturbance)
 Gandharva- By touch( Sparsha )- (skin, mucus membrane )
 Uraga –(Samvishathe ) – enter inside the body ( Respiratory, GIT etc)
 Yaksha- Out bursting a specific odor
 Rakshasa- Pishacha –Vahayantho Adhi ruda –By riding on the person
 Pirtu-By observation

39. Origin of Graha –Its Physiological
 Graha s are produced for protective purpose.
 They protect the Universe and the people of the world
 Microorganism and the ecosystem of the universe
 Role of micro organism in degradation , photosynthesis,
fermentation , nitrogen balance , etc
 They are also present in the Intestinal bacterial flora
 Infection leaves back immunity
 They continuously search a host for survival and attack the human
body which was made vulnerable for its entry
 Due to the effect of Adharma which suppress the body immune
system.

40. Why Graha turns pathological?
 Role of Adharma
 Human Errors
 All the endogenous disorder are due to human error- HTN,
Auto immune Disorders , DM, Obesity etc
 Similarly- Grahas are exogenous disorders due to human errors
 ( It is not the error of micro organism)
 Adharma followed by baby, Mother, Dhatri, and the care taker
 Overcoming the rules and regulation of Swasta Vritha,
Sadavritha, Dinacharya etc
 Not maintaining the Hygiene of self, surroundings , social ,
psychological
 Improper food style , vihara etc
 Heena, Mitya, Ati Yogas

41. Micro organism / Graha s
and fever
Fever is the first symptoms in infections
 Continuous, unconsolelable cry
 Fever
 Indicative of infection
 In Graha Rogas - The first symptom is Fever

42. Breast milk Vitiation and
Microorganism
 Grahas may even cause Breat milk Vitiation
 Shri Krishna – Putani
 Relation ship between Jatha harini- Graha ( They are of
same Category).
 Shakuni- Katu thikta
 Skanda Putana -
 There will be change in qualitative and quantitative
and palatability.
 Organism can pass through the Breast milk or at least
due to close contact during feeding if mother is
suffering.

43. Morphology of Grahas
 Mahabharata, Shusrutha- Explains the Morphology
 Virulent organism
 Red color- Blood related
 Aquatic Bacteria
 Acid Resistant
 Anaerobic- Aerobic
 Fungi
 They live near to their vectors, Habitat,

44. Mythological explanation
 Story of Revathi, Putana Niaigameha , Mukha madika –
Indicate some struggle war which may indicate the same
struggle between body immune system and Pathogen.
 People of those days believe in religious things rather
than scientific things now days it is vise versa.
 Ayurveda cleverly introduced the health principles in life
style by producing the scientific health principle in
Religious bottle.

45. Symptoms
 Symptoms of central nervous system
 Respiratory system
 Dermatological system
 Gastro Intestinal system
 Urinary system
 Genital System
 Psychological
 This implies that Grarhs causes the multi system
disorders which is commonly seen in infectious
disorders.

46. Different smells in Graha Roga- and
metabolic consideration
 Out bursting of different smells in all Graha
 From body surface, urine, fecal materials
 Common in metabolic problems ( inborn/acquired)
 Collection of the intermediate metabolic waste ( dm,
phenyl ketonuria, maple syrup syndrome etc)
 Extreme unhygienic condition also leads to bad smell
 Collection of the Aporcine secretions gives bad smell
and also gives shelter to infections.
 Even in fever we experience a atypical subjective
smell

47. What is Jataharini ….?
 Jataharini is the word which is only mentioned in
Kashyapa Samhita but
 Jataharini is nothing but Transformation of the
Revati
 All other authors mentioned Revati as Graha while
Kashyapa explained under Graha and Jataharini .
 Revati is considered as Sarva lokha Bhyanakari.
 Story of entry of Revati …

48. Causes which make the female
Prone to Jatha harini
 Abnormal , illegal sexual relationship of the
female with husband and also other than
husband
 Sexual hygiene between husband and wife
 Contact with husband who has illegal sexual
relationship
 Not following the rules of Naisthika and
Vaivahika Brahmacharya
 Not following Rajaswala, Ritumati , paricharya

49. Symptoms of lady seized with
Revati
 Loss of mental stability
 Improper nourishment
 Loss of interest , Looks very ugly
 Development of many disorders
 Do every work in a opposite way
 Consume opposite and Non congenial food
 Do every work in abnormal and improper way
 Do not get success in money and property is lost
 Attain widowwood ness
 Kulakshaya -

50. Symptoms in a child seized with
Revati Jataharini
 Child cries with loud voice with fear
 Breast milk is vitiated- leads to Stanya dusta janya Rogas
 Jwara – Tandra – Praleemaka – Fever with decreasing
consciouness
 Shiroabhitapa
 Viavarnya , pandu peetata
 Trishna , Atisara , swarakshaya, talu shosha
 Frequent awakening- crying
 Shwasa- kasa – Kshavathu
 Sudden Hypothermia- Sheeti bhavati kshanth
 Nichestho Mrita kalpascha…

51. Treatment of Graha Rogas
Micro organism Graha Roga
Identification of the case Identify the Graha Rogi by symptoms
Isolation of the case
Restriction for entry – to prevent the
spreading
Isolation of the case – keep in separate room –
Don’t allow anybody inside except one care taker
, who is strictly aseptic measures, Prevention of
cross infection
Strict aseptic measures Room is cleaned twice, spread few Ushna drugs ,
Basma etc
Symptomatic treatment Snana, Ghrita paryoga , Parisheka Lepas ,
Avagaha , Oushadha dharana , Dhoopana ,
Dhooma pana , Agni dannda Homa
Target treatment
Assurance / mental support
Counseling
Daiva Vyapashraya Chikitsa , Swasti vachana ,
Mantra Prayoga
Identify the pathogen by culture study
Prevent complications
Prevent the spreading in the society Bali karma , Dhoopana , Dhooma pana , Homa

52. Rules for the Attendees
No body is
allowed except --
one attender
He may spred the
infection to
others in the
society
Should not be
involved in
unethical, ill legal
activities
No consumption
of alcohol , wine
meat and other
Ahitakara Ahara
Not involved in
Sexual activities
Should take bath
daily followed by
Lepa

53. Isolation of the Child
 First priority in any infection – Epidemic, contagious
infections
 Same is mentioned in Ayurveda
Kept in separate room Room has been cleaned twice
daily
Burning the fire in the room with
sprinkling of water
Ash prepared by different flowers,
fruits seeds and leaves of Yava,
Tila, Sarshapa are spreaded
which are anti infective
Lit the mustard oil lamp – keep
illuminated and prevents the
dryness
Lepa to the body – To prevent the
cross infection

54. Role of Daiva vyapashrya
Chikitsa
Generalized involvement
of Graha Roga
Counseling
Global approach-
correction of disturbed
mind
Psycho somatic nature of
the disease
Concept of faith therapy Control the stress
Jwara leads to Mana
Santapa
Faith is quality of patient –
need to enhance it

55. Oushadhi Dharana Method
Buddhist method basically Pottali is tied around the
neck or wrist or any body
surface.
Method of keeping the self
and surrounding aseptic
Drugs are powdered –
Mardana – Bhavana is done
and prepared in to Pottali
Drugs used are strong
aromatic smell and
disincentive quality
Drugs have anti infective,
disinfective, antiseptic,
bactericidal, bacteriostatic
Out bursting of strong smell
keeps away the infections.
Aparajitha is the main drug
Vacha, Pippali, Sarshapa,
Sahadevi -Nagadanti etc

56. Mantra Chikitsa
Wrongly understood that
mere chanting
Mantra chikitsa is form of
counseling the patient
Keep the mind in positive
attitude and remove the
negativity
And removing the
confusions in the mind
Mananath iti Mantra –Those
facts which needs to be
understood, accepted and
implemented in routine
health practice
Bringing he positive thinking
Hidden secret pockets
which guide us
Music therapy – Electro
magnetic waves

57. Bali Chikitsa
Bali chikitsa – Both
psychological and
preventive
Host – habitat tendency ,
positive chemo taxis
Concept of culture media
Again wrong thinking
among the patients
Place of the Bali is
specific – Area of
maximum infection
Concept of vegetarian
Bali material
Method of mass
disinfection– community
disinfection
How Bali material is
prepared , Nonvegitarian-
Blood, meat flesh , urine ,
fecal materials etc -
Different organism grows
in different host –
similarly different Graha
got different bali
materials.
Helps to control virulent
spreading of infection
Organism use Bali
material as artificial non
resisting host
Before any function ,
opening of home etc also
we give Bali

58. Dhoopana
Prevention of infection Fumes inhaled- absorbed through
highly vascular mucosa of
respiratory tract.
Inhalational therapy Compared to Nebulisation - Not
skilled procedure , passive process ,
non invasive
Performed inside the room –
Individual
We need it make this procedure little
attractive and modification to
prevent the irritation .
Chemical contents burned in
ghee media – Oxide form
Drugs –used puti karanja, Bhallataka
, Ajamoda , Kustha and leaves of
sarshapa Nimba, Ashwakura , vacha

59. Dhoopana – Dhooma pana – Homa
Extended form of Dhoopana Burning of the drugs in liquid or
ghee media
Dhooma pana is – Highly
individualistic
Liberation of oxide form of the
drug
Dhoopana – Individual and to
sterilize the room , bed , linens,
and other belongings of the
patient
Thy also clean the environment
Homa and Havana – For whole
house/ street / city
Fogging etc

60. Bath to child
 .Drugs with Aromatic
nature
They keep the skin surface
clean and keep away the
infection
Drugs which are Katu, Tikta
Kashaya nature
This keeps away the
vectors, Insects
To maintain Ph of the skin Bad smell from the body
can be also prevented

61. Lepas and Parisheka
For different Grahas
different Lepa Parisheka is
explained.
Aromatic
They are bactericidal,
bacteriostaic Anti
infective, antiseptic,
disinfectant.
Decrease the cross
infections and smell and
maintain the Acidic PH.

62. Ghrita preparations
 They are lipid soluble preparation
 Shubhakara , Tridosha nashaka , Graha dosha hara
 Kumbha Ghrita, Maha kumbha Ghrita, Purana Ghrita
, Prapurana Ghrita