A critical review of Sushruokta Gana

Sandeep Rajput*¹, Apoorva Sane²

¹ Assisstant Professor (Balrog Dept) (M.D. Kayachikitsa),

² MD III (Dept of Samhita & Siddhant)

Dr. G.D. Pol Foundation’s YMT Ayurvedic College & Hospital, PG Institute,

Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

*CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: dr.rajputsandeep@gmail.com / +919167133548

ABSTRACT:

As we have seen in Charak Samhita, any Vaidya can use the Dashemani Gana in case he isn’t able to use his mind to get to proper choice of herb while treating subjects, similarly Sushrutacharya has mentioned in Sushrut Samhita, drug combinations under the name of Sushrutokta Gana. These Gana’s are helpful for immediate use by the individuals in case of distress in choice of drug. The basic concept of both groups is same. Here we have classified Sushrutokta Gana and precisely in which dosha disequilibrium it can be used for optimal results. 

Introduction:

In the Samhita’s, in the Sutrasthan’s, use of single drug or a group of drugs is mentioned prior to descriptions of major formulations. Acharya Charak in Shadvirechanashatashritiya Adhyaya mentioned about 50 such groups of herbs which was classified as per their action on human body. In Sushrut Samhita, we find 38 groups as per initial content are clearly mentioned but it’s difficult to illicit the usage just by its name. Also, with a well in depth study, all he drugs utility can be well understood, thus a single drug can be used in multiple disease.

Such herbs could be used in various forms for administration for attaining good health. In this article we have compiled these groups mentioned by Acharya Sushrut as per the predominance of doshas and as per the disease mentioned in their usage. And specifically which gana can be used in which dosha disequilibrium.

Purpose:

At glance availability of scattered group of herbs helpful to ease the treatment protocol.

It is the need of time to unbox these kind of unsaid concepts for better understanding and easier treatment of complex disease.

MATERIALS:

Sushrut Samhita was used for gathering the data.

Effect of gana as per doshas on a birds view:

Effect on the dosh/ bodily humors	Groups name
Vaat dosha hara	Eladi, Prushakaadi, Virataraadi, Vidaryaadi, Vatsakadi
Pitta dosha hara	Ambashtadi, Anajanadi, Guduchyadi, Nyagrodhadi, Padmakadi, Priyangavadi, Sarivadi
Kapha dosha hara	Amalakyadi, Aragvadhdi, Arkadi, Asanadi, Guduchadi, Mustaadi, Mushkakaadi, Nyagrodhadi, Shyamadi, Sursadi, Trikatu, Ushakadi, Vatsakadi, Varunadi
Vaat pitta dosha hara	Laghupanchamoola, Padmakadi, Vidarigandhadi
Vaat kapha dosha hara	Bhruhatpanchamool, Eladi, Vatsakadi,
Pitta kapha dosha hara	Guduchadi, Lakshadi, Patoladi, Triphaladi,
Rakta pitta dosha hara	Kantakpanchamool, Nyagrodadi, Sarivaadi, Trunapanchamool, Vallipanchamool

Table 1 : Gross classification of Sushrutokta Gana

DISCUSSION: The initial series shows the effect of herbs mentioned in Samhita on the dosha in the body (Vaat, pitta, kapha and as per Sushrutacharya rakta). Later on, as mentioned we can see different herbal groups used to treat various disease on human body.

• Ekadoshaj and Tridoshaj classification[i]

Sr No	Rogaghnata	Vataj	Pittaj	Kaphaj	Tridoshaj
1	Aamaatisar (Diarrhoea)	-	-	Vachadi, Haridradi	-
2	Agnimandya (Low digestive fire)	-	-	Trikatu, Varunadi	-
3	Angamarda (Bodyache)	Vidarigandhadi	-	-	-
4	Antardaha (Internal Burning sensation)	-	Anjanadi	-	-
5	Abhyantar vidhradhi (Internal abcess)	-	-	Varunadi	-
6	Arochaka (Anorexia)	-	-	Surasadi, Shyamadi, Amalakyadi	-
7	Arsha (Piles)	-	-	Mushkakadi	-
8	Ashmari (Calculi)	Veerataradi	-	Ushakadi, Mushkakadi	-
9	Bruhan (Nourishment)	Vidarigandhadi	-	-	-
10	Daah (Burning sensation)	-	-	-	-
11	Dipan (Carminative)	-	-	Trikatu	-
12	Dushta vrana Vishodhan (Wound cleanser)	-	-	Aaragwadhadi	-
13	Gulma (Gaseous tumor)	Vidarigandhadi	-	Varunadi, Ushakadi, Mushkakadi, Shyamadi, Trikatu	-
14	Hrudya (Cardiotonic)	Vidarigandhadi	-	-	-
15	Hrudrog (Cardiac disease)	-	-	Shyamadi	-
16	Jivan (Improve general stamina)	-	-	-	-
17	Jwar (Fever)	-	-	Aamlakyadi, Aaragwadhadi	-
18	Kaas (Cough)	Vidarigandhadi	-	Surasadai	-
19	Kamala (Hepatitis)	-	-	-	-
20	Kandu (Itching)	-	-	Aaragwadhadi	-
21	Krumi (Worms)	-	-	Asnadi, Arkadi, Surasadi	-
22	Kushta (Skin disorders)	-	-	Aaragwadhadi, Asanadi, Arkadi, Salasaradi, Trikatu	-
23	Medorog (Obesity)	-	-	Asnadi, Varunadi, Ushakadi, Nyagrodhadi	-
24	Mala pachak (Improves quality of stool)	-	-	-	Mustadi
25	Mutradosh (Urinary disorders)	-	-	-	-
26	Mutraghat (Urine retention)	Veerataradi	-	-	-
27	Mutrakruchya (Difficulty to pass urine)	Parushakadi, Veerataradi	-	Ushakadi, Shyamadi	-
28	Mutrashrakara (Gravel in urine)	Veerataradi	-	-	-
29	Netrarog (Opthalmic disease)	-	-	Aamalakyadi	-
30	Prameha (Diabetes)	Parushakadi	-	Aaragwadhad, Aasnaadi, Mushkakadi, Salasaradi, Trikatu	-
31	Paachan (Improves digestion)	-	-	-	-
32	Pandu (Anaemia)	-	-	Asnadi, Mushkakadi, Salasaradi	-
33	Pitika kotha nashanam (Skin eruptions)	-	-	-	-
34	Pakvaatisar (Dysentry)	-	Priyangvadi, Ambashthadi	-	-
35	Pratishay (Running nose)	-	-	Surasadi	-
36	Prinan (Nourishment)	-	-	-	-
37	Raktapitta (Bleeding disorder)	-	-	-	-
38	Sandhan	-	Priyangvadi, Ambashthadi	-	-
39	Shirashool (Headache)	-	-	Varunadi	-
40	Shool (General ache)	-	-	-	-
41	Shosha (Inflammation)	Vidarigandhadi	-	-	-
42	Shukra (Azoospermia)	-	-	Mushkakadi	-
43	Shwas (Breathlessness)	Vidarigandhadi	-	Surasadi	-
44	Shwitra (Vitiligo)	-	-	Asnadi	-
45	Stanyakar (Galactogogue)	-	-	-	-
46	Sthambhi (Arresting)	-	-	Rodhradi	-
47	Sthanyadosh (Breast milk disease)	-	-	Vachadi, Haridradi	Mustadi
48	Tridosha Vikar Aamdosh (Indigestion)	-	-	-	-
49	Trushana (Excess Thirst)	Parushakadi	-	-	-
50	Twacha rog (Skin disease)	-	-	Trikatu	-
51	Udar rog (Ascitis)	-	-	Aamalakyadi	-
52	Vami (Anti emetic)	-	-	Aaragwadhadi	-
53	Varnya (Skin enhancer)	-	-	-	-
54	Visha (Poison)	-	Anjanadi	Aaragwadhadi, Nyagrodhadi, Arkadi, Shyamadi	-
55	Visham jvar (Chronic fever)	-	-	-	-
56	Vranaropak (Wound healer)	-	Priyangvadi, Ambashthadi	-	-
57	Vranashodhak (Wound cleanser)	-	-	Arkaadi, Surasadi	-
58	Vrushya (Aphrodasiac)	-	-	Aamlakyadi	-

Table 2 : Classification of Gana in Single Dosha Disequilibrium

• Samsargaj Dosha

Sr No	Roga Ghnata	Vaat Pittaj	Pitta Kaphaj	Vaat Kaphaj	Rakta Pittaj
1	Aamaatisar	-	-	-	-
2	Agnimandya	-	Triphala, Guduchyadi	-	-
3	Angamarda	-	-	-	-
4	Antardaha	-	-	-	-
5	Antarvidhradhi	-	-	-	-
6	Arochaka	-	Patoladi	-	-
7	Arsha	-	-	Vatsakadi	-
8	Ashmari	-	-	-	-
9	Bruhan	Padmakadi, Laghupanchamool	-	-	-
10	Daah	-	Guduchyadi	-	Sarivadi Nyagrodhadi
11	Dipan	-	Tripahala	Bruhat Panchamool	-
12	Dushta Vrana Vishodhan	-	Lakshadi	-	-
13	Gulma	-	-	Vatsakadi	-
14	Hrudya	-	-	-	-
15	Hrudrog	-	-	-	-
16	Jivan	Padmakadi	-	-	-
17	Jwar	Laghupanchamool	Patoladi, Guduchyadi	Vatsakadi, Bruhatpanchamool	Saarivadi
18	Kaas	-	-	-	-
19	Kamala	-	Patoladi	-	-
20	Kandu	-	-	Eladi	-
21	Krumi	-	Lakshadi	-	-
22	Kushta	-	Lakshadi, Patoladi, Triphala	-	-
23	Medorog	-	-	-	-
24	Mala Pachak	-	-	-	-
25	Mutradosh	-	-	-	Trunapanchamool
26	Mutraghat	-	-	-	-
27	Mutrakruchya	-	-	-	Trunapanchamool
28	Mutrashrakara	-	-	-	-
29	Netrarog	-	Triphala	-	-
30	Prameha	-	Triphala	-	Vallipanchamool
31	Paachan	Laghupanchamool	-	Bruhatpanchamool	-
32	Pandu	-	-	-	-
33	Pitika Kotha Nashanam	-	-	Eladi	-
34	Pakvaatisar	-	-	-	-
35	Pratishay	-	-	-	-
36	Prinan	Padmakadi	-	-	-
37	Raktapitta	-	-	-	Saarivadi, Nyagrodhadi, Valli Panchamool, Kantakpanchamool. Trunapanchamool
38	Sandhan	-	-	-	Nyagrodhadi
39	Shirashool	-	-	-	-
40	Shool	-	-	Vatsakadi	-
41	Shosha	-	-	-	-
42	Shukra	-	-	-	-
43	Shwas	Laghupanchamool	-	Bruhatpanchmool	-
44	Shwitra	-	-	-	-
45	Stanyakar	Padmakadi	-	-	-
46	Sthambhi	-	-	-	-
47	Sthanyadosh	-	-	-	-
48	Tridosha Vikar Aamdosh	Laghupanchamool	-	Bruhatpanchamool	-
49	Trushana	-	Guduchyadi	Saarivadi, Nyagrodhadi	-
50	Twacha Rog	-	-	-	-
51	Udar Rog	-	-	-	-
52	Vami	-	Patoladi, Guduchyadi	-	-
53	Varnya	-	-	Eladi	Nyagrodhadi
54	Visha	-	Patoladi	Eladi	-
55	Visham Jvar	-	Triphala	-	-
56	Vranaropak	-	-	-	-
57	Vranashodhak	-	Lakshadi	-	-
58	Vrushya	Padmakadi	-	-	-

Table 2 : Classification of Gana in 2 Dosha Disequilibrium

• So, in the further chapters wherever Sushrutacharya has explained treatment of disease, he has just mentioned the expected karma instead of mentioning it in total. Probably this is done in order to concise the text. Any one in distress can use the single or all the contents mentioned in the gana. Like that mentioned in the Samhita further Eg.

1. Treatment of dushti vrana – Use of decoction made from Aragwadhadi and Surasaadigana for washing of wound is advisable. [ii]
2. Treatment of Kaphaj Ashmari – use of Varunadi and Ushakadi gana are mentioned. [iii]
3. Treatment of Prameha – For healthy subject use of Nikumbhadi Tail or Priyangvadi siddha ghrut for vaman and teevra Virechan. Post Virechan use of Shunthi, devdaru, Musta along with honey and saindhav salt plus the surasadigana for administration of asthapana basti. In case of existence of burning sensation use of Nyagrodhadi gana kashay as asthapan basti without sneha can be done. [iv]
4. Treatment of Atisaar – Use of pippalyadi gana for processing changeri juice and 4 times curd to make ghrutpak.

- Use of deepan, pachan and grahi kalpa is always advisable[v]

Here Deepani = pippalyadi gana, Paachani = Mustadi gana and Grahi = Ambashtadi gana.

PAST STUDIES:

1. Acharya Sushrutokta gana and their pharmacological actions – a review (Rabb. U, 2023)[vi]
2. Evaluation of Rodhradi Gana (Sushrutokta) in Yoni rogas.r. PCOS – a clinical study showing the usage of Rodhradi gana ghanavati in yoni roga with effective results.(Meena A,2022)[vii]
3. Understanding the role of Sushrutokta Salsaradi Gana in Panduroga. (Singh H, et al,2022)[viii]

CONCLUSION

Ayurveda is a science where not only the treatment protocols are already mentioned clearly and stand true even in today’s times, but also there has been immense freedom given to the Practitioner to decide the treatment as per the individual’s conditions. The purpose of this classification was to get a clear vision about these Gana’s at one glance. This classification will help the researchers and practitioners to easily use the groups based on the doshaj conditions.

FURTHER SCOPE

Many eminent Ayurveda Practitioners have already been using these compound formulations for better results in various disorders successfully, as those mentioned in the previous work done section and otherwise too. The exploration of other Gana’s too can be done, clinically to get an evidence based efficacy outcome based on the both Ayurvedic and Contemporary Science parameters.

Conflict of Interest: None	Source of funding: Nil
Cite this article: https://www.ayurlog.com/index.php/ayurlog/article/view/1205
A critical review of Sushruokta Gana Sandeep Rajput, Apoorva Sane
Ayurlog: National Journal of Research in Ayurved Science- 2024; (12) (02): 01- 10

[i] 2019. Sushrut Samhita. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Surbharti Prakashan .Vol I, pg 295

[ii] 2019. Sushrut Samhita. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Surbharti Prakashan. Vol II, pg 187, shlok 87

[iii] 2019. Sushrut Samhita. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Surbharti Prakashan. Vol II, pg 235, shlok 14,16

[iv] 2019. Sushrut Samhita. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Surbharti Prakashan.Vol II, pg 268, shlok 6

[v] 2019. Sushrut Samhita. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Surbharti Prakashan.Vol III, pg 319, shlok 180-181

[vi] Rabb U. View of Acharya Sushrutokta Gana and their pharmacological actions- A Review [Internet]. Journal of Ayurveda & Holistic Medicine; 2023 [cited 2023 Jun 3]. Available from: http://jahm.co.in/index.php/jahm/article/view/672/546

[vii] Meena A, Kaushal K, Gujar H. Evaluation of Rodhradi Gana(Sushrutokta) in Yoni Roga w.s.r. to PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome) [Internet]. ResearchGate; 2022 [cited 2023 Jun 19]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365079133_Evaluation_of_Rodhradi_GanaSushrutokta_in_Yoni_Roga_wsr_to_PCOS_Poly_Cystic_Ovarian_Syndrome

[viii] Singh H, Garg N, Sharma OP, Monila. UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF SUSHRUTOKTA SALSARADI GANA IN PANDUROGA [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2023 Jun 6]. Available from: https://wjpr.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/article_issue/e03ce0850bfd75e0446f79c57facf184.pdf