SHALAKYA TANTRA AT A GLANCE
The diseases in the urdwa Jatrugata Pradesh (Area above the manubrum sterni) are grouped under the subclass of shalakyatantra . This Urdhwa Jatrugat Pradesh includes the structure like Nasa (Nose) , Karna (ear), Netra(Eyes) , Mukh(Mouth) which includes Jiwha (Tongue), Kantha(Oropharynx) and Shir (Crenium with Contents) Mastulunga (Brain) The main cause in separating these diseases, a Tantra, called as “Shalakyatantra” (Different types of probes) are used, for diagnosis & curative purpose. Different types of Vyuhan Yantras (Scopes) are also used esp. for ear,nose & oropharynx. For example 1)To determine the depth of danta nadi (dental sinus) the probe is used as diagnostic instrument. 2) For application of medicines in the eyes ‘Anjana shalaka’ issued. 3) For removing Karna Goothak Karna Vishodhani shalaka is used. 4) For dahankarma-again heated probe is used. 5) For application of tailas, quathas or for cleaning the wounds a shalaka called as Karpasa Krutashanisha shalaka is used. For karna & Nasa Auroscope, Nasal Speculum (Talayantra) and oroscope is used to remove Foreign Bodies. (H§$R>gº$ eë¶) Health of the body depends upon the good health of the indriyas, namely Netra, Nasa, Karna, Mukha, Twak and Shir. They are responsible for reception of Dhyana and have a separate storing capacity as netrabudhi (olfactory lobes) brocas area (olfactory bulb). Shir holds the prime importance If Shir and its allied organs are in a good healthy condition, then the body growth and its maintenance is good. In day to day life it is commonly seen that the person who cannot either see, smell or lacks the sense of taste cannot rally be called healthy though overall he may present a healthy picture with no obvious problrms. Such a person however cannot lead a smoother life and his movements or his getting about in Life is Limited to a certain extent. Therefore need arises for us to diagnose and treat the symptoms or the group of symptoms (Disease) as described in shalakya tantra and see to it that their normal healthy condition is restored as early as possible. If the health of these organs is not maintained Latter develop into complications leading to loss of independence. A simple Netrabhishyand (Conjunctivitis) if not treated in time develops into (a corneal opacity) Sawranashukra ultimately produces blindness.
. PANCHABHUTIK (SHARIR) INDRIYAN. You very well know that according to Ayurved our body is composed of principles of panchamahabhoota. Each of the Indriya in shalakya tantra represents one mahabhoota and possesses guna Gra’han of that mahabhoota. Netra - Represent “Tejas” Mahabhoot does graham of roop Karna - Represents “Akasha” Mahabhoot, does graham of Shabda Nose - Represents “Prithavi” Mahabhoot, does graham of Gandha Tongue - Represents “Apa” Mahaboot, does grahan of taste Skin - Represents “ Vayu” Mahabhoot, does grahan of Sparsha Normally the health of these indriyas (organs) is maintained from Poshan principles of these Mahabhootas, from the diet-the food.
. NORMALLY HABITANT DOSHAS & THEIR KARMA Alochak Pitta - eye to see Bodhak Kapha - mouth to taste Sadhak Pittat - Shirastha Hridaya Dhee, medha. Pranavayu - ura, kantha,shir,tones-up indriyas, to-spit, to talk, to swallow food, to exhale air, etc. Udan Vayu - nasta to nabhi to talk, to intiate, gives strength to the body, luster to Skin, improves memory. Vyan Vayu - Shirastha Hridaya. All the movements of the body including Nimesha & Unmesha of eye ball.
. FACE INFLUENCING THE PERSONALITY The Appearance of the individual & Longevity depends largely on the appearance of his face, thus the lips nose, the eyes, forehead acquire a place of great importance. The ideal description is given below. Oshtha (lips) - 4 Angulas in length, should not be too thick or thin, when shut, mouth Should not open. Nasa (Nose) - 4 Angulas in length. Should be straight with tip of the nose slightly curved. Netra (Eyes) - Both the eyes should be identical. Both the eyebrows should not meet in the centre. Eyebrows should bend downwards, big and hairy. They Should be sparkling bright. Karna (ears) - In shalakya tantra the size of the ear assumes a great importance in Determining the span of life. The ears which are big, identical, bigger at the Lower edge (pinna) bending back with plenty of hairs will usually lead a long Life. Fore head - 4 angulas in length (From hair line to eyebrow hair line).
. MARMAS PLAYING IMPORTANT ROLE IN SURGERY Following Marmas are described in urdhwajatrugata Pradesh and produce the symptoms as shown against them. 1) Dhamani -- hoarness or change in voice 2) Matruka -- Death 3) Krikatika -- Shirokampa, Tossing of head 4) Vidhur -- Deafness 5) Phana --Loss of sense of smell 6) Apanga --Loss of vision or diminution of vision 7) Avarta -- Blindness 8) Shankha -- Death 9) Utkshepaka -- Impacted F.B. if removed death 10) Seemanta -- Fainting, Semiconciousness or insanity 11) Shrungataka -- Death 12) Adipati -- Death 13) Stapani -- Impacted F.B.if removed death
. SWASTHA VRITTA IN RELATION TO SHALAKYATANTRA. Ayurved gives more importance on prevention of diseases than cure. In Swastha Vritta some measures for maintenance of good heaith of Indriyas-Netra, Karna, Nasa, Danta & Shirotwak has been described. For good health to teeth the daily use of soft stems of herbs like Nimba,Khadir,Karanja having Kashaya astringent, Tikta (Bitter) &Katu (Pungent) taste have been advised, at the same with an advise not to injure the gums while using Dantakastha.
An individual having indigestion or sensation of vomitting should avoid Tikata rasa, Jwara(Fever) Kashaya rasa and Katu rasa, swasa & kasa-kashaya rasa. Kaphadosha if dominate in eyes hampers the function of Alochaka Pitta. Daily use of Saviranjan prevents this & project the eyes from Kaphadosha.
. NUMBER OF DISEASES IN SHALAKYA TANTRA Charaka, Sushrut & Wagbhat have given the following number of diseases. The diffrance in number is mainly due classifying the symptoms as diseases. . DIAGNOSIS IN CHILDREN Diagnosis of the diseases of mouth or the earache in infants has been accurately described. If the child is suffering From oral diseases there will be Salivation, inability to suck, Vomitting out of Feeds, rapid breathing with alae naise moving. If the child is having earache the child touches the painful ear, constantly nocks te head, is restless, Sleepless and lacks in appetite.
. Specific Treatment in Shalakya tantra : Along with the general line of treatment, specific treatment for specific organs has been described. They are called as Kriya Kalpas. Namely, 1) Nasya 2) Shirobasti 3) Karnapuran 4) Netrabasthi 5) Gandoosha 6) Kawalgraha 7) Dhoomapan Amongst the others 1) Vaman 2) Rakata mokasha 3) Dahan 4) Shalya Karma
. Nasya Chikitsa a cure of many Shalakya diseases Amongst the Kriyakalpas Nasya plays important role in the cure of many Shalakya diseases. Nasa is a door entry for all shalakya diseases, namely Shir, Karna ,Netra , Mukha & Nasa. Medications through nose thus cure many diseases conditions of almost all indriyas. This Chikitasa is given especially for following conditions 1)Heavyness in head 2) Headche 3) Common Cold 4) Loss of Sense of Smell 5)Diseases of neck & throat 6) Epilepsy 7) Suryawarta 8) Aradavabhedak 9) Wasting of eye balls Snosha 10) Pain in the eyes & ears 11) Noises in the ear 12) Dryness of mouth 13) Stammering 14) Graying of hair 15) Balding 16) Wrinkling of Facial Skin.
Plastic Surgery – Twagaropan – Susharut- i.e. Ayured The Pioneer of reconstruction of surgery of nose & ears. Facial Surgery - also the first cocept in surgery in pedicle grafts. Accepted by modern plastic surgeons. In olden days due to injuries in war, or attacks of wild animals on the individual or as a punishment by king/head of the group, problems such as torn loubles, Injuries nose or cut nose and Facial deformities in general were common . These deformities were the problem in keeping the individuals away from the society. Deformity becomes Manoshalkya for them. In such conditions skin grafting – the pedicle grafts were done to reconstruct the deformity. This was practiced by vaidyas of Sushrut School.