Significance of Desha

Across various fields, "Desha" signifies a location or environment. In Jainism, it can refer to a portion or a specific region. In Vaishnavism, it denotes a kingdom or the Lord's abode. For Natyashastra, it is the country divided into administrative units. Yoga considers it the space for kumbhaka activity. Ayurveda uses "Desha" extensively, highlighting it as a factor influencing health, disease, and treatment, considering factors like the origin of food and the environment's impact. Vyakarana defines it as a region, while Kavyashastra views it as a setting in poetry. Health Sciences emphasizes "Desha" as a geographical influence on food and health, including its habitat and the effect on treatment.1
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The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Hindu concept of 'Desha'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, Desha signifies geographical location, environment, or habitat, impacting health, disease, and treatment. It's crucial for understanding food's origin, properties, and effects on the body, influencing Ayurvedic practices, disease manifestation, and treatment modalities. Desha also considers the place of origin for drugs and the geographical context of disease.

Significance in Ayurveda (science of life):
Ayurveda Books

From: Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

(1) Desha is one of the factors considered in Ayurveda when treating diseases, alongside Prakriti, Kala, Avastha, and Bala, ensuring that treatment is tailored to the individual's unique environment and location.[1] (2) Desha means place, and it is one of the various factors upon which the action of polyherbal formulations depends, alongside Samyoga, Samskara, Matra, Kala, and Rasapanchaka.[2] (3) Desha denotes the geographic region from which Dravya belongs, with three types: Anupa, Jangaala, and Sadharana, each having specific environments and food items.[3] (4) Application of Dosic predominance of this in treatment aspect in perspective of Samanya Vishesha Siddhanta.[4] (5) This is considered before prescribing medicines to get desired results.[5]

From: International Research Journal of Ayurveda and Yoga

(1) It determines attributes due to proliferation or movement of substances in a particular locality, climate, environment, or soil of that region.[6] (2) A registered patient category, 100.00% were in the Jangal desa category.[7] (3) It means one's native place, where he grows up and food substances differ in quality due to differences in soil and climate.[8] (4) It is the individualized dietary guidelines based on the place of origin and residence.[9] (5) This is a factor that mainly affects Paratwa and Aparatwa, according to the text.[10]

From: Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine

(1) It refers to the climate of the region and should be assessed correctly by a physician.[11]

Ayurveda is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Ayurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu

(1) This represents the dhama of the Lord, where one may reside, according to the text.[12]

From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)

(1) This indicates a kingdom or place, and the text directs the listener to go to this place in order to witness the worship of the Supreme Lord.[13]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Significance in Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar):
Vyakarana Books

From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari

(1) This term, meaning region, is utilized within the text to show that words like 'purva' can qualify the word 'desha' as an adjective, clarifying that the term is not necessarily tied to the idea of direction when used to define a specific area.[14] (2) The term means place and signifies the location or setting in which a word is used, and can affect how its meaning is determined in the provided text.[15]

Vyakarana refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

From: Vivekachudamani

(1) Desa, which translates to place, is mentioned in the context of dream experiences and is considered unreal, similar to experiences in the waking state.[16]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Jain concept of 'Desha'

Jainism Books

In Jainism, Desha encompasses several meanings: divisions of entities, divisible parts of aggregates, interaction points, a form of renunciation avoiding violence and accumulation, and a portion of a jiva or non-jiva, like half a molecule. It represents a specific portion or segment.

Significance in Jainism (general):

From: Bhagavati-sutra (Viyaha-pannatti)

(1) A specific point or region of interaction between entities, which can be singular, multiple, or encompass the entirety.[17] (2) These are divisions of entities such as souls and non-souls into units, representing specific portions within a larger structure, according to the text.[18] (3) Desha, which means portion, is used to describe the portion of a jiva or non-jiva, and is one of the things being discussed in the text.[19] (4) A type of mulaguna renunciation that involves desisting in general from violence and accumulation, and it is one of the two types of renunciation.[20]

From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra

(1) Divisible parts of skandha, referring to segments or sections within the aggregates.[21]

From: Gommatsara by Acharya Nemichandra

(1) Desha is described as half of a molecule, representing a portion of the skandha.[22]

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

The concept of Desha in scientific sources

Science Books

Desha, in this context, consistently signifies the geographical or environmental origin, habitat, or location. It's a key Ayurvedic concept, impacting food's properties, suitability, and the effectiveness of treatments. Desha also considers environmental factors like soil, climate, and regional variations, influencing health and treatment outcomes.