Viruddhahara, Viruddha-ahara, Viruddhāhāra: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Viruddhahara means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

[«previous next»] — Viruddhahara in Ayurveda glossary
Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of terms

Viruddhāhāra (विरुद्धाहार):—The food, drinks, & medicine, which does the dislodgement of Dosa from its site I, e Dosatlkesa, but does not expel it out and which acts contradictory to the body tissues. They do not help in the nourishment of Dhatu and in due course produce many diseases / incompatible food. Food which are antagonist to body and Dhatu are called as Virudda.

Ayurveda book cover
context information

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

Discover the meaning of viruddhahara in the context of Ayurveda from relevant books on Exotic India

General definition (in Hinduism)

[«previous next»] — Viruddhahara in Hinduism glossary
Source: IAMJ: Etiopathological role of Viruddhāhāra in diseases

Viruddhāhāra , interferes with normal body function and their by causes many diseases or ill health. The word Viruddha is originated from the root word “ Rudhir Āvarni ” by applying the prefer “VI”. Viruddha Āhāra in simple words means the incompatibility of foods / food substances.

Ayurvedic literature has described various types of Viruddha Āhāra which can be summarized as follows:

  1. Deśa Viruddha (place),
  2. Kāla Viruddha,
  3. Agni Viruddha,
  4. Mātrā Viruddha (quantity),
  5. Sātmya Viruddha (wholesome),
  6. Doṣa Viruddha
  7. Saṃskāra Viruddha (mode of preparation),
  8. Virya Viruddha (potency),
  9. Koṣṭha Viruddha,
  10. Avasthā Viruddha (state of health),
  11. Krama Viruddha (sequence),
  12. Parihāra Viruddha,
  13. Upacāra Viruddha (treatment),
  14. Pāka Viruddha (cooking),
  15. Saṃyoga Viruddha (combination),
  16. Hṛdya Viruddha,
  17. Saṃpada Viruddha (richness of quality),
  18. Vidhi Viruddha (rules for eating).

Though Viruddha Āhāra is Nimitta-karaṇa for disease, yet it is very potent causative factor for several diseases, because now a day’s most of people are taking such type of Āhāra without consideration of dietetics rules. According to Gaṅgādhara and Cakrapāṇi, Viruddha Āhāra is misuse of the sense of taste. Viruddha Āhāra can vitiate Agni, Doṣa, Dhātu and Strotas concurrently or separately.

Source: IAMJ: Role of Viruddha Āhāra in Kuṣṭha (skin disease)

Viruddhāhāra (विरुद्धाहार, “incompatible diet”) in simple words means the incompatibility of foods / food substances. In Caraka’s wording “Those articles of food, which dislodge the morbid humors (Utkleśa (aggravation or excitation) of Doṣa’s), but do not eliminate them from the body are to be regarded as unwholesome.”

The second meaning of Viruddha indicates the combination of two substances, which are not having an affinity for each other. According to the concept of the disease formation, Viruddha Āhāra is most impo rtant cause of many diseases. Viruddha Āhāra is one of the main cause for all types of Kuṣṭha.

There are 18 types of Viruddha Āhāra, viz.

  1. Deṣa (place),
  2. Kāla (time),
  3. Agni (digestive power),
  4. Mātrā (quantity),
  5. Sātmya (homologation),
  6. Doṣa (humours),
  7. Saṃskāra (mode of preparation),
  8. Virya (potency),
  9. Koṣṭha (bowel),
  10. Avasthā (state of health),
  11. Krama (sequence),
  12. Parihāra (caution),
  13. Upacāra (treatment),
  14. Pāka (cooking),
  15. Saṃyoga (combination),
  16. Hṛdaya (palatability),
  17. Saṃpada (richness of quality),
  18. Vidhi (rules for eating).

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