International Journal of Applied Ayurved Research ISSN: 2347- 6362

REVIEW ON HISTORY OF AMAVATA

Saroj Kumar Debnath 1*, Dipsundar Sahu 2, Debajyoti Das 3, Laxmidhar Barik 4,
Jayram Hazra 5.
1
Research Officer (Ayurveda), Central Ayurveda Research Institute for Drug Development,
Kolkata, West Bengal, India, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Ministry
of AYUSH, Government of India.
2
Research Officer (Ayurveda), Central Ayurveda Research Institute for Drug Development,
Kolkata, West Bengal, India, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Ministry
of AYUSH, Government of India.
3
Research Officer (Ayurveda), Central Ayurveda Research Institute for Drug Development,
Kolkata, West Bengal, India, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Ministry
of AYUSH, Government of India.
4
Research Officer (Ayurveda), Central Ayurveda Research Institute for Drug Development,
Kolkata, West Bengal, India, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Ministry
of AYUSH, Government of India.
5
Director, Central Ayurveda Research Institute for Drug Development, Kolkata, West
Bengal, India, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Ministry of AYUSH,
Government of India.
ABSTRACT
Amavata has been named taking into two predominant pathological factors i.e. Ama and
Vata. Ama is closely associated with Vata in Amavata. The entity Amavata is available since
the period of Charaka as a reference in the context of various treatments. Amavata as a
separate disease entity was described first in detail by Madhavakara in his famous treatise
Madhava Nidanam. Presently Ayurvedic authors have correlated the disease Amavata with
Rheumatoid Arthritis mainly on the basis of its clinical features and pathogenesis. Amavata
has been described since ancient period which can be classified into Vedic kala, Samhita
kala, Samraha kala and Adhunik kala for its historical review purpose.
Keywords: Ama, Vata, Amavata, Rheumatoid arthritis.
INTRODUCTION: The term Amavata into two predominant pathological factors
comprises of two words Ama and Vata. i.e. Ama and Vata having their important
Ama is being an important factor of the role in Chikitsa (treatment) and Nidana
disease which is associated with the Vata (etiology). The entity Amavata is available
thus causing the disease Amavata. In this since the period of Charaka in different
case Ama plays major role in the context. Amavata has been described since
manifestation of the disease. It is also ancient period which can be classified into
considered the root cause of the maximum Vedic kala, Samhita kala, Samraha kala,
number of disease as per the Ayurvedic and Adhunik kala. On the basis of clinical
concept. In Ayurveda, most of the diseases manifestations and pathogenesis Amavata
are named taking into consideration of the is more similar to Rheumatoid arthritis as
vitiated dosha, dushya, marga, avayava, per opinion of the Ayurvedic authors of
lakshan and Karma. In the same way modern era.
Amavata has been nomenclatured taking
 Saroj Kumar Debnath et al : Review on History of Amavata]

Ama: In ordinary parlance the term Ama The term ‘Vata’ is derived from root ‘Va
means unripe and partially digested food Gatigandhanayoh’ which means to move,
that is unwholesome to the body 1. Faulty to enthuse, to make known and become of
digestive mechanism at the level of G.I.T., (Amarkosha, Shabdastoma Mahanidhi). In
and faulty metabolism in the tissue and classics it is also referred by synonyms
cellular level i.e. termed as Mandagni like Anila, Marut, Pavana etc 4. “Vati Iti
(poor digestive capacity) is largely Vayu” substance which has got movement,
responsible for the genesis of this Ama. is known as Vayu (Vachaspatyam,
Thus it is a product due to defect in Shabdakalpadruma) 5.
digestion and or metabolism and it is History of Amavata Science develops
directly related with the state of Agni gradually on the basis of different
(digetion or metabolism capasity). So, it is Pramanas (tools of knowledge) those are
an important factor for the pathogenesis of universal truth. These are present since
the most of the diseases. before the existence of mankind and will
Etymology of Ama: According to remain after the life of mankind. Mankind
Amarkosha the word Ama is derived as had required many centuries to discover
Combination of ‘Am’ Dhatu with ‘Nich’ the different forms of truth. But truth has
Pratyaya forms the word Ama which no limits therefore it is very essential to do
means the substance subjected to digestion the research continuously by taking the
and that damages or is harmful to the supports of previous works. The entity
different of Srotasa (channel) is known as Amavata is available since the period of
Ama 2. According to Vachaspatyam the Charaka as a reference in the context of
word Ama is derived as the word Ama is various treatments. Amavata as a separate
derived from the ‘Am’ Dhatu with the disease entity was described first time in
suffix ‘A’. It means improper or partially detail by Madhavakara (700 AD) who
digested matter 3. devoted a full chapter (25th) of Amavata in
Vata: Vata or Vayu is the chief functional his famous treatise Madhava Nidanam
component of living human body and it dealing with the etiopathogenesis of the
gives rise to good and bad consequences disease in a systematic manner besides the
according its normal or abnormal signs, symptoms, complications and
condition. All the life activities of the body prognosis. Amavata has been described
especially voluntary and involuntary since ancient period which can be
movements are performed under the classified in the following manners which
control of Vata dosha. It is another are given bellow:
pathogenic factor of Amavata. In this case, Vedic Kala: Amavata word is not
mainly sandhishula (joint pain) and mentioned in the texts of Vedic Kala but
sandhigraha (stiffness of joint) lead to the Ama related words are found in Rigaveda
restricted movements of the joints and and Atharvaveda which are given below:
patients become crippled due to vitiation Rigaveda: The term Ama has been
of Vata with Ama. Besides that other mentioned in various forms like ‘Amayath’
functions of Vata are also disturbed in case and ‘Amayatham’ in Rigaveda 6.
of Amavata. Atharvaveda: ‘Amaya’ and ‘Amayam’
Etymology of Vata : words have been mentioned in the sense of
a disease caused by a toxic or harmful
1017 www.ijaar.in IJAAR VOLUME III ISSUE VI JAN-FEB 2018
 Saroj Kumar Debnath et al : Review on History of Amavata]

substance Ama in Atharvaveda. Vata hence it has not been considered as a

dosha has been described with five types Samhita period text.11
viz. Prana, Samana, Udana, Vyana and Anjana Nidana: Hetu, Lakshana, Bheda,
Apana. Sandhi vikriti (unhealthy joint) Upadrava of Amavata have been described
caused by sleshma vikriti (abnormal with details in Anjana Nidana but due to
sleshma) is also available. Here, it can be some controversy it is not considered into
explained that Ama and Vata have been Samhita period.12
mentioned separately but direct reference Sangraha Kala: In the texts of Samraha
of the disease Amavata is not available kala Amavata is described more vividly as
during Vedic era 7. a specific disease such as:
Samhita Kala: No reference of Amavata Vagbhatta: In Astanga Hridaya Samavata
as a full clinical entity is found in any of has been described firstly by Vagbhatta, a
the Ayurvedic classics in Samhita Kala but morbid state which arises with the
few descriptions have been found in combination of Ama and Vata. The clinical
relation with Ama or Amavata which are manifestations of Samavata are described
given below: similar to Amavata 13.
Charaka Samhita: Few descriptions in Madhavakara: In Madhav Nidan
Charak Samhita reflect the earliest and Madhavkara recognized Amavata as a
rudimentary forms of its clinical separate specific disease entity for the first
recognition. The term Amavata has been time and described its etiology,
mentioned in following context those are pathogenesis, clinical features,
therapeutic uses of Kansa Haritaki, classification and prognosis vividly 14.
therapeutic uses of Vishaladi Phanta and Others: Later many authors have
Avarana of Vata with Ama 8. mentioned Amavata as a separate disease
Sushruta Samhita:Ama has not been and described properly in their book such
described in SushrutSamhita, but in a as Vrindamadhava in 9th Cent.,
commentary on this text ‘Ayurveda Chakradatta in 11th Cent., Vangasena in
RahasyaDeepika’ by Dr. Bhaskar Govind 12th Cent., Gada Nigraha in 12th Cent.,
Ghanekar has dealt with Amavata Vyadhi Sharangadhara in 13th Cent., Rasaratna
9
. Samuchyaa in 13th Cent., Bhavaprakasha
Bhela Samhita: A section is entitledin in 16th Cent., Yoga Ratnakar in 17th Cent.,
Bhela Samhita as a “Atha Ama Yoga Tarangini and Bhaisajya Ratnavali
Pradoshiya”. He has also described in18th Cent. etc. 15, 16, 17
regarding Nidana (etiology), Rupa Adhunika Kala: In this period authors
(clinical features), and Chikitsa (treatment) have tried to correlate the Amavata with
for Ama Pradoshajanya Vyadhis, and Rheumatism of modern Medicine on the
these all are most probably like that of basis of its clinical features especially.
disease Amavata.10 Shri Gananath Sen: He classified the
Harita Samhita: A separate Chapter on joint disease into five types including an
Amavata with its full description is specific entity termed as Rasavata and he
devoted in Harita Samhita. However, copy has been suggested as a synonym of
of Harita Samhita which is available Amavata in order to draw attention on the
nowadays, is a controversial matter and role of incomplete processed Rasa i.e. Ama
in the beginning of the disease. Four types
1018 www.ijaar.in IJAAR VOLUME III ISSUE VI JAN-FEB 2018
 Saroj Kumar Debnath et al : Review on History of Amavata]

of Manya stambha have been also Medicine especially on the basis of its
illustrated by him in Ayurveda Rahasya clinical features and pathogenesis.
Deepika where Amavata Manya stambha CONCLUSION: Amavata word is
is also shown one of the types 18. available since the period of Charaka in
Prof. Y. N. Upadhyaya and other authors different context. Amavata as a separate
have correlated the disease Amavata with disease entity was first described in detail
Rheumatoid Arthritis of the modern by Madhavakara in Madhava Nidanam in
Medicine on the basis of its clinical 25th chapter. Presently Ayurvedic authors
features mainly 19. have correlated the disease Amavata with
DISCUSSION: Amavata has been Rheumatoid Arthritis.
nomenclatured taking into two REFERENCES:
predominant pathological factors i.e. Ama 1.Madhavakara, Rakshita V, Dutta S,
and Vata having their important role in Shastri S, Upadhyaya Y. Madhava Nidana
Chikitsa (treatment) and Nidana (Madhukokosha Vyakya with Vidyotini
(etiology). According to clinical features Hindi Commentary), Ed 26, Part. I,
of Amavata is more similar to Rheumatoid Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sanathana,
arthritis. Faulty digestive mechanism at the Varanasi, 1996, p.460-464.
level of G.I.T., and faulty metabolism in 2, 4. Amarasimha, Shastri H.
the tissue and cellular level i.e. termed as Amarakosha with Maniprabha Hindi
Mandagni is largely responsible for the Commentary, Ed 6, Chowkhamba Sanskrit
formation of this Ama. Vata is another Series Office, Varanasi, 1998, p.61-62.
pathogenic factor of Amavata. In this 3, 5. Bhattacharya T. Vachaspatyam: a
disease, mainly Sandhishula (joint pain) comprehensive Sanskrit dictionary,
and Sandhigraha (stiffness of joint) lead to Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office,
the restricted movements of the joints and Varanasi, 1962, p.301-302.
patients become crippled due to vitiation 6. Lamba K M. Rigveda Saral Hindi Bhasa
of Vata with Ama. The entity Amavata is Me, Mahamaya Publications, 2015, p. 243-
available since the period of Charaka as a 244.
reference in the context of various 7. Kharade B S. Society in the
treatments. Amavata as a separate disease Atharvaveda, D K Printworld , 1997, p.
entity was described first time in detail by 72-73.
Madhavakara (700 AD) who devoted a full 8. Agnivesha, Charaka, Dridhbala, Sharma
chapter (25th) of Amavata in his famous R K, Dash B. Charaka Samhita
treatise Madhava Nidanam dealing with (Chakrapani Datta’s Ayurveda Dipika),
the etiopathogenesis of the disease in a Chikitsasthan, vol. IV, Ed 1, Reprint,
systematic manner besides the signs, Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office,
symptoms, complications and prognosis. Varanasi, 2012, p. 1-78.
Amavata has been described since ancient 9. Susrut, Sharma P V. Susrut Samhita
period which can be classified into Vedic (Dalhana’s commentary), Ed 1,
kala, Samhita kala, Samraha kala, and Chaukhamba Bharati Academy, Varanasi,
Adhunik kala. Presently Ayurvedic authors 1999, p. 382-383.
have correlated the disease Amavata with 10. Bhela, Krishnamurthy K H, Sharma P
Rheumatoid Arthritis of the modern V. Bhela Samhita, Reprint, Chukhamba
Visvabharati, Varanasi, 2008, p. 367-370.
1019 www.ijaar.in IJAAR VOLUME III ISSUE VI JAN-FEB 2018
 Saroj Kumar Debnath et al : Review on History of Amavata]

11. Harit, Tripathy H. Harit Samhita, Ed 2, Part III, Ed 1, Deepayan, Kolkata, 2000, p.
Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy, 43-58.
Varanasi, 2009, 18. Sen G, Krishnamurthy K R. Sddhanta
p. 358-363. Nidanam, Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series
12. Agnivesha, Babu S S. Anjana Nidana, Office, Varanasi, 2004, p. 97.
Chaukhamba Sanskrit Series Office, 19. Shrikantamurthy K. R. Clinical
Varanasi, 2004, p. 54-55. Method in Amavata, 1st edition,
13. Vagbhata, Krishnamurthy K R. Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi, 1983,
Astanga Hridayam, Vol. 2, Ed 5, p. 9-11.
Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, 2001, p. Corresponding Author :
497-512. Dr. Saroj Kumar Debnath,
14. Madhavakara, Rakshita V, Dutta S, B.Sc. (Bot. Hon.), B.A.M.S. (C.U.), M.D.
Shastri S, Upadhyaya Y. Madhava Nidana (C.U.), Ph.D. (G.A.U.),
(Madhukokosha Vyakya with Vidyotini Research Officer (Ayurveda), Central
Hindi Commentary), Ed 26, Part. I, Ayurveda Research Institute for Drug
Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sanathana, Development, 4 CN Block, Sector- V, Salt
Varanasi, 1996, p. 460-464. Lake City, Kolkata 700091, INDIA ;
15. Chakrapanidatta, Sengupta D, Email: sarojkumardebnath@gmail.com
Sengupta U, Sensharma K, Bhattacharyya
S. Chakradatta, Ed 1, Deepayan, Kolkata, Source of support: Nil
2000, p.138-141. Conflict of interest: None
16. Sharangadhar, Sengupta D, Sengupta Declared
U. Sharangadhar Samhita, Ed 4, C K Sen
& Co. Ltd Jabakusum House, Kolkata, Cite this Article as : [Saroj Kumar Debnath
1951, p. 48. et al : Review on History of Amavata]]
17. Govindadas, Sengupta B, Sensharma www.ijaar.in : IJAAR VOLUME III ISSUE
K, Bhattacharyya S. Bhaisajya Ratnavali, VI JAN-FEB 2018 Page No:1016-1020

1020 www.ijaar.in IJAAR VOLUME III ISSUE VI JAN-FEB 2018