NETRA HITAKARA

DINACHARYA-RITUCHARYA-
AHARA-VIHARA
DR. PREETI PATEL
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
 INTRODUCTION
• Acharya Chakrapani clearly says that the condition
free from disease is Swastha and regimens followed
to keep the individual healthy are SwasthaVrutta.
• Acharya Sushruta explains Swastha as a condition
where there will be SamaDosha, SamaAgni, Sama
Dhatu, proper Mala Kriya, Prasanna Atma-Mana.
• WHO also where they defined health as a state of
complete physical, mental and social well being and not
merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
• Netra being the most important Indriya
among all the Indriya, it is very necessary
to maintain its health.
• Creating awareness among the people
regarding the concepts of Dinacharya,
Rutucharya, Sadvrutta helps to decrease
the increasing life style diseases.
• The regimens to be followed after
awakening from sleep to maintain health
routinely are mentioned as Swastha Vrutta
 IMPORTANCE OF NETRA
“SARVEINDRIYANAMA NAYANAMA PRADHANAMA”

“The right to see is one of the basic rights of

human being.”
“80% of knowledge we gain is through eye.”
NETRA
 Samkshepathah Kriya yoga Nidana Parivarjanam ! (su.ut.1)

 Nobody on this earth is immortal, therefore

death is inevitable. But one has to make effect
to avoid disease.
 Protection of visual organ is not only a
necessity but also a responsibility of every
individual.
 So everyone has to be aware of methods for
prevention of Netrarogas.
1. Ushna abhitapthasya jala praveshat doorekshanat
swapnaviparyayash cha !
Prasaktha samrodhana kopa shoka klesha
abhighatha
atimaithunat !!
Suktha aranala amla kulutta masha nishevanat
vegavinigrahat cha !
Swedat atho dhumanishevanath cha
chardhirvighatath
vamanathiyogath !!
Bhashpa grahath sukshma nirekshanath cha
netravikaran janayanti doshah !(su.ut.1)
2.Paada peedanam-(va.ut)
3.Athi dravannapaanam-(yo.ra)
4.Ruthunancha viparyaya-(bha.)
 DINACAHRYA FOR NETRA SWATHYA

• Danta Dhavana:
– One should brush in morning and night
after intake of food with twigs of Arka, Vata,
Khadira, Karanja, Arjuna.
– It is contraindicated in the diseases of eye
• With the mouth being so close to the eyes,
a tooth infection can easily lead to eye
problems with the infection being spread
through the veins, bones and the sinus
part of your nose.
• Kavala Gandusha –
– Mouth is completely filled with Gandusha
Dravya till Dosha gets filled in the mouth or
before eye starts watering is known as
Gandusha and in which movement of the
Dravyas inside the mouth constitutes Kavala.
– The Samyak Yogas of both Kavala and
Gandusha include Indriya Prasadana, which
clearly explains the importance of both the
concepts.
 ACTION

Absorption of medicine takes place through

mucous membrane of buccal cavity

Ophthalmic branches of facial artery absorb the

medical values and reaches ophthalmic tissues.

Indriyanam prasadanam. (So eye

gets nourished, stimulated, evacuated)
 ANJANAM
Sauviranjanam nityam hitamakshno tato bhavet ! (As.su 2)

ACTIONS
 Useful in kapha sravanartham.
 Dilates blood vessels.
 Normalises blood flow.
 Maintain Netra strotas.
 Stimulates nerve ending – increases
functional capacity of eye.
 Dristi niraakula bhati nirmala nabhasa
induvat ! (Ch.su.5)
Metabolic end product of pigmented epithelial
layer of dristipatala, Lipofucin (starts from 7-10
years of age)

Sometimes epithelial cells also lipidised

Degenerative changes occur at later age, so
abnormal lipids are confined to vitiated
kapha.

Anjanam is best to keep away vitiated kapha

from
eye.
“Chakshu thejomayam tasya visheshat
sleshmato bhayam.” (Ah.su.2)
 For maintenance of positive health of Urdhwa
Kaya, the most important measure like application of
collyrium should be done daily
– one should not apply collyrium in the conditions
of tiredness, Udavarta, crying, after intake of
alcohol, anger, fear, fever, suppression of natural
urges and diseases of head.
– It is also contraindicated in ocular conditions like
redness of eyes, pain, blindness, excessive
lacrimation, pain and swelling.
Vitiated Kapha of head which is not easily eliminated by
Anjanam is instantaneously evacuated by dhuma.

Dhuma has ushna and tikshan guna:

 Vatakapha shamakam.
 Regulates temperature.
 Dilates vessels and Increase
circulation.
 Indriya samshuddhi.
 Shirasaha lagutha.
 Kapha tanutwam.
 Akshi sravam.
– After anjana karma
– In the daily regimen always Prayogika
variety of smoking is advised.
– It is contraindicated in the case of Timira.
– Smoking in excess or at improper time
produces complications like deafness,
blindness, dumbness, loss of functioning of
sense organs, bleeding from different parts
of body and giddiness
• Nasya
– Nose is the entry way for the head and
medicine used in the form of nasal
instillation, cures the diseases of the head
through this route only.
– Nasya at proper time as said in the text
prevents diseases of eyes, nose and ears.
– There will be clarity in sense organs if it is
done properly.
– If done insufficiently, causes dryness of
sense organs and if it done in excess it
causes heaviness in sense organs.
 Its spreads to following
parts,
 Para nasal sinuses.
 Through nasolacrimal
duct to eye.
Through nasopharynx to
the throat.
Through Eustachian tube
to the middle ear.
From middle ear to the
intracranial spaces

“Urdwa jathru vikarena visheshena nasyam

eshyate” !(Ah.su.20)
I. Direct and sudden action because there is
no time delay for digestion of medicine.
II. Srotomukha vishodhanam.
III. Pranavayu anulomanam.
IV. Dravya has direct access to lipid cell
membrane and brain.
V. Akshi laghutwam.
VI. Effective in madyamaroga margam.
 . ABYANGAM
 Accelerate brain-encephalography and maturation of
visual function.
 In Abhyangam oil reaches brain
 steam .
Optic nerve which ends in dristipatala is the
direct extension of brainstem.
 Benefits: Dristi prasadam,
Nidra labham,
sukham,
Indriya
prasadam,
Smoothens and increases functional capacity
of prana vayu.
Tailam is best for vata shamakam in Shiras.
 Padatra Dharana/Pada
Prakshalana
• Foot has always connection with eye. Foot is end
organ and so the nerve endings are highly sensitive.
• The stimulation of nerve endings of foot reflects in eye
via sympathetic and parasympathetic supply.
• So foot should be kept clean, healthy and away from
heat.
• In Timira chikista paada puja also
Told by astanga hridyam.
 NIDRA
The eye is
habituated
being agneyi, to
• cold it regains its
strength after good
sleep and nourished by
the coolant nature.

• SNANAM
 Head bath with cold water will keep the
eye fresh and functioning.
 It maintains temperature.
 It maintains blood circulation.
Eye exercises have helped many to
see better without glasses. It has
enabled them to improve their
sight and other common diseases-
cataract and glaucoma. Some of
them are- Sunning , Palming,
Shifting, Swinging, Candle flame,
Tossing the ball, Rope watching,
Ring fusion, Observing playing
cards.
SHIFTING SUNNING RING FUSION

Moving the
The vitality
eyes from
of eye and
one point to Blink at
help in
another is starting point
increasing
called and the
blood
shifting. closing point,
circulation
repeat this 5
of eye.
times by
differentiating
colors.
 RATRICHARYA
• After taking the meals, one should
clean his hands properly by removing
food completely and then touch the eyes
with moist fingers tips.
• Bhojanottara Krama - Triphala Churna
mixed with honey and ghee should be
used a night to strengthen the vision
 RUTUCHARYA
• One has to undergo Rutushodhana depending
on the Prakruti.
• Pravrut, Sharad and Vasanta Rutus are
considered as suitable seasons for
administering elimination therapies of Vata, Pitta
and Kapha Dosha respectively.
• Under Samyak Shodhana Lakshanas, it has
been mentioned that it strengthens the
Indriyas. So, one has to take Shodhana to
maintain the normalcy of Chakshurendriya at
regular interval of time.
• One has to underwent
Tarpanam for nourishing
eye.
 For swastha matra of
Tarpanam has been
mentioned i.e,
500matras.
 In Tarpanam we can
prevent future retinal
detachments and reduce
the magnitude of
refractive errors.
 And also the age related
macular degenerations.
 Ahara
• Under Nithya Sevaniya Ahara Dravyas,
Acharya Charaka has clearly mentioned
Mudga, Saindhava, Amalaki, Ghrita. These
are considered to be best Chakshushya
Dravyas and should be used as Pathyas.
• Yoga Ratnakara gives a special description
regarding Chakshushya Shaka Panchakas as
Jeevanti, Vastu, Matsyakshi ,Meghanada,
Punarnava.
• One should consume more of Snigdha Aharas
which are considered to be as the cause for
Indriya Drudhikarana.
 The basic pathological changes which bring out eye diseases are
“Abhishyanda”. Pitta is the functional factor in eye but here kapha also
has a role. So Abhisyanda ahara should be avoided for prevention of
Netra roga.
List of items good for eyes,
 Grains : Godhuma, Yava, Mudga.

 Meat : Shakunaashana (meat of birds)

 Drinking water : Divya jala (pure cold water), not cold water.
 Madhura rasa : among all Sugar is best for eye.
 Amla : Dadima and Amlaki.
 Lavana: Saindhavam.
 Sneha : Tila is not good instead of that Ghritam is good.
 Fruits : Grapes.

UNWHOLESOME DIETS: Avoid excessive intake of Masha, Amla rasa,

Alcohol, Tobacco, and drinking too much of water.
 vihara
• UPAVASA- Fasting is cures Ama Dosha,
enhances Agni, gives enthusiasm, clarity for
sense organ.
• Vega Dharana
– . Kshavathu Vega Dharana causes Indriyas
Dourbalya,
– Nidra Vega Dharana causes Akshigourava,
– Bhaspa Nigraha causes Akshiroga,
– Chardi Nigrahana causes NetraKandu.
– Acharya Vangasena quotes Vit, Mutra, Vata Nigraha
are the causes for Netra Rogas
Use plane and tinted glasses
during journey on two
wheelers according to the
climate.
After journey wash face and
eyes with cold water after
some time.
Before going to bed always
keep the eye and feet clean.

Arc eye or welders' eye or

arc flash -photophobia,
sensation like sand in eye,
pain, redness and over
lacrimation.
• Prajnaparadha- avoiding excessive, improper
or disuse of sense organs.
• Sadvrutta
– Proper mind is essential for proper functioning of eye.
Because indriyas can perceive objects only in
presence of manas,so it is only centre to analyse
qualities of objects, such as colour, size and shape
etc.,
– Following are necessary,
• Vishudhi manas.
• Avoid extreme worries and anger.
• Keep the mind cool, calm and try to be happy always.
 Conclusion
• Most of the Netrarogas arising now a days
can be prevented by just avoiding our
negligence of simple preventive aspects.
• So,One who wants to avoid Netrarogas have
to follow Dinacharya, Rutucharya etc ., as
preventive measures to keep the body and
mind healthy