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Pharma Science Monitor 8(4), Oct-Dec 2017

PHARMA SCIENCE MONITOR AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES Journal home page: http://www.pharmasm.com

CONCEPT OF CONJUGATION AND CONFIGURATION OF MAHABHUTAS Bharat L. Bhadiyadra1*, R. R. Dwivedi2, Hitesh A. Vyas3, A. S. Baghel4 1Ph D Scholar, Basic Principles Department, IPGT & RA, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India 2Ex-Professor & Head, Basic Principles Department, IPGT & RA,Gujarat Ayurved University Jamnagar, Gujarat, India 3Associate Professor, Basic Principles Department, IPGT & RA,Gujarat Ayurved University Jamnagar, Gujarat, India 4Associate Professor, Basic Principles Department, IPGT & RA,Gujarat Ayurved University Jamnagar, Gujarat, India

ABSTRACT The science of Health, has its own fundamental principles on which all the aspect of health at physical, physiological, psychological & spiritual activity depends. Among all the Basic principles, the Panchabhautika Siddhanta is the scientific base of Ayurveda as Acharya Sushruta quoted, that there is no need to think beyond Panchamahabhutas while treating patients. As per Acharya Charaka, whatever & whichever (Bhavas) existing in this universe are Panchabhautika. The Panchamahabhutas are gross manifestation of the universe and here everything is Panchabhautika though it is different from each other, reason behind it is that their Panchabhautika conjugation & configuration either as quality, quantity or as per arrangement of molecules is different. Here an effort made to elaborate this concept of conjugation and configuration of Mahabhutas. KEYWORDS: Panchamahabhuta, Conjugation, Configuration.

INTRODUCTION In present era, every science progresses on its own Siddhantas by adding new concepts & their application in science, using new techniques & advance technology. Every medical science has an aim to provide a good health to the human beings. Now a day new technologies are growing more and more but on the same pattern the health problems are day by day increasing too. Hence it becomes mandatory for the Ayurveda to play here its role as preventive, promotive & curative aspect as oath of this science is[1], The science of Health, Ayurveda also has its own fundamental principles on which all the status of health at physical, physiological, psychological & spiritual activity depends. Among its all the Basic principles, the Panchabhautika Siddhanta is the scientific base of Ayurveda as Acharya Sushruta quoted, that there is no need to think beyond Panchamahabhutas while treating patients[2]. As per Acharya Charaka, whatever & whichever (Bhavas) existing in this universe are Panchabhautika. All the matters existing in this universe are Pancabhautika.

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Panchamahabhutas are at the juncture of the subtle to the more gross manifestation of the universe[3]. Here everything is Panchabhautika though it is different from each other, reason behind it is that their Panchabhautika conjugation & configuration either as quality, quantity or as per arrangement of molecules is different. Eg. In chemistry & mathematics different permutation & combinations takes place at molecular & figures level in their specific placement respectively. Aims and objective To elaborate and discuss the concept of conjugation & configuration of Mahabhuta. Materials and Methods Comprehensive review of relevant Ayurvedic and modern literature, previous works, journals and Internet carried out in the light of plan of study. Conceptual study All the matters existing in this universe are Pancabhautika[4]. Panchamahabhutas are at the juncture of the subtle to the more gross manifestation of the universe. The rationale of anything and everything which cannot be explained by Tridodhasha can be very well interpreted by Pancamahabhuta Siddhanta. Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of Dravya depends on its Panchabhautika conjugation and configuration. Here conjugation means joining or union or mixing. Configuration means the relative arrangement or placement of basic constituents of the substances. To understand the concept of origin of Dravya as a whole, one has to go to its base. So it is mandatory for us to know the things (Karya Dravya) which we are using in our practice, from where they are originated. When describing the evolution of the universe different theories were postulated by the different schools of thought. These theories can be summarized as follows- 1. Evolution of Mahabhutas 2. Formation of Panchabhautika Drayva or (Conjugation & configuration of Mahabhutas) 1. Evolution of Mahabhutas: Evolution of Mahabhutas takes place in following stages: 1st Stage -- Evolution of Panchatanmatra To understand the evolution of Mahabhutas, one first have to know the evolution of basic units of Mahabhutas i.e. Tanmatra . Tanmatra is a subtle quantum of Mahabhuta category having a specific energy or mass. Philosophical sciences defined them as having a material form and not divisible further. evolved in following order,

Bharat et al. / Pharma Science Monitor 8(4), Oct-Dec 2017, 68-78 Impact factor: 3.958/ICV: 4.10 70

Avyakta Mahat

Satva Rajas Tamas

11 5 Tanmatras

Shabda Sparsha Rupa Rasa Gandha Tanmatra Tanmatra Tanmatra Tanmatra Tanmatra In short, evolution of Pancha Tanmatra from the Bhutadi Ahamkara is as follows[5]

Bhutadi Ahamkara

Shabda Tanmatra

Sparsha Tanmatra

Rupa Tanmatra

Rasa Tanmatra Jala

Gandha Tanmatra Pruthvi

2nd Stage – Samyoga of Tanmatras – The Tanmatras of each Mahabhutas formed in order of evolution, clog together in a loose surface bonding to form Sukshma Bhutas. Same was described by Vaishesikas in form of formation of Dvayanuka, Trasarenu etc.

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3rd Stage -- Bhutantaranupravesha (Imitative Pervasion) -- In this process, Sukshma Bhutas undergo some reactions to form the Mahabhutas. There is invasion of the Paramanus from Akasha Mahabhuta to Pruthvi Mahabhuta in a sequential order as Maharshi Charaka describes, So finally Pruthvi Mahabhuta possesses all the five Gunas [6]. Shabda Tanmatra Akasha Unitanmatric Akasha Shabda Tanmatra Akasha + Sparsha Tanmatra Vayu Bitanmatric Vayu Bitanmatric Vayu + Rupa Tanmatra Agni Tritanmatric Agni Tritanmatric Agni+ Rasa Tanmatra Jala Tetratanmatric Apa Tetratanmatric Apa + Gandha Tanmatra Pruthvi Pentatanmatric Pruthvi

Acharya Sushruta also supports this, From the above process it is clear that only Pruthvi Mahabhuta have the fractions of all Sukshma Bhutas so Pruthvi Mahabhuta alone is gross and stable. Other four Mahabhutas don’t have enough Murtatva to stand without the combination of Pruthvi Mahabhuta[7]. 2. Formation of Panchabhautika Drayva (Conjugation & configuration of Mahabhutas) : Mahabhutas formed by the process of Anyonyanupravesha undergo various physical & chemical reactions to form different Panchabhautika Dravyas having different permutation and combinations of Mahabhutas. These physicochemical reactions are called as conjugation and configuration of Mahabhutas. Thus the process of formation of Panchabhautika Drayva is, Tanmatra Sukshma Bhutas Mahabhuta Panchabhautika Dravya

CONJUGATION OF MAHABHUTAS -- It means the Samyoga of Pancha Mahabhutas, which is responsible for the formation of Dravyas. How it exactly happens, is not clearly mentioned in classics, but the term Panchikarana can be taken here for explanation. Panchikarana -- The process, by which the Mahabhutas so formed, by the Bhutantaranupravesha of Tanmatra, undergo specific procedures of conjugation to form the manifested Panchabhautika Drayvas of the universe around us, is called as Pancikarana. It is the Panchikarana which is responsible for the manifestation of the Gunas of all Mahabhutas in the Dravya.

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The word Panchikarana as such is not mentioned in the classical texts. Samhitakaras and the Tikakaras have not explained much about the reactions taking place in between Mahabhutas. Moreover Acharya Chakrapani says that, these reactions of Mahabhutas (Mahabhuta Sannivesha) takes place due to some unknown force i.e. Adrusta[8]. This terminology and the process behind Panchikarana though found in Paingal Upanishada, but was first conceptualized by Shankaracharya, in his book ‘Pancikarana’, and still elaborated in its commentary, written by Sureshwaracharya[9]. Process of Panchikarana by [10]: i) Each molecule of Mahabhutas, formed in the reaction of Bhutantaranupravesha divides into two parts. These parts may not be always equal. ii) The first part of division again divides into four parts; these 4 parts also may not be necessarily in equal proportions. Thus it can be said that all Dravyas formed by the Panchikarana of Mahabhutas have fractions of all the five Mahabhutas, but the proportion or quantity of different Mahabhutas is different in all Dravyas, causing change in properties from one-another[11]. It can be called as Tara-Tamata of Mahabhutas in different Dravyas, which is also explained in case of Doshas and Rasas also. Though all Dravyas possess all the six Rasa, but due to different proportion 63 types of combination are given[12]. Similarly in case of Vikaras also, though all the Rogas are caused by three Doshas but due to their Tara-Tamata and Samyoga vaishistya, 62 types of combinations are described[13]. Even after this, it is again said that these are mere examples, their combinations may be innumerable. CONFIGURATION OF MAHABHUTAS : Beside the conjugation of Mahabhutas the specific arrangement or Samyoga Vishesa of Mahabhutas is also important in governing the final properties of Dravya. This specific arrangement is known as configuration of Mahabhutas in particular Dravya. There is an indirect reference from Sushruta , which could be understood as different configurations of Mahabhutas. Acharya Sushruta has enlisted 3 words in context of formation of Rasas[14]. A. Paraspara - Samsarga B. Parasparanugraha C. Parasparanupravesha So, there are 3 types of configurations taking place in between Mahabhutas to form Panchabhautika Dravyas.

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A) Paraspara Samsarga [15] In this process Mahabhutas (Pithara of Mahabhutas) come in contact and simply get attached to each other to form Panchabhautika Dravya, in which they are under the influence of a mutual attraction towards each other. In this type of configuration, all the participating Mahabhutas will maintain an independent manifstation. The bonds formed between Mahabhutas by such type of configuration are not much strong so that they can be separated easily from each other. B)Parasparanugraha [16] Anugraha means Upakara, give and take relationship, to enhance properties of each other and to maintain a stable state. In this type of configuration reaction, Mahabhutas act in such a way that they will favor each other. The Mahabhutas comes in close contact to exchange some energy of each other, hence get more stability and bonding will be stronger as compared to Parasparasamsarga type. It is similar to the ionic bonds where atoms combine & exchange the extra electrons to get stability [17]. C)Parasparanupravesha[18] The atoms of the Mahabhutas overlap or enter the orbits of each other to form bonds in such a way that they lost their individual identity and become one. In this type of configuration, Mahabhutas get submerged into each other. So the presence of the submerged Mahabhuta cannot be understood apparently, but in some processes or reactions, submerged Mahabhuta get visualized exhibiting its Gunas. Vicitrapratyayarabdhata can be explained on this basis. It is similar to covalent bonds where atoms share electrons [19]. So these are the different mode of arrangements of Mahabhutas in a particular Dravya, which affects the resultant Gunas and thereby its . Mahabhutas are present in same quantity in two different Dravyas, even then their Gunas and Karmas will be different if configuration of Mahabhutas differs. While giving the cause for difference or similarity in Sharira Bhavas like Akruti, , Sneha, Dipti, Swara etc. in different people, has attributed the cause to similarity or dissimilarity of the specific Bhautika configuration for which he uses the term ‘Sannivesha Visesha’[20]. Discussion : The pioneer science of health, Ayurveda also has its own fundamental principles on which all the epitome of health and treatment of diseases is standing. Panchamahabhuta

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Siddhanta is one among these most important Basic Principles of Ayurveda which states that whatever & whichever (Bhava) existing in this Universe is Panchabhautika. Conjugation & configuration of Mahabhutas : Evolution of Mahabhutas involves the following stages 1. Evolution of Panchatanmatras from the Sattvika, Rajasa & Tamasa Ahamkara in sequential order. 2. Saṃyoga of these Tanmatras to form Sukshma Bhutas. 3. Bhutantaranupravesha or Imitative Pervasion of Sukshma Bhutas from Akasha to Pruthvi. The Mahabhutas so formed can’t stand alone till they all combine with each other. So for the formation of any Dravya, combination of all the five Mahabhutas is necessary. Now formation of Panchabhautika Dravya from these Mahabhutas involves various types of conjugation and configuration. Conjugation of Mahabhutas – It happens by the process of Panchikarana, which is explained by Vedanta Darshana in detail. By this process all the Dravyas have fractions of all Mahabhutas but in different proportion. It can be called as Tara-Tamata of Mahabhutas in Dravyas and governs the identity of Dravyas i.e. Parthiva, Apya, Agneya etc. It is also told by Acharya Vagbhaṭa in context of Rasa & Dosha. All Rasas are present in all Dravyas & all Doshas are involved in all Vikaras, but their recognition occurs by the dominancy of Mahabhutas at various levels[21]. This is also due to conjugation of all the five Mahabhutas in all Dravyas. So it can be said that conjugation provides mostly quantitative difference of Mahabhutas between Dravyas. Even Dravyas having same Gunas also differ from each other due to different proportion of Mahabhutas. E.g. different proportions of Mahabhutas in Dravyas having Tikta rasa may be quantitatively differ as Acharya Sushruta also stated that all Dravyas have all the Mahabhutas but they are known by the dominancy of Mahabhutas[22]. Configuration of Mahabhutas : Configuration of Mahabhutas or their specific arrangement is also responsible for the difference between Dravyas. Two Dravyas having similar conjugation (proportion) of Mahabhutas may also show differences in properties if the arrangement or configuration of Mahabhutas is different. Different types of configurations which can be inferred from are, 1. Paraspara Samsarga : Simple attachment of Mahabhutas to each other not affecting each other’s properties.

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2. Parasparanugraha : In this type of configuration reaction, Mahabhutas act in such a way that they will favor each other. 3. Parasparanupravesha : Most stable type of configuration, in which Mahabhutas shows properties of combination not the individual’s. Even properties of any Mahabhuta also may cover up due to submerging (Abhibhava). There are mere examples of configuration given by Acharya Sushruta, many other types of configuration may possible. So it can be said that configuration provides mostly qualitative differences between Dravyas, due to the difference in placement process. On the basis of these conjugation & configurations there are many factors which govern the final properties of Dravyas, some important among them are, - Quantity of dominant Mahabhutas - Relative quantity of other Mahabhutas - Specific arrangement of Mahabhutas - Activeness or passiveness of Mahabhutas during chemical reactions - Stability of the Dravya - Way of unfolding of Mahabhutas These all are responsible factors for different behavior of various Dravya. Acharya Gamgadhara also explained the role of relative quantity of Mahabhutas in context of Rasas. So it can be said that less dominant Mahabhutas also may implies their properties to Dravya, depending on many factors like mentioned as above. Different types of conjugation & configuration can be compared to the Isomers of modern chemistry. Isomers are the different compounds which have same molecular formula, but different structural formula. So they exhibit differences in one or more properties and actions[23]. The structural differences between two isomers may be of following types, 1. Stereoisomer or Cis – Trans isomers 2. Enantiomers or D/R – L isomers 3. Structural isomers etc. Structural isomers typically have different chemical properties, while stereo isomers behave identically in most chemical reactions. Enzymes can distinguish between different enantiomers of a compound and organisms often prefer one isomer over the other [24]. Examples of isomers having different medical properties can be easily found. For example in substituted xanthenes, Theo bromine found in chocolate, is a vasodilator with some effects in common with caffeine, but if one of the two methyl groups are moved to a different positions on the two-

Bharat et al. / Pharma Science Monitor 8(4), Oct-Dec 2017, 68-78 Impact factor: 3.958/ICV: 4.10 76 ring core, the isomer is theophylline, which has a variety of effects, including broncho- dilation and anti-inflammatory action. The difference between two is in the placement of methyl groups [25]. S enantiomer has a higher binding affinity to the liver enzymes and inhibits the R enantiomer from being metabolized. The two also seem to possibly be metabolized by different enzymes, due to different metabolites being produced. D-form amino acids tend to taste sweet, whereas L-forms are usually tasteless. Even the isomers may convert into one another during various processes. The process by which one molecule is transformed into another molecule which has exactly the same atoms, but the atoms are rearranged is known as isomerization. This inter conversion depends on the energy barrier between molecules. If the energy barrier between two molecules is not too high, then they easily convert into one another; but the energy difference is high the conversion is not possible or become difficult [26]. So this energy barrier may be compared to the Bhutagnis present in the Dravyas which is responsible for the conversion or biotransformation. “Hence difference in Panchabhautika conjugation and configuration of Dravyas makes difference in the identity of Dravyas which is reflected in terms of different properties and functions of Dravya.” CONCLUSION Panchamahabhuta Siddhanta is one of the most important Basic Principles of Ayurveda which states that whatever & whichever (Bhava) existing in this Universe is Panchabhautika. Panchabhautika conjugation and configuration of Dravyas makes difference in the identity of Dravyas in termed of different Guna and . Mahabhutas are present in same quantity in two different Dravyas, even then their Gunas and Karmas will be different if configuration of Mahabhutas differs. REFERENCES 1. Agnivesha, Charaka Samhitha, Edited by Vaidya Acharya Yadavji Trikamji, Chaukhambha Prakashan, Varanasi, Reprint 2007, sutrasthan 30/26, pg-187. 2. Sushruta, Sushruta Samhita, Edited by Vaidya Acharya Yadavji Trikamji and Kavyatita Acharya Narayan Ram, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi, VIII Edi. 2005,sharirasthan 1/ 13, pg -341. 3. Agnivesha, Charaka Samhitha, Edited by Vaidya Acharya Yadavji Trikamji, Chaukhambha Prakashan, Varanasi, Reprint 2007, sutrasthan 26/10, pg -138. 4. Agnivesha, Charaka Samhitha, Edited by Vaidya Acharya Yadavji Trikamji, Chaukhambha Prakashan, Varanasi, Reprint 2007, sutrasthan 26/10, pg -138.

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5. Dr. C. Dwarakanatha, Lecture on Tanmatras & Panchamahabhutas , Lecture VIII, pg 76, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Series Office, Varanasi, First Edition 1996. 6. Agnivesha, Charaka Samhitha, Edited by Vaidya Acharya Yadavji Trikamji, Chaukhambha Prakashan, Varanasi, Reprint 2007, Sharirsthana 1/28 , pg -289. 7. Sushruta, Sushruta Samhita, Edited by Vaidya Acharya Yadavji Trikamji and Kavyatita Acharya Narayan Ram, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi, VIII Edi. 2005, Sutrasthan chapter 42/ 3, pg -184. 8. Agnivesha, Charaka Samhitha, Edited by Vaidya Acharya Yadavji Trikamji, Chaukhambha Prakashan, Varanasi, Reprint 2007, sutrasthan 26/40, pg -143. 9. Dr.Nimburi Hanumantha Rao, Pancabhuta theory, Chapter 6, Pg. 57, Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, Second Edition 2008. 10. Badarayana Vyas, Vedantaparibhasha, chapter 8, pg. 122-123, by Dharmaraja Adhvarin Edited with an English translation by S.S. Suryanarayana, Publisher – The Adyar library, Adyar 1942. 11. Sushruta, Sushruta Samhita, Edited by Vaidya Acharya Yadavji Trikamji and Kavyatita Acharya Narayan Ram, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi, VIII Edi. 2005, Sutrasthan chapter 42/ 3, pg -184. 12. Agnivesha, Charaka Samhitha, Edited by Vaidya Acharya Yadavji Trikamji, Chaukhambha Prakashan, Varanasi, Reprint 2007, sutrasthan 26/14, pg -139. 13. Agnivesha, Charaka Samhitha, Edited by Vaidya Acharya Yadavji Trikamji, Chaukhambha Prakashan, Varanasi, Reprint 2007, sutrasthan 17/41-44, pg -100. 14. Sushruta, Sushruta Samhita, Edited by Vaidya Acharya Yadavji Trikamji and Kavyatita Acharya Narayan Ram, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi, VIII Edi. 2005, Sutrasthan chapter 42/ 3, pg -184. 15. Sushruta, Sushruta Samhita, Edited by Vaidya Acharya Yadavji Trikamji and Kavyatita Acharya Narayan Ram, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi, VIII Edi. 2005, Sutrasthan chapter 42/ 3, pg -184. 16. Sushruta, Sushruta Samhita, Edited by Vaidya Acharya Yadavji Trikamji and Kavyatita Acharya Narayan Ram, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi, VIII Edi. 2005, Sutrasthan chapter 42/ 3, pg -184. 17. Dr.Dilip Nalage & Prof.R.R.Dwivedi, A study of Saṃskara and its role in alteration of Panchabhautika composition of Dravya, Jamnagar, 2004.

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18. Sushruta, Sushruta Samhita, Edited by Vaidya Acharya Yadavji Trikamji and Kavyatita Acharya Narayan Ram, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi, VIII Edi. 2005, Sutrasthan chapter 42/ 3, pg -184. 19. Dr.Dilip Nalage & Prof.R.R.Dwivedi, A study of Saṃskara and its role in alteration of Panchabhautika composition of Dravya, Jamnagar, 2004. 20. Vṛuddha Vagbhaṭṭa, Astanggasamgraha, edited by Dr. Shivprasad Sharma, Second edition, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Series Office, Varanashi 2008; Sharirasthana, 5/4, pg-299. 21. Astanga Hridaya, edited by Pt. Hari Sadashiva Shastri Paraḍakara Bhishagacharya, reprint, Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashana, Varanashi 2011; Sutrasthan 9/3, pg -164-165. 22. Sushruta, Sushruta Samhita, Edited by Vaidya Acharya Yadavji Trikamji and Kavyatita Acharya Narayan Ram, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi, VIII Edi. 2005, Sutrasthan chapter 42/ 3, pg -184. 23. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isomers 24. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isomers 25. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isomers 26. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isomers

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