ISSN: 2322 - 0902 (P) ISSN: 2322 - 0910 (O) International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research Review Article COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNT OF SARPAVISHA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO BRIHATTRAYI Samata Tomar1, Pravin Jawanjal2* 1HOD, Dept. of Agadatantra, Shree Gulabkunverba Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India. *2PhD Scholar, Dept. of Ras shastra, IPGT&RA, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India. ABSTRACT Agadatantra (Ayurvedic toxicology) being the sixth branch of Ashtaanga Ayurveda deals with the study of Jaangam (animate) and (Sthavara) inanimate poisons, their symptoms and management. Here is an attempt to collect all references regarding Sarpa Visha described in Brihattrayi. As theory and practice are the two wings of knowledge, literature review is the foundation of applied sciences. Ancient man is forests dweller. There is a dire need of protection from plant and animal poisoning, hence branch of Agadatantra (toxicology) is well established at that time. Material and methods: Brihattrayi (Major classics) of Ayurveda had been referred for literature review. Past studies and researches regarding the topic also been probed. Objectives: To present a comprehensive account of snake management in Ayurveda. Discussion: Data is presented under the headings of snake identification, specific signs and symptoms and Vega (stage) wise treatment with Agadas and role of Agadatantra in snakebite management as a first aid. Conclusion: Systematically presented data will prove a ready reckoner for UG, PG Scholars and researchers, zoologists for easy referencing. Snake bite management through different antidotes mentioned as Agadas in classical texts. These formulations need to be researched with modern parameters of Invivo and Invitro studies. KEYWORDS: Ayurveda, Agadas, Sarpavisha, Classification, Management. INTRODUCTION Major texts i.e. Charaka Samhita, Sushruta 24 hours after the intake of their tablets. Now it is the Samhita, Ashtang Samgraha Samhita and Ashtang high time to explore the rich heritage of Ayurveda Hridaya Samhita are the time tested and most medicine in the context of snake poisoning. Present authenticated resource of Ayurveda knowledge. This article is an effort to lighten up the hidden gems of Acharya’s are forest dwellers and are having Vishachikitsa in Agadatantra in context of snakebite. hypervigilant aspect about the signs and symptoms Snakes are the most despised animals in the of snake poisoning, Vega (stages of poisoning) wise world. Most of the people get chilled even on the treatment of different snakes etc. are all astonishing sight of snake. In Indian culture worshipping the and are relevant today also. Lakshmikutty, is a tribal snakes (Naag Panchami) is still prevalent. Ample woman from Kallar forest area at Thiruvanantha- narrations about snakes are present in Brihattrayi puram in Kerala, India who received the India's (major classic) and Laghutrayi (minor classics). fourth highest civilian honour Padma Shri (2018) for These references are the most authentic sources, her breakthrough in practicing traditional medicine. influencing contemporary Ayurveda (The science of Lakshmikutty is a famous poison healer practicing life). With some 50,000 citizens dying annually from traditional medicine in the past 50 years. snakebites, India is compelled to explore a range of Recently, Shree Bharadi Ayurvedic pharma- effective methods to deal with the problem, which ceuticals, Pune had received patent for their product the WHO characterizes as a neglected tropical "Pinak" from Indian government, which is an disease. India accounts for about half of all global Ayurvedic antivenin and formulated using accurate snakebite deaths. India has around 60 different composition of four herbs. Company had claimed that species of poisonous snakes but most fatalities are action of the drug starts immediately and results can caused by the ‘Big Four’ the spectacled cobra be observed in terms of reduced swelling and fast (Najanaja), the common krait (Bungaruscaerulus), recovery. Patients suffering with Neuro paralysis the saw-scaled viper (Echiscarinatus) and Russel’s shows recovery within minutes; and total recovery in viper (Daboia russelii).[1] IJAPR | February 2019 | Vol 7 | Issue 2 51 Int. J. Ayur. Pharma Research, 2019;7(2):51-62 Ancient classification of snakes The origin of Visha is a part of mythology about Samudramanthana. Depending on the mythological habitat, they are divided into Divya (celestial) and Bhauma (terrestrial). Divya Sarpa-8 Ananta, Takshaka, Vaasuki, Gulika, Karkotaka, they exert their Visha through shamkhapala, Padma, Mahapadma their mere sight or exhalation BhaumaSarpa Darvikaara, mandali, Rajimana, Nirvish, Vyantara poison in their fangs and they bite The term ‘Sarpa’ means that which spreads the hood; Phanee means that possesses Phana (hood). The preview of our discussion is terrestrial snakes, they are again classified according to their features and Prakriti (Tridosha theory) as follows. Table 1: Description about snakes Snake Name Darvikaara Mandali Rajimana Nirvisha Vaikaranja Zoological Cobra and king Viper and hoodless Non Vyantara interpretations with cobra, Hooded nonpoisonous and striped poisonous Hybrid type modern classification snakes like Python, Gonus Appearance hooded snakes odd without hood but Those Non Vyantara is shaped symbols like have rounded snakes are poisonous more or less a wheel of chariot mandalas (patches) decorated generic (monocled cobra), over the body. They with snakesterm umbrella, swastika, are almost sluggish different implying the hook, plough in movements intercepting cross over (spectacled Cobra). lines. species of the speedy movements mentioned above Doshaprakopata Vaata Pitta Kapha According with mixed (Effect on Tridoshas) to Doshas habitate predominance Vicharanakaal and Day time 1,2,3, quarter of last quarter - It sits and Ghatakakaal (Time of night of night blocks the road movement) or path Awastha, rutu Young elderly middle - Ritusandhi (in Prabhava (fatal union of period of life) seasons) Sarpavisha Rasadi Ruksha, Katu Ushna, Amla Sheet, - - (properties of visha Madhur and rasa) Poison vitiation time rainy season cold Atap - - Snakes There are more than 3500 species of snakes, miscellaneous. Snakes come in the category of but only about 250 are venomous in the world. [2] In irritant poisons. [3] India 216 species are found, of which 52 are Classification poisonous. Since the majority of snakes are non- Acharya Charaka classified visha mainly into venomous. For medico legal purposes, snakes are two categories. One of them is Jangamavisha (animal classified into two groups, viz, poisonous (Savish) and poison) and the another is Sthavaravisha (plant and non-poisonous (Nirvisha).This classification is not mineral poisons). [4] quite correct as some of the non-poisonous snakes Acharya Sushruta classified visha into two can kill small animals by their poison. types. One of them is Sthavaravisha and its sites are Common Classification of poisons ten and the another one is jangamavisha and its sites According to mode of action, poisons are are sixteen. [5] classified in six groups, viz (1) corrosives (2) irritants (3) neurotics (4) cardiac (5) asphyxiants and (6) IJAPR | February 2019 | Vol 7 | Issue 2 52 Samata Tomar, Pravin Jawanjal. Comprehensive Account of Sarpavisha with special reference to Brihattrayi Acharya Vagbhata classified visha into two types. One salutations to them, for there is no treatment for their of them is the Akratrimavisha (natural poison) and wrath (which is definitely fatal). [9] this is again sub divided into two i.e. Sthavara and ii. Bhaumyasarpa. –Eighty in no.- Celestial/ Jangama. The other one is the kritrimavisha which is terrestrial called as Garavisha (unnatural or chemically Type Number prepared poison). [6] Jangama Visha which mainly deals with the Darvikara 26 poisonous animals. Acharya Charaka described about Mandali 22 the types of the poisonous animals. The poison of Rajimanta 10 serpents, insects, rats, spiders, scorpions, house lizards, leeches, fishes, frogs, hornets, lizards, dogs, Nirvisha 12 tigers, jackals, hyenas, mongooses and other fanged Vaikaranja and Vaikaranjaudabhava 10 animals is known as Jangamavisha. [7] Total 80 Classification of the Snakes The terrestrial snakes are classified into five In the basic classification of the snakes are two types types. A) Darvikara (hooded), B) Mandali (hoodless 1) Divya- divine (mythical) and 2) Bhaumya- and painted with circular paths or rings of varied [8] terrestrial (living on the earth). colors on their skin), C) Rajimanta (hoodless and i. Divya-divine Sarpa–eight in no. striped), D) Nirvisha (non-poisonous) and E) They are Vasuki, Takshaka, Anantasagara, Vaikaranja (hybrid species). These five types of Sagaralaya, Nanda, Upananda etc. are divya they are snakes are sub classified into eighty type. [10] like fire in the fire alter (of the sacrifice), they always Ayurvedic classification of snake bite marks- Many of roar, cause rain, shine with brilliance and makes the ancient books show difference of opinion in other things also shine by their light, support and describing bite marks as follows- maintain the world always;, when enraged convert As per Charakasamhita, Goodhasampeedita, the world to ashes by their sight and breath; our vrutta, peedit, lambit, sarpit are the names of types of snake bite Table 2: Types of Bite marks as per Sushruta name of bite mark no. of teeth mark/s other findings 1.Sarpitam 1,2 or many Oozing of very little blood, deep but raised wounds, abnormal