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'''9. Brahmi:''' It is the upper direction (urdhwadik).
'''9. Brahmi:''' It is the upper direction (urdhwadik).
'''10. Nagi:''' It is the downward direction (adhadik).
'''10. Nagi:''' It is the downward direction (adhadik).
'''How can directions be a substance? (Dikdravyatwasiddhi)'''
'''How can directions be a substance? (Dikdravyatwasiddhi)'''
The substance having qualities ([[guna]]) and actions ([[karma]]) is called a ‘[[dravya]]’. Disha possesses a set of qualities, as mentioned above. It gives the knowledge of different directions (east-west etc.) Therefore, it is termed as ‘[[dravya]]’.
The substance having qualities ([[guna]]) and actions ([[karma]]) is called a ‘[[dravya]]’. Disha possesses a set of qualities, as mentioned above. It gives the knowledge of different directions (east-west etc.) Therefore, it is termed as ‘[[dravya]]’.
==Importance of direction in [[Ayurveda]] and medical science==
1. The concepts of uttarayana and dakshinayana are assessed based on the movement (gati) of the sun. [Monier Williams]
2. Many technical terms in [[Ayurveda]] are connected with dik.
Examples:
Anuloma -Masssage or application in the direction of body hairs
Pratiloma -Masssage or application opposite to the direction of body hairs
Urdhwaga raktapitta -Bleeding from upper orifices like mouth, nose etc.
Adhoga raktapitta -Bleeding from lower orifices like rectum, vagina, urethra etc.
Utkshepana -Raising up
Apakshepana -Pulling down
Akunchana -Adduction or flexion or contraction
Prasarana -Abduction or extension or relaxation
Gamana -Locomotion
Tiryaka -Cross directions or oblique movement
3. Sleeping by facing east or south is healthy.<ref>Radhakrishna Shastri, Anandakandam, repr., Swasthavritta Prakaran, Sootra 430-32, S. Gopalan, Honorary Secretary for the Administrative Committee, T.M.S.S.M. Library, Tanjore, 1952, p. 324.</ref>
4. Kutikagara [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 1/1/18], sutikagara [Su.Sa. Shareera Sthana 10/5]<ref name= Susruta> Sushruta. Sushruta Samhita. Edited by Jadavaji Trikamji Aacharya. 8th ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia;2005.</ref>, place for jentaka sweda [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 14/46] etc. are constructed in specific directions to fix different requirements.
5. Jyotishashastra explains concepts of [[Ayurveda]] in relation to graha in many contexts like tri[[dosha]]s, [[dhatu]], [[mahabhuta]], [[ritu]], [[rasa]], [[guna]], anga-avayava etc.<ref>Shri Vaidyanath Virachita Jataka Parijata, with Sudhashalini Sanskrit Commentary and Vimala Hindi Commentaery, Chowkambha Sanskrit Samsthana, Varanasi, 1984, 2-27</ref>
6. Seeing someone from Andhra, southern part of the country (dravidadesa) is a bad omen. [Cha.Sa. [[Indriya Sthana]] 5/29]
7. Naming of diseases like [[raktapitta]] as urdhwaga and adhoga [A.Hr. Nidana Sthana 3]<ref name= Hridaya > Vagbhata. Ashtanga Hridayam. Edited by Harishastri Paradkar Vaidya. 1st ed. Varanasi: Krishnadas Academy;2000.</ref>
8. Management of certain diseases – Eg. Elimination of vitiated [[dosha]] from the opposite direction of manifestation (pratimargasodhana) in the management of [[raktapitta]]. [Cha.Sa. [[Chikitsa Sthana]] 4/54-61]
9. Predictions made by seeing factors of jyotisha. [Cha.Sa. [[Vimana Sthana]] 3/4]
'''The winds'''
Qualities of winds from four cardinal directions are explained in detail by Acharya Susruta.
a) Easterly winds
The easterly wind is pleasant, moist and contains salts also. It is heavy, produces a burning sensation and increases blood [[rakta]] and [[pitta]]. It always aggravates disease, especially in those who are afflicted with ulcers, wounds and poisons and who are of sleshmika constitution. It is good for persons of vatika constitution, those who are exhausted and who are emaciated due to vitiation of [[kapha]]; but even in them it specifically increases the discharge from ulcers.
b) Southern winds
The southern wind is pleasant, does not produce a burning sensation, is slightly astringent, light and is the best (amongst all the winds) and is beneficial for the eyes; it increases strength, cause the subsidence of (disorders) of blood [[rakta]] and [[pitta]] and does not vitiate the [[vata]].
c) Westerly winds
The westerly wind is pure, dry, harsh, rough and destroys the moisture and strength. It is sharp and gets the [[kapha]] and fat dried up. It causes depletion of vitality very quickly and makes the body lean and thin.
d) Northern winds
The northern wind is moist, soft, pleasant, cold, and slightly astringent and it does not vitiate the [[dosha]]s. Therefore it increases the strength and water content of those who are normal. It should especially be welcome for those who are afflicted by emaciation, tuberculosis and poisons. [Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 20/23-30]<ref name=Susruta/>
===Application of knowledge of directions in anatomy (sharira rachana) and physiology (sharira kriya)
Directions are used to know the position of different structural entities like abdominal organs (koshtanga), channels of transportation and transformation ([[srotas]]), organ cavities (ashaya), vital structures ([[marma]]) etc.
The location of body components like [[dosha]], [[dhatu]], [[agni]], etc. is described in relative directions. Movement and vitiation of [[dosha]] (dosha gati) in specific directions are important in pathogenesis and purification therapies.
Surface anatomy (also known as superficial anatomy and visual anatomy) is the study of the external features of the body. It deals with anatomical features that can be studied by sight, without dissection. It is a branch of gross anatomy with endoscopic and radiological studies. In particular, in the case of human surface anatomy, these are the form and proportions of the human body. The surface landmarks corresponding to deeper structures, both static pose, and motion, are studied. This descriptive anatomy also makes use of directions.
Specific anatomical directions are used to describe the position and relation between various anatomical structures. Main directional terms used are: anterior, posterior, ventral, dorsal, proximal, distal, median, medial, lateral, superior, inferior, cranial, caudal, external, internal, superficial, deep, palmar, dorsal, plantar are standard.
Specific anatomical movements are known according to the changing position of a body part around a fixed body axis and in one of the anatomical planes. The main types of movements are flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, lateral rotation, medial rotation, circumduction, pronation, supination, inversion, eversion. This also includes knowledge of directions.
===Application in pharmacology===
Dravyaguna is the science that deals with the properties and actions of drugs, including pharmacognosy, pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics of substances. The concept of disha is applied in the source, naming, collection, preservation etc., of various medicinal plants.
a) Nomenclature (namajnana): The direction of growth of a plant is known. Viruddha is named according to the property of climbing in opposite direction to that of gravity. (The plant [[Apamarga]] got the name Adhashalya, because of the downward direction of sharp ends of its seed) The drug [[Pippali]] (Piper longum) is also referred to as Magadhi, based on the place where it is found in abundance. [Cha.Sa. [[Chikitsa Sthana]] 22/53]
b) Collection of herbs (aushadha grahana): The collection method of many herbs is explained in detail. The direction and geographic location of herbs influence the qualities of the drug in various regions and seasons. The one who collect the plant should face north or east direction.[Cha.Sa. [[Kalpa Sthana]] 1/14] The northen part of plant have more quality compared to the other parts of the plant. [Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 36/3]<ref name=Susruta/> The part of the plant (eg.root) developed in the northern direction has better therapeutic properties. [Cha.Sa. [[Kalpa Sthana]] 1/10]
c) Specific activity (visheshakarma): In order to attain the best therapeutic qualities for ingredients used in important procedures like pumsavana, specific collection procedures are explained in detail. Vatashringa (tender shoots of banyan tree) developed in northern or east direction shall be taken for this procedure.
The potency of active principles in herbs is influenced by direction of movement of the sun in different seasons. Herbs with cold potency (souamya or sheeta) or mild actions shall be collected in cold seasons. Those with hot potency (agneya) shall be collected in the hot season. [Su.Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 36/6]<ref name=Susruta/>
d) Storage of medicines (dravyasamgrahana): Guidelines for processing and storing the collected items are described based on directions. The construction of storehouses in the eastern or northern direction with relation to the city area is advised. [Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 36/17]<ref name=Susruta/> Body part or geographical location (desha): The body parts affected in pathogenesis of disease is examined and treated based on direction. The geographical habitat of the person is important for knowing the status of health and prevalent diseases in that region.[Cha. Sa. [[Vimana Sthana]] 8/84] The place of collection of best quality drugs are explained. For example, the drug Tuvaraka (Hydnocarpus laurifolia (dennst.) Sleumer) from the western seashore is the best quality.[Su.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 13/34]<ref name=Susruta/> Phyllanthus fraternus Webster (Tamalaka), Musa x paradisiaca L. ([[Kadali]]), Holostemmaada-kodien Schult. (Jivanti) etc. collected from the western part of the country possess better quality. Haimavata and Dakshina Patha are the names given to the drugs found in northern region and southern region of India respectively. The tree Dipterocarpus turbinatus C.F.Gaertn (Aswakarna) is found over western part of the country. [Su. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 2/56-65], [Su.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 19/33-35] The fruit Salvadora persica L. (Pilu) is found in north India. [Cha.Sa. [[Siddhi Sthana]] 7/63] In the context of [[rasayana]], west direction (pashchima) is the best. [Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 5/7]<ref name=Susruta/>
===Application of direction in pharmacy===
The construction of pharmacy (rasashala) is planned based on the knowledge of application of directions. [Rasaratna Samucchaya]<ref>Rasaratnasamuchaya by Vagbhatta, Vijnanabodini commentary by Prof. Datatrey Ananta Kulkarni, Reprint 1998, Mahercahnda Lachhamanadas Publications, 7/1-1</ref> The pharmacy should be built outside the town in the north or east or north-east directions. The architectural plan of directions to be followed within the pharmacy is as below:
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Table 1: Architectural plan of directions within the pharmacy
|-
! Disha !! Karma
|-
| | Purva (east)|| Rasa bhairava, rasalinga sthapana (Lord Shiva)
|-
| | Paschima (west)|| Kshalana karma (washing, cleaning)
|-
| | Uttara (north)|| Vedha karma (raw drugs, equipments)
|-
| | Dakshina(south) || Pashana karma (grinding, pounding)
|-
| | Agneya (south-east) || Vahni karma (furnaces for boiling, drying etc.)
|-
| |Vayavya (north-west)||Soshana karma (hot air oven / disintegration drying)
|-
| |Nairutya (south-west) || Sastra karma (cutting and chopping)
|-
| |Ishanya (north-east) || Siddhavastusthapana (the prepared items to be stored here)
|-
|}
===Application for diagnostic purpose===
Oil drop examination of urine (tailabindupariksha of [[mutra]]) is used to know the prognosis of disease. [Yogaratnakara] The disease progression prediction depends on the method or direction of spread of an oil drop in the morning sample of urine collected in a vessel. The following tables shows direction of spread and prediction of prognosis.<ref>Yogaratnakar, Vidyotini Hindi commentary by Vaidya Lakshmipati Shastri, Reprint 2007, Chaukhambha Prakashana,chapter 11 versus 14.</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Table 1: Oil drop examination of urine (tailabindupariksha)
|-
! Direction of oil drop spread !! Prediction
|-
| |East (purva) || Immediate recovery
|-
| |West (pashchim) || Health with prosperity
|-
| |North (uttara) || Definite cure
|-
| |South (dakshina)|| [[Jwara]], gradual recovery
|-
| | South east (agneya)|| Definite death
|-
| |South west (nairutya) || Definite death
|-
| |North west (vayavya) || Definite death
|-
| | North east (ishanya)|| Death within a month
|-
|}
===Application in preservance of health===
Guidelines of passing natural urges based on direction are given. One should face north during daytime and face south at night while passing natural urges.<ref>Astanga Samgraha of Sri Vagabhata, Hindi Vyakhya- Kaviraja Atrideva Gupta, Vol-1,2, Reprint 2005, Chaukhambha Krishnadasa Academy, Sutra Sthana chapter 3 versus 3.</ref> According to vastu sastra, one should lie down with his/her head pointed south.<ref>Saran S, Shirodkar AD. Vastu shastra and feng shui the ancient sciences and their fusion in context of Indian architecture. International Journal of Scientific and Technology Research. 2017;6(11):136-44.</ref> The study conducted by Hekmatmanesh A et.al. found out that that bed orientation influences sleep electroencephalography signals and sleeping toward the earth’s electromagnetic field (North-South) can have some positive effects on the sleep EEG.<ref>Hekmatmanesh A, Banaei M, Haghighi KS, Najafi A. Bedroom design orientation and sleep electroencephalography signals. Acta Med Int 2019;6:33-7</ref>
One should face east or south while taking meals. [Yogaratnakara 10/16] Directions for serving various food items are specific. Khanda, yusha etc. should be placed at the left side of the individual. [Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 46/456]<ref name=Susruta/> Study shall be done facing east. [Cha. Sa. [[Vimana Sthana]] 8/11]
===Application in shalyatantra (surgery)===
The concept of disha is applied in many surgical procedures. During the surgical procedure, the patient should face east (pragmukha) and the physician (vaidya) should face west (pratyangmukha). [Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 5/7]<ref name=Susruta/>
The movement of instruments (shastra) (eg. anuloma) follows specific direction in surgery. The patient shall sleep keeping the head towards east (purvadisha) for worshipping the deities. [Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 19/5-6]<ref name=Susruta/> In procedures like thermal cauterization (agnikarma) and cauterization with alkalies (ksharakarma), for getting the desired effect, the patient is advised to keep his head towards east. [Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 6/4]<ref name=Susruta/>
==Contemporary approach==
In chapter 10 of ‘On Airs, Waters, and Places’, Hippocrates wrote that ‘‘if the winter proves dry and northerly, the spring rainy and southerly, the summer will necessarily bring fever, causing opthalmia (eye disorders) and dysenteries. Because whenever heat comes suddenly, while earth is still soaked from the spring rains and the south winds, heat is doubled from the rain-soaked earth and the burning sun while men’s bowels are not being braced nor their mind dried by dysenteries are more likely to come upon women and the most humid constitutions.’’<ref>Hippocrates. Airs, Waters, Places. In: Goold GP, editor, Jones WHS, trans. Hippocrates I. The Loeb classical library no 147. 7th ed. London: William Heinemann; 1984. p. 98-105.</ref> In chapter 1 of On Airs, Waters, and Places Hippocrates suggested that all doctors should be familiar with the position of the town they are practicing in, with respect to the winds that affect the town. He believed that people living in cities with differing orientations against the winds experience different diseases (Chapters 3–6).<ref>Matthew E. Falagas, Ioannis A. Bliziotis, John Kosmidis, George K. Daikos, Unusual climatic conditions and infectious diseases: observations made by Hippocrates, Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica, Volume 28, Issue 10, 2010, Pages 716-718, ISSN 0213-005X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eimc.2009.11.013.</ref>
According to ancient knowledge of vastushastra, each direction has a dominating deity. Construction in that direction is good, auspicious, bad or inauspicious as suggested in vastu shastra. These are perfectly tuned to nature, surroundings and environment without any kind of trouble. The primary objective of vastushastra is to bring perfect balance and harmony between nature, people, their place of living and working, thereby paving the way for peace, prosperity, health and happiness to everyone.<ref>Gupta R. Comparison of Vastu Shastra with Modern Building Science. International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation. 2016 Jul;3(7):118-21.</ref>
Fengshui is based on a number of complex connected ideas from cosmology, the philosophy of nature, astrology and astronomy concerning the general organization of the universe and the possibility that organization has of influencing human lives. It is mainly concerned with finding the best possible arrangement in space and somehow in time to position a grave – the residence of the dead – or a habitation – the residence of the living – in such a way that human beings who have a link with that place (descendants of the buried ancestors or those living in the house) might have success and happiness.<ref>Obringer, F. (2005) ‘Fengshui, or the Search for a Very Human Dragon’, Diogenes, 52(3), pp. 55–63. doi: 10.1177/0392192105055171.</ref>
Fengshui is a philosophy of setting and placing buildings and elements in an environment. It aims to realize physical environment that encourages well-being through the utilization of flowing energy. Environmental psychology is a scientific discipline that studies how to design environments that can meet the needs of their occupants and facilitate their activities in order to promote their well-being. The first and most important purpose of fengshui is the creation of physical environments that encourage well-being through the utilization of natural energies. This outcome is similar to what environmental psychology aims to achieve with its tradition of scientific studies: helping to design environments that promote well-being among their occupant.<ref>Bonaiuto, M., Bilotta, E., & Stolfa, A. (2010). “FENG SHUI” AND ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY: A CRITICAL COMPARISON. Journal of Architectural and Planning Research, 27(1), 23–34. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43030890</ref>
In the traditional Chinese Medicine component - Acupuncture, to achieve the well known analgesic effects, direction, angle and depth of needle insertion is of utmost importance.<ref>Fan GQ, Zhao Y, Fu ZH. [Acupuncture analgesia and the direction, angle and depth of needle insertion]. Zhongguo Zhen jiu = Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion. 2010 Nov;30(11):965-968. PMID: 21246860</ref>
Magnetic therapy is a developing field in alternative medicine which is being used in rehabilitation medicine in terms of static magnetic fields and time varying magnetic fields (electromagnetic), to control pain and other biologic problems.<ref>Carlos Vallbona, Todd Richards, Evolution of Magnetic Therapy from Alternative to Traditional Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America, Volume 10, Issue 3, 1999, Pages 729-754, ISSN 1047-9651, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1047-9651(18)30190-6.</ref>
The concept of directions and its applications are developed in modern times. Many theories are postulated on this concept. Laws of motion by Sir Issac Newton, theory of relativity, the effect of magnetic field of earth and planets<ref>Hulot, G., Finlay, C.C., Constable, C.G. et al. The Magnetic Field of Planet Earth. Space Sci Rev 152, 159–222 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-010-9644-0</ref>, the effect of gravity<ref>Verlinde, E. On the origin of gravity and the laws of Newton. J. High Energ. Phys. 2011, 29 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP04(2011)029</ref> and all navigation techniques depend on the concept of directions or geographical regions.
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