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|title=Swabhavoparama vada – Theory of innate destruction
|title=Swabhavoparama vada – Theory of innate destruction
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<p style='text-align:justify;'>The term 'Swabhav' means prakriti or the nature of the substance, and the term 'Uparama' means destruction. The word 'Swabhavoparama' stands for natural destruction or self-destruction. The theory of natural destruction or process of self-healing is termed 'Swabhavoparam-Vada.<ref name="ref1">Dhaaniya A, Varsakiya J., Singh NR. Principle of Swabhawoparmwad- Scientific Description Related To Human Body: A Crucial Study. International Ayurvedic Medical Journal (online) 2019 (cited August, 2019); 7: 1334-1338. Available from: http://www.iamj.in/posts/images/upload/1334_1338.pdf. </ref> Birth, growth, and senescence, which ultimately lead to death, are inevitable. This physiological event is going on at every moment of our life. Nobody can get rid of this unavoidable process. Destruction is a passive phenomenon as kala (time) moves continuously, passes away, and is irreversible.</p>
<p style='text-align:justify;'>The term 'Swabhav' means prakriti or the nature of the substance, and the term 'Uparama' means destruction. The word 'Swabhavoparama' stands for natural destruction or self-destruction. The theory of natural destruction or process of self-healing is termed 'Swabhavoparam-Vada.<ref name="ref1">Dhaaniya A, Varsakiya J., Singh NR. Principle of Swabhawoparmwad- Scientific Description Related To Human Body: A Crucial Study. International Ayurvedic Medical Journal (online) 2019 (cited August, 2019); 7: 1334-1338. Available from: http://www.iamj.in/posts/images/upload/1334_1338.pdf. </ref> Birth, growth, and senescence, which ultimately lead to death, are inevitable. This physiological event is going on at every moment of our life. Nobody can get rid of this unavoidable process. Destruction is a passive phenomenon as kala (time) moves continuously, passes away, and is irreversible.</p>
# Every manifestation needs cause (cause-effect relationship- karya-karana siddhant)
# Every manifestation needs cause (cause-effect relationship- karya-karana siddhant)
# All the things in this universe are momentary (momentariness-kshanika vada) </p>
# All the things in this universe are momentary (momentariness-kshanika vada) </p>
== Contemporary approach ==
=== Apoptosis : ===
<p style='text-align:justify;'>In a multicellular organism, the cells are highly organized and regulated too. If cells are no longer needed, they are removed through a tightly regulated cell destruction process. This process is called programmed cell death or apoptosis. Apoptosis (from a Greek word) meaning "falling off," as leaves from a tree. Apoptosis typically happens in cells that have been around in the body long enough to be worn out, so they need to make way for nice, new young cells. Programmed cell death, including apoptosis is required for normal cell turnover and tissue homeostasis.<ref name="ref25">Genetic glossary of National Human Genome Research Institute; Cell Biology; Apoptosis 11; updated on 17th Oct 2022. https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/apoptosis </ref> In apoptosis a suicide' program is activated within the cell, leading to fragmentation of the DNA, shrinkage of the cytoplasm, membrane changes, and cell death without lysis or damage to neighboring cells. This process shows alteration on the cell surface. This acts as an indicator. In response to this, it was phagocytosed by either a neighboring cell or a macrophage. They can also kill themselves when damaged or stressed by triggering procaspase aggregation and activation from within the cell. Apoptosis is mediated by proteolytic enzymes called caspases, which activate cell death by cleaving specific proteins in the cytoplasm and nucleus.<ref name="ref26">Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 4th edition. New York: Garland Science; 2002. Programmed Cell Death (Apoptosis) Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26873/ </ref> <br/>Apoptosis, can be activated in physiological or pathological conditions and free the organism from undesired cells. Cell proliferation and physiological cell death are highly coordinated and tightly controlled during normal development. Apoptosis takes part in several processes during embryonic development. It is now apparent that cell death and cell death-like processes are likewise major aspects of gametogenesis, organogenesis, tissue turnover, etc.<ref name="ref27">Zakeri Z and Lockshin RA . Cell Death: Defining and Misshaping Mammalian Embryos in: Xiao-Ming Yin, Zheng Dong, Editors. Essentials of Apoptosis- A Guide for Basic and Clinical Research. 2nd edition. Humana Press, a part of Springer Science Business Media, LLC ; 2009.pp 409-423. </ref> In developing vertebrate nervous systems, for example, up to half or more of the nerve cells normally die soon after they are formed. In a healthy adult human, billions of cells die in the bone marrow and intestine every hour. In adult tissues, cell death exactly balances cell division. If this were not so, the tissue would grow or shrink. During the metamorphosis of a tadpole into a frog, since tail is not required, the cells in the tail undergoes apoptosis. Thus, we can say that the regulation of cell death is as necessary as the regulation of cell life to maintain a healthy individual.<ref name="ref28">Mondello, C., & Scovassi, A. I. (2010). Apoptosis: a way to maintain healthy individuals. Sub-cellular biochemistry, 50, 307–323. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3471-7_16 </ref> <br/>In the context of the human body, apoptosis can be based on the theory of swabhavoparama vada.1 Both of these physiological processes converge to the point of `self-destruction'. Apoptosis is a highly regulated and controlled process that confers advantages during an organism's lifecycle. Homeostasis is necessary to maintain health, but the natural death of every living object is inevitable. So, the cells adopt the mechanism of programmed cell death. In adulthood, about 10 billion cells die every day to keep balance with the number of new cells arising from the body's stem cell populations. This normal homeostasis is not just a passive process but is regulated through apoptosis.<ref name="ref29">Renehan AG, Booth C, Potten CS. What is apoptosis, and why is it important? BMJ. 2001 Jun 23;322(7301):1536-8. doi: 10.1136/bmj.322.7301.1536. PMID: 11420279; PMCID: PMC1120576. </ref> </p>
=== Autophagy: ===
<p style='text-align:justify;'>Exclusively in eukaryotic cells, the lysosomal degradation of intracellular components is termed 'autophagy'. It helps the cell to adapt to a changing environment. Autophagy plays an essential role in maintaining cellular homeostasis, and dysregulation may participate in the pathological process of many human diseases. Autophagy is responsible for degrading long-lived proteins and damaged or superfluous organelles. Autophagy is also part of the cellular response to intracellular and extracellular stress. This process plays an important role in cellular protein metabolism, waste removal, structural reconstruction, growth, and development. Under stress conditions such as starvation and hypoxia, it can be induced quickly. This regulation is achieved through post-translational modifications (such as phosphorylation and acetylation) of key autophagy proteins. <br/>This promotes proteolytic degradation of cytosolic components at the lysosome. The isolation membrane, phagophore expands to engulf intra-cellular cargo, such as protein aggregates, organelles, and ribosomes, thereby restoring them in an autophagosome. The loaded autophagosome matures through fusion with the lysosome, promoting the degradation of autophagosome contents by lysosomal acid proteases. Lysosomal permeases and transporters export amino acids, nucleotides, and other by-products of degradation back out to the cytoplasm, where cells can re-use. Thus, autophagy may be considered a cellular' recycling factory' that promotes energy efficiency through ATP generation and mediates damage control by removing non-functional proteins and organelles. <br/>Chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) refers to a special type of autophagy that selectively degrades certain proteins with the assistance of chaperones. The soluble protein substrate in the cytoplasm can directly enter the lysosome. Dice discovered that lysosomes could selectively degrade ribonuclease A (RNase A).<ref name="ref30">Anding AL, Baehrecke EH. Cleaning house: selective autophagy of organelles. Dev Cell. 2017;41:10–22. </ref> LAMP2A (lysosome-associated membrane protein type 2A) on the lysosomal membrane is the receptor, one of the key regulators involved in this selective degradation pathway.<ref name="ref31">Kaushik S, Cuervo AM. Degradation of lipid droplet-associated proteins by chaperone-mediated autophagy facilitates lipolysis. Nat Cell Biol. 2015;17:759–70. </ref> LAMP2A is considered to be the primary rate-limiting factor of CMA. Studies have shown that starvation, oxidative stress, DNA damage, hypoxia, and other stimuli can increase the activity of CMA by promoting the production of the LAMP2A protein. A high-fat diet can reduce the level of LAMP2A on the lysosomal membrane and thus inhibits CMA activity in the liver. A series of studies have demonstrated that CMA plays a significant role in maintaining neuronal homeostasis, promoting lipid degradation, protecting mitochondrial function, and repairing DNA damage. The CMA activity decreases in aging bodies, mainly due to the decreased level of LAMP2A in the lysosomes, which may underlie the development of aging-related diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, metabolic disorders, and tumors.<ref name="ref32">Cuervo AM, Wong E. Chaperone-mediated autophagy: roles in disease and aging. Cell Res. 2014;24:92–104 </ref> Fasting therapy works on the principles of autophagy.<ref name="ref33">Mattson MP, Longo VD, Harvie M. Impact of intermittent fasting on health and disease processes. Ageing Res Rev. 2017;39:46-58. doi:10.1016/j.arr.2016.10.005</ref> </p>
== Importance and utility of the swabhavoparama vada ==
<p style='text-align:justify;'>Swabhavoparama vada ascertains the importance of chikitsa and the duties of a qualified physician. The concept also emphasizes to disrupt the continuum of the cause (Hetoh avartanam) which is removing the causative factors (hetus). It creates the absence of causative factors called 'nidana-varjana'. Ithampers the progression of the disease. <br/>Abstinence from disease-causing factors has preventive and curative aspects. Nidana parivarjana plays a vital role in breaking down the pathogenesis at every stage of shat - kriyakala.<ref name="ref34">Baghel M.S., Mandal S.K.. Vyadhita Rupiya Vimana Adhyaya verse 28. In: Khandel S.K., Bhagwat M., Deole Y.S., Basisht G., eds. Charak Samhita New Edition. 1st ed. Jamnagar, Ind: CSRTSDC; 2020.
https://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/index.php?title=Vyadhita_Rupiya_Vimana&oldid=41176. Accessed October 25, 2022. </ref> It can be included under non-drug therapy (adravyabhoota chikitsa). It can easily conceal the manifestation of vishama dhatus and break the pathogenesis chain.<ref name="ref35">Chauhan P,Vyas M, Bhojani MK, Pathak P. A Conceptual Study on Swabhavoparam Vada in context to Nidana Parivarjana with special reference to its mechanism useful in Madhumeha (Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus). International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research. 2020;8(4):77-82. </ref><br/>Dosha, dhatu, and malas are the fundamental units of the body. Physiology is governed by these three units. The annihilation process is a continuous phenomenon. Thus, kshaya or destruction of these elements occurs naturally without any cause. Utpatti or manifestation of these units expect cause. To restore and continue the state of equilibrium of all the dhatus is the prime objective of Ayurveda. All types of actions and procedures are prescribed for the very objective.<ref name="ref36">Singh R.H., Singh G., Sodhi J.S., Dixit U.. Deerghanjiviteeya Adhyaya verse 53. In: Dixit U., Deole Y.S., Basisht G., eds. Charak Samhita New Edition. 1st ed. Jamnagar, Ind: CSRTSDC; 2020.
https://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/index.php?title=Deerghanjiviteeya_Adhyaya&oldid=41131. Accessed October 25, 2022. </ref> The doctrine of swabhavoparama vada helps to accomplish this. <br/>The same elements, whose wholesome combination gives rise to the well-being of human beings (purusha), bring about various kinds of diseases when combined in an unwholesome manner. [Cha.Sa.SutraSthana 25/29] <br/>
Qualities of the fundamental elements (panchamahabhuta) are responsible for the equilibrium state of all the units of the body, thus maintaining the state of equilibrium of dhatus. While the negative (opposite) qualities of the same mahabhuta lead to various diseases.<ref name="ref37">Chakrapani, Charak. Sutra Sthana, Cha.25 Yajjapurusheeya Adhyaya verse 29. In: Jadavaji Trikamji Aacharya, Editor. Charak Samhita.1st ed. Varanasi: Krishnadas Academy;2000.p.129. </ref> It is in accordance with the theory of swabhavoparama vada. </p>
== Utility of the concept ==
<p style='text-align:justify;'>A physician must know the characteristics of panchamahabhuta, body components, food, and various therapeutic medicines. Observation of the changes in characteristics with an objective to maintain equilibrium status makes a successful treatment. The food items that continue an equilibrium state in dhatus and help eliminate abnormalities or disturbances in the equilibrium path are considered wholesome food items. Everything expects the cause for its manifestation (utpatti). Wholesome food items are the inherent or the intimate cause (upadana karana) for the manifestation of dhatus. Regular consumption of such dravya also helps to disrupt the continuum of vitiated dhatus and restore the state of equilibrium. Maintaining this continuum of equilibrium of dhatu is essential for preserving health. Thus, the destruction of previously vitiated dhatus will take place by swabhava. Further continuous consumption of a wholesome diet will lead to the formation and maintenance continuum of the equilibrium state of dhatus (sama dhatu santan-parampara). </p>
=== Sharira as an example: ===
<p style='text-align:justify;'>As per the definition of sharira (body), it naturally degenerates every moment. This supports the theory of natural destruction. </p>
== Application in understanding the root cause of pleasure and diseases ==
<p style='text-align:justify;'>In chapter on Purush Vichayya Sharira, the cause of pravritti (utpatti –attachment)) and methods of nivritti (detachment) are discussed. Acharya Atreya stated that<ref name="ref38">Awasthi H.H., Singh R., Deole Y. S.. Purusha Vichaya Sharira Adhyaya ver.8. In: Bhalerao S., Deole Y.S., Basisht G., eds. Charak Samhita New Edition. 1st ed. Jamnagar, Ind: CSRTSDC; 2020. https://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/index.php?title=Purusha_Vichaya_Sharira&oldid=41182. Accessed October 27, 2022. </ref> the division of the six elements, the separation, the withdrawal of the living, the restraint of the life force, and that destruction is the nature of the world. Here, it is reiterated that cause is essential for the manifestation of being, but destruction is natural. The source of attachment is ignorance, desire, hatred, and purposeful action. [Cha. Sa. Sharira Sthana 6/5] They are the causes of manifestation. This reminds us of Buddha's philosophy's theory of impermanence and momentariness. Simultaneously, there is an increase and decrease in the dhatus of opposite properties. The natural factors maintain the state of equilibrium. When some factors increase dhatu, the other opposite factors in the body reduce them up to normal level. When properly administered simultaneously, medical therapies bring both the reduced and increased dhatus to their normal states by reducing the increased ones and increasing the diminished ones. </p>
== Application in the preservation of equilibrium status ==
<p style='text-align:justify;'>In response to the Agnivesh's question on managing illnesses of the past, the present, and the future, Acharya Atreya has reiterated the principle of swabhavoparam vada <ref name="ref39">Dwivedi R.B., Gujarathi R.. Katidhapurusha Sharira Adhyaya verse92-94. In: Bhalerao S., Deole Y.S., Basisht G., eds. Charak Samhita New Edition. 1st ed. Jamnagar, Ind: CSRTSDC; 2020. https://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/index.php?title=Katidhapurusha_Sharira&oldid=41650. Accessed January 7, 2023. </ref>. When treatment is given conducive to the continuity of happiness (health), the pleasure (sukha) is continued. Natural destruction destroys suffering in the form of disease. Due to the absence of a cause of suffering, the suffering (illness) will not arise. [Cha. Sa. Sharira Sthana 1/93] Because of the momentary nature of elements (bhava –padartha), neither the state of equilibrium of dhatus, nor the imbalanced state of dhatus is brought to normalcy. The causative factors determine the equilibrium or imbalance of the dhatus. </p>
== Relation with vishesha principle ==
<p style='text-align:justify;'>The swabhavoparama vada can be considered in the light of another principle quoted by Charak i.e. Hraasa hetuh visheshacch. [Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 1/44] The dis-similar or opposite substance or action or properties cause a reduction. At first sight, these two principles seem contradictory because if destruction is the natural process, then what is the need for the vishesha principle? If dhatus are vitiated due to excessive increase (dhatu vriddhi avastha), the physician will use the vishesha principle to resume the equilibrium state of dhatus. As per the swabhavoparama vada, natural destruction is a continuous process due to the momentary nature of dhatus. Hence for destruction, no medicine is needed. But intervention is required to break the chain of manifestation of vitiated dhatus. In the present case, the vishesha principle should be used to restore the equilibrium of dhatus. Charak illustrates the same in the explanation of swabhavoparama vada. [Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 16/34-36] </p>
== Swabhavika vyadhi (naturally occurring diseases) ==
<p style='text-align:justify;'>Swabhava (nature) is a cause behind many specific phenomenon. Death is a natural phenomenon. Naturally occurring diseases due to swabhava (nature) depend on kala (time). Examples are kshudha (hunger), pipasa (thirst), jaravastha (aging), and mrityu (death). Sushruta states that the swabhavik vyadhi (natural diseases) like jara (ageing), mrityu (death) occur without reason as the time (kala) proceeds. Thee are unavoidable. Swabhavoparama vada is the doctrine used to explain the destruction phenomenon. </p>
== Padamshika krama (sequence to adopt good habits and discard bad habits) ==
<p style='text-align:justify;'>This is a good example of swabhawoparama vada. A sequential regimen is prescribed to adopt good habits and gradually give up bad habits. By gradually reducing unwholesome practices and adopting the wholesome practices in proper sequence, the unwholesome practices will not recur and wholesome will be fully adopted. The continuum of the disequilibrium stage of dhatus (vishama dhatus) will be destroyed. This will prevent the recurrence of vitiated dosha and expedite recovery from the disease state. Such practice establishes the need and importance of maintaining the continuum of wholesome practices.<ref name="ref40">Deole Y. S.. Naveganadharaniya Adhyaya verse 36-38. In: Reddy P.S., Deole Y.S., Basisht G., eds. Charak Samhita New Edition. 1st ed. Jamnagar, Ind: CSRTSDC; 2020.
https://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/index.php?title=Naveganadharaniya_Adhyaya&oldid=41538. Accessed October 26, 2022. </ref> </p>
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