HETU

HETU – DEFINITION AND SYNONYMS

🔸 DEFINITION OF HETU

• The term Hetu (हेतु) in Ayurveda refers to the cause or factor responsible for the origin of a disease.

• It is one of the fundamental components of Roga (Disease) Nidana (diagnosis).

• Hetu is the initiating factor that leads to Dosha vitiation, followed by disease manifestation.

• It may include internal or external factors responsible for disturbing the homeostasis of Doshas, Dhatus, and Malas.

📜 Relevant Shloka:

"विकाराणां पुनः कारणं हेतुरित्यभिधीयते।
स हेतुरेकविधो न स्यात्, बहवो ह्यस्य हेतवः॥"
(Ashtanga Hridaya, Sutrasthana, 1/24)

• Meaning: The cause of diseases is called Hetu. Often, there is not just a single Hetu but multiple causes involved in disease production.

🔸 IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING HETU

• Helps in early identification and prevention of diseases.

• Essential for the correct diagnosis and formulation of treatment plans.

• Provides clarity in understanding the pathogenesis (Samprapti) of a disease.

🔸 SYNONYMS OF HETU AND THEIR DEFINITIONS

📌 Definitions in Bullet Points:

• Nidana (निदान):

  • Means root cause or etiological factor.

  • It is often used interchangeably with Hetu in Ayurvedic texts.

• Karana (करण):

  • Refers to the instrumental cause of disease.

  • It may include dietary, behavioral, and environmental causes.

• Pratyaya (प्रत्यय):

  • Indicates preconditions or circumstances leading to disease.

  • Similar to risk factors in modern science.

• Ayatana (आयतन):

  • Describes the supportive ground or substratum for disease manifestation.

  • Includes body, sense organs, mind, etc.

• Samutthana (समुत्थान):

  • Signifies the emerging factor or the initial trigger of the disease.

  • Directly linked to Dosha vitiation.

📜 Relevant Shloka:

"निदानं कारणं हेतु: समुत्थानं च तद्विदुः।
निमित्तं यत्तु विकृते: प्रवृत्तौ प्रथमतः स्थितम्॥"
(Chakrapani commentary on Charaka Samhita)

• Meaning: Nidana, Karana, Hetu, and Samutthana are understood as the causal factors that initially bring about the pathological process.

🔸 CLASSIFICATION OF HETU (Brief Overview)

• Though not the main focus here, understanding types of Hetu helps contextualize the synonyms:

  • Asatmya Indriyartha Samyoga (Improper contact of senses with objects)

  • Prajnaparadha (Intellectual blasphemy)

  • Parinama/Kala (Effect of time/season)

These three are Shodasha Nidana Hetus according to various classical texts.