PRAJNAAPARADHA WITH DHEE-DHRITI-SMRITI VIBHRAMSA

PRAJNAAPARADHA – A MAJOR CAUSE OF DISEASE

• Ayurveda identifies Prajnaaparadha as one of the primary causes of diseases.

• It is the impairment of intellectual faculties leading to erroneous actions that disturb the balance of doshas and cause diseases.

• Mentioned in Charaka Samhita Sharira Sthana 1/99-102, Prajnaaparadha is a key concept in understanding the psychosomatic origin of diseases.

• It is classified under the three basic causes of disease: Asatmendriyartha Samyoga, Prajnaaparadha, and Parinama (Kala).

MEANING AND DEFINITION OF PRAJNAAPARADHA

• The term Prajnaaparadha is composed of two words:

  • Prajna = Intellect / Wisdom

  • Aparadha = Offense / Transgression

• Thus, Prajnaaparadha means “an offense of the intellect” – the deliberate or habitual misuse of intellect resulting in wrong actions.

• It leads to unhealthy choices in diet, lifestyle, behavior and thoughts, which ultimately result in physical and mental disorders.

REFERENCE FROM CHARAKA SAMHITA

च.शा.१/९९-१०२

धिब्रह्मश्च धृतिब्रह्मश्च स्मृतिब्रह्मश्च प्रज्ञापराधस्त्रिविधो भवति।
तत्र यथा अशास्त्रोपदेशं शास्त्रोपदेशात् वा यद्विपरीतं बुद्धिर्गृह्णाति स धिब्रह्मः।
यत्राधर्मार्थकाममोक्षाणां विचारज्ञानमनुपपन्नं स धृतिब्रह्मः।
या चास्मिन्विपर्यस्ते धारणायां स्वविपरीतानां च ज्ञानानां धर्माधर्मादीनां च पुनरविष्कारः स्मृतिब्रह्मः।

• Translation Summary: Prajnaaparadha is of three types:

  1. Dhi Vibhramsha – perversion or confusion of the intellect.

  2. Dhruti Vibhramsha – impairment of willpower and discrimination.

  3. Smriti Vibhramsha – distortion or loss of memory.

DHI VIBHRAMSHA (PERVERSION OF INTELLECT)

• Dhi refers to intellect or discriminatory faculty.

• Dhi vibhramsha is the incapability to distinguish right from wrong.

• It leads to wrong judgment, decisions, or logic, often knowingly.

• Example: Choosing to eat junk food despite knowing its harmful effects.

DHRUTI VIBHRAMSHA (PERVERSION OF RESTRAINT/WILL)

• Dhruti is the mental strength or willpower to restrain oneself.

• Dhruti vibhramsha means failure to control desires, emotions, or urges.

• Even after understanding that an action is harmful, the person fails to control impulses.

• Example: Addictions like smoking, alcohol, or excessive eating.

SMRITI VIBHRAMSHA (PERVERSION OF MEMORY)

• Smriti stands for memory and experience-based knowledge.

• Smriti vibhramsha is the loss of past learning or forgetting what is beneficial or harmful.

• It leads to repeating harmful actions due to faulty memory or ignorance of consequences.

• Example: Forgetting the pain of a previous illness and repeating the same causative activity.

IMPORTANCE OF PRAJNAAPARADHA IN AYURVEDA

• Considered a root cause of most diseases – both somatic and psychological.

• Also responsible for Adharma and decline of health, moral conduct, and social behavior.

• Plays a major role in lifestyle diseases, psychosomatic disorders, and even mental illnesses.

• Prevention of Prajnaaparadha is equivalent to preventing diseases at their source.

MODERN CORRELATION

• In modern medicine, Prajnaaparadha can be correlated with:

  • Cognitive distortions, impaired judgment, poor impulse control

  • Executive dysfunction, often seen in frontal lobe disorders

  • Substance abuse, addiction behavior, stress-related disorders

  • Behavioral patterns influenced by psychological conditioning and learned behaviors

• Similar to the concept of maladaptive behavior in clinical psychology.

CLINICAL EXAMPLES IN MODERN CONTEXT

• Dhi Vibhramsha: Seen in cognitive impairments, delusional thinking, poor risk assessment (e.g., continuing sedentary habits in obesity).

• Dhruti Vibhramsha: Seen in substance abuse, compulsive disorders, or impulse control disorders.

• Smriti Vibhramsha: Seen in dementia, trauma-related memory loss, or repeated behavioral errors due to forgetfulness.

PREVENTIVE AND THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES IN AYURVEDA

• Sadvritta (ethical conduct) – cultivates right thinking, right memory, and self-restraint.

• Achara Rasayana – promotes proper behavioral conduct to preserve Prajna.

• Yoga and Meditation – enhances intellect, memory, and mental discipline.

• Medhya Rasayanas – drugs like Brahmi, Shankhapushpi, Mandukaparni to strengthen mental faculties.