IJCRR

IJCRR - 13(6), March, 2021

Pages: 112-116

Date of Publication: 20-Mar-2021

A Review on Scattered References of Prakrut and Vikrutnidra (Sleep) from Brihattrayee

Author: Kaustubh Bhoyar, Santosh Pusadkar, Arshiya Khan, Sonali Bhoyar, Swarupa Chakole

Category: Healthcare

Abstract:Nidra is one of the most important phenomena which is directly related to and influences the achievement of happiness and misery in a man's life. Similarly, as diet and exercise regimen is important for the health of a human being, Nidr? plays a vital role in maintaining proper health and so is the key to live a successful and healthy life. The importance of Nidr? has also been elaborated by Acharya Charaka as follows: As proper ?h?r is required for maintenance of health similarly Nidr? is required for happiness and health. Obesity and leanness also depend on Nidr?. Thus, it is stated that when there is decrease in the Satva Guna in human beings, then it ultimately increases the effect of T?masika Guna. Due toincrease in the T?masa temperament, there is more influence of Nidr? on an individual.

Keywords: Nidr?, V?da, Bhutadh?tri

Full Text:

Introduction

The word Nidr? means sleep. One can get references for Nidr? from the period of V?da. The term Nidr? appears in Rigv?da, Yajurv?da etc. Nidr? is mentioned with different synonyms in different periods of Veda, in Rigv?da it is mentioned as “Svapna”.¹ In Rigveda, it is mentioned that The Gods never have Nidr?.² This is because they have absence of Tama Guna. This highlights the fact that Nidr? is related to the tama guna of the body. People with the predominance of Satva Guna have fewer Nidr? as compared to those having the predominance of Tama guna. When a person awakens from deep sleep, it is a sense of pleasure and a sense of satisfaction. Lord Shri Krishna has also explained the importance of proper sleep for a Dhyana Yogi in Bhagwad Git?.³ According to him, both excessive sleep and ceaselessly awakening is not good.

Mythology of Nidr?

References about Nidr? in the V?dika era have been seen. It is known that the period of the earth is divided into four Yuga viz. satayuga, tr?t?yuga, dv?parayuga and kaliyuga, so the Nidr? of God viz¸ at the end of each Yuga is termed as Yoga Nidr? (As mentioned inraghuvamsma 10.14). In other references, it is also mentioned that Nidr? is the great sleep of God bramh? during the period between the Pralaya(destruction) and Utpatti (production) ofSr?sti. God Bramh? creates life on earth whereas God Vishnu maintains it and finally God?iva destroys it. Nidr? is also said to be the name of Goddess Durg?.⁴Ayurveda clearly emphasizes on the importance of Nidr? for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Considering K?la of Yajurved?, people of that time period had a very low quantity of Nidr? due to the presence of Satva guna and the absence of Tama guna. But considering this quote from a different angle, it could have been stated for Div?svapna or too much quantity of night sleep also. Mah?bh?rata, the great epic of Indian history also mentions the merits of Nidr?and demerits of r?trij?garana. It states that the persons who are keen for health should not indulge themselves in being awake at night, sleeping in daytime, laziness, getting addicted to bad things and other such factors. Thus, it is stated that when there is the decrease in the Satva Guna in human beings, then it ultimately increases the effect of T?masika Guna. Due to increase in the T?masa temperament, there is more influence of Nidr? on an individual. The ancient seers of India have not only recognized the natural constructive power of sleep  but have also attributed to it, a supernatural power that is beneficial for health, happiness and longevity. The daily rhythm of life is thus an instinct related to the rhythm of night and day existing in nature. Ayurveda regards Nidr? as one of the most essential factors responsible for a healthy and fulfilled life. It is one of the Trayopastambhas or three great supporting pillars on which the health of a person is firmly balanced. Every country has had great scientists who have tried to study sleep, its nature and its causes. Sleep is the non-deliberate absence of thought waves or knowledge. Dreamless sleep is an inert state of perception in which the sense of existence is not felt. In sleep, the senses of perception rest in the mind, the mind in the consciousness and the consciousness in the being. In deep sleep, the senses of perception cease to function because their master, the mind is at rest. When the Chitta becomes exhausted, it goes inward, away from the sense impulses of worldly objects; hence the sleep is a resting phase of the mind. At that time, there is the absence of knowledge about the orientation of time and place. In this condition, it is believed that the Chitta resides in the MedhyaN?di. Acharya Dalhana has explained the importance and benefits of good Nidra when there is sama yoga of MedhyaN?di and Manah through which pleasure is obtained by the Deha and Indriya. The references of Nidr? areas such mentioned in the V?dic era and are also available in scattered form in the Ayurvedic classics. In the Ayurvedic classics, the usefulness of sleep and its role in the maintenance of health is elaborately discussed. It is to be considered that all the living creatures must enjoy the sleep in quality and quantity to keep themselves fit. Acharya Charak propounded a theory that explains why human beings sleep. According to Acharya Charak, Nidr? is nothing but a combined stage of tired mind and body. It means when the mind takes out its attention from its work and the sense organs get tired due to heavy workload then this combined stage leads to sleep. From the very birth, the amount of sleep (in hours) of a newborn is maximum. Generally, sleep occurs during the night and at about the same time for a particular duration every day and as such in Ayurved?, Nidr? is said to be Ratrisvabh?vaPrabhava (Prakriti Nidra). According to Sushruta Samhita, Nidr? is provoked due to nature and considered as SvabhavikaRoga. Therefore, the Acharyas have advised that a man should not suppress this important natural urge. It is quite evident from the above discussion that sleep is one of the basic need of every living being. Any living organism of whatever nature always feels the need for resting after an activity. The various organs and the parts of the body can be given rest independently but complete rest for the entire organism is possible only when it goes to sleep. Similarly, in nature, it is observed that not only animals but plants also enjoy recreation in the night by contracting the petals of the flowers, leaves etc., at the time of sunset and in the next morning relaxing and reopening.

Occurrence of  Nidr?

It is a question from time immemorial as to what sleep is and how it occurs and what is the

role of sleep in health. Scientists have tried to think over the phenomena of sleep.

Etymology and Synonyms of Nidra

The derivation of the word ‘Nidra’ is as follows:

The term ‘Nidr?’ is derived from the root ‘da’ with prefix ‘ina’ means undesired to lead, it

is a state which is hated, therefore, it is termed as ‘Nidr?’.

In Samhit?kala the terms used for Nidr? are

1. Vaishnavi

2. Bhut?dh?tri

3. P?pmula

4. Tamobhava

5. T?masi

Here, Nidr? is stated as the energy of God and naturally, it has its effects over all created

beings. So it is termed Vaishnavi, as it is the energy of God Vishnu. All the animals are

created by God, hence Nidr? has its effect on them.

Similarly, Bhutadh?tri term mentioned for Nidr? by Acharya Charak is explained as follows-

Dhatri- Responsible for nourishment, nurturing.

Thus Bhutadh?tri is the one which is protective, nurtures and responsible for the growth of all

living beings.

The word dh?tri indicates, to take care and the word bhuta is mentioned for all the created

living beings. Hence collectively the word bhut?dhatri indicates or holds up the life

without causing any symptoms or diseases.

P?pmula or p?pm?nam because it destroys the effect of all good works and has its effect on

all the created beings. Nidr?& some other term: [Tamom?yi and Tamomul?]-

In the occurrence of Nidr?, Tama is the basic cause and Nidr? is its effect, so Nidr? is also

known as tamomula.^4-6

Nidr? is also called ‘Tamo-mayi”. Tamasa guna rises at its peak during Nidr? (sleep) hence

it is also named “Tamomayi”. T?masa guna appears at night.

Nidr? as the Trayopastambhas (3 Pillars of Life)

Nidr? is also one of the only Adharniyavegas which is given as the importance to be included in Trayopastambhas. Diet, Sleep and non-celibacy if indulge with good adequate sense then they hold the body as that of pillars that holds a house.

In Ayurveda, it is accepted that body, sense organs, Satva and ?tma are the components of life. And it is rightly mentioned that Nidr? gives rest to the sensory organs, the mind and the

body also which indicates that the components of life and the life itself cannot sustain

without proper Nidra. Hence, Nidr? is placed as one of the trayopastambhass in Ayurved?.

Acharya Charak has also beautifully explained that adequate Nidr? helps a man to become

stout and achieve strength like a pig.

But on the other hand, if sleep is not taken regularly then it may directly affect the health.

The strategy behind this is that the sleep not taken for 2 to 3 days or more irregularly affects

mostly on the mind and the strength of the working organs.^4,5

Benefits of Nidr? for Sharir Bhavas

Acharya Sushrut states that Nidr? taken at the proper time gives us stoutness, glowing of skin, strength, activeness, proper digestion and most importantly Dhatusamya which is the one of

the goal of Ayurveda from the treatment point of view.

The above benefits of Nidr? related to Sharirbhavas are one of the important functions of

tridoshas in the body and thus directly states the relation of Nidr? with the normal functions of

the body.

Site of Nidr?

Acharya Sushrut had beautifully explained and mentioned that the heart is the seat of Chetna in the body and when this is invaded by Tamo guna, the body gets Nidr? due to work, mind and sense organs get tired and it further leads to Nidr?. Therefore these (mana and indriya) withdraw from their functions.

The onset of Nidr?

According to Acharya Sushrut, Tamoguna is the cause for Nidr? and satva guna is the cause for bodhana. Nidr? (sleep) is the offspring of Tamo guna and awaking process is the quality of sattva guna. Here, the mythological references about Gods and the predominance of Satva in them

resulting in absence of Tama guna can be correlated. Also, the onset of Nidr? indicates the involvement of the predominance of Satva and tamo guna in human beings and Tamo guna is thus responsible for Nidr?.

Factors responsible for Nidr?

When the sense organs get functionless and tamoguna is greatly increased then Bhut?tm? is said to be sleeping though it is not sleeping. These are the important reasons for the Nidr? (sleep). If we glance through them then we can understand the importance of the Nidr?

(sleep) for our daily work and also its importance for our body, sense organs and mind. According to Ayurveda as there are three vital substances present in the body. These are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These three regulates the body in normal condition and they may also

cause diseases in their improper equilibrium. Kapha plays an important role in the sleep of

human being. Whenever there is the aggravation of Kapha or whenever naturally it has its sway

then the sleep appearing at that time is called normal sleep. It means that the Kapha dosha

and the tamasa guna of mind play an important role in the formation of sleep.^1-3

Following may be the reason for the urge of Nidr? (sleep) –

1. When Kapha dosha gets increases then it blocks the different systems of the body and

this condition generally arises at night time, after a meal. After taking the meal, Kapha

dosha increases and due to this it blocks the channels of the body. According to

Ayurveda Kapha normally shows its influence in the starting of the digestion, hence

one can experience the effect of Nidr? (sleep) after taking the meal. In this process, our

sense organs unable to do their proper work and ultimately this results in the Nidr?

(sleep).

2. We get knowledge of our surroundings due to our sense organs. But if these sense

organs get tired or if they become unable to do their work properly then the body shows

the symptoms of Nidr? (sleep) as well.

Review of Vikrut Nidr?

VikrutNidr? can be grouped as the types of Nidr?, i.e. abnormal types of Nidr?. These are

explained in the scattered form in B?ihattray?.

Types of Nidr? (Accoding to Acharya Charak)

Acharya Charaka 1 mentioned 6 types of Nidr? as

1. Tamobhav?

2. ?leshmasamudbhav?

3. Manah?arirashr?masambhava

4. ?gantuki

5. Vy?dhyinuvartini

These are VikrutNidra elaborated as follows: -

1. ?leshmasamudbhav? - Nidr? which appears due to the excess of kapha dosha then it

is called ?leshmas?mudbhav?Nidr?.

2. Manah?arirashr?masambhava - Nidr? which appears due to the tiredness of mind and

body because of heavy work, then it is called as manahsharirashr?masambhavaNidr?.

3. Mental and physical exertion brings about the inactivity of the mind resulting in the

detachment of the mind and the sense organs from their objects which is responsible

forNidr?. But if there is excessive exertion, this may cause vitiation of Vata leading

toAnidr?. Thus even though exertion is the causative factor for Nidr? excessive

exertion is responsible for the aggravation of Vata, which causes Anidr?.^2,3

4. ?gantuki – Aagantuki type of Nidr? (sleep) is caused due to external factors and as

such it is in itself incurable. According to Acharya Chakrapani this type of Nidra is

called as ristabhuta i.e. the Nidr? (sleep), which indicates the death signs.

5. Vyadhyianuvartini (Complication of other diseases) - Nidr? which appears due to

diseases called vyadhyanuvartiniNidr?. Normally Nidr? appears due to the influence

of Kapha dosha hence whenever there is the increase in Kapha dosha more than its normal

equilibrium then the sleep appears at that time. This type of sleep is indicative of vyadhi i.e. disease.

Types of Nidr? (According to Acharya Sushruta):

Types of Nidr? according to Acharya Sushruta 2 –

Nidr? is the elusive energy of God and it has its effect naturally over all created beings. The kind of Nidr? which sets in when the sensation carrying channels of the body are choked by kaphadosha (shleshma), which bounds the quantity of Tamo guna, is known as ‘t?msiNidr?’. This type of Nidr? produces unconsciousness at the time of death.

The person with the deprived condition of the Kapha dosha & aggravated condition of v?ta dosha or suffering from any type of troubles, get very little Nidr? or absolutely no Nidr?.

This type of Nidr? is called ‘VaikarikiNidr?’.

The Nidr? which appears due to the influence of Tama guna called as t?masiNidr?. It produces unconsciousness at the time of death. This type is similar to the tamobh?vaNidr? said by Acharya Charak.

Types of Nidr? (According to Acharya VrudhaV?gbhata)

Acharya VrudhaV?gbhata 3 mentioned 7 types of Nidr? as –

? K?lasvabh?vaja

? A?mayakhedaprabh?vaja

? Chittakhedaprabh?vaja

? Dehakhedaprabh?vaja

? Kaphaprabh?va

? ?gantuki

? Tamobh?va

Amongst these except K?laswabh?vajaNidr?, the VikrutNidr? types are explained here as

follows:

1. Aamayakhedaprabh?va –

The Nidr? which appears due to the diseases present in the sharira called aamayakheda

Nidr?. The word ?ma is used for the factor generates in the sharira due to the undigested food. According to Ayurveda, the ?ma is responsible for creating various diseases. This type of Nidr? resembles that of Vyadhyanuvartini type of Acharya Charaka and vaikarikiNidr? of Acharya Sushruta.^3,4

2. Chittakhedaprabh?vaNidr? –

The Nidr? which appears due to the disturbances in the mind called chittakheda

prabh?vaNidr?. This type resembles with manahsharirashramasambh?vaNidr? of

Acharya Charaka and vaikarikiNidr? of Acharya Sushruta.

3. Deha khedaprabh?vaNidr? –

The Nidr? which appears due to tiredness of the body called as dehakhedaprabh?va

Nidr?. This type resembles the manahsharirasramasambhavaNidr? of Acharya

Charaka and vaikarkiNidr? of Acharya Sushruta.

4. Kaphaprabh?vaNidr? –

Nidr? which appears due to aggravated Kapha dosha called kaphaprabh?va Nidr?.

Kapha dosha closely resembles the tama guna of the mind and combined they cause

The Nidr? in the night. But when there is the increase in the Kapha dosha of the body, then the

Nidr? also appears in the daytime or may persist for a longer time than normal. In such

a condition, the Nidr? is called kaphaprabh?vanidra. This type resembles the

shleshmasamudbh?vanidra of the Acharya Charaka and vaikariki of Acharya Sushruta.

5. ?gantukiNidr? –

?gantukiNidr? appears due to external factors like accidents, injuries etc. Hence this

type of Nidr? is also considered abnormal. This type resembles that of ?gantuki  type of Nidr? of Acharya Charaka and vaikariki type of Acharya Sushruta.⁵

6. Tamobh?vaNidr? –

This type of Nidr? appears due to the aggravated stage of tamo guna of mind. It results

in sinful behaviour. Therefore Acharya Sushruta and Acharya Charaka mentioned it

asp?pamula (the root of the bad works). This type of Nidr? mainly appears at the time of

death. Acharya Charaka mentioned this as tamobhavaNidr? as Acharya Vagbhata

and Acharya Sushruta named this type as tamsinidra. Acharya also mentioned that this

type of Nidr? is dangerous for the life of man and may lead to death also.⁶

Conclusion

Nidr? is one of the most important phenomena which is directly related to and influences

References:

1. ?????????????????????????????????.?.??

2. Rigveda 8.2.18.

3. Bhagvada Gita 5/8-9

4. V?caspatyamaBhagam 6.4848

5. Yajurv?da 30.17

6. Dalhan Tika Sushutra Sutrasthana 1/25./A.Sa.Su.9/48/Su.Sh.4/356. Chakrapanitika. Ashtangahridaya B.sitaram