The term ‘Roga Adhishthana’ refers to the site or location where a disease manifests or resides in the body.
Understanding the Adhishthana of a disease is crucial for proper diagnosis (Roga Pariksha) and effective treatment planning (Chikitsa Nirnaya).
Diseases can manifest in different levels — physical (Sharira), mental (Manas), or both.
👉 ACCORDING TO ASHTANGA HRIDAYA
Acharya Vagbhata explains that the Sharira (body) is the primary Adhishthana of Roga.
"शरीरं रोगाणामाधिष्ठानम् |"
— Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana 1/20
This means the human body is the seat where various diseases take hold.
👉 ACCORDING TO DOSHA-BASED CLASSIFICATION
Diseases may manifest in the sites predominantly governed by the respective Doshas:
Vata: Colon (Pakvashaya)
Pitta: Small intestine, stomach (Amashaya), blood
Kapha: Chest, head, stomach
👉 ACCORDING TO DHATU (BODY TISSUES)
Diseases can be based on the involvement of Dhatus (body tissues), such as:
Rasa: Anemia, malnutrition
Rakta: Skin disorders
Mamsa: Tumors
Meda: Diabetes
Asthi: Osteoporosis
Majja & Shukra: Neurological and reproductive disorders
👉 ACCORDING TO SROTAS (BODY CHANNELS)
Diseases are also categorized by the Srotas they affect:
For example: Pranavaha Srotas – Respiratory disorders, Annavaha Srotas – Digestive disorders
👉 ACCORDING TO UDBHAVA STHANA (ORIGIN SITE)
"सङ्घातः दोषधातुमालमूत्रशोणितसम्भवः शरीरं तेषामेवाभिसंयोगविभगात् सुखदुःखहेतुः |"
— Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana 1/7
This shloka signifies that the Sharira (body), composed of Dosha, Dhatu, Mala, Mutra, and Shonita, is the result of their union and separation and is the base for happiness and sorrow — thereby, also the base for Roga.
👉 ACCORDING TO STULA AND SUKSHMA LEVELS
Sthula (gross): Diseases manifesting physically – visible and symptomatic.
Sukshma (subtle): Diseases manifesting at the cellular or energetic level, or mental illnesses.
Determining the exact site of disease helps in:
Accurate diagnosis
Locating the pathology
Selection of appropriate Panchakarma or Shamana Chikitsa
Prognosis evaluation
Often discussed along with Roga Adhishthana to understand how diseases spread or are localized.
"कायबलवर्णेन्द्रियसत्त्वात्मसंयोगो हिताहितसुखदुःखायुः |"
— Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana 1/6
This verse gives the definition of life and connects health/disease to Sharira and Manas — hence emphasizes the dual abode of Roga: physical and mental.
