TYPES OF ROGA

ROGA – TYPES AND CLASSIFICATION

(As per Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana)

I. ROGA – DEFINITION

• The term ‘Roga’ refers to an imbalance or disturbance in the natural state of doshas, dhatus, and malas leading to discomfort in the body and/or mind.

• According to Ayurveda, disease arises due to Pragyaparadha (intellectual blasphemy), Asatmendriyartha Samyoga (improper contact of sense organs with their objects), and Parinama (effects of time).

II. TYPES OF ROGA BASED ON CAUSATION

1. NIDANAJA ROGA (DISEASES CAUSED BY SPECIFIC ETIOLOGY)

• Caused by exposure to improper diet, lifestyle, and habits.

• Tridosha imbalance is the root cause.

• Emphasized throughout Sutrasthana.

2. SAHETUKA ROGA (DISEASES WITH KNOWN CAUSE)

• Diseases having an identifiable cause.

• Most diseases fall under this category.

3. AHEETUKA ROGA (DISEASES WITHOUT IDENTIFIABLE CAUSE)

• No definite cause can be traced.

• Often refers to Daivika Roga (divine or karmic diseases).

III. TYPES OF ROGA BASED ON DOSHIC INVOLVEMENT

1. EKADOSHAJA ROGA

• Caused by single dosha – Vata, Pitta, or Kapha.

2. DVIDOSHAJA ROGA

• Caused by the combination of any two doshas.

3. TRIDOSHAJA ROGA

• Involves all three doshas.

• Usually chronic and difficult to treat.

श्लोकः
"एकदोषो द्विधा दूष्यं त्रिविधं त्रिविधं तथा।
द्वंद्वं च त्रिकं चापि सात्म्यं तत्रोपदिश्यते॥"
(Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana 1/12)

IV. TYPES OF ROGA BASED ON ONSET/NATURE

1. SHARIRIKA ROGA (PHYSICAL DISEASES)

• Manifest in the body, involving physical structures.

• Caused by imbalance in doshas affecting dhatus and malas.

2. MANASIKA ROGA (MENTAL DISEASES)

• Affect the mind.

• Caused by imbalance of Rajas and Tamas gunas.

श्लोकः
"रागद्वेषभयक्रोधशोकमोहस्मृतिक्षयैः।
मनो विक्रियते तस्मात् तद्विकाराः प्रदुष्यतः॥"
(Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana 1/24)

V. TYPES OF ROGA BASED ON SITE OF ORIGIN

1. ANTARROGA (INTERNAL DISEASES)

• Originate within the body.

• Involve internal organs and systems.

2. BAHIROGA (EXTERNAL DISEASES)

• External in nature.

• Involve skin, eyes, ears, etc.

VI. TYPES OF ROGA BASED ON SROTAS (BODY CHANNELS) AFFECTED

• Each disease can be categorized based on the specific srotas affected, e.g.:

  • Pranavaha Srotas → Respiratory diseases

  • Annavaha Srotas → Digestive disorders

  • Rasavaha Srotas → Circulatory issues

  • Manovaha Srotas → Psychological diseases

VII. TYPES OF ROGA BASED ON KALABHEDHA (TIME)

1. NAVAROGA (ACUTE DISEASE)

• Recently originated.

• Easier to treat.

2. PURANAROGA (CHRONIC DISEASE)

• Long-standing disease.

• Harder to manage and treat.

श्लोकः
"नव रोगा हृदि स्थेयुः, जीर्णा दोषप्रवृत्तयः।
दुष्टाः कष्टप्रतिक्रियां चिरस्थायिन्यनाशनाः॥"
(Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana – Contextual from early chapters)

VIII. TYPES OF ROGA BASED ON SAMPRAPTI (PATHOGENESIS)

1. SAMA ROGA (WITH AMA)

• Due to presence of Ama (undigested toxins).

• Symptoms: heaviness, sluggishness, coated tongue.

2. NIRAMA ROGA (WITHOUT AMA)

• Absence of Ama.

• Symptoms: clarity of symptoms, lightness in body.

IX. TYPES OF ROGA BASED ON URDHVA, ADHO, AND MADHYA MARGA

• According to marga or route of disease manifestation:

  • Urdhvamarga (Upper pathway) – Head, eyes, ears, nose, throat.

  • Adhomarga (Lower pathway) – Digestive system, reproductive, excretory organs.

  • Madhyamarga (Middle pathway) – Vital organs like heart, lungs, blood vessels, bones, joints.

X. DAIVAVYAPASHRAYA & YUKTIVYAPASHRAYA ROGA

1. DAIVAVYAPASHRAYA ROGA

• Diseases with karmic or spiritual origin.

• Treated using mantras, japa, homa, daana, etc.

2. YUKTIVYAPASHRAYA ROGA

• Diseases manageable through logical reasoning – using ahara, vihara, aushadha (diet, lifestyle, medicine).