Critical review of the concept of Desha

Abstract

In Ayurveda Desha and Disha both terms have been applied from health and disease point of view. Desha has been applied in two senses first one i.e. Bhumi Desha is for land/any geographical area, and second one is body and mind. Human being is known as Atura Desha. Both types of Desha have been described in Ayurvedic classics and interrelation between both has also mentioned. The division and regulation of Atura Desha is done on the basis of three biological entities i.e. Vata, Pitta, Kapha Dosha. The characteristics of individual described according to Triguna, Tridosha, Prakriti and Desha also. Drug should be collected from Sadharana Desha (place having qualities of both Jangala and Anupa) which is situated in the north direction. Desha is one of the important environmental factors responsible for the causation of epidemic, endemic or pandemic diseases. Some places have been responsible for specific diseases because of having favourable condition for causation of pathogenesis of disease.