Article: A REVIEW ON BRIHATRAYI’S PERSPECTIVE ON PATHYA APATHYA: A GUIDING PRINCIPLE FOR A BALANCED AND HEALTHY LIFE

Article Category: Review articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.174155

Pages: 152-159

Author: Bharti Umretia, Twinkal Khant *

Abstract: The Ayurvedic concepts of Pathya (wholesome practices) and Apathya (unwholesome practices), emphasizing their roles in health maintenance and disease management. This study aims to explore the conceptual framework of Pathya-Apathya as described in the Brihatrayi with its clinical significance in the prevention and management of diseases. A literature-based study was conducted through a critical review of classical Ayurvedic texts, including Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya, to explore and analyze the concepts of Pathya and Apathya beginning with their derivation. Brihattrayi highlights dietary classifications that guide contemporary eating habits, underscoring the importance of food selection, combination, and timing for sustaining digestive health and preventing ailments. Despite the availability of traditional foods, modern processed options threaten nutritional integrity. Additionally, the text stresses that lifestyle practices and adherence to Pathya are critical for combating rising lifestyle disorders. It advocates a gradual transition to healthier habits, suggesting that neglecting diet and lifestyle leads to treatment failures. The Ayurvedic framework integrates nutrition, behavior, and environmental factors, aligning with current preventive and lifestyle medicine approaches.

Keyword: Brihattrayi, Chikitsa, Ekanta Hita, Ekanta Ahita, Pathya, Apathya.