Diseases are the entity faced by the human society since time immemorial. Since the creation the living organisms faced the problem of being disturbed from some known /unknown conditions that cause disturbance in the peaceful living. Simultaneously with the suffering a group of people searched the remedial measures of such situations and found out ways for the benefit of the whole living organisms, specially for the human beings. But even after vigorous search, sometimes the situation deteriorated upto such an extent that, even the pioneers of the field become bound to surrender. 

The present situation of CORONA crisis is proved to be the best example of such situation. After facing and fighting with the same virus during the year 2020, during 2021 again the human society is facing the same problem. It is admitted that, this time the virus has attacked with more strength. A huge number of population have lost life and the number of affected people are gradually increasing which can be considered as humiliation  to  the  modern  science  based human  society. 

From the study of the Ayurvedic classics it is seemed to be clear that, during the past also there were some situations the causative factor of which was difficult to identify. These situations were seemed to be more dangerous for the individual concern. Treatment of such conditions were difficult as the causative agent was not known properly. These diseases were not following the general course of manifestation of and produced some unusual signs and symptoms.

Before giving the nomenclature “VIRUS” some other names were given to the causative agents of these diseases and management protocol was also prepared. In most of the times these situations were also managed successfully though they are mentioned as the “difficult to treat diseases”.

Considering the present crisis it is considered that, a review of the literatures on the virus and viral diseases starting from modern virology retrospectively to the ancient Ayurvedic classics, viz. Charaka Samhita, Susruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya and Ashtanga Sangraha may explore some interesting and beneficial facts      helpful     to     the     present    human    society.

Aims and Objectives  

This is a literary study aimed to the following aims and objectives:

• To search and collect informations about the virus and viral infections with special reference to its history, character, mode of spread, preventive measures etc. from the modern medical books (Virology)

• To search and collect the informations from the Ayurvedic classics that can be closely correlated with the modern concepts of virus and viral infection

• To arrange the findings of the search in the form of an article and publish for the appraisal of the scientific forum

Modern books on virology and the Ayurvedic classics, viz. Charaka Samhita, Susruta Samhita, Ashtanga Sangraha and Ashtanga Hridaya were studied in the Central Library, Govt. Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Guwahati, Assam, India. The informations related with the aims and objectives mentioned above were collected and arranged as an article.

On completion of the study the following observations were noted.

General Concept of Virus as Per the Modern Virology 

Virus Prehistory 

• Efforts to understand and control the virus are phenomena of the 20th century. Evidence of viral infection can be found among the earliest recordings of human activity, and methods for combating viral disease were practiced long before the first virus was recognized. Reconstruction of the prehistoric past to provide a plausible account of when or how viruses established themselves in human population is a challenging task [1]

• We can infer from scattered glimpses of ancient history that, viruses have long been a part of human experience. Some viruses that eventually established themselves in human populations were transmitted to early humans from animals, much as still happens today. Some virulent viruses either kill their hosts or induce life long immunity in the survivors [2]

• The first report of a pathogenic agent smaller than any known bacterium appeared in 1892 [3]

• Agents that pass through filters that retain bacteria came to be called ultrafiltrable viruses. This term eventually evolved simply to viruses, appropriating the term viruses from the Latin for “POISON” [4]

• The first human virus to be identified, in 1901, was that responsible for yellow fever [5]

• A classic case in point is the virus responsible for influenza, a name derived from Italian in the mid-1700s to indicate that a disease resulted from the “influence” of  miasma    (bad air)    and   other   astrological   signs   [6]

• The fundamental characteristic of viruses is their absolute dependence on a living host organism for reproduction,       they     are    obligate   parasites [7]

• Studies established that viruses are “molecular parasites: they reproduce by exploiting their host cell’s biosynthetic machinery for synthesis of the components from which they are built” [8]

• Viruses do not reproduce by growth and division [9].

• All viruses are able to establish themselves in a host population so that virus survival is ensured [10]

• Organisms have evolved many physical barriers to protect themselves from dangers in their environment, including invading parasites. In addition, vertebrates possess an effective immune system to defend themselves against anything recognized as “nonself” or dangerous. Studies on the interactions among viruses and the immune system are particularly instructive because of the many counter measures used by viruses to defeat this system. Understanding these measures teaches us much about the basis of immunity. Furthermore, many of the symptoms and pathologies associated with viral disease are manifestation of the immune systems attempts to destroy the viral invaders [11]

• The specific interaction of viral antigens with antibodies is used to detect viruses and the immune response against them. Viral proteins in infected cells or tissues can be detected with the use of antibodies, alternatively, the assay can be designed to identify antibodies produced in the host in response to viral infection [12]

• A viral receptor is defined as the cellular molecule to which a virus attaches to initiate replication. For some viruses, the receptor is the only cell surface molecule required for entry into cells. For other viruses, binding to a cellular receptor is not sufficient for infection [13]

• Viral infection is initiated by a collision between the virus and the cell, a process that is governed by chance. Therefore, a higher concentration of virus increases the probability of infection. However, a virus is not able to infect every cell it encounters. Cells must be both susceptible and permissive if an infection is to be successful [14]

• Once a virus has attached to a cellular receptor, it must enter the host cell so that genome replication can begin. Successful entry of a virus into a host cell requires that the virus cross the plasma membrane, and in some cases the nuclear membrane as well, that the virus particle disassemble to make the viral genome accessible to the cytoplasm, and that the nucleic acid be targeted to the correct cellular compartment . Cell membranes are not permeable to particles as large as viruses

To cross such barriers, viruses utilize the specific transport mechanisms by which large molecules normally enter cells, virions have evolved to be metastable vehicles for transporting their cargo, the viral genome, from cell to cell ; the elegant products of viral assembly dissociate, at least in part, to release the viral genome from its protective shell [15].

Mechanism of virus entry into cell

• The entry of viruses into cells begins with attachment to a cell surface receptor. The next step, uncoating, is the release of viral nucleic acid from it’s protective protein coat or lipid envelope. In some cases uncoating is relatively simple and is accomplished upon fusion of the viral membrane with the plasma membrane [16]

• Enveloped virus components enter cells by crossing cellular membranes when viral and cellular membranes fuse. The entry of non enveloped viruses into cells is more difficult to understand [17]

• We live and prosper in a literal cloud of viruses . The number of potentially infectious particles that impinge on us daily are astronomical. The primary but after under appreciated host defences are physical and chemical barriers, the skin, surface coatings such as mucous secretions, tears, acid ph and surface-cleansing mechanisms. The skin is the largest organ of the body and is a strong barrier to infection unless broken by cuts, abrasions, pucture etc. it is impervious to virus infection [18] 

• Surface exposed to the environment but not covered by skin (the oropharyngeal cavity, respiratory tract, conjunctiva, alimentary canal and urogenital tract) are lined by living cells and therefore depend on other primary defenses for immediate protection. Non skin covered surfaces are at risk for virus infection despite the remarkable and continuous action of surface cleansing mechanisms. Three critical process in immune defense are recognition, amplification and control. Virus induced pathogenesis can result when any one of these 3 processes is defective [19]

• The innate response to viral infection is composed in part of powerful protein activators, called interferons which induce an antiviral state in infected as well as in neighbouring uninfected  cells; a complex collection of serum proteins termed complement, which when activated destroys virus infected cells many virus particles and other microbes and cytolytic lymphocytes, called natural killer cells which recognize and destroy virus infected cells [20] 

• Cytokines are regulatory proteins that mediate essential process in intercellular communication during an antiviral defense [21]

• Natural infections can be rapid and self limiting (acute infections) or long term (persistent infection) [22]

• Three requirements must be met to ensure successful infection in an individual host – sufficient virus must be available to initiate infection, the cells at the site of infection must be susceptible and permissive for the virus and the local host antiviral defense must be absent or at least initially ineffective [23] 

• Tropism is a predilection of viruses to infect certain tissues and not others. An enterotropic virus replicates in the gut, whereas a neurotropic virus replicates in cells of the nervous system. Tropism may be determined by the distribution of receptors for entry (susceptibility) , it may be the result of a requirement of the virus for differentially expressed intracellular gene products to complete the infection (permissivity), or it may indicate that the virus is physically prevented from interacting with tissues that otherwise could support virus growth [24]

• In haematogenous spread virus particles enter the bloodstream from the primary site via the lymphatic system or sub epithelial blood vessels serving that site. Viruses can also infect mobile cells that enter the blood (e.g. lymphocytes) and migrate to new tissues. The first appearance of virus particles in the blood is called a primary viremia. Once in the circulation, the virus or virus infected lymphocytes can initiate another acute infection of internal organs, including the liver, spleen, lungs or heart. Progeny virus resulting from this second acute infection can also enter the bloodstream, producing a secondary viremia with a potential for even more serious problems for the host. Virus can also spread from the primary site of infection to the peripheral and central nervous system by infecting neurons in close proximity to the primary infection (neurological spread) [25] 

• The term virulence (pathogenicity) describes the capacity  of a  virus  to cause  disease. Viral pathogenesis is a sum of the effects on the host due to virus replication and the immune response [26]

• To infect it’s host, a virus must first infect cells at one or more of the body surfaces [27] 

• Probably the most common route of viral entry is through the respiratory tract. Common sites of entry include the mucosal linings of the respiratory, alimentary and urogenital tracts, the outer surface of the eye (conjunctival membranes or cornea) and the skin [28] A cell may be susceptible to infection if the viral receptor is present and functional. If the proper form of viral receptor is not expressed, the tissues cannot become infected [29]

• The clinical symptoms of viral disease in the host are fever, tissue damage, aches, pains, nausea etc. They result primarily from the host response to infection. This response is initiated by cell injury caused by virus replication [30] 

• Good public health, proper nutrition and effective personal hygiene policies make major contributions to the prevention of viral infection [31] 

Some ayurvedic entities that can be closely corelated with the modern concept of virus and viral infection

Conditions that can be compared closely with the virus and viral infections. 

• At the time of discussion of a group of disease named as as “Agantuja Unmada” (insanity due to external aetiology) some causative factors are mentioned as Devata, Gandharba, Yaksha, Rakshasa, Pishacha etc. which are invisible with the capacity to cause some diseases of peculiar signs and symptoms [32]

• Some types of jwara (fever – disease characterized by rise of temperature) are also said to be caused by some invisible causative agents like Bhuta, Preta etc. In this case there is abnormal behavior of the patient with rise of temperature [33]

• Considering the external factors of the diseases a group of agents are considered as “Krimi” (worms) which are said to be of visible and invisible character [34]

• ”Bhutavidya” is mentioned as one of the 8 branches of Ayurveda which is said to be the branch that deals with the situations caused by Devata, Daitya, Gandharva, Yaksha , Rakshasa, Pitara, Pishasa , Naga etc. which are a group of invisible agents that cause some signs and symptoms that are difficult to understand and treat [35]

• ”Aupasargika roga” is a group of disease that spread through sexual contact , touching of the body , breath, sharing of dish/table/bed, seat, dress, garland, deodorant etc. Some examples of the diseases of this group are – some types of skin diseases, fever, eye diseases etc [36]

• Nine external aetiological factors are mentioned under the category “GRAHA” that commonly affect the children [37]

• “Amanusha” is said to be a group of disease causing agent which cause some psychological signs and symptoms, usually without physical manifestation [38]

• A condition “Janapad Dhwangsa” is defined as manifestation of a group of signs and symptoms of almost same character with a quick spreading nature usually results in fatality, the aetiology of which is not possible to identify. At this situation all the established medicines/treatment measures either show no benefit or negligible benefit [39]

• Any substance that causes “BISHADA” (unhappiness, suffering, disease) is considered as “BISHA”. It is ferocious and harmful, usually causes death when exposed [40]

Regarding Prevention and Treatment of Viral Diseases 

• In relation to protection from the Yaksha, Rakshasa Pishasha etc. “Dhupana” is advised. The ingrediants for the purpose are also advised [41]

• “Bishaghna Dhoopa” is a smoke used for the purpose of prevention of poisons, specially for the insects, rodents, snake etc [42]

• “Rasayana”   is  advised  as  the  best  and  first  method of treatment for the situation of “Janapad Dhwangsa” [43]

        Rasayana is a group of medicines/procedures/ diet and regimen that help in maintaining the health of a healthy person and also gives “URJA” (OJA) (the vitality of an individual) [44].

From the study the observations can be discussed as follows. 

General Concept of Virus and Its Simulation

As per the concept of modern virology virus are the external disease causing agents that have the capacity to spread through direct contact, sharing of usables and even through the air which ,in most of the cases , enters into the body through the unprotected parts . The most common routes of the infection are the nostrils, mouth, eye etc. The process of entry, adhesion to the cells, causation of pathology, manifestation of signs and symptoms, etc. of virus are critical and storming for the human physiology. 

Though the Ayurvedic classics have not mentioned the name as “virus” then also, from the descriptions of the classics, it can be assumed that this entity can be closely correlated with the entities Janapad Dhwangsa, Agantuja Roga and Bisha. All these are the external aetiology of disease and usually cause some confusing, critical signs and symptoms and ends at a fatal outcome. 

Prevention and Treatment of Viral Diseases 

In respect of the preventive measures for the viral infections the modern specialists say that, appropriate measures for maintenance of social and personal hygiene has a good role in this direction. 

The Ayurvedic classics also nicely mention the role of polluted air, water, time and soil in causation of the critical and dangerous epidemic/endemic /pandemic condition “Janapad Dhwangsa” which indicates the need of control of pollution of these 4 factors to control such situations. In relation to AGANTUJA ROGA also it is said that, the aetiology of these diseases are invisible and where and how they live and spread is difficult to understand. In case of BISHA such relations cannot be established.   

In relation to treatment of the viral diseases modern virology says that, nutritious diet, antiviral drugs and increase of resistance are the chief measures to be taken in this condition. 

Ayurvedic classics advice “Rasayana” as the first and foremost treatment to be applied in the situation of “Janapad Dhwangsa”. Rasayana chikitsa includes the medicines, diet and behavior that supports the body by strengthening the vitality / resistance of the person concern, the mind by providing happiness and holiness and the soul by producing internal cleanliness. 

The increase of physical and psychological resistance of an individual is considered to be the strongest weapon to protect from the external invasion. Hence application of “Rasayana” can be considered as the best for prevention and treatment of viral diseases.

As summary of the study it can be said that:

• Virus and viral diseases are not the new experience for the human society 

• Before thousand years of Christ also the human society suffered from some diseases of peculiar and fatal character. After observation and study these diseases were assumed to be due to the influence of some invisible and opportunistic agents which were named as Bhuta, Preta, Pishacha etc.

• In due course the researcher found out some ways to visualize the previously invisible disease causing agents and started to give them some names depending upon their specific characters. Virus is one of such group of organisms

• The viruses can spread through air and can cause disease after adhering into the target receptors of the individual concern

• Ayurvedic classics, before about 5000 years of Christ mentions some diseases and situations that can be closely co-related with virus and viral diseases with epidemic, endemic or pandemic character. “Janapaddhwangsa”, “Bisha”, “Bhuta-Pishasa-Rakshasa- Graha” etc. are some of such examples

• Invasion, multiplication, signs-symptom manifestation etc. of the viruses are entirely dependent upon the host resistance. In relation to the diseases due to external causative agents (Agantuja vyadhi) also the Ayurvedic scholars identified the host resistance (Oja) as the important factor

• Regarding the prevention and treatment of the viral diseases it is said that, personal and social hygiene and increase of the host resistance are the key factors. Ayurveda stresses on rejuvenation therapy (Rasayana chikitsa) in such conditions

• As conclusion, it can be said that, in the viral infections application of ayurvedic principles, specially rejuvenation therapy (rasayana prayoga) can be considered as an important tool for prevention and cure of the viral diseases. Extensive study on the rasayana drugs mentioned in the ayurvedic classics can help the human society to fight with the viral diseases, even with the present corona crisis

1. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 3.

2. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 4.

3. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 8.

4. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 10.

5. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 10.

6. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 11.

7. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 11.

8. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 15.

9. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 15.

10. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 20.

11. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 21.

12. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 29.

13. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 101.

14. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 102.

15. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 133.

16. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 137.

17. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 147.

18. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 479.

19. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 480.

20. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 480.

21. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 484.

22. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 519.

23. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 520.

24. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 521.

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26. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 595.

27. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 595.

28. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 596.

29. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 609.

30. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 619.

31. Flint, S. J. et al. Principles of Virology: Molecular Biology, Pathogenesis and Control. American Society for Microbiology, 1988. p. 663.

32. Sastri, Satyanarayan, ed. Charaka Samhita of Agnivesa, Part 1. 14th ed., Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 1988. Nidana Sthana, Chapter 7, Sloka 10.

33. Sastri, Satyanarayan, ed. Charaka Samhita of Agnivesa, Part 2. 14th ed., Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 1988. Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 3, Slokas 114, 115, 123.

34. Sastri, Satyanarayan, ed. Charaka Samhita of Agnivesa, Part 1. 14th ed., Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 1988. Vimana Sthana, Chapter 3, Slokas 9–15.

35. Shastri, Ambikadutta, ed. Susruta Samhita of Maharshi Susruta, Part 1. 6th ed., Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan, 1987. Sutrasthana, Chapter 1, Slokas 7, 12.

36. Shastri, Ambikadutta, ed. Susruta Samhita of Maharshi Susruta, Part 1. 6th ed., Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan, 1987. Nidanasthana, Chapter 5, Slokas 3, 7, 32, 33.

37. Shastri, Ambikadutta, ed. Susruta Samhita of Maharshi Susruta, Part 2. 6th ed., Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan, 1985. Uttaratantra, Chapter 27, Slokas 4–16.

38. Shastri, Ambikadutta, ed. Susruta Samhita of Maharshi Susruta, Part 2. 6th ed., Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan, 1985. Uttaratantra, Chapter 60.

39. Sastri, Satyanarayan, ed. Charaka Samhita of Agnivesa, Part 1. 14th ed., Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 1988. Vimana Sthana, Chapter 3, Sloka 6.

40. Shastri, Ambikadutta, ed. Susruta Samhita of Maharshi Susruta, Part 1. 6th ed., Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan, 1987. Kalpasthana, Chapter 3, Slokas 18–22.

41. Shastri, Ambikadutta, ed. Susruta Samhita of Maharshi Susruta, Part 1. 6th ed., Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan, 1987. Sutrasthana, Chapter 5, Slokas 6, 7, 17, 18.

42. Gupta, Atrideva, ed. Bagbhata’s Ashtanga Sangraha, vol. 1. Reprint, Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy, 2002. Sutrasthana, Chapter 8, Slokas 116, 118.

43. Sastri, Satyanarayan, ed. Charaka Samhita of Agnivesa, Part 1. 14th ed., Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 1988. Vimana Sthana, Chapter 3, Sloka 14.

44. Sastri, Satyanarayan, ed. Charaka Samhita of Agnivesa, Part 2. 14th ed., Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 1988. Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 1, Sloka 5.