Hundanam Meaning, Symptoms, Treatment

By Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Hundanam is a word used by Master Charaka in the context of ‘generalized diseases or symptoms caused by aggravated vata’. This is explained in Vata Vyadhi. Vata Vyadhi comprises of group of special disorders caused by aggravated vata. Master Charaka has given a big list of symptoms which are generally caused by aggravated vata. These may manifest as symptoms of vata vyadhi or as individual diseases. Those formed as symptoms can get established as independent disorders when they become chronic. Hundanam is one such symptom / disease mentioned amongst the group of disorders. It can be an independent vata disorder or a symptom of some vata disorder.
Read – Vata Disorders (Vatavyadhi): Definition, Causes, Symptoms

Table of Contents

Introduction

We also need to see that after enumerating generalized vata disorders or symptoms, the master has explained many specific disorders caused due to aggravated vata. All these general and specific disorders fall in the territory of vata vyadhi. These symptoms or diseases can occur in any person who is afflicted by aggravated vata or in whom vata gets aggravated due to exposure or consumption of etiological factors. All symptoms do not manifest in all people. Some people may have some symptoms and not others and others may have totally different set of symptoms.
Read – Understand Vata Dosha By Its Functions

What is Hundana?
Hundanam actually means numbness, crookedness or paralyzed. Partial or entire loss of activity of a part of the body or loss of sensation therein or combination of both shall be considered. But the meaning of hundanam changes in different contexts.

Generalized meaning of hundana

Shirah prabhrtinam antah praveshah – inward movement / in-drawing of head, nose, eyes, region above the collar bone and neck
Shirah prabhrtinam vakratvam – crookedness of head, nose, eyes, region above the collar bone and neck
Read – Vata Dosha – Introduction, 40 Things To Know

Specific meanings of hundanam

Amongst the generalized disorders / symptoms of aggravated vata are mentioned –
Shira hundanam – means kesha bhumi sphutanam, i.e. cracks and fissures forming on the scalp of the head or at the roots of the hairs.
Shira hundanam also means – shankha lalata bhedascha i.e. splitting pain / tearing pain in the temples and forehead.
Nasa hundanam – means ghrana nasha – i.e. destruction of sensation of smell / perception of smell. In this condition the patient will not be in a position to appreciate different kinds of smell or the perception of smell is totally destroyed.
Akshi hundanam – means akshi vyudasah i.e. destruction of eyes which also means destruction of perception of sight / vision. In this condition the person can either not see things or not understand the things seen in actual meaning, name or sense.
Jatru hundanam – means vaksha uparodha – i.e. injury or blockage in the chest. Uparodha also means obstruction, damage or impediment in the chest. Jatru actually means the color bone and its junction with the breastbone. But the meaning of jatru hundanam has been explained by the commentators as blockage or obstruction inside the chest. The term jatru hundanam may indicate the portion below it i.e. chest cavity. The combined meaning also may hint towards obstruction or damage in the chest occurring due to injury of color bone(s).
Griva hundanam – means griva stambha i.e. stiffness, tightness or catch in the neck. This may happen due to injury or keeping the neck in awkward positions or any other vata aggravating causes / activities. This indicates conditions like cervical spondylosis, torticollis etc.
Read – Different Causes For Vata Dosha Imbalance, Increase

Sanskrit Verses

To sum up,
Hundanam is a symptom of vata vyadhi. It can be an independent condition or a symptom of some other vata disorder. It is a condition which occurs in different parts of the body, mainly limited to the regions between crown of the head to the lower limit of the chest cavity. It would involve the scalp, sense organs, organs of the chest and neck. Hundanam generally means numbness, crookedness or paralysis which includes partial or total loss of activity or loss of sensation or combination of both in the regions of the body afflicted by aggravated vata. It also means in-drawing of head and sense organs and neck and crookedness of the same structures including the regions above collar bone / bones.
Read – Charaka Vatavyadhi Chikitsa 28th Chapter

Different types of hundanam

Sl No	Type of Hundanam	Location of the body	Symptoms
1	Shiro Hundanam	Head, scalp	cracks and fissures in the scalp / hair roots (head), splitting or tearing pain in temples and forehead
2	Nasa Hundanam	Nose, nostrils	destruction / loss of sensation of smell
3	Akshi Hundanam	Eyes	partial or total destruction of eyes, vision, loss of sight perception
4	Jatru Hundanam	Region below the collar bone, chest cavity	obstruction in the chest cavity
5	Griva Hundanam	Neck	stiffness or tightness in the neck