Madhava Nidana Chapter 14 Arochaka Nidanam

This article explains Madava nidaana 14th chapter “Arochaka Nidanam”. Causes, pathology and symptoms of Arochaka are explained in this chapter.

Read – Acharya Madhavakara: His Work ‘Madhava Nidana’, Legacy, Amazing Facts

Causes

Arocaka (anorexia) is produced by the three doshas (vata, pita, kapha), excessive grief, fear, greed, anger and foods, the sight and smell of which are very unpleasant to the mind. (1)
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Symptoms of Arochak

Vataja Arocaka – presents with tingling in the teeth (and gums) & manifestation of astringent taste in the mouth.

Pittaja Arocaka – presents with manifestation of bitter and sour taste, warmth and bad smell in the mouth.

Kaphaja Arocaka – presents with manifestation of salty or sweet taste, stickiness, heaviness, coldness, stiffness and thick coating of kapha inside the mouth. (2)
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Agantuja Arocaka

Agantuja Arocaka is that which is caused due to grief, fear, excessive greed, excessive fear, anger and other mental affections, things unpleasant to mind (foods etc), unclean and dirty and foul-smelling things (foods). In this condition the taste of the mouth is normal. In spite of that, the person suffers from arocaka – anorexia.
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Tridoshaja Arocaka

In tridosaja type of anorexia, the patient experiences many kinds of tastes (mixture of different tastes mentioned in doshaja types). (3)

Specific Dosha symptoms of Arochaka

• Pain in the region of the heart is found in vātaja arocaka.
• Thirst, burning sensation and local heat are found in pittaja arocaka.
• In Kaphaja arocaka, excessive secretions / exudation from mouth, nose etc are found.
• In tridoshaja type of arocaka many kinds of pain and discomforts are experienced.
• Confused state of mind, delusion / fainting and dullness of the mind are the symptoms which are predominantly found in arocaka caused due to grief etc causes (agantuja arocaka). (4)
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Thus ends the chapter on Arochaka Nidanam in Madhava Nidana text written by Acharya Madhavakara.

Thus ends the chapter on Swarabheda Nidanam in Madhava Nidana text written by Acharya Madhavakara.

Other terms related to Arocaka

1. Aruci / Arocaka) – tastelessness – inability to appreciate even a tasty food when it comes into contact with the tongue i.e., the person doesn’t feel the taste of the food.
2. Annābhinandana – is a condition wherein there is inability to eat the food in spite of his or her favourite food being served (aversion to foods which were once liked).
3. Bhakta dwesa – is a condition wherein there is hatred towards food caused by touching, seeing, smell, hearing or remembering about the food.
4. Abhaktachchanda – is a condition where there is disinterest towards food due to anger, fear and other mental causes.
5. All these are included in the term arocaka by both Caraka and Suśruta (Madhukosh tīkā – Madukosha commentary).