Ashta Nindita Purusha With Special Respect to Genetics in Ayurveda: An Overview

Genetics is the study of genes, genetic variation and heredity in organisms. In classics, hereditary disorders are referred to as Adibala Pravrutta Vikara, Sahaja Vikara, Bija Bijabhagaavayava Dushti Vikara, even the Ashta Nindita can be taken, as one among the Nidana mentioned is Bija Svabhavat. Ashta Nindita Purusha is a concept that explains extremely undesirable characteristics: Atideergha, Atihrasva, Atisthula, Atikrusha, Atigaura, Atikrushna, Atiloma, Aloma1 . In human beings, half of the chromosomes come from maternal and half from paternal chromosomes or genes, similar to Matrija (maternal) and Pitrija (paternal) Bhavas. Suppose any changes in these factors will directly impact the progeny. The factors responsible for inheritance are Bija, Bijabhaga and Bijabhagaavayava2 . The pattern of inheritance for Ashta Nindita can be explained with Autosomal dominant affected and Autosomal recessive affected by considering the explanation of causes Kubja (Atihrusva) with the example of Kushta given by Acharya Charaka in Khuddika Garbhavakranthi Sariram Adhyaya3 . The defects in the Bija, Atma Karma, Garbhashaya, Ahara Vihara, and Dosha get vitiated, which results in the Vaikruta Samsthana (deformity of shape), Vaikruta Varna (deranged complexion)4 . Ayurveda suggests that the prevalence of congenital or genetic disorders can be controlled by various approaches like following Garbhini Paricharya and avoiding Garbhopaghathkara Bhava. Here is an attempt to understand the concept of eight undesired body types concerning their genetic inheritance in the light of modern genetics.