Aryavaidyan Vol.38 No.1

Rtu-dushti/Climatic change

Murali K.*

The term climate change is used more now as it is inclusive of the affects of global warming. Other
terms climate crisis and climate emergency highlight the gravity of the situation. Man’s interference
into the environment is the one and only identifiable causative factor for the climatic change. Mostly
this has started during industrial revolution. Deforestation, fossil fuel use, agricultural and industrial
practices all add to the greenhouse gases.
Changes in gobal temperature have been recorded since 1850. Global warming started during the
periods of industrial revolution. The warming was insignificant then just because of global dimming
due to atmospheric particulate matter, especially sulfate aerosols. But, this cannot be considered as a
positive sign. Air pollution of industrialization after the World War II aggravated the situation. This
caused monsoon failure leading famine in countries like Ethiopia. Later accumulation of green house
gases and controls in the air pollution enhanced global warming. Heat is trapped in the surface of the
atmosphere restricting it radiating back. Retreat of glaciers is being observed since the later half of
nineteenth century. Warming also supports more evaporation from the oceans. This leads to humidity
with significant precipitation. Off course, these changes are varied from region to region. All these
factors culminate in large scale climatic changes. There is a point where the major impacts of climate
changes are not preventable and reversible. This is called tipping points. Desertification, woody plant
encroachment etc. are some of the changes that occur in the land due to climate change. Birds and
animals may change their habitat. Eutrophication of water bodies and food webs affect the marine
life.
World Health Organisation considers climate change as a grave threat to human health. Food and
water scarcity are another problems. Though the agriculutural yields are increasing due to technological
advances, its pace is in now in decline. Fisheries are another area affected negatively. Malnutrition
and stunned growth are forecast by World Economic Forum within 2050. Spread of infectious diseases
becomes more rampant.
The concern on climate change has made United Nations to formulate solutions and motivated member
countries to respond. There are several efforts like Koyoto protocol (2005) to Climate conference to
be held in November 2024 at Azerbaijan.
In 2019, India’s position was seventh among the countries most affected by climate change[1,2]. The
Government of India launched National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) on 30thJune, 2008
outlining eight National Missions on climate change. Ministry of Environment has changed its name to
include climate change. This is followed by state governments also. Higher institutions like IIT
Hyderabad has started separate department for climate change offering MTech and PhD courses.
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Kaala (climate) is considered as a factor that is causative of health and illness. The samyakyoga
(proper manifestation of a season in the appropriate period of an year) produces health. The opposite,
asamyayoga is morbific. Asamyakyoga can be; heenayoga if the season is not manifested in adequate
quantity, atiyoga if it appears in excess and mithyayoga when it manifested in an improper time
period. All these are relevant in the case of climate change. But extreme weather events are more
common with climate change. Floods, hurricanes, heatwaves, droughts and wildfires are the examples.
These can create a more suitable weather for disease-carrying organisms.

A total distortion of the climate is connoted by the concept of kaaladusti[3]. The polluted air vitiates
water and they both pervert desa i.e. soil. Extreme stages of this culminate in kaaladushti. Later
stages are of more and more gravity. Kaaladushti is very difficult to be reversed (dushparihaarya).
Rtu-dushti considered also as an etiology for sannipaatha-kopa also represents the fatality.

Apart from the man-made pollution as described in Ashtangasangraha, Charaka highlights adharma
as the root cause. It is the basic dharma to ‘live and let of live’. The flora and fauna are the members
of the family of living beings on earth. Humans should co-exist with them. In fact, the basic amenities
for life are provided by those living beings. Man lives mostly as a consumer. He /she lives with
support of others. Forgetting this factor, man live aggressively, looting the resources of the nature.
This is nothing but adharma.

With tridosha theory, ayurvedic system can predict the changes in the body and its well being at least
in a doshic way during a climate emergency. Tridosha relation with seasons is already an established
one. Compared to the planetary position or months, dosha changes in the body occur mainly due to
the svaroopa (manifestations) of a particular rtu. This has to be considered while assessing the
dosha vitiation during climate changes. Rtucarya may be formulated in accordance. Since warning
systems of weather are more efficient, the preventive measures involving wholesome life style can be
adapted in advance. Sodhana is another option.

It is high time that ayurvedic concepts and practices are incorporated to the policy and its applications
related climate changes. More research studies on the ayurvedic interpretation climatic impact and its
clinical application are necessary. This can provide evidences to formulate appropriate strategies.

References
[1] Oldenborgh, Geert Jan; Philip, Sjoukje; Kew, Sarah; van Weele, Michiel; et al. (2018). “Extreme heat in India and
anthropogenic climate change”. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences. 18 (1): 365–381.
[2] Eckstein, David; Künzel, Vera; Schäfer, Laura (January 2021). “Global Climate Risk Index 2021” (PDF). GermanWatch.org.
[3] Yadavji Trikamji Acharya (Ed.) Charakasamhitha Chowkhamba Surabharathi Praksahn Varanasi 2020 Vimana 6/6-11