Clinical aspect of vayu as “ karta garbhakrutinam ” w . s . r . to morphogenetic field

In Ayurvedic embryology, various interesting concepts of conception, formation of zygote and foetus and various different organs and system formation are explained. Among that concept of cell division and differentiation in conscious foetus (Chetanayukt Garbha) is mentioned. The role of Panchmahabhutas and Tridoshas in the formation and development of Garbha is mentioned. Among them most important is “Vayu ”which is responsible for cell division .Vayu is vital force which divides zygote into different limb buds and organs. Thus main function of “Vata“ is incomprehensible like formation of foetal shape. But perturbations in “Vata” is responsible for formation of various congenital anomalies i.e Garbhavikruti. In modern concepts of developmental biology, important area is “Morphogenetic field”. It was first introduced in 1910 by Alexander G. Gurwitsch. He analyzed the embryonic development of the sea urchin as a vector field, As it is the proliferation of cells into organs were brought about by putative external forces. It is the set of process that generates shape and form in the embryo. Morphogenetic movement is caused by large scale and dynamic movement of embryonic cell which is under control of Vata. Failures in any step of process can lead to birth defects. Ancient Acharyas have mentioned various measures under Garbhini Paricharya for pregnant women from first day of conception till parturition. It restores the Vayu to its normal course and condition. Thus it helps the morphogenetic movement occur without any failure to have healthy foetus and progeny.Thus prevalence of congenital anamolies can be reduced by understanding Vayu as Garbhakrutinam ,Morphogenetic field and following Garbhini paricharya.


ABSTRACT:
In Ayurvedic embryology, various interesting concepts of conception, formation of zygote and foetus and various different organs and system formation are explained. Among that concept of cell division and differentiation in conscious foetus (Chetanayukt Garbha) is mentioned. The role of Panchmahabhutas and Tridoshas in the formation and development of Garbha is mentioned. Among them most important is "Vayu "which is responsible for cell division .Vayu is vital force which divides zygote into different limb buds and organs. Thus main function of "Vata" is incomprehensible like formation of foetal shape. But perturbations in "Vata" is responsible for formation of various congenital anomalies i.e Garbhavikruti.
In modern concepts of developmental biology, important area is "Morphogenetic field". It was first introduced in 1910 by Alexander G. Gurwitsch. He analyzed the embryonic development of the sea urchin as a vector field, As it is the proliferation of cells into organs were brought about by putative external forces. It is the set of process that generates shape and form in the embryo. Morphogenetic movement is caused by large scale and dynamic movement of embryonic cell which is under control of Vata. Failures in any step of process can lead to birth defects. Classical literature of Ayurveda as well as modern medical science related to the subjects from the library of the B.M.A.M, Nagpur and B.M.A.C, Butibori, Nagpur. The data from the internet also used. The data obtained were critically analysed and presented.

METHODS:
This was purely a literary study where in the explored literature was analysed and interpreted.

DISCUSSION:
Garbha (Embryo) -The combined Shukra (semen) and Shonita (ovum) in the womb, mixed with the Prakriti (the eight categories) and the sixteen modifications known as Vikara and ridden in by the Atma (selfconsciousness) is called the Garbha (foetus). [1] Charaka has described Garbha as combination of three factors i.e. Artava (ovum), Shukra (sperm) and Jiva (Atma). [ Charak gave much importance to Vayu. Unvitiated Vayu holds up the systems and organs. Vayu is all powerful, producer and indestructible, causes negation of the positive factors in creatures and brings about happiness and misery, taking all sort of forms, penetrates into all, executes all the systems, Vayu shapes the foetus and maintains lifespan. [6] Morphogenetic Field: In the developmental biology of the early twentieth century, a Morphogenetic Field is described as a group of cells able to respond to discrete, localized biochemical signals leading to the development of specific morphological structures or organs. As a group, the cells within a given morphogenetic field are constrained, thus cells in a limb field will become a limb tissue, cells this in a cardiac field will become heart tissue. The concept of Morphognetic Field, in developmental biology, was first introduced in 1910 by Alexander G.
Gurwitsh. He analysed the embryonic development of the sea urchin as a vector field, Proliferation of cells into organs were brought about by putative external force. [7] Morphogenetic movement is caused by large scale and dynamic movement of embryonic cells. The first Morphogenetic Movement triggered is gastrulation, which forms the future digestive tract. It rearranges the distribution of embryonic cells, thereby allowing the interaction between germ layers that previously existed separately. [8] Morphological structure an important feature of such fields is that they have sharp spatial boundaries across which lie cells whose progeny will express different fates. Some regulatory process helps the spatial subdivision of morphogenetic region in later embryogenesis. [9] This morphogenetic field have definite correlation with Vata function in foetus. Moreover it can be concluded that this Vata through morphogenetic field may act upon embryo to give normal shape to the foetus.

Garbhini Paricharya :(Antenatal Care)
The nine monthly regimen is broadly discussed in Ayurveda. Ayurvedic texts have considered various factors which may be hazardous or even fatal for the fetus, including dietetics and mode of life of pregnant woman from the first day of conception till parturition. Pregnant women should always cherish a clear, joyful spirit in a clean body. The fetus is wholly dependent on mother, therefore, her diet and other activities may affect the growing fetus during pregnancy. If the woman during her menstrual period doesn't follow the rules, the vitiated www.ayurlog.com E-ISSN: 2320-7329 4 Doshas reaching the fetus may produce various abnormalities. [10] Charak have mentioned the factors which damage the fetus such as all food articles which are very heavy, hot and irritant as well as severe activities. The elders also advise like this, she should not wear red cloths in order to prevent the attacks of demons and their followers. She should abstain completely from the things which are unfavorable to all the sense organs. otherwise Vayu gets vitiated and moving inside the body causes destruction or deformity in the ensuing foetus . [11] By keeping this fact in mind, the woman desirous of having an ideal offspring should discard harmful diets and activities.
Sushruta have mentioned the concept of Asthapana (enema) composed of a decoction of various drugs for the purpose of restoring the Vayu of her body to the normal course and condition and for the cleansing of the bowels .After that Garbhini (pregnant lady) should have an Anuvasana (enema) made up of oil prepared with milk and decollation of the drugs known as the 'Madhuradi Gana'. This restores the Vayu to its normal course and condition which brings on an easy and natural parturition unaffected with any puerperal disorders. [12] CONGENITAL ANOMALIES: When Vayu is vitiated in the body, it afflicts foetus with various disorders and deforms or detains the embryo for long. [13] When pregnant woman uses aggravating factors the Vayu gets vitiated and moving inside the body causes destruction or deformity in the ensuing foetus. When vitiated Doshas, in course of spreading reach the ovum and uterus but do not affect them entirely, she conceives but the foetus gets damaged in one or more maternally derived organs, that part is affected with morbidity in the gene wholly or partially of which the Doshas are vitiated . [14] According to modern biology, errors in various aspects of the establishment and interpretation of morphogenetics fields result in failures to maintain systems level properties of anatomical shape, manifesting as birth defects, cancer, aging and failure to regenerate after injury. [15] The neural tube, the embryonic precursor of the vertebrae, brain and spinal cord is generated by a complex and highly dynamic morphological process. Failures in any step of this process can lead to neural tube defects a common class of birth defects that occur in approximately 1 in 1000 live births. [16]

CONCLUSION:
Ayurvedic embryology is an interesting branch from ancient time, Ancient Acharyas have explained the concepts of conception, formation of zygote and foetus, the inheritance of various qualities formation of different organs and systems and monthly development of foetus. In all these process Vayu plays vital role, most essential part of the system. Main function of Vayu is incomprehensible like formation of proper foetal shape by cell division and cell differentiation and manifestation of body parts and organs. Hence Vayu can be called as 'vital force'. Vitiated 'Vayu' moving inside the body causes destruction or deformity in the ensuing foetus.
In modern developmental biology, concept of morphogenetic field is very important. Morphogenetic field can be www.ayurlog.com E-ISSN: 2320-7329 5 defined as the sum, Integration of chemical, pressure, tension signals of all non-local patterning signals. This allows the initial development of complex form from a single fertilized egg cell. [17] Errors in this signals causes foetal deformity.
Vayu can be compared to morphogenetic field as both have some property of powerful signals. The nature of things depends on morphic fields. This theory of the biologists Rupert Sheldrake suggests that each type of living system has its own type of field .These fields inform and shape different types of atoms, molecules, crystals, living organisms, modes of thought etc. [18] Ayurveda believes that a man is made up of Sharir which in turn is made up of Mahabhutas and basic building blocks of a living being. . Human beings are sub atomic particles, atoms and molecules which have been labeled by Charaka as Dashparamanu or materials which constitute the smallest units of the human body i. e. cell. [19] A morphogenetic field is a region of an embryo that forms a discrete structure, such as a limb or heart. This field offers important lessons about the nature of development and genetic determination. A morphogenertic field has the property of self-organization, forming the best possible whole from available cells. [20] The growth and development of an individual has been told by Ancient Acharyas by knowing the rule of Tridoshas.
The entire biological development, cannot explain how do embryos generate a perfect tissue and body pattern time after time. Ayurveda principles made this concept of development and congenital anomalies simple to understand and suggested (Garbhini Paricharya) antenatal care. It is necessary to study the clinical aspects of this principles in correlation with modern developmental biology. In these article, sincere attempt is made to study this topic, as Ayurvedic principles are eternal.
Because more than 7000 kinds of birth defects are known to occur. The cause of birth defects remains largely a mystery. In many regions birth defects are the largest single causes of infant deaths. The majority of birth defects are considered the result of multiple environmental and /or genetic causes occurring together . [21] So in this article sincere attempt was made to study the said topic for the benefit of society to build healthy children thus healthy nation.