Dietary regimen of mother and Mahabhuta- a factor for formation of Gaur Varna (fair complexion) of a baby: A critical review

Abstract

Description of Varna and VarnyaNirmiti are found in Brihatrayi and Laghutrayi.Varnya is the ability to develop the radiance complexion of the skin¹.AcharyaCharak²ᵅ and AcharyaVagbhataᵌᵅ had explained 3 types of varna or complexions on the basis of Mahabhuta inJatisutriyasharirAdhyayaand in PutrakamiyaAdhyaya respectively  That varna’s are

1.Gaur(fair)

2.Shyam(swarthy)

3.Krushna(black or dark)

AcharyaSushruta had also explained 4 types of varnya in Shukra-shonitshudhishariramAdhyaya⁴ᵅ i.e.

1.Gaur(fair)

2.Krushna(black or dark)

3.Gaurshyam

4.Krushnashyam

AcharyaCharak explains particular Ahar and Vihar²ᵇ for particular varna (complexion) which starts before the pregnancy for mainly desire complexion of baby.

During pregnancy 9 months regimens are also explained by Acharya Charak in Jatisutriyasharir Adhyay²ᶜ·²ᵈ and Acharya Sushruta in Garbhini VyakaranShariramAdhyaya⁴ᵇ .This regimen is good for the health of the baby .Acharya Charak explained the benefits of this monthly regimen²ᵈ. The desire fair complexion of a baby is the most important benefit of it.  In this research article we collects all literary references about Varna ,factors and methods to get desire complexion from various Samhitas ,Published research journals and text books. before and during pregnancy diet are explained by Acharya Charak and Sushrutarrange in a tabular form.Then find out the dravyas (substances)which are used maximum time in this period.We find that Milk ,Ghee,honey and butter are maximum used substances.

Varna and responsible Mahabhutas explained by Acharya Acharya Charak²ᵅ, Vagabhataᵌᵅ and Acharya Sushruta⁴ᵅ are also arranged in tabular form . According to it Teja Mahabhuta is responsible for Varnya Nirmiti⁴ᵅ. Different complexions arises on the association of other bhutas with Teja Mahabhuta . For fair complexion Jala mahabhuta is accompanied with Teja Mahabhuta⁴ᵅ.

Milk, Ghee, honey and butter all Drava Dravyas(liquid substances) explained in Dravadravyavidhi adhyaya  by Shushruta ⁵ᵅ·ᵇ·ᶜ·ᵈand Drava-dravya Vidgyaniya Adhyaya by Acharya Vagbhataᵌᶜ·ᵌᵈ·ᵌᵉ. According to Acharya Sushruta in Sarvabhutachinta sharir adhyaya ,all DravaDravyas  are Jala Mahabhutatmak.So this Jalamahabhutatmak Ahar boost the Jala Mahabhuta in the foetus and accompanies with  the Teja Mahabhuta and result is found that fair complexion of baby.

This research article is to prove that the diet recommended by Ayurveda to woman before and during pregnancy is important for complexion of baby anditgive scientific knowledge about mahabhuta , factors that increased by the diet and how it acts on the complexion of baby by ayurvedic and modern references .

This research article is useful in Striro-Prasuti Tantra Department for clinical research about ayurved recommended diet before and during pregnancy  and for the complexion of baby .because in this article we give the literary scientific knowledge between diet and complexion.