Concept of Rasaja Bhava in Garbhavastha and its Applied Aspects

Abstract

Ayurveda lays great emphasis on ensuring holistic nutrition. Ahara is the prime requirement of every living organism. So in Ayurveda, it is considered as one of the ‘Trayopastambha’. Foetal development is a continuous process of maturation of structure discussed under three periods of gestation, i.e., germinal, embryonic and foetal period. The ‘Vriddhi’ term denotes above three stages of development. Ayurveda gave importance to the six procreative factors (Shadgar bhakara bhavas), which are Matrija, Pitrija, Atmaja, Rasaja, Satmyaja and Sattvaja, for achieving objective of ‘Shreyasi Praja’. The fusion of these procreative factors is necessary for ‘Shreyasi Praja’. Nutrition during pre-conception and intra natal period is having great importance; that is why Ayurveda lays greater emphasis on Garbhini Paricharya. Among Shadbhava, Rasaja Bhava and Satmyaja Bhava come from maternal diet and regime during pregnancy. The health of female measures by physical, mental, social, and spiritual contents, and practice of proper wholesome regimen to the mother during pregnancy, play major role in achieving a healthy progeny resulting into forming healthy family, society and nation. Non-fulfilment of any of these factors becomes cause for unhealthy and defective child birth and also foetal growth related problems like Garbhapata, Garbhasrava, Garbhakshaya, Garbhashosha, Nagodara, Upashuska etc. The role of Rasaja Bhava is of immense importance in prevention of obstetric complications. The present review study focuses mainly on evaluating the scientific perceptions about topic on the basis of Ayurveda and modern knowledge