Hetu (Nidan): Cause
It is the root cause of the disease which directly act upon the equilibrium of three doshes.
Types of Nidan:
- Close factor (Sannikrisht)
These are the factors that bypass the stage accumulation (Sanchaya) of the disease process to the next stage of disease process i.e. provocation (prakopa) by disturbing the equilibrium of the three doshas (vata, pitta, kapha).
Distance factor (Viprikrisht)
These are the factors that affect the equilibrium of doshas, which was developed earlier but was unable to develop disease. In this case as the disturbed equilibrium of dosha already exists the onset of the ailment is quick due to other stimulating factors. For example winter season equilibrium of kapha dosha is disturbed but it doesn't lead to disease as it is frozen due to extreme cold but as soon as the climate changes it melts due the warmth in autumn.
Abuses of sense organ (Asatmiya Indriyartha Samyog)
These types of factor are due tot he unhealthy or improper use of the indriya i.e. sense organs that lead to disease.The types of Abuse of sense organs are
Overuse (Atiyog)
This refers to the overuse of Sense organs. Example: reading for hours together, watching T. V for long and working on computers for hours together develop disease related to eyes due to the overstrain or overuse of eyes.
Pragyaparadh
This term comprises of two words i.e. Pragnya meaning intellect and apradh meaning crime or abuse thus giving the whole term the meaning of doing wrong things in spite of knowing about their negative side effects or consequences that will lead to disease. In Ayurveda it is said that pragyapradh is the main cause of janpadodhwans (epidemic disea
