The history  of ayurveda documents an ancient clinical work entitled Netra Prakashika[1].  It is estimated to be a work of Pujyapada Muni, who lived during 464-524 .  A stone carving laid in Nagara taluk of Shivamogga district provides a solid proof of the excellence of medical writings of this Pujyapada Muni[2].  British historian Edward Peter Rice[3], has accepted that: Pujyapada, also known as devanandi, belongs to the sixth and seventh century. He was a jain muni, who practiced yoga and was believed to have acquired extra ordinary psychic powers.  He travelled throughout South  India and went as far as Videha (Behar in the north) … He wrote a treatise in Sanskrit on medicine which long continued to be an authority

The sanctity of  Pujyapada is legendary in the minds of  jain scholars[4] .  Pujyapada remained immortal in Kanakagiri, a jain pilgrimage centre in Karnataka (near Mysore).  Acharya Pujyapada had a celestial power of contemplating with shri mandaraswamy of videha kshetra. He inspired his nephew Nagarjuna to install the sacred foot prints of 24 prophets amd finally attained nirvana in Kanakagiri. The name – kanaka-giri, literally mean the mountain of gold.  It is the result of alchemy experiments of Nagarjuna, who tried to  convert entire mountain into gold.  It is also said that Pujyapada himself taught the secrets of rasa shastra to Nagarjuna, the tallest personality in the history of Rasa Shastra.

This ancient book on eye diseases authored by Pujyapada NANDIKESHVARA is now published by Chaukhamba Vishvabharati, Varanasi, with English rendering, illustrating most of the conditions quoted in the text.

The  reference of  Netra Prakashika is found in – ‘A check list of sanskrit medical manuscripts in India’ edited by Bhagavat Ram Rao , published by institute of history of medicine, Hyderabad in 1972 in association with CCRAS, New Delhi, in page number 38, manuscript  in devanagari script (TSML) – 11073. The abbreviation TSML refers to Tanjavur Saraswati Mahal Library, located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.  

Importance  of  NETRA PRAKASHIKA

1.      Ophthalmic complications of systemic diseases :  Several systemic  diseases will lead to ocular complications.  Such specific diseases and their ophthalmic complications are not illustrated  in the front line texts of ayurveda.  Netra Prakashika has enlightened the readers about the specific complication of internal diseases like Prameha, Granthi, Kamala and  Grahani. Such description will herald new horizons in the understanding retinal problems  like diabetic retinopathies.

2.      New diagnostic method for different dosha invasions of the eye : There are new clues towards the diagnosis of vataja dristi, Pittaja dristi, Kaphaja dristi along with the  clinical judgment  on shuddha dristi and ashuddha dristi ( normal and abnormal eye).

3.      Iotrogenic diseases of the eye:  The  eye complications produced due to improper treatment of other diseases are given due importance.  A separate chapter is devoted towards the diagnosis and management of them, entitled – nana kritrima sanjata netra roga.

4.      Pilla Roga and Patala Roga :  Most of the diseases mentioned in Netra prakashika are not found in other ayurvedic texts.  Though Yogaratnakara, Gadanigraha and Bhaishajya ratnavali have described new therapeutics for eye diseases like patala roga and pilla roga, the explanation of  these diseases are not found in the texts.  Vagbhata has separately classified 18 chronic disease as pilla roga, but their separate clinical features are not provided.  Netra Prakashika has given comprehensive  account of  ten types of pilla roga of the  eye lids and thirteen types of patala roga  that trouble the conjunctiva.

5.      Special classification : Eye diseases are classified  based on the presenting symptoms like disturbance to the appearence of  conjunctiva( drik shukla rupa),  corneal opacities (pushpa)  etc.,

6.      Karmaja netra roga and Karma shanty :  A great stress is laid upon the  bad deeds in the origin of incurable diseases.  A novel therapeutic regimen with charity , prayers and  worship of God are specified  to  restore health.

7.      Ten stages of eye diseases: The different stages of the eye diseases and their termination in visual loss is depicted with great details.  Immediate attention at the earliest stage is advocated for complete remission of the disease. They start from slight pain, redness, pus discharge,dryness, softening of the lens, staphyloma, foulsmell, phthisis and blindness.

Shula vedha

Aruna mamsaka

Puya samvardha

Shukla jataka

Daha ruksha

Mani mandaka

Budbudakara

Dagdha durgandha

Mani bhinnaka

Netra hina

8.      Importance of chronicity : Eye diseases are  clinically classified as roga bala(acute stage), roga kaumara kala(sub acute stage) and roga vardhakya kala(chronic).  The eye disease with long duration ( chronic) are always considered as of guarded prognosis .

9.      Occular tumours and visual problems :   There are details of several ocular tumours and diseases that reduce the visual perception, which are not even mentioned in any other text of ayurveda.

10.  Protection of eye:   Prevention of eye diseases with carrot and other green leaves, yoga and pranayama are explained separately in netra traniya adhryaya.

11.  Therapeutic excellence :Separate chapters are provided for the topical medications like anjana.  Most drug formulations mentioned in Netra prakashika are original and are not found in any other books of ayurveda.

12.  Medicated oils to cure eye disease: A novel drug delivery system by medicated oils is advocated in the treatment of eye diseases.  Specific oil formulations  are advised to each disease in the form of shiro basti, shiro taila, abhyanga and basti.  In addition, the role of panchakarma like vamana, virechana, rakta moshana  and nasya karma are emphasised.

13.  One hundred eye diseases : There is a passing reference about the  classification of  eye diseases in Chakrapanidatta commentary[5] The ancient authorities like Videha has enumerated 76 diseases, Satyaki 96 diseases and Karala 80 diseases in the eye.  Vagbhata and Sharangdhara have enlisted  94 pathological conditions in the eye[6] .  Netra Prakashika has accounted highest number – 100 of ailments in the eye.

The diseases are classified based on the site of affection and the etiological factors as follows:

Diseases of the eye lids and eye lashes                                                  24

Diseases of the shukla sandhi                                                                  09       

Diseases of shweta mandala                                                                    13

Diseases of the krishnamandala                                                              05

Diseases produced as a complication                                                     22

Diseases extending to entire eye ball                                                      20

Diseases disturbing vision                                                                       07

                 

Thus publication of Netraprakashika is a historic event in Shalakya Tantra. It is a    valuable addition to the understanding of ancient treatment methods of eye diseases, refreshingly different from the front line texts of ayurveda.  It is hoped that Shalakya  horizon will see new light with this book .

---

[1] Gupta Bhagavatram: ayurveda ka pramanik itihas

[2] Vidyalankara Atrideva: ayurved ka brihat itihas

[3] ‘ A history of kanarese language’  . published by Oxford University Press Publication in 1918. 

[4] – www. Jainheritagecentres.com

[5] on Charaka Samhita (chikitsa 26/130) 

[6]Shargdhara Prathama. 7/153-171).   

save your eye from COMPUTERS

Over 175 million Americans use a computer either on the job orat home. Nearly 75% of these people report vision problems asa result of their computer use.Are you one them?Dry and irritated eyes, difficulty focusing, headaches, backaches,neck strain, and double vision are just a few of the symptomscaused by computer use.Collectively, these symptoms are known as "Computer VisionSyndrome," which the American Optometric Association (AOA)defines as being "related to near work - experienced duringcomputer use."You might recognize that phrase "near work" from an earlierlesson. Computer use causes near-point stress-reported bythe AOA as one of the leading causes of nearsightednessand its progression.How does the computer hurt your eyes?Human eyes were not made to look at a computer screen. The screenyou are viewing right now is actually made up of thousands ofpixels. Pixels are, essentially, colored dots that make up theimage you see or the text you read. The more pixels on your screenfor a given image, the clearer the image will appear.But your eyes cannot focus directly on each of these thousands ofpixels. Instead, you have to focus over and over to keep theimages sharp-which causes strain and tension in your eyes.Computer screens have also been shown to reduce blink rates byup to five times! This is why your eyes feel dry and irritatedafter staring at the screen.Think of blinking like breathing: you can't do without it. Reducedblinking could be said to be the asthma of the eyes.So, short of quitting your job, what can you do about ComputerVision Syndrome?In the long term, following the Rebuild Your Vision program will helpyou combat the deterioration caused by the near-point stress of
computer use.And in the short term, here are some tips your eyes willappreciate.--Essential Tip #1: Monitor Your MonitorRepositioning your monitor is an easy and effective way to avoidawkward head or eye movements. It should be squarely in front ofyou at a distance of 18 to 28 inches, with the top of the monitor(not the screen) level with your eyes.You may also have to adjust the angle of your monitor to allowyour eyes to remain in a natural position (straight ahead andslightly down).--Essential Tip #2: Glare CareModifying your office lighting will eliminate glare and harshreflections. First, find the source of the glare: is it comingfrom a window, task light, or the computer screen itself?Adjust blinds or curtains to minimize sunlight. Turn downoverhead lights so that the brightness of the screen and thesurrounding room are balanced. Task lights should be positionedto provide direct light for reading and other office work butshould not shine directly on the computer.--Essential Tip #3: Take a Break-the "10-10-10" RuleIt's easy to lose track of time at the computer. So you need tolearn how to take a break. Here's how:Every time you are performing close vision work for over 10consecutive minutes, look up and focus on anything that isat least 10 feet away, for at least 10 seconds.The best way to incorporate the 10-10-10 rule while at yourcomputer is by using our Vision Defense Software, includedas a bonus with the Rebuild Your Vision Program.This simple rule helps to prevent the damaging effects ofnear-point stress and could literally save your eyesight! (And acomputer break is a perfect excuse to perform your Rebuild YourVision eye exercises.)--Essential Tip #4: Some Folks Have Special Needs
Seniors should take extra care arranging their work stations. TheAOA notes that workers over 50 years of age require twice thelight levels of younger adults for comfortable work.By the same token, very often small children share the samecomputer as their parents, a situation that can lead to injury,as monitor distance and position have been set up to accommodatethe adults.To your vision -- for life,

There was a controlled study conducted on a group of Inuitfamilies in Barrow, Alaska, years ago by a very respected groupof eye doctors. It evaluated the relation between genetics andthe environment in bad vision.It was an ideal setting in that parents and grandparents hadlittle or no formal education, while children regularly attendedpublic school.The study results showed that the uneducated parents andgrandparents had little or no form of myopia (nearsightedness),while nearly 58% of the children attending school were diagnosedas myopic.A genetic malfunction increase of 58% over one generation wouldbe impossible. The researchers came to the conclusion that thestress put upon the eyes while performing continuous near-pointwork in the classroom was causing myopia among the children. --Young et al. 1969. American Journal of Optometry and Archives of American Academy of OptometrySo what causes nearsightedness if it's not genetic? Science hasalso answered this question.It's a condition called near-point stress. Near-point stress iswhat your eyes experience when you focus on anything close toyou: computers, books, television, etc.Focusing up close is not natural to your eyes. Your eyes arein a relaxed state when they are looking at a distance andfocusing up close puts a stress on them.The American Optometric Association identifies "near-point stress"as being one of the leading causes of nearsightedness and itsprogression.I find this amazing, considering many doctors willstill tell you that nearsightedness is solely a geneticcondition.It just doesn't add up.*How have thousands of people improved their vision naturally if
bad vision is a genetic problem?*Why is near-point stress defined as a leading cause of nearsightedness if nearsightedness is a genetic condition?The fact is, the data is in, and times and beliefs are changing.There are many eye doctors that now support eye exercises andtheir role in natural vision improvement.To your vision - for life,Orlin SorensenCopyright Rebuild Your Vision 2008.All Rights Reserved.http://www.rebuildyourvision.com/13About The AuthorOrlin Sorensen is a former commercial airline pilot and the creator of the best selling Rebuild Your Vision Program. After the 9/11 tragedies he was one of thousands of commercial airline pilots soon to be out of work. He decided to try to fulfill his childhood dream of flying fighter jets for the United States Navy One thing held him back - lack of perfect eyesight.

what is dristi?

your answers are welcome

20/20 vision

Herman Snellen, a Dutch ophthalmologist, designed the first eyechart, which measures visual acuity. Referred to as the SnellenChart, it was developed in 1862 and is still used today.He set the baseline of measurement at 20 feet, the approximatedistance at which light rays entering the eye are paralleland do not require our eyes to bend the rays to focus themupon the retina.Snellen set the standard of 20/20 vision to represent "normalsight," or what a person with normal vision could see at adistance of 20 feet.This means that a person with 20/40 vision must be 20 feet awayto read what he or she should be able to read at 40 feet; aperson with 20/85 vision must be 20 feet away to read what heor she should be able to read at 85 feet away, and so on.This standard does not measure visual acuity at close distances.Similar charts were devised with smaller letters to read atclose range for the measurement of near vision.A Snellen Chart is included in the Rebuild Your Vision programso you can measure your vision as it improves. I've alsoincluded a log for you to record your daily progress.To your vision - for life.