CONCEPT OF PRAJNAPARADHA AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN DISRUPTION OF MENTAL & SOCIAL HEALTH
Sukalyan Ray, Soumyadip Saha, Amrita Ghosh
International Ayurvedic Medical Journal April 26, 2026 DOI: 10.46607/iamj1514042026 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Charaka Samhita's concept of Prajnaparadha, the impairment of intellect, will, and memory, is the principal cause of all diseases and operates simultaneously as a medical, social, and moral phenomenon. The authors contend it offers a framework for understanding root causes of social and mental health disruption in modern life. |
Abstract
Introduction: Ayurveda considers threefold factors, namely Asatmyaindriyartha Samyoga, Prajnaparadha and Parinama, as the cause of all possible maladies of human beings, among which Prajnaparadha has been consid-ered as the principal one. Charaka Samhita has conceptualised Prajnaparadha as a multifactorial phenomenon that refers to the impairment of three mental faculties: Dhi (intellect), Dhriti (will), and Smriti (memory). Every action, whether kinetic, verbal, or psychic, that arises from the impairment of these three factors is considered Prajnaparadha, the responsible factor for all diseases.
Discussion: Yoga philosophy considers Prajna as the su-preme knowledge that discriminates between Prakriti (matter) and Purusha (consciousness). Vedanta philosophy also considers Prajna to be the supreme knowledge of one’s true self. Acharya Charaka, following the Vedantic tradition, has also considered Prajna as the right knowledge, the impairment of which is considered Prajnapara-dha. Charaka has conceptualised Prajnaparadha from the perspectives of medical science, social science, and moral science. From a medical perspective, Prajnaparadha leads to the causation of all physical and mental ail-ments; from a social perspective, it disrupts social harmony; and from a moral perspective, it stands for every deviation from morality and ethics, which degenerates our society.
Conclusion: The concept of Prajnaparadha is a unique contribution of Charaka Samhita in the field of medical, social and moral science. In this pleasure-driven world, where everyone is being forced to live an impulsive life, Prajnaparadha plays an important role in understanding the root causes of disruption of our social and mental health. This present article will provide an ideal benchmark for future researchers in the field of psychology and social health.