The fifth chapter of Aṣṭāṅga Saṅgraha is called Rogān-Utpādanīyam, which literally means:
“How to prevent the origin of diseases.”
This chapter is Ayurveda’s blueprint for:
- public health
- lifestyle medicine
- immunology
- preventive healthcare
- behavioural medicine
- stress physiology
In modern medical language, this chapter teaches:
How to stop diseases before they even begin.
1. Prevention Is Superior to Cure
Ayurveda makes a bold statement:
It is easier and more powerful to prevent disease than to treat it.
This matches modern public health principles where:
- vaccination
- sanitation
- nutrition
- lifestyle modification
- screenings
- primary prevention
save more lives than curative treatment.
Ayurveda understood this thousands of years before modern medicine.
2. The Root of Disease Is Misalignment
The chapter explains that disease arises when we go against nature.
In simple terms, illness begins when there is:
- wrong diet
- poor lifestyle
- emotional imbalance
- disrupted digestion
- environmental stress
- seasonal mismatches
- excessive sensory stimulation
- suppression of natural urges
Ayurveda calls this “Prajñāparādha” – the mistake of the intellect.
Modern parallels:
- ignoring health warnings
- unhealthy coping mechanisms
- poor stress management
- addictive behaviours
- long-term biological abuse
This is the foundation of lifestyle disorders today.
3. Strengthening the Body’s Internal Resistance
Ayurveda emphasizes Vyādhi-kṣamatva — the body's natural immunity and resilience.
This includes:
- physical immunity
- mental resilience
- digestive strength
- tissue vigor
- stress tolerance
Modern equivalents:
- innate and adaptive immunity
- HPA axis balance
- gut microbiome health
- mitochondrial function
- emotional intelligence
Ayurveda teaches that a strong inner system makes disease impotent.
4. Maintaining Healthy Digestion (Agni)
A major focus of this chapter is preserving digestive fire.
Why?
Because disturbed digestion leads to:
- inflammation
- metabolic waste
- toxin accumulation
- reduced immunity
- chronic disease
Modern science agrees:
- poor digestion → dysbiosis
- dysbiosis → inflammation
- inflammation → chronic disease
Ayurveda says:
Healthy Agni = No disease.
Weak Agni = All diseases possible.
5. Avoiding Disease-Causing Factors (Nidāna Parivarjana)
The simplest, most powerful therapeutic principle:
“Avoid the cause.”
Ayurveda lists causative factors like:
- overeating
- fasting excessively
- incompatible foods
- eating at wrong times
- lack of sleep
- excessive sleep
- emotional suppression
- overexertion
- sedentary behavior
- addictions
- toxin exposure
Modern equivalents:
- metabolic syndrome drivers
- circadian disruption
- processed foods
- chronic stress
- alcohol/tobacco
- environmental pollutants
This chapter teaches early preventive measures identical to modern primary prevention.
6. Protecting the Mind (Manas Raksha)
Ayurveda clearly states that mental imbalance leads to physical disease.
This includes:
- anxiety
- anger
- depression
- jealousy
- fear
- overthinking
Modern equivalents:
- stress-induced inflammation
- psychosomatic illness
- depression-immunity link
- cortisol-driven metabolic disorders
Mental health is as important as physical health — a message still needed today.
7. Proper Use of Senses (Indriya Protection)
Ayurveda warns that overstimulation of senses harms the mind.
Examples:
- excessive screen time
- loud noise exposure
- sensory overload
- unhealthy sexual habits
- overstimulation from food or media
Modern evidence shows:
- dopamine dysregulation
- sleep disturbances
- cognitive fatigue
- attention disorders
- social anxiety
Ayurveda advises moderation and mindfulness in sensory consumption.
8. Seasonal & Daily Alignment
Disease prevention requires living in tune with:
- Dinacharya (daily routine)
- Ritucharya (seasonal routine)
This ensures:
- hormonal balance
- metabolic stability
- immune strength
- emotional balance
Modern parallels:
- circadian biology
- seasonal affective disorder
- lifestyle rhythm science
Consistency and rhythm protect health.
9. Detoxification & Cleanliness
Ayurveda emphasizes:
- internal cleansing
- keeping bowels clear
- maintaining oral & body hygiene
- avoiding exposure to dirt and toxins
Modern parallels:
- detox through liver, kidney, sweat
- sanitation
- personal hygiene
- infection control
- microbiome balance
Cleanliness is preventive medicine.
10. Rasāyana – Rejuvenation & Strengthening
This chapter hints at Rasāyana therapy, which boosts:
- immunity
- mental clarity
- tissue strength
- longevity
Modern comparisons:
- antioxidants
- adaptogens
- neuroprotectives
- anti-aging medicine
- nutritional supplements
Ayurveda recognized rejuvenation science millennia earlier.
11. Balancing Work, Rest & Sleep
Ayurveda stresses balanced:
- work
- exercise
- rest
- sleep
Modern parallels:
- avoiding burnout
- productivity psychology
- sleep medicine
- recovery science
Balance prevents breakdown.
12. Early Signs of Imbalance (Roga Mārga)
The chapter teaches how to catch disease early:
Early warning signs include:
- appetite change
- sleep disturbance
- fatigue
- anxiety
- constipation
- bloating
- mild pain
- irritability
Modern equivalents:
- subclinical inflammation
- early metabolic dysfunction
- stress biomarkers
- pre-disease states
Early detection = easy prevention.
Conclusion: Ayurveda’s Preventive Medicine Philosophy
Chapter 5, Rogān Utpādanīyam, presents the core philosophy of modern preventive medicine, but thousands of years ahead of its time.
It teaches that:
- food affects health more than drugs
- routine protects physiology
- mind controls immunity
- digestion controls inflammation
- lifestyle prevents more diseases than treatment
- early warning signs must be respected
- prevention is the highest form of medicine
For modern doctors and students, this chapter is a reminder that:
