Arocaka (Loss of Appetite): Nidāna, Doṣa-Lakṣaṇa, and Doṣaja Vomiting (Chardi) Markers
द्विपञ्चाशदुत्तरशततमो ऽध्यायः धन्वन्तरिरुदाच / अरोचकनिदान्ते वक्ष्ये ऽहं सुश्रुताधुना / अरोचको भवेद्दोषैर्जिह्वाहृदयसंश्रयैः
dvipañcāśaduttaraśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ dhanvantarirudāca / arocakanidānte vakṣye 'haṃ suśrutādhunā / arocako bhaveddoṣairjihvāhṛdayasaṃśrayaiḥ
Dhanvantari nói: Nay, hỡi Suśruta, ta sẽ giảng về nidāna (nguyên nhân) và tướng trạng của arocaka (chán ăn). Arocaka phát sinh khi các doṣa trú ngụ nơi lưỡi và vùng tim.
Dhanvantari
Dosha: Vata/Pitta/Kapha
Concept: Nidāna (etiology) and lakṣaṇa (features) of arocaka are explained; doṣas lodged in tongue and hṛdaya-region disturb appetite and taste.
Vedantic Theme: Mind-body linkage: manas and prāṇa operate within prakṛti; discernment of causes reduces suffering.
Application: Assess loss of appetite by examining tongue, taste, chest/heart-region sensations, and doṣic signs; treat root causes rather than only symptoms.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.152 (preceding doṣa-lakṣaṇa and kṣaya discussion); Garuda Purana 1.153.2 (taste changes and mental factors)
This verse introduces Dhanvantari’s Ayurvedic teaching that appetite loss is a doṣa-based disorder, framed through classical nidāna (etiology), making the Garuda Purana a source not only of dharma but also traditional medical guidance.
It states that arocaka occurs when the doṣas become disturbed and localize in the tongue and the heart-region, disrupting taste, desire for food, and the internal regulation of digestion.
Treat persistent appetite loss as a systemic imbalance rather than only a food preference issue—support digestion and taste function, and seek appropriate Ayurvedic assessment for doṣa involvement.