It gives me immense pleasure to place this English version of my book 'Vatavyadhi' (Pakshaghata) written in Kannada about three and a half decades ago, which actually became out of print just a year after its publication. Soon after there was a demand from students, teachers and the other Ayurveda fraternity, especially from states outside Karnataka and also students of Ayurveda colleges in Karnataka who were from other states, to bring out this book in English. I too felt the demand was genuine. Since then, it was my cherished desire to bring out an English version of it in order to quench the thirst of knowledge of the younger generations. However, on account of my pre-occupations, serious health hazards beyond my control and also advanced age, I could not make my dream come true for decades. But then destiny wished it to happen and thus it happened. One day my friend and junior colleague Dr. M. Ramesh, a retired Professor from Government Ayurveda Medical College, Bengaluru, contacted me over the phone to enquire about my health. It was certainly a pleasant surprise to me. After preliminary conversations, the matter of translating my book in Kannada to English, which was relegated to the background for a long time, came up and he voluntarily opted to take up this' not so easy job'. My joy knew no bounds to learn this and eventually I gave my heart felt consent on the spot. Dr.Ramesh worked with full devotion and dedication consequent to which this English version of my book is made available to all interested readers so that the knowledge stream can continue to flow for years to come. I regret for not being able to cover all Vatavyadhi's, though initially intended to. Vatavyadhi's are stated to be more than eighty in number, each one of them or quite a few of them are major diseases like Grdhrasi, Vishvachi, Antarayama, Bahirayama, Manyastambha, Apabahuka, Ardhita, Pangu, Udavarta, Aanaha, Aadmana and so on and so forth need to be covered in detail in so far as their diagnostic and therapeutic dimensions are concerned, on the same lines as this book. However if the present translated work motivates younger generations to think and act in this direction so as to keep our precious knowledge and heritage ever growing and glittering, the effort put in here will be really worth it. I hope and trust that my humble desire will fructify in the near future.
Lastly I remain thankful to Dr. M. Ramesh for his great service and pray that Lord Dhanvantari should bestow him with extremely good health, a long and happy wholesome life.
Dr. B. G. Gopinath who wrote and brought out this excellent book by name Vatavyadhi (Pakshaghata-Hemiplegia) has made an in-depth study of the science of Ayurveda and by his outstanding teaching has earned appreciation of undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as all of us. When viewed compared to other states of India, those who have authored literary works relevant to Ayurveda in Karnataka and in Kannada are meagre. That too those who have written this type of book are very rare. Though there are many among us, who are competent in writing, they are not coming forward since they have insufficient encouragement.
We became known to each other for the first time, when we gained admission, together, for the postgraduate course (HPA) in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Our stay together in the same room of the hostel there led to greater affinity. That was a time of excellent opportunity for us to discuss every day different aspects of the science.
Vatavyadhi is among the eight major diseases (Mahavyadhi). Even amidst them Pakshaghata (Hemiplegia) is a formidable and difficult to treat disease. Many are succumbing to this disease nowadays and suffering. There is an increasing number of patients, coming to Ayurveda hospitals with the hope of getting cured through Panchakarma therapy, since they could not get completely cured through treatments of modern medical science. Hence Dr. Gopinath has decided to write about this disease first and publish it.
There is a brief description available on this disease in the chapter pertaining to Vatavyadhi in texts like Charaka.
With an intention to enlighten in detail on the etiology and treatment of this disease complete information on Pakshaghata (Hemiplegia) from history to treatment including pathya apathya (Congenial/non congenial), divided into different chapters along with his remarks, in an excellent manner has been provided. Everyone will not be able to get a clear insight into this disease by mere reading of texts like Charaka. A clear insight into the disease has been provided by the author, made effortless through diagrams and tables according to the context of the hetu (etiology), samrapti (pathogenesis), lakshana (signs and symptoms) of the disease. Accompanied by an appropriate comparative narration of Hemiplegia and associated conditions of the modern system of medicine, the modern physicians have also been provided with a clear insight to this disease. Pictures on the cover page provide a firsthand perception on the gait of the Pakshaghata (Hemiplegic) patient. The complete shodhana (purificatory) and shamana (palliative) treatment of this disease along with the karmukata (mode of action) of respective kriya (procedures) and yoga (formulations) have also been very well narrated in the chapters pertaining to treatment.
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