FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOLOGICAL PHARMACY
VS
KUMBH BATH & KALPWAS
By – *Prof. Y.B.Tripathi, **Dr. Vachaspati Tripathi
Kumbh bath and kalpwas : are practiced in the sanatany system of Hindu mythology
since time immemorial. It was treated as very important and necessary for the
individual’s well being, and was consider to be as precious as taking NECTOR to save
life. These communal baths are usually held during the winter season at Prayag,
Haridwar, Nasik, Ujjain and other places, after every six year, in the name of Kumbha,
Ardh Kumbha and Maha Kumbha where lakhs of people take bath together.
Scientific facts are mentioned below based on the chapter of fundamentals of Biological
Pharmacy written by Prof. Bernard Witlin, DSc, Prof. of Microbiology, Philadelphia
collage of Pharmacy and science, Philadelphia, Pa19104. Mentioned in text book of
Remington’s Pharmaceuticals science.
The correlation and expalation of Kumbha bath and Kalpwas with scientific fact is
mentioned below under heading entitled Kumbh bath and kalpwas.
Scientific Fact: Upon first exposure to a germ or other antigen (foreign bodies), several
days may be required before an individual achieves peak production of antibodies. The
antibodies are the defense proteins which are formed in cells of lymphoid series, when
subjected to suitable antigenic stimulation.
Kumbh bath and kalpwas: provides the first exposure or stimulation of human being to
several new germs or other antigens of known or unknown origins and appropriate
antibodies are produced.
Scientific Fact: On subsequent exposure to the microorganisms however the body
appears to remember the first trial and is ready to produce the appropriate antibody. This
secondary response is fast and massive, often peaking within a few hours.
Kumbh bath and kalpwas : upon subsequent exposure to infections of known or
unknown germ/microorganism/antigen anywhere in future, the body produces antibodies
quickly and in a massive amount, with in a few hours - making the body immune to those
infection/microorganism/antigen.
Scientific Fact:
Each antibody is good for only one antigen and each antigen
stimulates the production of only one antibody. The body may remember exposure to one
virus. yet be unprepared for the virus’ first cousin.
Kumbh bath and kalpwas: the periodic nature of these baths is significant. The body
develops the antibody against all germ/microorganism/antigen during the kumbha bath
and kalpwas, and gets the immunity, but during the 6 years interval many new
germs/microorganisms/antigens develop due to mutation, and bring genotypic change, for
which normal human body is not immuned. For regular immunization kumbha bath
provides periodic bath and kalpwas to keep a person healthy against infectious disease (
Dangu, Chikangunia, T.B., and Aids are similar new diseases caused by new microbes.)
Scientific Fact: Immunity is described as a state of non susceptibility to infection. The
degree and speed with which the invader (Bacteria-viruses and fungi) may do harm
depend completely upon the resistance or lack of resistance of the host as a result of the
development of an adequate level of immunity due to antibodies, the host developed
resistance to the invasive power of infecting microorganisms or is capable of protecting
itself against the deleterious action of their toxic products.
Kumbh Bath and Kalpwas : the antibodies prepared for different invaders after the bath
makes man immune and thus protect itself against the infection and its bad effect.
Scientific Fact: infections when the natural barriers of the body fail to prevent entrance
of microorganisms, infection may result if such organisms are pathogenic.
Kumbh bath and Kalpwas : In the time interval between Kumbh bath, the man/human
body is infected naturally and if the body is not immuned the body or host is incapable of
withstanding the attack, hence the host/man develops the disease, progress and may even
terminate fatally.
Scientific Fact : In routine immunological studies, protective antibodies to a variety of
infections are found in individual.
Kumbh Bath and Kalpwas: The chances of infection becomes more if more infection
bearing men, take bath together at scheduled "Kumbh"-Ghada place, these infection
generate protective antibodies to a variety of infections.
Scientific Fact: The degree of immunity possessed is the determining Scientific Factor in
successful resistance against future exposures. Some times the immunity may be
ineffective in the event of exposure to an overwhelming dose of infective organism.
Individuals in good health are endowed with a high level immunity; in winter anabolic
rate of body increases this offering good general level of health contributes to immunity.
Kumbh Bath and Kalpwas: It occurs during winter season when the temperature of
water is about 7-12C. Which attenuates the breeding of microorganism thus preventing
an over whelming dose of infectants from spreading into water, During the Kalpwas
people eat nutritious diet in several “AKHADA” thus individual attains good health and
develops maximum degree of immunity which is sufficient for successful resistance.
Scientific Fact: The presence of natural antitoxins and of antibacterial antibodies may
occurs in the young and old as they develop, as a result of response of the body to
external environmental stimuli.
Kumbh Bath and Kalpwas: Provide external environmental stimuli to produce natural
antitoxin and antibacterial antibodies.
Scientific Fact: Antibodies occur in response to infection or antigen in the body.
Sensitization or invasion may develop as a result of ingestion, dermal contact or even of
inhalation of provoking agents.
Kumbh Bath and Kalpwas: The bath at kumbh or “Ghada” specific spot provides for
ingestion, dermal contact or even of inhalation of provoking agents, which stimulates
production of antibodies.
Scientific Fact: The antibodies produced are generally specific for the antigen which
caused their production and are usually demonstrable in the blood serum and other body
fluids. The antibodies are particularly associated with the globulin fractions of the protein
content of the blood serum.
Kumbh Bath and Kalpwas: The above Scientific Fact can be tested and the importance
of Kumbh Bath and Kalpwas can be established.
Scientific Fact: The generic term applicable to a wide variety of substances which are
antagonistic to or capable of neutralizing the antigens responsible for their production is
antibodies. These include antitoxin, agglutinins, lysine and precipitins. Other antibodies
may be bacterio static, bactericidal or virucidal. Many common diagnostic tests are based
on antigen-antibody reactions. Clinically, antibodies are distinguished as being
antibacterial (antiviral), and as being antitoxin. Specific antibodies are reactive only
against the substance which stimulated their production.
Kumbh Bath and Kalpwas: Thus the antibodies form due to unknown-known stimulate
of antigen and they are specific to unknown – known stimuli hence the assumptions
becomes true that Kumbh Bath and Kalpwas generate immunity against many new
diseases including Chikan Guinea, Dangu, Hey fewer & AIDS, T.B. etc.
Scientific Fact: If protection is acquired accidentally or artificially, it is called acquired
immunity, here the antibodies produced at some time after birth, the two kind of acquired
immunity are active acquired immunity and passive acquire immunity.
Natural
Active
Acquired Immunity
Artificial
Natural
Passive
Artificial
The biological pharmacy is based on the principle of acquired immunity. General good
health implies healthy body tissues, skin and mucous membranes, all important bacterial
barriers of good quality, leukocytes in plentiful supply and properly active and so forth.
Infectious diseases vary considerably among species, races and even among individual on
to age and sex. Some ninety diseases-T.B., Anthrax, Psillacosis, rabies occur in man and
animal alike, wile disease such as syphilis, measles, leprosy, gonorrhea, mumps, typhoid
fever, dysentery, whooping cough, etc. have not yet been shown in animals. Races also
affect susceptibility to tuberculosis. The resistance of an individual in a given community
may also vary greatly, although it must be recognized, it is attributed to acquired
immunity, which had developed due to previous contact. Nutritional well being and
fatigue also affect the resistance.
Kumbh Bath and Kalpwas: the crore people taking bath together provide infection of
microbes which generally affect the subject. Also the community difference in immunity
supports the thought of Hindu Sant, Rishis and Mythology. Thus people of different
communities which take bath at Kumbh develop more immunity.
Scientific Fact: Acquired immunity develops in response to specific stimulus i.e. the
introduction of foreign substances is called Active Acquired Immunity; it is acquired by
having 1.disease, 2. by single or repeated exposure to sub-infections dose of the disease
organism or 3. by being treated usually by injection with the modified disease organisms
or their derivatives (Vaccination). When resistance is developed following active contact
with disease organisms under normal conditions the resulting immunity is termed as
Natural Acquired Immunity, Immunity produced by vaccination following the injection
of toxins, attenuated toxins. (toxoids), allergenic products, or live attenuated or killed
microorganism or their products is designated as being artificially acquired immunity.
The end products of both instances are presumed to be the same. Natural acquired
immunity is developed slowly, depending upon many factors, including the antigenicity
of the organisms, the durations, or at times, repetitiveness of the organism invasion or
diseases.
Kumbh Bath and Kalpwas: The people may bear many infections; they take bath
together and thus infect each other, this favors the natural active acquired immunity
principle. More over Kalpwas and 5 specific bath their specific duration, times and
repetitiveness of the invasion result in increased immunity.
Scientific Fact: The duration of active immunity is quite variable, brief to many years
and in some cases last for life.
Kumbh Bath and Kalpwas: Thus periodic bath after 6 years attribute immunity to the
subject human life long against many unknown-known microbes.
Scientific Fact: hypersensitivity The Biological products include vaccines, antigens and
toxoids. The use of biological products results in serum sickness, anaphylaxis, allergy,
drug and food idiosyncrasies etc. it is called hypersensitivity. Serum sickness is
characterized by the formation of rash, urticaria, skin eruption, edema or swelling joint
pains, and some times by a slight fever. It is similar to shock.
Kumbh Bath & Kalpwas: do not cause hypersensitivity as is a natural process.
Kumbh Bath and Kalpwas: Thus Kumbh bath and kalpwas, its procedure, time,
duration, season, atmosphere and lifestyle attribute natural active acquired immunity with
almost no hypersensitivity and low cost basis. It also provides immunity against so many
known and unknown microbes or pathogen for which there is no procedure in artificial
acquired immunity. Nectar is defined as a drop of which, when taken can save life of
man from death. Kumbh bath and kalpwas save the life of man from death usually occurs
due to infectious diseases due to principle of natural active acquired immunity of
biological pharmacy. People may remember that days when Kalajar, Plague etc. took the
life of all community or village town, the similar disease may happened earlier caused
great loss to humanity, for which the saint and rishis understood the logical cause and
established the importance/necessity of Kumbha bath and kalpwas as the Amrita pan.
Hence Kumbh bath and kalpwas is a way to resist death due to infection and may
undoubtedly be treated as “Amrit Pan”.
.
*Prof. Y,B.Tripathi
Department of Biochemistry, IMS,BHU – Varanasi
** Dr. Vachapati Tripathi
Pharmaceutical Scientist, B.Pharma. (Hons.), M. Pharma, IT BHU
S.R.F., U.G.C. (Dept. of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Ayurveda)
S.R.F., U.G.C. ` (Dept. of Pharmacology, Institute of Medical Sciences)
Proprietor – Surya Pharmaceuticals
Managing Director – Surya Neutraceuticals Pvt. Ltd.
General Secretary – Prof. S.N. Tripathi Memorial Foundation
Member Expert Committee on Bhasma, DST, GOI
President Sanatan Sanskrit Kendra
Former Member National Committee for Natural Products
Planning Commission, GOI