Janapadodhwamsa: Ancient Ayurvedic Wisdom in Modern Environmental Hygiene

Environmental hygiene has always been central to health and disease prevention in traditional systems of medicine, including Ayurveda. Acharya Charaka’s concept of Janapadodhwamsa—the mass destruction of populations due to common environmental factors—offers a timeless framework to understand pandemics and public health threats. In the modern era, rising pollution, climate change, contamination of natural resources, and poor sanitation reflect the same principles described thousands of years ago. This article explores the correlation between Ayurvedic teachings on Janapadodhwamsa, contemporary environmental challenges, the Swachhata Abhiyan, and the importance of personal and professional hygiene.