Sanskrit Verse

दोषः प्रकुपितः स्वहेतुभिः … यत्र सङ्गं खवैगुण्यात् व्याधिं तत्र करोति हि।

— (Sushruta Samhita, Sutrasthana 24/9)

Explanation

Kha-Vaigunya means a ‘defect in space’ or a ‘vitiated channel’. It refers to a weak, empty, or defective spot in a Srotas (body channel) or Dhatu (tissue). When doshas become aggravated, they circulate throughout the body but only manifest a disease at a site where such a pre-existing weakness is present.

Clinical Importance

This principle explains why the same cause can lead to different diseases in different people. It is the combination of an aggravated dosha and a weak site (Kha-Vaigunya) that determines the location and nature of the illness. Strengthening these weak spots is a key aspect of preventive medicine.