AYURVEDA CONCEPT OF SHATKRIYAKALA (SIX STAGES OF PATHOGENESIS) - A REVIEW

Abstract

Ayurveda is a science of life which aims at maintaining the health of a healthy individual and treat the diseased one.  This is achieved by maintaining equilibrium of Dosha, Dhatu and Mala. Kriyakala is the stages of progressive pathogenesis of a disease. It is the different opportunity for a physician to break the pathogenesis of a disease i.e., early diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.  The term Kriyakala refers to the recognition of the stage of a disease progress, which helps to determine appropriate measure to correct the imbalance in Doshas. The word Kriyakala is made up of two words Kriya and Kala, where Kriya means chikitsa or treatment and Kala refers to opportunity or time to treat a disease. Kriyakala refers to the Six stages of pathogenesis of diseases. The aim of Ayurveda is, maintenance of health a healthy Person, by adopting the Ritucharya, Dincharya and Sadvritta and curing of a disease of diseased Person, by adopting therapeutic measures. Kriyakala not only helps in early diagnosis of a disease but also helps in the early arrest of a disease to avoid its further progression. Acharya Susrutha has narrated detail idea of Shatkriyakala in 21st chapter of Sutrasthana. Shatkriyakala include six stages viz Sanchaya, Prakopa, Prasara, Sthansamshraya, Vyaktavastha and Bhedavastha.