Publication

Abstract : Major objectives of Rasasastra is to make the body free from diseases and help to attain moksha in this life itself. This is called dehavada. It can be achieved by application of processed (samskarita) parada into the body. Just like the land has to be ploughed and prepared before sowing seeds, body (kshetra) has to be made fit through specified procedures of panchakarma before administration of rasoushadhas. Panchakarma therapy is a very important and essential part of Ayurvedic treatment. Panchakarma therapy includes five purification procedures of the body through different routes. Making the body (kshetra) fit for administration of rogasamanaoushadhas (rasa ouashadhas) and rasayanaoushadhas through specified procedures of panchakarma to attain better results in terms of disease cure and rejuvenation is called Kshetrikarana in Rasachikitsa. The process of kshetrikarana is mentioned in different Rasasastra texts like Ayurveda prakasha, Rasatarangini, Rasahrdayatantra etc in the context of Parada sevanavidhi (intake of mercurial preparations). Pachana, snehana, swedana, vamana and virechana are the kayashodhana procedures according to Ayurveda prakasha. After Kshetrikarana, suitable medicines are administered along with proper diet to cure prevailing ailments.Here is a compilation work on the different views about sarirashodhana according to different classical Rasasastra text books - Rasatarangini, Rasahrdayatantra, Ayurveda prakasha and Anandakanda.