KSHETHRIKARANA AN AYURVEDIC CONCEPT FOR ACHIEVING RASAYANA THERAPY BENEFITS

Abstract

Rasayana (Rejuvenation) therapy is a highly specialized branch of Ayurveda, Rasayana therapy mainly aims in the rejuvenation of the body and mind. There are Numerous Rasayana therapies which include drugs, diet and regimens explained in Ayurvedic Classical texts.The process of Kshetrikarana (purification to body) is mentioned in different Rasasastra texts like Ayurveda Prakasha, Rasatarangini, etc in the context of Parada Sevanavidhi (intake of mercurial preparations). According to the Ayurveda classical text Charaka Samhita one should undergo the Shodhana (bio purification) procedures like Vamana (Therapeutic emesis), Virechana (Therapeutic purgation), Niruha Basti (Therapeu-tic enema), Shirovirechana (therapeutic cleansing of the head and neck region) before Rasayana therapy to get the best results of therapy. The procedures for Kshethrikarana can be seen imbibed within Panchakarma therapy but all Panchakarma procedures are not adopted for Kshethrikarana. Kshethrikarana includes the therapies like Pachana,(Digestion Therapy) Snehana (Oleation Therapy), Swedana (Fomentation treatment), Vamana and Virechana. The Rasayana therapy if not done in proper way will not give desired effects and can cause the increase of Dosha (biological humours) in body. Here an attempt is made to highlight the fundamentals and the importance of Kshethrikarana as a concept, method and extent of the therapies for preparing the body before Rasayana therapy to get the Maximum benefits of Rasayana therapy and similarities of Kshethrikarana and Panchakarma (Penta bio – purification therapy) therapies are discussed in detail.