Concept of Kriyakala in the light of Prevention & Management of Disease

Kriyakala in the light of Prevention & Management of Disease: Review Article

Abstract

Kiryakala is one of Ayurveda's most viable components of health preservation, prevention, disease evolution, and management. It can be categorized in terms of Prakrita & Vaikrita. The Prakrita one is related to a normal circadian variation of doshas in relation to age, day, night, season, etc. and Vaikrita is related to the process of genesis of disease and to adopt appropriate remedial measures. Again, the Vaikrtia kriya kala is divided into six stages, known as Shadkriyakala for the genesis of disease. This concept is explored by Acharya Sushruta in the context of the inflammatory process in open wounds (Vrana). In this context, he also conceptualized the natural history of disease evolution and adopted suitable medicament for the respective stages. The process of the pathogenesis of modern medicine is comparable to Shadkriyakala as mentioned in Ayurveda. Further, it is categorized into six stages – Sanchaya, Prakopa, Prasara, Sthanasamshraya, Vyaktavastha, and Bhedavastha. These six stages are basically the opportunities for a clinician to discover the quantum of doshic vitiation and its outcome as a disease. Besides, it also indicates the chronicity of a disease and its associated complications. The present article reflects the significance of kriya kala in relation to health preservation and evolution for the prevention and management of disease in their respective stages.