Clinical significance of Kriyakala in Ayurveda

Abstract

Ayurveda is an ancient bunch of knowledge which aims at maintaining the health of a healthy individual and curing the diseased one. This is brought by equalizing Dosha, Dhatu and Mala. The term Kriyakala refers to the recognition of the stage of a disease's progress, which helps to determine appropriate measure to correct the imbalance in Doshas (biological factors). It is a compound expression, comprised of Kriya and Kala, where Kriya means the choice to treatment (medicine, food and daily-routine) used to improve the disturbance in Doshas, and Kala refers to the stage of progress of a disease. The six stages mentioned by Acharya Sushruta gives an idea regarding the state of the disease in the body and it guides us when to intervene. Early diagnosis of diseases helps to cure the diseases successfully without much discomfort in planning treatment. The primary objective of this study is to describe the importance of Kriyakala in prognosis and diagnosis of the disease. The concept is traced through classical texts. Kriyakala gives us the knowledge of diagnosis, prognosis and the level of intervention and so that to prevent the establishment of a disease.