A CRITICAL REVIEW ON SHATKRIYAKAL WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO PRATISHAY

Ayurveda, with its holistic approach, emphasizes preventive and curative healthcare. Shatkriyakala, a significant concept described by Acharya Sushruta, outlines the six stages of disease progression: Sanchaya (accumulation), Prakopa (vitiation), Prasara (spread), Sthanasamshraya (localization), Vyaktavastha (manifestation), and Bhedavastha (complication). This framework facilitates understanding the pathogenesis of diseases and enables early intervention to prevent further progression.By identifying symptoms in early stages such as Sanchaya and Prakopa, physicians can mitigate disease advancement through dietary adjustments, lifestyle modifications, and appropriate therapeutic measures. In Prasara, aggravated Doshas spread through body channels (Srotas), disrupting digestion (Agni) and leading to the formation of Ama (undigested metabolites). The Sthanasamshraya stage involves the settling of Doshas in specific tissues, causing localized dysfunction. Vyaktavastha marks the clear manifestation of disease symptoms, while Bhedavastha represents advanced pathological changes with complications.The application of Shatkriyakala in conditions like Pratishyaya (allergic rhinitis) demonstrates its relevance in modern clinical scenarios. Pratishyaya is characterized by sneezing, nasal discharge, obstruction, and systemic symptoms, comparable to allergic rhinitis in contemporary medicine. Understanding these stages helps predict disease prognosis (Sadhyasadyatva) and guides timely therapeutic interventions. This study highlights the integration of Ayurvedic principles in addressing etiopathogenesis and disease management, emphasizing Shatkriyakala as a vital tool for prognosis, early diagnosis, and effective treatment planning.