Karma: Lakshana, swaroopa and bheda

of karma (Definition, nature and types of

action).

Explanation of the following Karmas with examples:

1. Deepana 2. Pachana
3. Samshodhana 4. Samshamana
5. Anulomana 6. Sransana 7. Bhedana 8. Rechana
9. Chhedana 10. Lekhana
11. Grahi 12. Sthambhana
13. Madakari 14. Pramathi 15. Abhishyandi
16. Vyavayi 17. Vikashi
18. Rasayana 19. Vajeekarana 20. Jeevaneeya 21. Balya 22.
Brimhana 23. Langhana 24. Medhya
Dr Manasi Deshpande
BVDU College of Ayurved, Pune
 Importance of Agni
• Agni (digestive fire) -as the key factor for maintenance of health and
treatment of all diseases.

• The majority of the diseases are usually caused by hypoimplementation of

Agni(digestive fire)

• that leads to formation of Ama (metabolic waste material).

• The Ayu(life span), (Varna) (complexion), Bala (strength),Swasthya (good

health), Utsaha (enthusiasm),plumpness, Prabha (glow), Ojas (energy),
Tej(luster) and the Prana (life breaths) are derived from Agni (digestive
fire) .
• If the Agni(digestive fire) is good then person is healthy, if there is any
vitiation of Agni (digestive fire) then person will be diseased
• Deepana-Pachana (appetizer-digestives) is the foremost therapy for
digestion of Ama(undigested)by rectification of Agni (digestive fire).
 Treatment modalities
• Ayurvedic treatment modalities are constantly focused on restoring the normal condition of
Agni.
• Jatharagni is directly related to Dhatvagni or bioenergy in the cells and their metabolic
processes, with ultimate tissue metabolism or Dhatu-Paka (Body tissue disintegration as result
of aggravated Agni), process and All the Dhatvagni depend on the normal, healthy state of
Jatharagni
• Disturbed Agni(digestive fire) leads to disturbed homeostasis resulting in impaired catabolism
and anabolism resulting in reduced nutrition and impaired immunity emissions of desecrated
products leading to metabolic waste collection.
• All of this contributes to free radicals being formed, resulting in tissue damage, and
metabolic disorder scan ultimately result.
• In such condition cleansing of channels is essential through eliminate the Margavrodha
(route-obstruction) due to Ama (metabolic waste material) which is accumulated in the body
due to Mandaagni (weak digestion).
• Amapachana (digestion of undigested material waste)
• Deepana-Pachana (appetizer-digestives) therapy.
• termed as Deepaniya (appetizer) and Pachaniya(Digestants).
Deepan- Pachan
 Deepan
• As per Acharya Sushruta, Deepana
Dravya(appetizer drugs) are Agnimahabhoota
predominant and both the Deepana drugs and
Agni Mahabhoota leads to Shamana Karma
• appetizer-digestives) have equal significance
in both Shodhana (bio-Purification) and
Shamana treatment (Pacification Treatment)
• As per Acharya Vagbhata, the drugs which
increases Agni but doesn’t having
Amapachana(digestion of undigested material
waste) property called as Deepana. eg.Ghruta
• As per Sharangadhara and Bhavaprakasha,
the one which does not have Amapachana
property but does Agnideepana is called as
Deepana. eg.Mishi
 Pachana (Digestives)
• As per Acharya Chakrapani, the one which strengthen
the Jatharagni for Pachana karma
• Agni and Vayu Mahabhoota predominant
• As per Acharya Arunadatta, one which gives strength to
Agni to do Aharapaka (metabolic transformation) is
called as Pachana. Eg. Langhana (the procedure which
brings about lightness in the body) and Musta
• As per Sharangadhara and Bhavamishra the one which
does Amapachana devoid of increasing Agni is called
as Pachana. eg.Nagakesara
• The drugs which are having both properties
called as Deepana and Pachana drugs. eg.
Chitraka
• Deepana- Pachana (appetizer-digestives) drugs
basically Agni Mahabhoot(Elements)
predominant.
• Deepana (appetizer) Dravya (drugs) which stimulate
the appetite (~usually served before a meal) by
correction of Mandaagni (low digestive fire).
• All drugs of Deepana having Katu Rasa,(Pungent taste)
Katu Vipaka (post-digestive taste) &Usna Virya (active
principle)
• Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanicum), Maricha (Piper
nigrum,Pippali (Piper longum), Pippalimoola ( root of
Piper longum), and Jeeraka, (Cuminum cyminum)
• All drugs are helpful to enhance Agni & Ignite Vata
Dosha
• Pachana (digestant ) Dravya for example Hingu,(Ferula
foetida) Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia),Nagkeshar
(Mesua ferrea) Musta (Cyperus rotundus) &
Ajmoda(Trachyspermum roxburghianum) having Katu-
Tikta Rasa, Ushana Virya (active principle), Katu Vipaka
(biotransformation) are stimulate peristalsis of
intestine, increased local blood supply, increase
secretion of digestive enzymes and increase absorption
of nutrients.
• Deepana(appetizer) drugs can be taken before the
meals and Pachana(digestive) drugs can be prescribed
after meal.
• Deepana- Pachana(appetizer-digestives) drugs having
similar properties act differently relying on the time
prescribed for their intake
 Deepan- Pachan Bhed
Deepan Pachan

Vayu+ Agni Mahabhuta Agni+ Vayu Mahabhuta

Vayumahabhutadhikya Agnimahabhutakdhiya

Abhyavaharan Shakti Jaranshakti

Agni Pradipt Pachan

Agnimandhya Ajeerna

Saunph, Ghrut Nagkeshar

Deepan- Appetizer
 APPETITE STIMULANTS
• act by increasing food intake in people who have lost
weight abnormally or have cachexia (loss of weight due
to diseased conditions like cancer, AIDS etc.)
• Anorexia is most commonly seen in the following
conditions,
• Emotional upset, Nervousness, Loneliness, Boredom
• Tension, Anxiety, Depression
• Acute and Chronic infections
• Pregnancy
• Hypothyroidism
• Usage of chemotherapeutic agents
• HIV and advanced Cancer
 Drugs used as Appetite stimulants

• Alcohol
• Megestrol
• Dronabinol
• Vitamin B12,zinc
• Dexamethasone
• Cyproheptadine
Nagar/Ardrak (Zingiber officinale),
Marich (Piper nigrum),
Ajmoda (Carum roxburghianum)
Hingu
which are used in daily cooking to enhance flavor and aroma of food, eventually it would
lead to digestive and salivary secretions
Bhavprakash has advised to chew ginger along with salt to intensify (Sandeepan)
Jatharagni and to increase appetite

Chewing of ginger and salt not only increases appetite but also stimulates Bodhak
Kapha secretion.
Secretion of Bodhak Kapha is an important step towards beginning of digestion

When person starts eating food, Bodhak Kapha gets mixed with
food and act as facilitator for digestion
 Phase of saliva secretion -cephalic phase

• Smell of food (Asafoetida), taste of food

(ginger+table salt) activates salivary secretion
to a greater quantity –
• appetite center in Hypothalamus, Amygdala
and cerebral cortex activates salivary glands to
secrete salivary juice (Bodhak Kapha) through
Vagus nerves.
• Vagus nerve also stimulates gastric mucosa.
• Smell, taste and visual stimuli generates desire to
eat that particular food stuff, due to which mind
gives command to Rasanendriya to consume food
• secretion of Bodhak Kapha begins in the mouth,
which can be called as mouthwatering effect of
Deepan Dravya

Smell, taste and visual stimuli also leads to secretion of Kledak Kapha and Pachak
Pitta to some extent, which is a cephalic phase of Gastric secretion as it occurs
even before food enters the stomach.
• Cephalic phase results from sight, smell, taste or thought of food.
• Neurogenic signals that causes cephalic phase originate in cerebral
cortex and in the appetite center of Amygdala, Hypothalamus
• They transmit signals to dorsal motor nuclei of vagus nerves to the
stomach.
• Gastric secretion in Cephalic phase accounts only 20% of total
gastric secretions, which is not sufficient for complete digestion of
food.

Appetizing action of Deepan (appetizer) food stuff /drug is like

dim lamp explained by Bhavaparakasha.

This dim lamp that light up the room is unable to cook food, in the same
manner Deepan Dravya will prepare mind for eating food, enhances saliva
secretion, ignites Jatharagni by secreting 20% of gastric secretions but
its role in digestion is very poor.

Fragrance or taste of Deepaniya Dravya elicits conditioned and

unconditioned reflex which activates hunger center in
Hypothalamus
• Substance which digests undigested food lodged in intestine
(Aama) without stimulating Jatharagni is Pachak Dravya.
• Pachaniya Gana (group of substances which are potent
digestive) is not described independently.
• Few examples of Pachan Dravya are Jeerak (Cuminum
cyminum) Dhanyak (Coriandrum sativum) , and Nimbuk
(Citrus acida)
• Action of Pachan Dravya is like that of smoldering coal.
• Smoldering coal can cook the food but do not illuminate like
fire, in the same way, Pachaniya Dravya digest Aama
(undigested food) but is unable to perform Agnideepana.
• Action of Pachan Dravya can be understood on the basis of Panchabhautik
constitution of six types Rasa (Taste).
• Out of six Rasas, Amla, Lavana and Katu Rasa perform the function of Pachan
/Digestion the most.
• Amla Rasa (Sour taste) has dominance of Teja and Prithvi Mahabhuta.
Lavana Rasa (salty taste) has dominance of Jala and Teja Mahabhuta. Katu
Rasa has dominance of Teja and Vayu Mahabhuta.
• Agni is the common Mahabhuta among these Paachak Rasas .
• This particular dominanace of Teja, Jala, Prithvi and Vayu Mahabhuta in
Amla, Lavan and Katu Rasa stimulates secretion of Bodhak, Kledak
Kapha and Paachak Pitta.
• Lavana, Amla and Katu Rasa also trigger gastric and intestinal secretion
which leads to generation of peristaltic movements by the action of Samana
Vayu.
• Tej (Fire element), Jala (Water element) and Vayu Mahabhuta (Air element)
in Amla, Lavana and Katu Rasa triggers secretion of Paachak Pitta.
• As Paachak Pitta is the medium of Jatharagni, so it can be said that Paachak
Dravyas in food induces 80% of digestive juice secretions which aids
digestion as well as absorption.
• 80% of digestive juice secretions induced by Paachak Dravyas in food, which
is gastric and intestinal phase of digestive juice secretions
Samshodhan Karma
Samshaman
 Vamana Karma
• The major pradhanakarma procedure
• Literally Vamana means to expel out the vitiated Dosas through the oral
route.
• The expel material may consist of indigested food, kapha and pitta.
• Vamana is induced in properly prepared individuals by administration of
appropriate Vāmaka dravya or emetic drugs,
• the most important drug of this category being Madanaphala.
• Along with this, several other drugs like honey, rock salt, Vacā, pippalī,
yastimadhu and hot water are also added to the recipe depending upon
the nature of the disease and the patient.
• It is indicated for elimination of Dosas not only in disease status but also in
healthy persons in different states where kapha isaggravated within
normal limits such as in vasantha Rtu (spring season).
• specific therapy for kaphaja disorders
• always proceeded by suitable Purva karma in order to mobilize the Dosas
from discrete part of the body (Sākhā)
 Virecana Karma
• the process by which the vitiated Dosas are removed
from the body per Adhobhäga i.e. through Guda or the
• Eliminating Dosa is specially pitta dosas from whole over
body and pitta combined with vata or kapha
• the second most therapy in the sequence of
panchakarma.
• the administration of purgative substances for the
cleansing of pitta through the lower pathways.
• Useful for paittika disease (diseases due to vitiation of
pitta ) because of is simpilicity, eliminating the dosas in
more quantity, with less stress and having lesser
complication compared to Vamana karma
• Virechana Karma removes Bahudrava
Shleshma and Pitta from Vayusthana.
• a treatment for Pitta Samsargaja Doshas,
Kapha Samsrista Doshas and also for Pitta
Sthanagata Kapha.
• It is given 3 days after vamana, or directly.
• Virechana cleanses blood toxins, the sweat
glands, kidneys, stomach, small intestine,
colon, liver, spleen and blood
 TYPES OF VIRECHANA
Based on administered Based on mode of
medicine action
• Sukha Virechan- Mild- Kapha Pitta
• Snigdha Virechana condition
• Mrudu- Softener- as repeated
• Rooksha Virechana elimination of Doshas
in small quantity and may cure the
disease
• Tikshna Virechana -Drastic purgative
action. cause Mahavega (Numerous
motions) and eliminate the Doshas in
large quantity by Kshipra (quick) and
gentle purgation
 Nasya Karma-Sirovirecana, Sirovireka and
Murdha Virecana
• the last step in the pradhana karma during
Panchakarma therapy.
• Nasya is a term to be applied generally for
medicines or medicated oils administered
through the nasal passage.
• Aruna Dutta states “Nasayama Bhavam Nasyam”.
• According to Bhava Prakasa also all drugs and
measures that can be administered through the
nasal passage are called Nasya: “Nasa Grahyam
Yadousadham tad Nasyam” (Bh. Pr. Pu. Kh)
• best and the most specific procedure for diseases of
the head or sira- “Urdhwa Jatru –Vikaresu
Visesaunasyamisyate
• nasal passage is considered as the portals of the head
or the sira-Nasa hi SirasoDwaram
• Time- administered in the morning, afternoon and
evening of the daytime for diseases of kapha, pitta and
vata respectively; I
• administered at nights only in emergency (Sh. Uttar.
8/3).
• Nasya can be administered from the age eight to the
age of eighty years after which it is not done (Sh.
Uattar. 8/7-8).
• However, the Pratimarsa is suitable from birth to
death (AH. Su. 20/32)
 Classification of Nasya
the basis of the usable parts of
According to Charak the Nasya drugs
i. Navana (a) Snehana (b) Sodhana i. Phala Nasya
ii. Avapida (a) Sodhana (b) ii. Patra Nasya
Stambhana iii. Mula Nasya
iii. Dhmapana iv. Kanda Nasya
iv. Dhuma Nasya (a) Prayogika (b) v. Puspa Nasya
Virecaniya (c) Snehaniya vi. Niryana Nasya
v. Pratimarsa (a) Snehana vii. Twaka Nasya

Pharmacologically these above mentioned 5 types of

Nasya may be of the following three types
i. Recana (Purifactory)
ii. Tarpana (Nourishing)
iii. Samana (Retraing)
 Basti Karma

• the most important procedure in shodhana karma.

• treat all kind of ailments implicating different types of dosas.
• It is supposed to be the specific treatment for vatic disease and half
of the whole treatment and sometimes complete treatment
• Basti effects Samshodhana and Samsamana.
• a specific therapeutic procedure, in which medicines are
administered into the body through gudamarga (per rectum)
• Sometimes medicines are also administered by other routes like
urethra or vagina. (Uttara basti).
• widely used due to its multifaceted actions such as eliminative,
rejuvenate, palliative and nutritive.
• appropriate line of treatment for vata dosha and vatic disorders.
• It can be used on any age and any conditions.
 Types of Basti
According to Charaka
• Vataghna Basti According to Sarangadhara
• BalavarnakraBasti • Utklesana Basti
• Snehaniya Basti • Dosahara Basti
• Sukrakrt Basti • Sodhana Basti
• Krmighna Basti According to Vagbhatta • Samana Basti
• Vrsatwa Basti • Utklesana Basti • Lekhana Basti
• Dosahara Basti • Brimhana Basti
• Samana Basti • Picchila Basti
• Deepana Basti
According to Sushrut
• Shodhana Basti
• Lekhana Basti
• Snehana Basti According to number of
• Brimhana Basti Basti
• Karma Basti ( 30)
• Kala Basti (15)
• Yoga Basti (8)
 Raktamokshana
• Raktamokshana is a controversial regimen in
Shamshodana therapy.
• Because Caraka and his followers do not
include Raktamokşhana in Panchakarma.
• Inclusion of Raktamoksana in Panchakarma
schedule has been principally considered by
Susruta (Su.Su. 14) and it has a comprehensive
basis.
• Raktamokshana aims to eliminate vitiated
Rakta as a therapeutic measure.
 Classifications of Raktamokshana

1. Sastra Visrāwana(Blood letting with metalic

instruments)
i. Pracchana (Incisions)
ii. Sirāvyadha (Venepuncture)
2. AnusastraVisrāvaņa (Blood letting without
metallic instruments)
i. Srnga (Application of cow's horn for aspiration)
ii. Jalouka (Application of leech)
iii. Alabu (Application of Alabu for cupping)
iv. GhatiYantra (Cupping glass application)
 Pharmacodynamic properties

1) Usna guna -It induced pachana, dahana, swedana, andspreading of the drug at cellular level
2) Tikshana Guna- It is responsible for quick action of the drug, sodhana, pachana, chedana and
sravana of doshasfrom their own places
3) Sukshama guna-With this guna Vamana dravya enters intosrotas (micro circulatory channels) and
induced pachana and vishayandana of doshas and ultimatelyleads the migration of doshas
towards Kostha
4) Vyavayi guna -With this guna, Vamana dravya spread in thebody and reaches to the cellular level
without beingdigested
5) Vikashi guna -With this guna Vamana dravya induced sandhi –shaithilay
6) Urdhavabhagha prabhava With this guna Va mana dravya induced migration of doshas towards
mouth.
7) Saratva-Saratva is the property mentioned for Vamana drugs by Sushruta. Dalhana says that
saratva means 'anulomatva'. This property shows the tendency of the drug to be remained in
active form. Due to this Guna, Vamana drugs, after administration, work continuously without any
break (opposite to Sthira property). It may be said that due to this guna, the vamaka drugs lead to
micro channels, bring doshas to kostha & then expel them out.
Anulomana
Stramshan
Bhedana
Rechan
 Action of different Virechana Procedures

Procedure Best Example Causes Pakam Strength of Sodhana

Anulomana Haritaki Yes Mild

Sramsana Aragwadha No Mild

Bhedana Katuki No Strong

Rechana Trivrut No Modulated by the drug
used (Mild to Strong)
Chhedan
 Lekhan

• That which scratches/scrapes/makes thin or which

emaciates.
• Lekhana is scraping of dhatu and malas after initial
absorption of moisture from them,kapha and meda are
removed by lekhana,which is a process of wasting of
abnormally accumuleted dhatus
• Lekhana dravyas are predominent in Vata Mahabhuta Tikta
rasa: Vata+Akasha Katu rasa: Vata+Agni
Lekhan KARMA
 Indication
• Kapha meda Predominant Diseases
• Atisthaulya
• Mamsadusti
• Prameha
• Gulma
• Gandamala
• Galaganda
• Arsha etc
Grahi- Stambhan
 Grahi- Stambhan
Grahi Stambhan

Katu- Tikta rasatmak Kashay rasatmak

Ushna Veerya Sheeta Veerya
Agni+ Vayu Mahabhuta Pruthavi+ Vayu Mahabhuta
Vatashaman Vatavardhan
Mala Dravansh shoshan- Agni Gatirodhata- Pruthavi
Deepana, Pachan, Ushna Rukshata, Sheetata, Kashay
Amapachan- Amatisar Amasanchiti- Pakvatisar
Sunthi, Musta Kutaj, Dhatki
Madakari
 Pramathi

• According to the etymological derivation in Vachaspatyam the drugs

predominantly and forcefully expelled the doshas by after churning
them are pramathi.
• Vaidyaka shabda sindhu kosha has more elaborated the definition.
• The pamathi drugs act by virtue of their sookshma (subtle) and
teekshna (sharp/quick) properties; also expels the sticky doshas in
strotasa by churning them and expands the lumen also
• Vacha and maricha
 Action of Pramathi on the Basis of Mahabhoota Dominance
Laghu- Reduces upalepa (coating) in strotasa (channels), also reduces parthiva
ansha (heaviness) in strotasa which have created strotorodha (obstruction)
Rooksha- Reduces excessive oiliness and abhishyanda (exudation) from strotasa
and make them free.
Teekshna -Expels the waste forcibly from strotasa by their sharp or quick acting
property.
Ushna -By its heating property it liquefies the doshas making favorable condition
to expel out the waste.

Teja+ Vayu
Sookshma- By its penetrating property it move inside minute channels (sookshma
strotasa) and help to make the channels free from doshas.
Vishada- It purifies or clean the strotasa by its sucking property also reduces
moistness in the strotasa.
Khara- It reduces extra thickness or coating in the strotasa and make strotasa in
normal state.

Katu rasa Kledamalan upahanti – help in the elimination of the waste products which
are sticky in nature and produces the oleation. Bandhan chinattee – break the obstruction
in strotasa. Margan vivrunoti – clarify or expand the passage.
Ushna veerya Swedan and vilayan – The hot potency liquefies the doshas in strotas and
make favorable condition for expultion.
Vyavayi- Vikashi
Rasayan
 Mode of action
• The word Rasayana is composed of two words Ras + Ayan

• Rasa primarily means essential seven vital tissues: rasa (lymphatics),

rakta(blood), mamsa (muscle), meda (adipose tissues), asthi(bones), majja(bone
marrow and nervous tissue), and shukra(reproductive element).

• Ayana means the path or channel for the same.

• So, Rasayanas are those that bring about proper uptake, growth, and
improvement of essential seven vital tissues. Rasayan drugs are believed to
slow down the aging process (jara) and provide a defence against diseases
(vyadhi).

• Rasayanas improve the host resistance of an individual, helping to prevent aging

and diseases. Apart from the excellence of Rasadi dhatu, the individual is endowed
with Psychic excellence like sharp memory, by virtue of rejuvenation therapy. The term
Rasayana connotes a specific meaning. Drugs, diet and regimens which promote
longevity by delaying aging and preventing diseases are called Rasayana

•
 Jeevaniya-
• These drugs are useful to maintain health. Predominance of Prithvi and Jala Mahabhuta
having Madhur Rasa, vipaka and Sheeta veerya, alleviate Vata, Pacify Pitta and
aggravate Kaph, beneficial for maintenance of health, nourish oja.
Balya –
• That which gives strength is Balya. These drugs increase Oja. There are two types of
balya dravyas based on their mode of action-
a. Those which act as balya by nourishing dhatus e.g. Madhur rasa draugs like Shatavari,
Bala, Ksheer, Kadali, Draksha, Ghruta, Navaneeta etc.
b. Those which give strength to specific organs in the body.
Brihmaneeya-

• That which nourishes dhatus and thus increases body- mass particularly mansadhatu is
called Brihaneeya action. This drugs predominance of Prithvi and Jalamahabhutahaving
MadhurRasa,vIpaka and Sheetaveerya, alleviate Vata, Pacify Pitta and aggravate Kaph,
nourish the dhatu.

•
MODE OF ACTION OF RASAYANA

At the level of Rasa At the level of Agni At the level of Srotos

•By improving the nutritional value •By improving digestive capacity & by •By improving microcirculation & tissue
of rasa & tissue nourishment. vitalizing the metabolism activities. perfusion irrespective of the quality of
nutrition & the rate of digestion &
•Help in achieving improved qualities •Activate the gastrointestinal metabolism.
of dhatus/ tissues. digestion and Dhatu metabolism by
influencing digestive juices, enzymes •Srotoshodhan- cleansing the channels,
& hormones.
•allow efficient blood circulation &
improve tissue nourishment, it structural
qualities & functions.