Ayurpharm Int J Ayur Alli Sci., Vol. 5, No. 3 (2016) Pages 34 – 39 www.ayurpharm.com ISSN: 2278-4772 Review Article CRITICAL REVIEW ON VISHRAMKALA (GAP DAYS) IN PANCHAKARMA Rajkala Ramteke* Assistant Professor, Dept. of Panchakarma, I.P.G.T.&R.A., Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India. Received: 30-01-2016; Revised: 29-03-2016; Accepted: 31-03-2016 ………………………………………………………………………….………….……….…………………….. Abstract In Panchakarma (five purificatory procedures) particular order should be followed. After Snehapana (internal oleation), Abhyanga (external oleation) and Swedana (fomentation) should be done for specific time duration then only Panchakarma can be administered. After Snehapana or Samyak Snigdha Lakshana (getting proper oleation characters), there is a variation in duration of Abhyanga and Swedana classically and practically. Also there are different opinions among the Acharyas regarding Vishramkala (gap days). So this manuscript is to exemplify the concept of Vishramkala from Brihatrayi and the commentators for Shodhana (purification) therapy. Key words: Abhyanga; Gap day; Panchakarma; Snehana; Vishramkala. ………………………………………………………………………………….….……………………………... *Address for correspondence: Dr. Rajkala S. Ramteke, MD., Ph.D. (Ayu), Assistant Professor, Dept. of Panchakarma, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching & Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat – 361 008, India Email id: [email protected] Cite This Article Rajkala Ramteke. Critical review on Vishramkala (gap days) in Panchakarma. Ayurpharm Int J Ayur Alli Sci. 2016;5(3):34-39. Ayurpharm - International Journal of Ayurveda and Allied Sciences 34 Ayurpharm Int J Ayur Alli Sci., Vol. 5, No. 3 (2016) Pages 34 – 39 www.ayurpharm.com ISSN: 2278-4772 INTRODUCTION In Panchakarma specific series should be followed. After Snehapana, Abhyanga and According to Ayurveda, health is our natural, Swedana should be done for specific time balanced state. Ayurveda defines the many duration then only Panchakarma can be Panchakarma procedures, both internal and administered. After Snehapana or getting external those are beneficial to a balanced proper oleation characters (Samyak Snigdha state of human being. Ayurveda offers Lakshana - SSL) there is a variation in knowledge to increase awareness of the duration of Abhyanga and Swedana factors that may cause imbalance and ways to theoretically and practically. Among the create balance by regulating the systems of the Acharyas also some difference of opinions are body through Panchakarma. Today there is there. So this manuscript is to exemplify the need of genuine and authentic Panchakarma concept of gap days from Brihatrayi in support which will give better results than modifying of Shodhana purpose. schedule with subjects. Suitable time duration for specific procedure is most important in VAMANA Panchakarma. Appropriate time duration is explained for all Panchakarma that is After getting proper oleation (SSL) characters Asthapana Basti (decoction enema) should be irrespective of Koshtha, patient should be given in early hours of afternoon that is undergo for Abhyanga and Swedana for one Madhyanhe Kinchit Avarte,[1] Vamana day, that is emesis is to be administered one (emesis) should be given in morning hours day after the completion of Snehapana. The that is Purvahne.[2] Virechana (purgation) food prescribed during this interval of one should be given at the end of morning hours day is the same as indicated in the Snehapana. that is Shleshmakale Gate Dnyatva.[3] For Snehapana also, in Mrudu Koshtha it should Charaka be given for 3 days, for Madhyama (Moderate type of intestinal constitution) - 5 days and Chakrapani commented on the same that on for Krura Koshtha (Strong type of intestinal the 1st day of gap day i.e. one day after getting constitution) - 7 days.[4] In cold season SSL, diet should be similar to the diet given (Shishir and Hemant) unctuous enema should during oleation that is Drava (liquid), Ushna be administered in day time whereas in hot (hot) and meat soup along with rice.[6] season (Sharad and Grishma) in night time.[5] In Kalpashthana, Charaka depict that the Vishramkala is the time period between person who has to undergo for emesis purificatory oleation therapy and purificatory procedure, oleation and fomentation should be procedure. It is also called as gap days. It is performed for two or three days. On the different for emesis and purgation therapy. For previous day of emesis, if subject is emesis it is the time period of one day where adequately oleated and fomented then only as for purgation it is of three days but there are Kapha exciting diet should be given. On the some differences of opinion among the next day morning emesis drugs should be Aacharyas and commentators. In practices administered.[7] also many physicians cut off the gap period due to lack of time or to shorten the elongated Chakrapani enlighten the Charaka’s opinion purificatory procedures. It can understand that about Dvaham (two days) and Tryaham (three due to hectic life style nobody is having time days) that after getting SSL patient should for classical Panchakarma. So this manuscript undergo for external oleation and fomentation aimed to put light on different opinions either for two days or three days irrespective regarding gap days and the need of the same. of time taken for the proper oleation. It may be Ayurpharm - International Journal of Ayurveda and Allied Sciences 35 Ayurpharm Int J Ayur Alli Sci., Vol. 5, No. 3 (2016) Pages 34 – 39 www.ayurpharm.com ISSN: 2278-4772 3, 5 or 7 days which clarifies the gap period is Indu commentary the unchanged. Indu commented that after getting proper The duration of external oleation and oleation symptoms two days interval should fomentation should be decided by the be there before emesis. On 1st day, patient physician using Yukti (intellect and should be administered warm, thin soup interpretation) or after assessing the condition prepared from the meat of animals living in of patient because Charaka has already desert like regions, added with fatty materials instructed as either 2 or 3 days. along with sudation should be given. On the next day, to vitiate Kapha, the food which If the condition of patient or Utkeshanavastha cause increase Kapha such as sesame, black is permitting external oleation and gram, curds, milk, jaggery, fish and meat soup fomentation can be done for 3 days. It can be should be given. On 3rd day emesis should be calculated as first day is last day of internal performed. oleation, 2nd day is gap day and 3rd day is the day on which emesis is to be performed. Ashtanga Sangraha Sushruta To perform Vamana Karma, person has to consume similar meat soup for one day only. The patient having been oleated and fomented On next day, person has to take food which and when it is observed that Doshas are enhances the quantity of Kapha Dosha. On loosened or vitiated Doshas goes upwards by third day, emetics should be administered.[10] intake of various soft (slimy) food items it moves out properly. On next day, emetic According to Arundutta drugs should be administered.[8] After getting proper oleation symptoms, on Dalhana commentary the next day, the diet should be liquid, warm, thin soup prepared from the meat of animals Dalhana commented on above cited lines that living in desert like regions, added with fatty in the temperate season, on the previous day materials along with sudation. On 2nd day, of Vamana patient should take diet as soft patient should take diet like black gram, fish with Abhishyandi (slimy) and Gramya, Anupa and sesame and on 3rd day emetic drugs (marshy land) and watery animals flesh, milk should be given. and black gram etc. On the next day in the morning Vamana should be administered. VIRECHANA Ashtanga Hridaya Virechana (purgation) should be administered 3 days after the completion of the oleation After one more day of oleation therapy and therapy. another day with foods which cause increase of Kapha. Such as Tila (sesame), Masha Charaka (black gram) Dadhi (curd), milk jaggary (molasses) fish and meat soup, the person can Chakrapani says that after getting SSL or after be given Vamana. The Vishramkala or gap completion of internal oleation therapy, days should be two. On third day Vamana can patient should wait for 3 days and on 4th day, be given.[9] Virechana should be administered.[11] Ayurpharm - International Journal of Ayurveda and Allied Sciences 36 Ayurpharm Int J Ayur Alli Sci., Vol. 5, No. 3 (2016) Pages 34 – 39 www.ayurpharm.com ISSN: 2278-4772 Sushruta massage should be done along with Swedana for two or three days that is on the day when Sushruta stated as, purgation should be given Snehapana is completed, gap day and the day after the 15 days of emesis. Dalhana clarifies on which Vamana is to be administered. that after emesis, 6 days Samsarjana Karma Dalhana mentions that Doshas which are (special diet pattern after Purification) will be lodged in the shakha (extremities) are made to given followed by next 6 days of Snehapana move towards the Kostha by means of as a preliminary preparation of purgation. The Snehana and Swedana, Charaka states that, remaining 3 days are Vishramakala. That fomentation liquefies the morbid matter which means on the 4th day of SSL, purgation should is stuck up in the minute channels of the body be given which is similar to the Charaka’s of the person who has undergone oleation opinion.[12] therapy.[15] Vagbhata mentions that, the waste products are removed from the body by Ashtanga Sangraha oleation and fomentation in the same way, as the dirt of cloth is removed with the help of The patient should be administered warm, thin soap and hot water.[16] Before performing soup prepared from the meat of animals living Vamana Karma it has been clearly mentioned in desert like regions added with fatty that patient should take rest for one day after materials.