A common source of confusion for Ayurvedic students is how to distinguish an individual's prakriti (normal constitutional tendencies) from vikriti (conditions which indicate an abnormal excess of a particular dosha). For example, if one is of a predominantly Vata prakriti, it is considered "normal" to have a somewhat restless, active mind and skin that tends to be dry. In small degrees, these signs are not considered as due to disturbed Vata dosha. However, if the same individual were to develop mental restlessness to the point of forgetfulness and lack of ability to concentrate, this would indicate the presence of excess Vata dosha. Likewise, if the skin becomes so dry that its integrity begins to break down and areas of skin are "flaking" away or becoming darker in color, this indicates a Vata imbalance.
The key to understanding the difference between prakriti and vikriti is given to us in Ayurveda in its beautiful exposition of the satkriyakala is described in the following few pages.
Samprapti (The Pathological Course of the Disease)
Due to uncorrected exposure for a period of time to the causitive forces described above, the doshas can become aggravated and begin a sequence of pathological steps culminating in the creation of a disease state. The term "samprapti" refers to this sequence of doshic-related pathology triggered by one or more nidana (cause). Before we describe this sequence in detail let us consider a brief explanation of this sequence. First, one or more doshas begins to accumulate somewhere in the body and soon becomes vitiated (aggravated). Next, the aggravated dosha spills over and begins to spread. When it reaches a vulnerable or somewhat weakened area or organ of the body, it will stagnate there and begin to mix with and disturb the structure and function of the local tissues. The tissues of the body, when spoken of in their healthy state are of course called the dhatus; however when we speak of these same tissues with regard to their mixing with vitiated doshas, we always refer to the tissues as dushyas.
This dosha-dushya sammurcchana is the actual disease process (sammurcchana means "interaction"). The interaction of the doshas and dushyas, together with the specific effect from the site or organ involved (adhisthana) leads to the development first of specific prodromal features, and then of the main symptomatology, of a disease. Left untreated the disease will evolve its unique set of complications and reach a stage where it is no longer curable by any means.
Ayurveda, in one of its seminal contributions to medical thought, precisely describes this sequence of pathogenesis in terms of six specific stages. This has become known as the satkriyakala. Literally, this translates to "six times for action" but is also more commonly referred to as "the six stages of disease". Either translation is suitable. The satkriyakala gives a view of the entire natural course of the disease from its early, reversible, pre-organic stages through its stage of manifestation and symptoms, to its late advanced stage with its irreversible complications. Knowledge of which stage of the satkriyakala a particular disease is in guides us toward the appropriate therapeutic intervention for that stage. The legacy left behind by this brilliant and profound set of observations into the nature of the disease process is the vital importance and practical relevance of the early identification of the incipient disease process, so that the disease can be precluded while in one of its early stages.
There are many internal and external causes of doshic vitiation. Once the doshas become vitiated (i.e. disturbed), the tissues (dhatus), digestive fire (agni), and channels (srotas) also become abnormal leading to illness and disease. At the earliest stage of doshic disturbance, changes are apparent only at a very subtle level; this can progress to biochemical disturbances, cellular disturbances, and finally tissue and organ system abnormalities. All of these when considered together are known as the vikriti, or "deviation from the original state of balance". The satkriyakala gives us knowledge concerning vikriti as it progresses along the entire spectrum of disease, from the earliest pre-organic stages to the late manifestations of disease.
Satkriyakala (The Six Stages of Disease)
There is one additional Stage which is now recognized in this sequence in addition to the classical ones enumerated above and that is the Prasama (Remission) Stage 3a. It occurs after Prakopa (Stage 2--Aggravation). At this point the aggravated dosha can take two courses. If simple remedial measures are taken at this time, the aggravated dosha can easily recede; this is prashama. If not, the aggravated doshas will instead begin to overflow and spread Prasara (Spread) Stage 3b. Depending on the dosha and the constitution of the person, the spread can be relatively localized or, if the doshas reach the bloodstream, nervous system and other channels, quite widespread. Based on this refinement, the revised satkriyakala looks like this:
Satkriyakala (The Six Stages of Disease)
1. Sancaya (Accumulation)
This procession of six stages gives us an understanding of how the doshas undergo increase as a result of aggravating factors (diet, life-style, exercise, climate, emotional stress, seasons, etc.). Each dosha initially accumulates in areas of the body which are their respective normal sites (i.e. Vata = colon, mind, heart; Pitta = small intestines, blood, liver, skin; Kapha = stomach, lungs, joints.) If the body cannot eliminate the increasing dosha(s) and maintain homeostasis, it will begin to accumulate (Stage 1: Sanchaya) slowly and in small quantity. The usual reason that accumulation begins is that agni becomes low (mandagni) and ama begins to form in the body. Ama causes the metabolism to become inefficient and also creates an obstruction of the srotas (channels). This interferes with the normal processes of elimination of the doshas and initiates the sancaya stage. This is the earliest stage of vikriti.
The classic manifestations with respect to the various doshas are as follows.
2. Prakopa (Aggravation)
If no measures are taken to correct the situation, the process continues into the next stage in which the accumulated doshas provoke and irritate the local tissues (Stage 2: Prakopa). During this stage the doshas not only increase and become abnormal in quantity, but also with regard to quality, as vitiation begins. During prakopa, the aggravated doshas remain in their usual and normal sites and have not yet spread. There are subtle physical and mental pre-symptoms but no recognizable features of any specific disease, and this is a fully reversible stage.
Vata Prakopa:
Pitta Prakopa:
Kapha Prakopa:
3a. Prasama (Remission)
As we have stated above, if at this stage the causative factors (diet, life-style, stress, etc.) are removed the doshas will recede back to a state of balance and normal proportion. For this to occur, usually all the precipitating factors must be removed and at least some appropriate remedial measures must be instituted--although at this stage they may be gentle and non-radical in nature and still be quite effective.
3b. Prasara (Spread)
If the process is allowed to proceed, the doshas will fill to capacity in the region of accumulation and finally begin to overflow and spread (Stage 3a: Prasara) throughout the body. Initially, this extention follows a recognizable and predictable pattern however when advanced no particular pattern can be discerned. There are two forces which may drive the overflow and spread of the doshas. One is the force created by the accelerating increase in quantity of the dosha, like water bursting through a dam. The other force is a consequence of a change in the quality of the dosha, analagous to a mildly dysplastic cell becoming overtly anaplastic and metastasizing to the surrounding tissues.
In the prasara stage the patient still does not manifest the classical symptoms (rupas) of a specific disease. In addition, due to the spreading nature of this stage, the symptoms are also not localized and can appear and disappear in different areas of the body. Once firmly engaged in the prasara stage, prasama (spontaneous remission) is no longer possible. However, if the propagating doãa does not entrench itself in a tissue predisposed to morbidity and, simultaneously, the causative factors are removed the kriyakala can still be reversed and the disease cured.
Vata Prasara
Pitta Prasara
Kapha Prasara
It should also be noted that of the three doshas, only Vata has the capacity to move. Pitta and Kapha doshas do not have the inherent capability to move and spread by themselves; their movement requires Vata dosha to be present. The clinical manifestations noted above are seen in many patients. However, vikriti can take many other forms depending on the site of dispersion, quantity and quality of the aggravated dosha, previous injury or illness, strength of the dhatus, and other factors.
4. Sthanasamsraya (Localization)
Eventually, the disseminating dosha(s) relocate in one or more different sites where they begin to manifest symptoms of disease (Stage 4: Sthanasamsraya). Usually the site of relocation is determined by the existence of some previous weakness or insult at that site which may have compromised the defense mechanisms. So, for example, we know that cigarette smokers are more prone to bronchitis than non-smokers. The weak site of the an individual's physiology may be determined by some genetic condition or be acquired as a result of a previous illness or trauma which resulted in a residual weakness despite apparent full clinical recovery. It is this individual-specific weakness which determines where the doshas will localize in a given patient. Thus the exact same doshic vitiation will manifest as a headache in one person, a kidney stone in another, and arthritic joints in a third person. These differences are influenced by differences in prakriti it is true--but also by distinct preexisting conditions of each individual which gives rise to sthanasamsraya in different locations.
At this stage the relocated doshas rapidly become more concentrated at the cellular and organ levels than in earlier stages. The vitiated doshas also cease their rapid phase of movement and mix with the tissues (dhatus) at the new location causing them to now become vitiated tissues (dushyas). This pathological process is known as dosha- dushya-sammurcchana (sammurcchana means "interaction"). It is this interaction of dosha and dushya in relation to a specific tissue or organ site (adhisthana) which produces the symptoms and physical signs of a disease. The fourth stage of the kriyakala is indeed the first stage in which the symptoms of the disease begin to appear, although not fully developed. We in fact regard the symptoms which appear at this stage as the purvarupa, or prodromal symptoms. These prodomal symptoms can either be replaced by the actual classical symptoms which are quite different or simply intensify to produce the true symptoms of the disease. Knowledge of these prodromal symptoms will help you further differentiate between prakriti-based "normal" tendencies and abnormal symptoms due to vitiated doshas.
Vata Purvarupa
Pitta Purvarupa
Kapha Purvarupa
5. Vyakti (Manifestation) When the dosha-dushya-sammurcchana is complete the characteristic symptoms of the disease finally appears; these characteristics are known as rupas. This is normally the point at which people realize something is wrong and seek medical attention. At this stage we can often recognize and name the disease: asthma, arthritis, overweight, etc.. Sometimes during the disease process, if it is not too intense, it is possible to distinguish the dosha and dushya components of the disease and identify the disease as vataja, pittaja, kaphaja, rasaja, raktaja, etc. In contrast, if the disease process is too intense and the interaction of dosha and dushya is too extensive, neither the tridoshika nor the dushyic character of the disease can be ascertained. In these cases disease are named according to the location in the body or the organs affected.
6. Bheda (Permanent Change and Complications)
The word bheda derives from the Sanskrit root bhid which means breaking, tearing, splitting, piercing; it also means to reveal a hidden secret. This description accurately foretells what occurs at this final stage of the kriyakala. At this stage the unique complications of the disease, which were never apparent earlier, are revealed. For example, a diabetic will discover the peripheral nerve, retinal, and renal complications of this disease or the individual suffering from chronic Lyme Disease will develop its characteristic neurological complications. At this stage the disease is no longer curable by any means, although palliation is possible. Diseases which reach this stage also have the potential to give rise to other diseases. A person with any disease of this stage is said to be permanently changed in profound ways.
According to the Ayurvedic concept, it is always easier to treat the excess doshas while they are still in their original sites (Stages 1 and 2). The stage of spread (Stage3) is the transitional stage. As the doshas first relocate (Stage 4), there is still strong defensive energy available, so treatment is still very effective. In the final two stages, where the disease manifests and matures (stages 5 and 6), treatment becomes extremely difficult but palliation is still possible. If progression is permitted to the latter stages of Stage 6, the disease is incurable and even palliation is unlikely.