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Ayurveda classics precisely define the word 'Chikitsa' through which the chief aim and subsequent outcome is clearly stated. Acharya Charaka says that, Chikitsa (therapeutics) is an act which establishes the disturbed equilibrium of vital body elements and maintains this balance without causing any new impairment. <blockquote>याभिः क्रियाभिर्जायन्ते शरीरे धातवः समाः| सा चिकित्सा विकाराणां कर्म तद्भिषजां स्मृतम्|</blockquote><blockquote>कथं शरीरे धातूनां वैषम्यं न भवेदिति| समानां चानुबन्धः स्यादित्यर्थं क्रियते क्रिया||- (Char. Samh. 16.34-35) <ref name=":0">Charaka Samhita ([http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/mediawiki-1.28.2/index.php?title=Chikitsaprabhritiya_Adhyaya#Definition_of_chikitsa_and_the_duty_of_a_physician Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 16 Sutram 34-35])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>yābhiḥ kriyābhirjāyantē śarīrē dhātavaḥ samāḥ| sā cikitsā vikārāṇāṁ karma tadbhiṣajāṁ smr̥tam|</blockquote><blockquote>kathaṁ śarīrē dhātūnāṁ vaiṣamyaṁ na bhavēditi| samānāṁ cānubandhaḥ syādityarthaṁ kriyatē  riya||</blockquote>Meaning: Therapeutics therefore consists of measures or operations by way of which concordance of the tissue elements can be sustained and this (achieving concordance of tissue elements) constitutes the duty of the physician. Therapy is administered with the sole objective of ensuring that no discordance prevails in tissue elements and that there is sustenance of continued concordance.<ref name=":0" />

Ayurveda classics precisely define the word 'Chikitsa' through which the chief aim and subsequent outcome is clearly stated. Acharya Charaka says that, Chikitsa (therapeutics) is an act which establishes the disturbed equilibrium of vital body elements and maintains this balance without causing any new impairment. <blockquote>याभिः क्रियाभिर्जायन्ते शरीरे धातवः समाः| सा चिकित्सा विकाराणां कर्म तद्भिषजां स्मृतम्|</blockquote><blockquote>कथं शरीरे धातूनां वैषम्यं न भवेदिति| समानां चानुबन्धः स्यादित्यर्थं क्रियते क्रिया||- (Char. Samh. 16.34-35) <ref name=":0">Charaka Samhita ([http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/mediawiki-1.28.2/index.php?title=Chikitsaprabhritiya_Adhyaya#Definition_of_chikitsa_and_the_duty_of_a_physician Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 16 Sutram 34-35])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>yābhiḥ kriyābhirjāyantē śarīrē dhātavaḥ samāḥ| sā cikitsā vikārāṇāṁ karma tadbhiṣajāṁ smr̥tam|</blockquote><blockquote>kathaṁ śarīrē dhātūnāṁ vaiṣamyaṁ na bhavēditi| samānāṁ cānubandhaḥ syādityarthaṁ kriyatē  riya||</blockquote>Meaning: Therapeutics therefore consists of measures or operations by way of which concordance of the tissue elements can be sustained and this (achieving concordance of tissue elements) constitutes the duty of the physician. Therapy is administered with the sole objective of ensuring that no discordance prevails in tissue elements and that there is sustenance of continued concordance.<ref name=":0" />

== शुद्ध चिकित्सा॥ What is Shuddha chikitsa ==

== शुद्ध चिकित्सा॥ Shuddha Chikitsa ==

Ayurveda advocates the use of not just effective but safe measures to eradicate the disease. Thus, in addition to use of the plain term 'chikitsa', another word 'Shuddha chikitsa' can also be found in Ayurveda literature. The concept goes very close to the idea of 'zero side effect therapy'. This means, if any treatment that is employed to combat a disease eliminates that particular diseases but at the same time damages some other parts of body or creates a background for development of some new disease should not be considered the right treatment. Ayurveda has always stressed upon the use of such measures to combat disease that do not cause any advrse untoward effects and therefore Ayurveda treatments are recognised since ages as the safer and natural remedies. The principle behind this nature of Ayurveda treatments lies in the word 'Shuddha chikitsa' which is another example of outstanding intellect and wisdom of ancient Ayurveda scholars.  

Ayurveda advocates the use of not just effective but safe measures to eradicate the disease. Thus, in addition to use of the plain term 'chikitsa', another word 'Shuddha chikitsa' can also be found in Ayurveda literature. The concept goes very close to the idea of 'zero side effect therapy'. This means, if any treatment that is employed to combat a disease eliminates that particular diseases but at the same time damages some other parts of body or creates a background for development of some new disease should not be considered the right treatment. Ayurveda has always stressed upon the use of such measures to combat disease that do not cause any advrse untoward effects and therefore Ayurveda treatments are recognised since ages as the safer and natural remedies. The principle behind this nature of Ayurveda treatments lies in the word 'Shuddha chikitsa' which is another example of outstanding intellect and wisdom of ancient Ayurveda scholars.  

Ayurveda is a part of vedic literature. Although it is a system of medical knowledge, it maintains its sacred nature by advising a vaidya to always maintain the purity of his mind, body and emotions while treating any rogi (patient). Acharya Bhvamishra in Bhavaprakasha samhita dedicates few lines of verses to dictate how an attitude of a vaidya should be during chikitsa. He says that, a vaidya should never make a business of his service. <blockquote>नैव कुर्वीत लोभेन चिकित्सापुण्यविक्रयम् | ईश्वराणां वसुमतां लिप्सेतार्थं तु वृत्तये ||</blockquote><blockquote>चिकित्सितं शरीरं यो न निष्क्रीणाति दुर्मतिः | स यत्करोति सुकृतं सर्वं तद्भिषगश्नुते || </blockquote><blockquote>न देशो मनुजैर्हीनो न मुनष्या निरामयाः | ततः सर्वत्र वैद्यानां सुसिद्धा एव वृत्तयः || (Bhav. Samh. 1.38-40)<ref>Bhavapraksha Samhita (Purvakhanda 1.38-40)</ref></blockquote>Meaning:  

Ayurveda is a part of vedic literature. Although it is a system of medical knowledge, it maintains its sacred nature by advising a vaidya to always maintain the purity of his mind, body and emotions while treating any rogi (patient). Acharya Bhvamishra in Bhavaprakasha samhita dedicates few lines of verses to dictate how an attitude of a vaidya should be during chikitsa. He says that, a vaidya should never make a business of his service. <blockquote>नैव कुर्वीत लोभेन चिकित्सापुण्यविक्रयम् | ईश्वराणां वसुमतां लिप्सेतार्थं तु वृत्तये ||</blockquote><blockquote>चिकित्सितं शरीरं यो न निष्क्रीणाति दुर्मतिः | स यत्करोति सुकृतं सर्वं तद्भिषगश्नुते || </blockquote><blockquote>न देशो मनुजैर्हीनो न मुनष्या निरामयाः | ततः सर्वत्र वैद्यानां सुसिद्धा एव वृत्तयः || (Bhav. Samh. 1.38-40)<ref>Bhavapraksha Samhita (Purvakhanda 1.38-40)</ref></blockquote>Meaning:  

== चिकित्सा चतुष्पादाः॥ Chikitsa chatushpadas ==

== चिकित्सा चतुष्पादाः॥ Four Components of Chikitsa ==

This is the unique concept in theory of Ayurveda medicine. This concept highlights the critical role of 4 components for being any appropriately administered treatment a success. A Vaidya, Paricharaka, Rogi and Dravyam are those 4 components which when possess all desired qualities, become the 4 pillars of a successful treatment. Their importance is such recognized that, the word 'Chikitsa' is also defined on this basis and these 4 components are called 'Ckikitsa Chatushpadas' i.e. 4 pillars of chikitsa.<blockquote>चतुर्णां भिषगादीनां शस्तानां धातुवैकृते| प्रवृत्तिर्धातुसाम्यार्था चिकित्सेत्यभिधीयते||</blockquote><blockquote>caturṇāṁ bhiṣagādīnāṁ śastānāṁ dhātuvaikr̥tē| pravr̥ttirdhātusāmyārthā cikitsētyabhidhīyatē|</blockquote>Meaning: Employment of all the excellent four – physician etc. – in case of disorder of dhatu with the objective of (re-establishing) their equilibrium is called “Therapeutics”

This is the unique concept in theory of Ayurveda medicine. This concept highlights the critical role of 4 components for being any appropriately administered treatment a success. A Vaidya, Paricharaka, Rogi and Dravyam are those 4 components which when possess all desired qualities, become the 4 pillars of a successful treatment. Their importance is such recognized that, the word 'Chikitsa' is also defined on this basis and these 4 components are called 'Ckikitsa Chatushpadas' i.e. 4 pillars of chikitsa.<blockquote>चतुर्णां भिषगादीनां शस्तानां धातुवैकृते| प्रवृत्तिर्धातुसाम्यार्था चिकित्सेत्यभिधीयते||</blockquote><blockquote>caturṇāṁ bhiṣagādīnāṁ śastānāṁ dhātuvaikr̥tē| pravr̥ttirdhātusāmyārthā cikitsētyabhidhīyatē|</blockquote>Meaning: Employment of all the excellent four – physician etc. – in case of disorder of dhatu with the objective of (re-establishing) their equilibrium is called “Therapeutics”

== चिकित्साभेदाः॥ Types of chikitsa ==

== चिकित्साभेदाः॥ Types of chikitsa ==

Understanding the various types of chikitsa described in Ayurveda , is important in a way that, one can realise the deep thinking of ancient Ayurveda scholars regarding what all modalities can be used to combat the diseases. It is interesting to know that, Ayurveda scholars have also listed a method wherein a medicinal substance is not directly used. Also, use of chanting vedic mantras, fasting and even holding a precious gem is considered as treatment for certain diseases affecting the union of body, mind, senses and consciousness. Ayurveda chikitsa can be classified in numerous ways. In depth description is available in classical Ayurveda treatises. To name the few, some classifications are listed below.

Understanding the various types of chikitsa described in Ayurveda , is important in a way that, one can realise the deep thinking of ancient Ayurveda scholars regarding what all modalities can be used to combat the diseases. It is interesting to know that, Ayurveda scholars have also listed a method wherein a medicinal substance is not directly used. Also, use of chanting vedic mantras, fasting and even holding a precious gem is considered as treatment for certain diseases affecting the union of body, mind, senses and consciousness. Ayurveda chikitsa can be classified in numerous ways. In depth description is available in classical Ayurveda treatises. To name the few, some classifications are listed below based on the following.

# On the basis of use of medicinal substance- Dravya and adravya chikitsa (द्रव्य चिकित्सा- अद्रव्या चिकित्सा)

# Use of medicinal substance- Dravya and adravya chikitsa (द्रव्य चिकित्सा- अद्रव्या चिकित्सा)

# On the basis of type of modality used- Shodhan and Shaman chikitsa (शोधन तथा शमन)

# Type of modality used- Shodhan and Shaman chikitsa (शोधन तथा शमन)

# On the basis of fundamental cause behinf pathogenesis and chief protocol- Santarpan and Apatarpan chikitsa (संतर्पण- अपतर्पण चिकित्सा)

# Fundamental cause of pathogenesis and chief protocol- Santarpan and Apatarpan chikitsa (संतर्पण- अपतर्पण चिकित्सा)

# On the basis of types of 3 basic types of disease- Daivavyapashraya, Yuktivyapashraya & Satvavajaya (दैवव्यपाश्रया, युक्तिव्यपाश्रया तथा सत्त्वावजय चिकित्सा)

# 3 basic types of disease- Daivavyapashraya, Yuktivyapashraya & Satvavajaya (दैवव्यपाश्रया, युक्तिव्यपाश्रया तथा सत्त्वावजय चिकित्सा)

# On the basis of mode of administration of a drug- Anta parimarjana, Bahiparimarjana and Shastrapranidhana (अन्तःपरिमार्जन बहिपरिमार्जन तथा शस्त्रप्रणिधान चिकित्सा)

# Mode of administration of a drug- Anta parimarjana, Bahiparimarjana and Shastrapranidhana (अन्तःपरिमार्जन बहिपरिमार्जन तथा शस्त्रप्रणिधान चिकित्सा)

=== दैवव्यपाश्रया, युक्तिव्यपाश्रया तथा सत्त्वावजय चिकित्सा॥ Daiva-Vyapāśraya, Yukti-Vyapāśraya and Sattvāvajaya. ===

=== Three Basic Types of Disease ===

==== दैवव्यपाश्रया चिकित्सा॥ Daiva Vyapāśraya Chikitsa ====

==== दैवव्यपाश्रया चिकित्सा॥ Daiva Vyapāśraya Chikitsa ====