VIRECHANA (PURGATION THERAPY) – A REVIEW

Charaka Samhita is superior text of Chikitsa, which needs a polish just to prove its significance and utmost importance in today's context, in order to earn perfection in Ayurvedic Chikitsa. Charaka has elaborately described the use of Panchakarma in different diseases. Also Charaka has described Vamana, Virechana, Anuvasana Basti, Aasthapana Basti and Shirovirechana as the Panchakarma. He has not included Raktamokshan in Panchakarma.Charaka Samhita seems to be dealing with holistic approach in Panchkarma. In Charak Samhita all the Karma are described in detail. Charaka has almost covered all the aspects of particular Karma. He has given extensive lists of indications and contraindications in all the Karma. Also Samyak Yoga, Atiyoga, Ayoga symptoms are very extensively explained by Charaka. There are very few exceptions found in Sushruta and Vagbhata as compared to Charaka. These symptoms should be considered as contributory factors of Sushruta and Vagbhata.Chronologically Sushruta and Vagbhata are after Charak Samhita. Hence accordingly there are certain changes observed in these two Samhita. Sushruta is Shalya Pradhana Samhita. Hence there are certain indications which are elaborately described by Sushruta Samhita. Due to shalya pradhanta he added the Raktamokshana in Samshodhana chikitsa. Ashtang Hridya is considered as critical edition of Charaka and Sushruta. Hence Vagbhata has given combinatory symptoms from Charaka and Sushruta. Also certain symptoms are contributory from Vagbhata. In short, it has found that Charaka has given all the aspects of Karma in detail. The additional symptoms given by Sushruta and Vagbhata can be included in aspects described by Charaka. Hence it is utmost important to study Charak Samhita thoroughly using lights of Sushruta Samhita and Ashtang Hridya. It is found that there is definite and positive co-relationship between concepts of Panchakarma in Bhrihattrayee. But there are some additional symptoms are also given by Sushruta and Vagbhata. So while preceding the Panchakarma we must follow the Charaka Samhita in the illumination of Sushruta Samhita and Ashtang Hridaya.