Significance of Sanskara in Sneha Kalpana: A Review

Abstract

Ayurveda is the most ancient science of life and health, its antiquity goes back to the Vedas. Ayurveda is not merely a folklore belief system. Brihattrayee, i. e. three major treatises of Ayurveda emphasize mainly on Tri-Sutras – Hetu (etiological factors), Linga (symptoms and signs) and Aushadha (treatment). To gain clear knowledge of Ayurveda and to apply it in practice, it was necessary to search for scientific devices or methods of approach. This necessity has prompted the Samhitakaras to adopt scientific methods. Indian culture, Vedas as well as Ayurveda have given lot of importance to ‘Sanskara’ as it is one of the most effective technique to enhance the qualities of substances that may be animate or inanimate, movable or stable, subtle or gross. Thus, Ayurveda is an amalgamation of ancient traditions and scientific methods Sanskara concept is extensively used in the Ayurvedic pharmaceutics in order to make the medicine more efficient, long lasting, palatable, easy to administer etc. Sneha Kalpana is widely described in Ayurvedic pharmaceutics under which medicated oil and Ghrita are prepared. The present study is an attempt to review the various aspects of Sanskaras implied in Sneha Kalpana.