Unveiling the Mode of Action of Dravya Vikalpa

Shodhana-shamana is one of the treatment classifications in Ayurveda. Medicines for Shodhana can be administered in single drug or combination form. The explanation regarding formulations has been dealt in Ayurveda. Though single drugs have been indicated in various disorders, they may fail to target every stage of disease and may therefore fail in treatment. Thus, the permutation and combination of drugs can act efficiently and target every stage of disease. In the Charaka Samhita Chikitsasthana, shodhana yogas are briefly described for specific ailments, however in the Kalpasthana, dravyavikalpa are extensively explained for shodhana. It is difficult to understand choice of dravyavikalpa as there is no direct description on mode and site of action of yogas mentioned. Hence there is a need for proper understanding of the mode and site of action of various dravyavikalpa. Understanding a specific combination and its kalpana helps one understand how medicines are targeted at vitiated doshas and sthanasamshraya. To illustrate the same, Dravyavikalpa for panduroga mentioned in Charaka Samhita Kalpasthana has been taken as an example. In this study an effort will be made to analyze mode and site of action of Dravyavikalpa mentioned in Charaka Samhita Kalpasthana. Keywords: Dravyavikalpa, kalpana vishesha, pandu roga