Essentials of Kaya Chikitsa

Dr Aruna. BSAM, DAYM, DNY, is a former principal at the elite institute of Government Ayurveda College, Mysore. She has worked in various capacities as professor and Head of the department of Kayachikits of U.G and P.G studies. She is an alumni of the same college and has been its luminary student having secured the first rank of the Mysore University in the BSAM degree examinations.

A firm believer in the science and practice of Ayurveda, she also has rich teaching experience spanning three decades. She has published several scientific articles in popular medical journals and also has numerous paper presentations at various state and national conferences to her credit.

She was a member of board of studies; Mysore University; a member of board of examiners' of RGUHS and also worked as an advisor of UPSC selection committee, New Delhi. Though a strict disciplinarian, she is also well known for her student friendly attitude. With her scientific approach to Ayurvedic medicine and clarity of concepts and expression, she remains a well know person in Ayurvedic fraternity today.

Dear student, In the vast curriculum of an Ayurvedic student, the subject of Kayachikitsa is one of the biggest hurdles to cross, with the magnitude of its content and difficulties in interpretation of matter and language.

In my teaching experience sparing three decades, I have encountered many situations and doubts from students which have made me ponder about the intricacies of our texts. However, as I explored deeper into the paths of these shlokas, I was astounded with the sheer brilliance and depth of clinical acumen of our ancient healers and their relevance in the medical world even today. But to understand and appreciate our science to that extent, one needs to plunge into the depth of these texts, which needs time and patience. With the lack of both these to our student, the journey through this subject becomes tedious and frustrating.

Having faced these difficulties as a student and a teacher, I have made an attempt to provide my students with a text which tries to make the understanding of Kayachikitsa simpler and also emphasises its relevance while correlating it with the modern medical science. I have chosen those topics which have been the most difficult to interpret till date.

Few salient features of this book are

Simple language of the text matter with in-depth interpritations and complete coverage of topics.

Points for students to remember are highlighted keeping in mind to need for rapid review before the examinations.

Tables and comparison charts for easy understanding.

Illustrations which are labelled and can be reproduced as hand written diagrams.

However, there still remains a lot more to explore and understand in our vast subject. I would be happy to receive feed back about my work which will encourage me to improvise the subject material and also bring out another volume on the topics that I have not dealt with.

Education in Ayurveda has seen many changes since its inception, from Gurukula system to present modern way of teaching and learning. Without going into the advantage and disadvantages, it is proper to say that we need to adopt good things from the past in modern educational system.

The Samhitas undoubtedly are foundation of Ayurvedic education. They have given us not merely the information but an impetus to expand, elaborate and interpret and explore further. The commentaries on those great works are nothing else than these things.

In this background one should welcome the text books and commentaries based on scriptures. Hence, the attempt made by Dr Aruna in her debut endeavour should naturally appreciable. Kayachikitsa being her passion in teaching (and learning) and its application, her work "Essentials of Kayachikitsa" engender the sense of anticipation and expectancy.

It was always my desire that our teachers should, after certain years of experience, write. I use to impress upon them to utilise the time and the facilities available. I am happy that at least now a positive attempt is being made by the senior faculty.

I understand that an attempt is made to pose several questions, answer them in her own way by the author. A different unconventional approach is said to have been made to understand the clinical approach to many diseases. One should appreciate such a gallant approach and attempt.

I am proud and happy to put these words in this "Forewords" as the author is our own faculty and I am sure these words would pave away the path and inspire other colleagues to venture. I am also sure that the students and doctors will be greatly benefitted by the book.

Let lord Dhanwantari bestow more energy on the author to pen more books in coming years.

**Contents and Sample Pages**