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=== Introduction ===

=== Introduction ===

 

The chapter [[Snehadhyaya]] is the first chapter of ''Kalpana Chatushka'' (tetrad describing planning of purification therapies). It follows the [[Vatakalakaliya Adhyaya]], the last chapter of ''Nirdesha Chatushka'' (tetrad describing guidelines for clinical practice). This sequencial order of the tetrads suggests the logical progression in the clinical training of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda Ayurveda] learners – from a foundational course in therapeutics to more specialized procedures (including purification therapies). ''Snehana'' (oleation) is the first step before purification therapies, like ''vamana'' [therapeutic emesis] and ''virechana'' [therapeutic purgation], and also the best medicine suggested for vitiated vata - the key pathological factor responsible for many diseases.  

The chapter [[Snehadhyaya]] is the first chapter of ''Kalpana Chatushka'' (tetrad describing planning of purification therapies). It follows the [[Vatakalakaliya Adhyaya]], the last chapter of ''Nirdesha Chatushka'' (tetrad describing guidelines for clinical practice). This sequencial order of the tetrads suggests the logical progression in the clinical training of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda Ayurveda] learners – from a foundational course in therapeutics to more specialized procedures (including purification therapies). ''Snehana'' (oleation) is the first step before purification therapies, like ''vamana'' [therapeutic emesis] and ''virechana'' [therapeutic purgation], and also the best medicine suggested for vitiated vata - the key pathological factor responsible for many diseases.  

The glycerol formed from catabolism of fats can be converted to glucose by the liver and thus used as a source of energy. Fat also serves as a useful buffer against a host of diseases. When a particular substance - chemical or biotic—reaches unsafe levels in the bloodstream, the body can effectively dilute, or at least maintain, an equilibrium of the offending substances by storing them in a new fat tissue. This helps in protecting vital organs, until such time as the offending substances could be metabolized and/or removed from the body by such means as excretion, urination, accidental or intentional bloodletting, sebum excretion, and  hair growth.  

The glycerol formed from catabolism of fats can be converted to glucose by the liver and thus used as a source of energy. Fat also serves as a useful buffer against a host of diseases. When a particular substance - chemical or biotic—reaches unsafe levels in the bloodstream, the body can effectively dilute, or at least maintain, an equilibrium of the offending substances by storing them in a new fat tissue. This helps in protecting vital organs, until such time as the offending substances could be metabolized and/or removed from the body by such means as excretion, urination, accidental or intentional bloodletting, sebum excretion, and  hair growth.  

Beside pacifying vitiated ''dosha'', enhancing nutritional value and aiding in metabolic functions, ''sneha'' can be utilized for body purification, as described earlier. ''Sneha'' i.e. fats like ''ghrita'', oils etc. are used for [[Panchakarma]] and related purification processes since fats are an essential component of cell membrane and thus, have easy access to all parts of the body. Fats have multidimensional properties that can be utilized for therapeutic purpose. Thus, this chapter on ''sneha'' is important from the standpoint of therapeutics.

Beside pacifying vitiated ''dosha'', enhancing nutritional value and aiding in metabolic functions, ''sneha'' can be utilized for body purification, as described earlier. ''Sneha'' i.e. fats like ''ghrita'', oils etc. are used for [[Panchakarma]] and related purification processes since fats are an essential component of cell membrane and thus, have easy access to all parts of the body. Fats have multidimensional properties that can be utilized for therapeutic purpose. Thus, this chapter on ''sneha'' is important from the standpoint of therapeutics.

===Sanskrit text, Transliteration and English Translation===

===Sanskrit text, Transliteration and English Translation===