− | The Sanskrit word ‘kala’ (also spelled as ‘kaala’ or kAla) means time. It is accepted as one among the nine fundamental elements (karana dravya) in [[Ayurveda]] [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 1/48] and Vaisheshika philosophy.<ref name=MisraN>Misra N, editor, (1st ed.). Commentary Prakasika of Dhundhiraja Sastri on Vaishesika Darshan, Chapter 10, Kalaprakaranam. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, 2011; 41.</ref> Like an entity, kala also possesses qualities ([[guna]]) and effects ([[karma]]). [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 1/49] Destruction and production of beings, the past, present, and future times are effects of kala. The word ‘kala’ is often used for time in general, period or proper time when something occurs. However, it has a broader and deeper interpretation as narrated in [[Ayurveda]] from a medical point of view. Kala is one of the ten factors of clinical examination (dashvidhaparikshya bhava). The vitiation and pacification of [[tridosha]], [[dhatu]], manifestation of diseases, and even management of conditions, daily and seasonal routines, etc. are influenced by kala. The strength and luster of that person are enhanced who knows suitable diet and regimen for every season and practices accordingly. [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 6/3] Kala plays a key role in preventing and treating diseases in medical science in many ways. Kala is one of the bases for classifying conditions like acute and chronic diseases; and kalaja (natural or timely) and akalaja (premature or untimely) diseases. Kala has a role in drug collection, formation, preservation, and administration. Kala helps understand physiological functions as many procedures follow the circadian rhythm in the body. Thus, it is also helpful in maintaining health and understanding the etiopathology of diseases. Every drug acts by its specific pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic mechanisms and has definite rate of metabolism and half life. These properties elucidate the role of kala in the treatment of diseases. Difficulty in treating chronic diseases and appearance of grave prognostic signs ([[arishta]]) that are indicative of patient’s approach towards death are the factors that indicate the role of kala in prognosis of diseases. | + | The Sanskrit word ‘kala’ (also spelled as ‘kaala’ or kAla) means time. It is accepted as one among the nine fundamental elements (karana dravya) in [[Ayurveda]] [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 1/48] and Vaisheshika philosophy.<ref name=MisraN>Misra N, editor, (1st ed.). Commentary Prakasika of Dhundhiraja Sastri on Vaishesika Darshan, Chapter 10, Kalaprakaranam. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, 2011; 41.</ref> Like an entity, kala also possesses qualities ([[guna]]) and effects ([[karma]]). [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 1/49] Destruction and production of beings, the past, present, and future times are effects of kala. The word ‘kala’ is often used for time in general, period or proper time when something occurs. However, it has a broader and deeper interpretation as narrated in [[Ayurveda]] from a medical point of view. Kala is one of the ten factors of clinical examination (dashvidhaparikshya bhava). The vitiation and pacification of [[tridosha]], [[dhatu]], manifestation of diseases, and even management of conditions, daily and seasonal routines, etc. are influenced by kala. The strength and luster of that person are enhanced who knows suitable diet and regimen for every season and practices accordingly. [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 6/3] Kala plays a key role in preventing and treating diseases in medical science in many ways. Kala is one of the bases for classifying conditions like acute and chronic diseases; and natural or timely (kalaja) and premature or untimely (akalaja) diseases. Kala has a role in drug collection, formation, preservation, and administration. Kala helps understand physiological functions as many procedures follow the circadian rhythm in the body. Thus, it is also helpful in maintaining health and understanding the etiopathology of diseases. Every drug acts by its specific pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic mechanisms and has definite rate of metabolism and half life. These properties elucidate the role of kala in the treatment of diseases. Difficulty in treating chronic diseases and appearance of grave prognostic signs ([[arishta]]) that are indicative of patient’s approach towards death are the factors that indicate the role of kala in prognosis of diseases. |