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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 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.  

History and broad outline of chapter:

==== History and broad outline of chapter ====

The earliest reference to snehana is found in the ancient text ‘Markandeya Purana’ where ghrita (clarified butter), taila (oil), vasa (muscle fat) and majja (bone marrow) were quoted as sneha drugs (Mar. 165, 166, 244-245). However, a detailed description of snehana- swedana (sudation) with complications and their treatments is only found in Charaka Samhita and related Ayurveda texts. The Snehadhyaya provides comprehensive information about sneha [lipids] and snehana [its therapeutic administration/oleation].  

 

The earliest reference to ''snehana'' is found in the ancient text ''Markandeya Purana'' where ''ghrita'' (clarified butter), taila (oil), vasa (muscle fat) and majja (bone marrow) were quoted as sneha drugs (Mar. 165, 166, 244-245). However, a detailed description of snehana- swedana (sudation) with complications and their treatments is only found in Charaka Samhita and related Ayurveda texts. The Snehadhyaya provides comprehensive information about sneha [lipids] and snehana [its therapeutic administration/oleation].  

Sneha [lipids]: Sneha is any substance that produces unctousness, softness, moisture, increased secretions etc. in the body. (Cha. Su. 22/11). Sneha is predominantly composed of basic elements - prithvi (earth) and jala (water) (Su.su. 41/11). Hence it is responsible for moisture (Hemadri on AH. Su. 1/18), providing softness to the body while also playing a major role in producing strength (Su.su. 46/516). Sneha qualities can be described using adjectives such as guru (heavy), sheeta (cold), sara (agility), snigdha (unctuous), manda (slow), sukshma (penetrating), mridu (soft), drava (fluid), and pichchila (slimy) (Cha.Su.22/15 and A.H. Su. 16/1).  These qualities make oleation therapy a prerequisite for most of the [[Panchakarma]] (five purification) procedures since they help in ejecting impurities out through the gut. All dhatu (body tissues) require sneha for growth and maintenance. Sneha adds unctuousness to food preparations, necessary in the process of digestion (Cha. Chi. 15/6). kapha and pitta are two basic doshas that have snigdha i.e. unctuousness (A.H. Su. 1/11-12). Sneha therapy is mainly indicated for alleviation of vata dosha, which is the main etiological factor responsible for most diseases. Modern science also gives importance to fats. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble , meaning they can only be digested, absorbed, and transported using fats. Fats are also sources of essential fatty acids, an important dietary requirement. Fats play a vital role in maintaining healthy skin and hair, insulating body organs against shock, maintaining body temperature, and promoting healthy cell function.  

Sneha [lipids]: Sneha is any substance that produces unctousness, softness, moisture, increased secretions etc. in the body. (Cha. Su. 22/11). Sneha is predominantly composed of basic elements - prithvi (earth) and jala (water) (Su.su. 41/11). Hence it is responsible for moisture (Hemadri on AH. Su. 1/18), providing softness to the body while also playing a major role in producing strength (Su.su. 46/516). Sneha qualities can be described using adjectives such as guru (heavy), sheeta (cold), sara (agility), snigdha (unctuous), manda (slow), sukshma (penetrating), mridu (soft), drava (fluid), and pichchila (slimy) (Cha.Su.22/15 and A.H. Su. 16/1).  These qualities make oleation therapy a prerequisite for most of the [[Panchakarma]] (five purification) procedures since they help in ejecting impurities out through the gut. All dhatu (body tissues) require sneha for growth and maintenance. Sneha adds unctuousness to food preparations, necessary in the process of digestion (Cha. Chi. 15/6). kapha and pitta are two basic doshas that have snigdha i.e. unctuousness (A.H. Su. 1/11-12). Sneha therapy is mainly indicated for alleviation of vata dosha, which is the main etiological factor responsible for most diseases. Modern science also gives importance to fats. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble , meaning they can only be digested, absorbed, and transported using fats. Fats are also sources of essential fatty acids, an important dietary requirement. Fats play a vital role in maintaining healthy skin and hair, insulating body organs against shock, maintaining body temperature, and promoting healthy cell function.  

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===