10/12/2025
A few days back I posted that Panchakarma should NOT be recommended to everyone.
Ayurveda is very clear:
1️⃣ First line → Śamana Chikitsa
2️⃣ Second line → Śodhana Chikitsa (Panchakarma)
ONLY when doshas are deeply aggravated.
Someone said I'm “misguiding people.”
So here are the actual śāstra references ↓
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1. Charaka Saṁhitā — Śamana First
“अल्पबलानां दोषाणां शमनमेव प्रशस्तम्।
बलवद् दोषाणां शोधनमेव प्रशस्यते॥”
— Charaka Sutra 16/20–21
Meaning:
When doshas are mild → Śamana.
When doshas are strong / deep → Śodhana.
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2. Ashtanga Hridayam — Śodhana Only When Indicated
“दोषा यदि अल्पा भवन्ति तदा शमनं कुर्यात्।
बहवो भवन्ति तदा शोधनं कार्यम्।”
— A.H. Sutra 13/27
Meaning:
If doshas are few → do Shamana.
If doshas are excessive → do Shodhana.
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3. Sushruta — Shodhana is NOT Routine
“लघूनां रोगाणां शमनं प्रधानं।
गम्भीरदोषस्थानानां तु शोधनमेव औषधम्।”
— Sushruta Sutra 35/33
Meaning:
For most light disorders → Shamana.
For deep-seated doṣhas → Shodhana.
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4. Madhava Nidana — Treat in Sequence
“दोषाणां प्रथमं शमनं प्रशस्यते।
उदितानां तु दोषानां शोधनं कार्यम्।”
— M.N. 22/24
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I am NOT against Panchakarma.
I am against inappropriate Panchakarma, where people are pushed into it whether they need it or not.
Today many centres do it as a business package, not as per the Samhitā rules.
Authentic Ayurveda =
Śamana first → Śodhana only when indicated.
Not every patient requires Panchakarma.
This is not misguiding anyone.
This is exactly what the texts say.
