Abstract

CONCEPT OF SATTVAVAJAYA CHIKITSA (PSYCHOTHERAPY)

*Dr. Rishabh Jain, Dr. Omhprakash Shukla, Dr. S. N. Tiwari and Dr. Pravanjan Acharya

Abstract

Ayurveda has a holistic concept of health. Disease free status of the body does not mean health. Health means „to be established in the self‟whose doshas are in equilibrium with good appetite, all tissues of the body and all natural urges are functioning properly and whose mind, body and spirit(self) are cheerful or full of bliss, is a healthy person. Ayurveda considers three important factors in the causation of the diseases-both Sharir (physical) and Manas (mental) 1. Prajnaparadha (Intellectual Blasphemy) 2. Asatmyendriyartha samyog 3. Parinama. Prajnaparadha (intellectual blasphemy) is the main causative factor of all the physical and the mental derangements. Sattvavajaya is that typical Ayurvedic approach which not only prevents the impairment of intellect, patience of memory, but also brings them back to a normal state, whenever they are impaired. Thus Sattvavajaya plays a significant role in the maintenance of a harmonious state between these three important factors – Dhi (intellect), Dhriti (restraint) and Smriti (memory) ultimately leading to a happy healthy state of the individual. The applied aspects of Sattvavajaya can be summarized as under: 1. Assurance(Aashwasanchikitsa) 2. Replacement of emotions(Pratidwandachikitsa) 3. Regulation of thought process(Chintya) 4. Re-framing of Ideas(Vicharya) 5. Channeling of Presumptions(Uhya) 6. Correction of objectives and ideals(Dhyeya). 7. Proper guidance and advice for taking right decisions(Sankalpa) 8. Proper control of patience. The present paper will review the ancient classical concepts of sattvavajaya and its basic tenets and throws light on its contemporary relevance and clinical applications.

Keywords: Sattvavajayachikitsa, Prajnaparadha, Dhi, Dhriti, Smriti, Chintya, Vicharya, Uhya, Dhyeya, Sankalpa, Aashwasanchikitsa, pratidwandachikitsa.