Basti is considered the prime modality of treatment in Ayurveda for various Vata disorders. It is accepted by most Acharyas as the best treatment for Vata disorders and is also used in some Pitta and Kapha conditions. Basti acts directly on the main site of Vata in the pakwashaya and helps control the other doshas. It provides multidimensional therapeutic effects like shodhana, bramhana, shamana, rasayana and vajikarana. Basti also shows instant results with quick action, less complications and easy administration. It can be used safely in both very young and elderly people.

1. Critical Analysis on Basti
as Ardha Chikitsa

2. Introduction
Page  2
• Prime modality of treatment
• Accepted by most of the Acharya
• Best for the Vataja Vyadhi
• Also used in Pittaja and Kaphaja disorders

3. Nirukti
• oÉÎxiÉlÉÉ SÏrÉiÉå CÌiÉ oÉÎxiÉÈ |
(A.H.Su.19/11)
• oÉÎxiÉÍpÉSÏïrÉiÉå rÉxqÉÉiÉç iÉxqÉÉiÉç oÉÎxiÉËUÌiÉ xqÉëiÉÈ|
(Sha.S.U.5/1)

4. Importance of Vata
• ÌmɨÉÇ mÉÇaÉÑ MüTüÇ mÉÇaÉÑ mÉÇaÉuÉÉå qÉsÉkÉÉiÉuÉÈ |
uÉÉrÉÑlÉÉÇ rÉ§É ÌlÉrÉÇÌiÉ iɧÉÇ aÉdcÉÌiÉ qÉåbÉuÉiÉç ||
(vÉÉ.xÉ.)

5. Ardha Chikitsa
Cha.Si.1/38-40, A.H.Su.19/85-87

6. • Shakhagata, Koshtagata, Marmagata, Urdhvagata, Sarvanga, Ekanga
Rogas are due to Vata itself.
• Chaya, Vikshepa and Sanghata of Vit, Mutra, Shleshma, Pitta is done
by Vata.
• No other treatment is there other than Basti
• Therefore Basti is the Ardha Chikitsa

7. In Kriya Kala
• Dosha pass through different stages of Kriya Kala while producing a
disease
• Vata is responsible for the movement of Dosha in different Kriya Kala
• Vata can be controlled in earlier stages - Basti

8. Direct action
• Pakvashaya – Main Site of Vata
• Vata controls Pitta, Kapha & Agni
• Basti – Directly applied to main site of Vata

9. Samsargaja Vyadhi
• oÉÎxiÉuÉÉïiÉå cÉ ÌmɨÉå cÉ MüTåü U£åü cÉ vÉxrÉiÉå |
xÉÇxÉaÉåï xÉ̳ÉmÉÉiÉå cÉ oÉÎxiÉUåuÉ ÌWûiÉÈ xÉSÉ ||
(xÉÑ.ÍcÉ.35/6)
• Basti is the best treatment in Vata, Pitta, Kapha & Rakta
• Samsarga
• Sannipata

10. Multidimensional therapeutic effect
• Vamana & Virechana – Shodhana
• Basti –
• Shodhana
• Bramhana
• Shamana
• Rasayana
• Vajikarana

11. Instant Results
• Quick action compared to Vamana & Virechana
• Vamana & Virechana are time consuming procedures
• Less complications
• Easy administration

12. • Can be used in both very young and elder people
• Kashyapa referred Basti as Amruta
• Due to wide application in young and aged