A Review Article on Beejachatustya

Abstract

BeejaChatushtaya is an unique chikitsa methodology, unchristened by AcharyaSushruta, which establishes the foundation for the SushrutaSamhita. BeejaChatustaya is the base of SushrutSamhita. It includes Purusha, Vyadhi, Aushadha, Kriyakala. In SushrutSamhita, Purusha is defined as combination of Atma and Panchmabhuta, which is called Karma Purusha. We use our treatment therapy on this karma purusha. So this Karma Purusha is also called as ChikitsaAdhisthan. Vyadhi is any type of Dukha which can be kayik, Vachik, Mansika.Aushdha is use to treat diseases. In KriyakalKriya refers as Snehadi Karma, Sashtradi Karma and Kala is refers as proper administrative time for that karma so that we can take maximum benefit for that karma like Snehakarma in Pratahkala, Swedana in jeernaannakala, Vaman in purvahna, Virechan in pratahkala, Asthapan in madhyah Kala and Anuvasan in sayankala. This article is an attempt to collect, compile and analyse the various concepts and chikitsa methods of BeejaChatushtaya in a compact form from the SushrutaSamhita.

Introduction

Beeja Chatushtaya is a fundamental treatment principle unique to the Sushruta Samhita, composed of two words:

• Beeja meaning “seed” (the base or origin)

• Chatushtaya meaning “four aspects”

This concept views treatment holistically through four essential components, similar to how a seed grows into a plant with roots, stem, and leaves. These four aspects, also called Chikitsa Chatushtaya, are:

1. Purusha (the individual/patient) — Comprised of body elements (panchamahabhuta), organs, tissues, and soul, which is the foundation or "seat" of disease.

2. Vyadhi (disease) — Any form of discomfort or imbalance caused by physical, mental, or external factors, classified into types such as trauma, mental illness, and congenital conditions.

3. Aushadha (medicine/treatment) — Includes drugs derived from plants (roots, leaves, fruits) and animals, with properties aimed at restoring balance of doshas.

4. Kriyakala (timing of treatment) — The proper administration time for therapies (like sneha, sweda, panchakarma), crucial for treatment effectiveness and influenced by seasons (Ritu).

Additional Concepts

• Shad Kriyakala describes six progressive stages of disease development (accumulation, provocation, spread, localization, manifestation, differentiation).

• Proper timing (Kriyakala) and understanding of seasonal effects (Ritu) play key roles in Ayurveda’s treatment strategy.

• The Beeja Chatushtaya framework underpins the entire Sushruta Samhita and guides diagnosis, treatment, and healing.

Aim and Method

The article aims to explain the Beeja Chatushtaya concept as presented by Acharya Sushruta and its applications, using Ayurvedic classical texts like Sushruta Samhita and Charak Samhita as references.

Conclusion

BeejaChatushtyaisthebaseofSushrutSamhitawhichisdistributedinwholeSamhita.TheseChatustya(Purush,Vyadhi, Aushdh,Kriyakal)arelikeseedswhichformthewholeplantinformof Sushrutsamhita.BeejaChatushtyaplayanimportantroleindiagnosingthediseasesandadministrationofproper medicineatapropertimeforthebetteroutcomeoftreatment.ByusingtheBeejaChatushtayawecan decrease the prevalence rate of disease and increase the outcome from the treatment.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Megha Yadav. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.