Kayakalpa is the science of rejuvenation. The Charaka Samhita says that the rishis (sages of yore) returned to their original abodes in the mountains, after having lived an urban life for a considerable amount of time. The mountains offered them solace and comfort, especially after hectic, erratic, and luxurious urban life, whose evils weaned them away from Mother Nature. The calm serene, rejuvenating atmosphere of the mountains and their wilderness lured them back to a quiet life.
Kayakalpa is a combination of two words, Kaya meaning body and kalpa meaning rejuvenation or the medical treatment of the sick. The Sushrutha Samhita says that the Gods created soma to prevent the death and decay of the body. For the practice of Kayakalpa, a special structure is constructed which has an inner chamber surrounded by seven walls. This is built at a site protected from all climatic conditions and external influences. Attendants, helpers, and medicines should be acquired before the patient is administered the somarasa. Then at an auspicious hour, on an auspicious day, marked by favorable astral combinations and calculations, the person desirous of undergoing the treatment should enter the innermost chamber. The person is administered only after cleansing the system thoroughly with purgatives and having adhered to proper diet restrictions. At this stage the juice is extracted from soma plant with a golden needle in a golden vessel. The juice is then given to the patient.
The patient is expected to be in the inner chamber for the next eight days, during which the person has to observe paramount duties of truth, non-violence, detachment to possessions, and celibacy, along with minor duties such as cleanliness, happiness, austerity, self-study, and thoughts of God. The diet consists mainly of cow milk, which is boiled and cooled and is given only at specific times.
When the patient digests the somarasa, he undergoes a spate of vomiting. This continues for about seven days and all the impurities that have been accumulated over the years are expelled from the body. This elimination takes place in the form of worms, blood, mucus, loose stools etc. In this manner the whole body is thoroughly cleansed.
At the end of seven days, the patient loses weight and becomes completely withered. The skin looks chapped and cracked and the teeth, nails and hair begin to fall off, though the vital spark is retained by the potency of somarasa. On the eighth day, the patient is bathed in milk and covered with sandal paste. From then on, the muscles symmetrical, hard, and strong, as clear as diamonds. This happens around the 17th of 18th day. Fixed, glossy, and coral colored nails begin to grow and so will the hair. New skin will assume the soft hue of a lotus.
The patient is then moved into the second chamber for the next ten days. The diet is gradually changed, though it is still regulated. The patient should not however, contemplate himself in the mirror and should follow the duties mentioned earlier.
After the entire treatment, the patient is allowed to resume normal life very gradually. The patient can now enjoy a new and youthful body. Such a person is protected against the negative aspects of fire, water, poison, weapons and so on. The person will also develop great muscular energy.
