Qualities of the patient.

The sutra lists the patient's qualities, and the first of them is that the patient has enough money and also a pleasant nature that help him play his role in his own treatment. This information may sound rather scary, but it is natural. In the old days it was said: "The poor cannot afford to be ill." Every treatment requires time from those around the patient, i.e., the time of the Ayurvedic practitioner, the assistant, the people engaged in preparing the medicine. These people all need to be paid. In Europe, this purpose is served by the health insurance companies and everybody insured regularly deposits a share of his earnings for such situations. Unfortunately, it is an error of the system that the insurance companies do not support the treatment system preferred by the patient.

The best thing to do is to live a healthy life and to observe preventive measures. When a person falls ill, he needs a treatment provider who will have a reason to act on his behalf. The first reason for the provider to treat the patient may indeed be money, and the second reason can also be the desire to help the patient. The desire to help, however, cannot be bought. The desire is brought about by respect, trust, behaviour, gratitude. This is how the Bhishak may be acquired and thus the patient has his treatment provider.

Another quality of the patient is sufficient communication skills, the ability to explain all the necessary information required by the Bhishak. This may be a problem with children who are patients, or with certain mental disorders, but if a patient has found his own Bhishak, he will manage. However, the patient is expected to provide the Bhishak all the required information.

The patient should be determined to heal and prepared to do everything expected. He is determined to observe all of the principles that treatment requires. Such a patient is sure to get rid of his diseases and problems and to get healthy quickly. Distrust and fear are the major enemies of the healing process. Satvavaan also involves being able to acknowledge when treatment has been successful and to be glad and grateful about it. 

Bhishagvashya means the patient will have total trust in the doctor, like a dog following his master's instructions, and this will ensure a good relationship.

Gyápaka means the patient has no secrets from the doctor.

Satvavaan means the patient can create the conditions for the process of healing to begin within them.