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Background: Shatkriyakala is the Ayurvedic doctrine of six successive stages (sanchaya, prakopa, prasara, sthanasamshraya, vyakti and bheda) in the progress of a disease. Its main value lies in the recognition of early stages when intervention is most effective. Objective: To review the classical description of the six stages, the corresponding therapeutic approaches, and recent applications of the concept in hypertension and cancer, and to discuss its role in prevention. Methods: Classical texts were studied in translation. PubMed was searched in November 2026 for papers on Shatkriyakala, kriyakala and disease pathogenesis in Ayurveda. Results: Sushruta describes six kriyakalas in which the doshas accumulate, are aggravated, spread, localise in a weakened tissue, manifest as disease and finally cause complications. The first three stages are pre-clinical and are the preferred window for intervention. Recent articles have used the framework to interpret hypertension as a stage of spread (prasara) and to describe cancer pathogenesis and early detection. Conclusion: Shatkriyakala is a staged model of pathogenesis with implications for prevention and early treatment. Studies are needed to define measurable markers for each stage and to test whether stage-specific interventions improve outcomes.