Dhatus Flashcards
Physical expression of normal Rasa
- zeal, health, ideal voice, complexion & vigor
- contentment, satisfaction, love & affection towards other living beings
The 7 Dhatus
Rasa - plasma Rakta - blood Mamsa - muscle Meda - fat Asthi - bone Majja - nerves Shukra - regenerative tissue
- all dhatus contribute to Ojas
Rasa
Plasma Function: nourishing Root: heart Waste: Kapha dosha, mucus secretions Qualities: guru, sheeta, snigda Upadhatu: breast milk (stanya), menstrual blood (arthava), sperm & seminal fluid
- gets name from “sara”, to flow
- circulates nutrients
- derived from essence of food; jataragni & panchamaha bhutagni break down food & turn it into ahara rasa –> then rasa dhatu agni acts upon it to create rasa
- 9 anjalis of rasa in circulation
- rasa reaches moola (heart) with the help of samana vayu
- after functions are completed, rasa turns into kapha
Physical expression of normal Rakta
- eyes, forehead, lips, tongue, nails, palms, soles appear red & oily
- sensitive to heat
- good digestion
- pleasant sense organs, good perception, calm & contented attitude
Rakta
Blood Function: circulation, transportation Root: liver & spleen Wastes: Pitta dosha & acidic, inflammatory secretions Qualities: sneda, drava, ushna, red Upadhatu: blood vessels, tendons
- prime function is to supply Prana/oxygen to all components of the body
- sustains all other dhatus
- Rakta provides heat that keeps rasa liquid & maintains its ability to circulate
- Ranjaka Pitta that is formed in the Amashaya (stomach) during the course of circulation gives rise to Rakta from Rasa
- also known as:
1. Rudhira - fresh, arterial blood
2. Asrik - venus blood
3. Lohita - iron & heat
4. Asra - surface blood (cut)
5. Shonita - blood in body cavities; menstrual blood
Physical expression of normal Mamsa
- Temples, cheeks, chin, neck, shoulders, chest, thighs, & joints well-covered & firm
- Eyes big & prominent, ear lobes broad, thick, long
- nose thick, long, large, pointing up
- patient, has endurance, stable thoughts, knowledgeable, frank in actions
- long life span
Mamsa
Muscle
Function: binds body together; strengthening, facilitating movement; nourishing fat tissue & waste products
Root: skin
Wastes: all wastes found in cavities (i.e. ear wax, nasal secretions, navel lint)
Qualities: snigda, guru, sthira, mrdhu, sheeta, khara, brownish-red
Upadhatus: Vasa (muscle fat, inter muscular fascia, lubrication) & Tvacha (skin layers)
- flesh located below skin, around bone, & around vital organs
- more muscle = longer life
Physical expression of normal Meda
- skin, hair, eyes, teeth, nails, lips, face appear oily & smooth
- straightforward, loving, wealthy, donating to needy
Meda
Fat
Function: lubrication of joints; insulating body; producing sweat; nourishing bone
Root: kidney
Waste: sweat
Qualities: sneda, snigda, guru, mrdu, drava
Upadhatus: omentum around stomach
- in bones it combines with blood forming cells & is called Majja
Physical expression of normal Asthi
- heels, ankles, elbows, shoulders, clavicles, chin, head, joints, teeth, nails are well-formed, large, healthy, & stable
- teeth are well-arranged
- tend to have tall, active, energetic, stable bodies
- can withstand strenuous work & have long, healthy lives
Asthi
Bone Function: gives support; protects internal organs; nourishes nerve tissue Root: kati (pelvis & lower back) Wastes: nails, head, body hair Qualities: guru, khara, sthira Upadhatu: teeth & cartilage
- spaces in Asthi give room Majja dhatu
- prithvi & vayu are transported to site of bone formation by Rasa & Rakta; Kapha lays down network
Physical expression of normal Majja
- oily skin
- thin, soft, resonant voice
- prominent eyes
- large, broad, rounded joints
- strong build
- intelligent, educated, respected
Majja
Nerves
Function: lubricates; fills bones; feeling; memory; communicating; nourishing reproductive tissue
Root: long bone & epiphisis
Waste: tears & eye secretions; oily skin secretions
Qualities: snigda, mrdu
Upadhatu: sclerotic fluid? hair?
Physical expression of normal Sukra
- attractiveness, self-confidence, radiant glow
- immunity
Sukra
Reproductive Tissue
Function: generation of reproductive fluids; orgasm; conception; body strength; creating fondness; generating Ojas
Root: testes & ovaries
Wastes: secretions of foreskin & labia
Qualities: crystalline, sweet, drava, snigda, guru, sandra
Upadhatus: Ojas
Tissue Nourishment Theories
- Kapota Nyaaya:
- “Pigeon Theory”
- Theory of Selective Absorption
- whichever tissue is most hungry will get the nourishment first; non-linear
- Kedara Kulya Nyaaya:
- “Irrigation Theory”
- Theory of Transportation
- nourishment gets transported from one tissue to another in a linear fashion; linear - Ksheera Dadi Nyaaya:
- “Milk & Curd Theory”
- Theory of Transformation
- nourishment transforms into what is needed; mature dhatu becomes precursor for next dhatu; linear
Essences of Nature
- Prana - the breath behind all the vital essence of the Universe
- Tejas - the spark behind all conscious perception
- Ojas - the seed behind all nourishment & activity
- Tejas is responsible for the correct formation of Ojas; healthy Agni is dependent on the appropriate quantity and quality of Ojas; Prana also promotes Ojas
- the dosas are manifestations of un-utilized potential; when Prana cannot be digested it creates excess Vata dosha; when Tejas cannot be digested it creates excess Pitta dosha; when Ojas cannot be digested, it creates excess Kapha dosha
Ojas
- is the highest essence of all the dhatus
- responsible for biological strength (bala), vitality, & immunity (vyadiksamatva)
- supports strength, energy, & functioning of whole body
- gives consciousness & life
- resides in the heart; predominant Aap mahabuta
- associated colors: clear, white, or reddish-yellow
- resembles kapha: sheeta, snigda, mrdu, sthira, guru, smooth, sweet
- when your Para Ojas is depleted, you die
Types of Ojas
- Para Ojas: 8 drops (ashta bindu) in heart
2. Apara Ojas: ardha anjali (1 handful) in circulation throughout body
Agni
Digestive fire
- metabolic diseases (amaya) stem from the impairment of agni
Functions of Agni
- Digestion, absorption, assimilation, transformation of food & sensory experiences
- Visual perception
- Maintenance of steady body temperature
- Maintenance of constitution & color/complexion
- Gives confidence, courage, and fearlessness
- Creates joy, cheerfulness, laughter, & contentment
- Provides mental clarity
The 13 Agnis
1 Jataragni/Pachakagni (in the G.I.)
- does the initial breakdown of food, like bulldozer, and extracts the Ahara Rasa - the simple form of food
- also separates the Ahara Rasa from the Kitta (waste); the Kitta is further broken down in to the Malas of Sweda (sweat), urine, and feces
5 Panchamahabutagnis (in the liver) - metabolic fires located which digest the elements
- Akasha Agni
- Vata Agni
- Tejas Agni
- Ap Agni
- Prithvi Agni
7 Dhatu Agnis
- enzymes that transform unstable tissue portion that builds the dhatus
- Rasa Agni
- Rakta Agni
- Mamsa Agni
- Meda Agni
- Asthi Agni
- Mejja Agni
- Sukra Agni
4 States of Jatharagni
- Sama Agni - balanced metabolism
- Vishama Agni - irregular metabolism; results from aggravated vata and causes irregular appetite, variable digestion, abnormal distention, indigestoin, gas, constipation, colicky pain
- Tikshna Agni - hyper “hot” metabolism; results from aggravated pitta and causes large & frequent appetite, dry throat, palate, & lips after digestion, heart burn, hot flashes, acidity
- Manda Agni - hypo “slow” metabolism; results from excess kapha and causes inability to digest
