Dhatus and ojas

Question 1

Describe dhatus and name each one

Answer 1

Basic esstential structural components:

• Rasa (plasma, leucocytes & thrombocytes)
• Rakta (red blood cells)
• Mamsa (muscle tissue)
• Meda (fat/adipose tissue)
• Majja (marrow and nerves/brain)
• Shukra and artava (reproductive fluid/tissue)

Question 2

What are the main components of Ayurvedic biology?

Answer 2

Dhatus, malas, srotas, agni and ama

Question 3

Define ojas and it’s main functions

Answer 3

The essence of all the dhatus.

• Vitality and immunity
• Gives the body strength and stamina, basis for physical and mental endurance
• The upadhatu of shukradhatu

Question 4

Para ojas

Answer 4

• The superior ojas
• Suble, minute, vital
• Stimulates the pacemaker sinoatrial node and maintains the life activity of the heart
• Any decrease in quantity/ damage causes death
• 8 drops located in the heart

Question 5

Apara ojas

Answer 5

• The inferior ojas
• It is the raw ojas
• Exists in all cells & tissues
• Its strength/ quantity determines our level of immunity, our strength to fight disease, and our ability to stay healthy
• 1/2 an añjali spread/moves throughout the body

Question 6

General expression of tejas

Answer 6

• Gives us strength, nutrition, tone of muscle, healthy glow and luster
• Energy of digestion/transformation
• Cellular intelligence & metabolic activity
• Governs body temperature
• Color perception
• Color of complexion, eyes & skin
• Upward movement, going beyond fear/confusion
• Stimulates udāna vayu - raises intelligence/ consciousness

Question 7

General expression of prāna

Answer 7

• Respiration, oxygenation, circulation
• Keeps cells alive
• Sustains life force
• All sensory and motor functions
• All mental activity, flow of communication
• Intake of food, water and air
• Bridge between body, mind and consciousness
• Holds all particles together
• Governs the biological functions of tejas and ojas

Question 8

General expression of ojas

Answer 8

• Maintains immunity of bodily tissues (dhatus)
• Protective energy
• Vitality, luster of eyes, glow of skin, substance substances of the aura
• Compassion, contentment, love, clarity, expansion of consciousness
• Keeps joints in place
• Keeps doshas in their sites
• Maintains quality/quantity of dhatus, malas and doshas
• Nourishes sensory perception