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Line 26: − + − ''Rasa dhatu'' is formed from ''ahara rasa'' (essence of food). The ingested food is disintegrated into two parts: ''prasada'' (essence or useful part) and ''kitta'' (waste). The ''prasada'' is called ''ahara rasa'' (essence of food). This essence is transformed into a nutrient fluid called ‘''rasa dhatu''’. [Cha. Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 28/4]. It is the ultrafine form of ''ahara rasa''. [Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 14/3]+ − + − + − + − '''Upadhatu and mala''' (metabolic byproducts and waste products): + − ''Stanya'' (breast milk) and ''artava''(menstrual blood including ovum) are formed as ''upadhatu'' (metabolic byproducts) of ''rasa dhatu.''[Cha. Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 15/17]. Sharangadhara considers only ''stanya''(breast milk) formed as upadhatu. [Sharangadhara Sam. Purvakhanda chapter 5].+ − '''Quantity of ''rasa dhatu'' in body''': + − + − '''Time span:''' + − + − ===Circulation of rasa dhatu===+ − + − '''''Rasavahi/ Rasaharini:''''' + − Heart of the fetus is linked to the mother’s heart through the ''rasavahi'' (the channels carrying nutrients.) The fetus expresses its wishes to the mother through these channels. [Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 3/15].+ − + − '''''Rasavaha srotas:'''''+ + − Rasavaha srotas is the transport system of circulating rasa all over the body. It originates from the heart and circulates rasa through ten vessels. [Cha. Sa. [[Vimana Sthana]] 5/8] The same organs and channels form pranavaha srotas. [Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 9/12]. This means the heart and channels transporting rasa also carry prana (vital force) in the body. + − '''Role of ''rasa dhatu'' in embryogenesis:''' + − − − '''Functions of ''rasa dhatu'':''' + − + − • ''Tarpana'': nourishment of body at any age. + − • ''Vardhana'': growth and development (especially in kids)+ − • ''Dharana / jeevana'': stabilizing and maintaining the [[''dhatu'']] (during middle age) + − • ''Yapana'': preventing the total deterioration of [[''dhatu'']] (during old age)+ − + − +
→Formation and metabolism of rasa dhatu
The rasa dhatu has [[jala mahabhuta]] predominance in its constitution. It possesses liquidity(drava), fluidity (sara), opaque(manda), viscous(snigdha) and unctuous(pichchila) properties.<ref name=Dwarakanath>Dwarkanath C. Introduction to Kayachikitsa. Chaukhambha Orientalia. Varanasi; 1996. Third edition.pg.320</ref>
The rasa dhatu has [[jala mahabhuta]] predominance in its constitution. It possesses liquidity(drava), fluidity (sara), opaque(manda), viscous(snigdha) and unctuous(pichchila) properties.<ref name=Dwarakanath>Dwarkanath C. Introduction to Kayachikitsa. Chaukhambha Orientalia. Varanasi; 1996. Third edition.pg.320</ref>
==Formation and metabolism of ''rasa dhatu''==
==Formation and metabolism of rasa dhatu==
Rasa dhatu is formed from essence of food(ahara rasa). The ingested food is disintegrated into two parts: essence or useful part (prasada) and waste (kitta). The prasada is called as essence of food (ahara rasa). This essence is transformed into a nutrient fluid called ‘rasa dhatu’. [Cha. Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 28/4]. It is the ultrafine form of ahara rasa. [Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 14/3]
The ''rasa dhatu'' is further acted upon by ''rasa dhatvagni''. It is divided into two portions. The first portion forms ''sthayi rasa dhatu''(permanent form) for carrying out physiological functions of nourishment and maintenance of body.
The rasa dhatu is further acted upon by rasa dhatvagni. It is divided into two portions. The first portion forms permanent form (sthayi rasa dhatu) for carrying out physiological functions of nourishment and maintenance of the body.
The second portion called ‘''poshaka rasa’'' is carried forward to nourish the next [[''dhatu'']] i.e.[[ ''rakta'']]. [Cha.Sa. [[Chikitsa Sthana]] 15/16]
The second portion called ‘poshaka rasa’ is carried forward to nourish the next [[dhatu]] i.e.[[rakta]]. [Cha.Sa. [[Chikitsa Sthana]] 15/16]
During the metabolic process, this rasa is transformed into [[''rakta dhatu'']] by action of ''ranjaka [[pitta]]''. It acquires a red colour during this process. This metabolism takes place at ''yakrit'' (liver) and ''pliha''(spleen). [Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 14/4]
During the metabolic process, this rasa is transformed into [[rakta dhatu]] by action of ranjaka [[pitta]]. It acquires a red colour during this process. This metabolism takes place at yakrit (liver) and pliha(spleen). [Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 14/4]
metabolic byproducts and waste products(Upadhatu and mala):
Breast milk(Stanya) and menstrual blood including ovum (artava) are formed as metabolic byproducts(upadhatu) of rasa dhatu.[Cha. Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 15/17]. Sharangadhara considers only breast milk(stanya) formed as upadhatu. [Sha. Sa. Purvakhanda chapter 5].
Various secretions and discharges are formed in this process as ‘''[[kapha]]''’. This is termed as ''"malarupakapha"''.
Various secretions and discharges are formed in this process as ‘''[[kapha]]''’. This is termed as ''"malarupakapha"''.
===Quantity of rasa dhatu in body :===
The total quantity of rasa is nine ''anjali''. One ''anjali'' is equal to the quantity that can be filled in a space formed from joining one’s palms together. This measurement is person-specific. [Cha. Sam. [[Sharira Sthana]] 7/15]
The total quantity of rasa is nine anjali. One anjali is equal to the quantity that can be filled in a space formed from joining one’s palms together. This measurement is person-specific.[Cha. Sam. [[Sharira Sthana]] 7/15]
===Time span:===
The ''rasa dhatu'' is formed in a time span of 3015 ''kala'' (five days). [Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 14/14].
The rasa dhatu is formed in a time span of 3015 kala (five days). [Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 14/14].
==Circulation of rasa dhatu==
The ''rasa dhatu'' is circulated through twenty-four ''dhamani'' (vessels) originating in the cardiac region. The upper and lower part of body is nourished by ten vessels each. The remaining four nourish lateral parts of body. [Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 14/3] All the twenty-four vessels are described in a separate chapter named ''‘dhamanivyakarana sharira.''[Su.Sa.Sharira Sthana 9] ''Vyana vayu'' carries out the circulation of ''rasa dhatu''. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 15/36]
The rasa dhatu is circulated through twenty-four vessels(dhamani) originating in the cardiac region. The upper and lower part of the body is nourished by ten vessels each. The remaining four nourish lateral parts of the body. [Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 14/3] All the twenty-four vessels are described in a separate chapter named ‘dhamanivyakarana sharira'[Su.Sa.Sharira Sthana 9] Vyana[[vayu]] carries out the circulation of rasa dhatu. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 15/36]
===Rasavahi/ Rasaharini:===
The heart of the fetus is linked to the mother’s heart through the channels carrying nutrients(rasavahi). The fetus expresses its wishes to the mother through these channels. [Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 3/15].
During the eighth month of gestation, the ''ojas''(vital essence) is unstable. It moves from mother to fetus and from fetus to mother through these channels.[Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 3/24].
During the eighth month of gestation, the vital essence(ojas) is unstable. It moves from mother to fetus and from fetus to mother through these channels.[Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 3/24].
===Rasavaha srotas:===
Rasavaha srotas is the transport system of circulating rasa all over the body. It originates from the heart and circulates rasa through ten vessels. [Cha. Sa. [[Vimana Sthana]] 5/8] The same organs and channels form pranavaha srotas. [Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 9/12]. This means the heart and channels transporting rasa also carry vital force (prana) in the body.
===Role of rasa dhatu in embryogenesis:===
During embryonic life, rasa dhatu is the only source of nutrition. The heart of the fetus is connected with the mother through the placenta and umbilical cord. The fetus gets nutrient fluid (rasa dhatu) through this placental circulation. Growth and development depend upon nutrition provided by rasa dhatu. This promotes strength and complexion of the fetus as it is composed of materials having all six tastes. This rasa also nourishes the mother’s body and carries out lactation.[Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 6/23]
During embryonic life, ''rasa dhatu'' is the only source of nutrition. The heart of the fetus is connected with the mother through the placenta and umbilical cord. The fetus gets ''rasa dhatu'' (nutrient fluid) through this placental circulation. Growth and development depend upon nutrition provided by ''rasa dhatu''. This promotes strength and complexion of the fetus as it is composed of materials having all six tastes. This ''rasa'' also nourishes the mother’s body and carries out lactation.[Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 6/23]
Rasa is also one among six sources of origin of fetus along with maternal and paternal factors. During embryogenesis, it is responsible for the formation and growth of body parts, sustenance of life, satiety, nourishment and enthusiasm. [Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 3/12]
Rasa is also one among six sources of origin of fetus along with maternal and paternal factors. During embryogenesis, it is responsible for the formation and growth of body parts, sustenance of life, satiety, nourishment and enthusiasm. [Cha. Sa. [[Sharira Sthana]] 3/12]
==Functions of rasa dhatu :==
The functions attributed to ''rasa dhatu'' are:
The functions attributed to rasa dhatu are:
*Tarpana: nourishment of body at any age.
*Vardhana: growth and development (especially in kids)
*Dharana / jeevana: stabilizing and maintaining the [[dhatu]] (during middle age)
*Yapana: preventing the total deterioration of [[dhatu]] (during old age)
Other functions like ''avashtambhana''(stabilizing the body components), ''snehana''(unction) are also carried by ''rasa dhatu''[Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 14/3]
Other functions like stabilizing the body components(avashtambhana), unction(snehana) are also carried by rasa dhatu.[Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 14/3]
It is responsible for ''tushti''(satiety), ''preenana''(nurturing body), ''raktapushti''(nourishing [[''rakta dhatu'']]).[Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 15/5]
It is responsible for satiety(tushti), nurturing body(preenana), nourishing [[rakta dhatu]](raktapushti).[Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 15/5]
==Importance in diagnosis: ==
==Importance in diagnosis: ==