Changes

===Meaning of srotas and vimana===

===Meaning of srotas and vimana===

'''Srotas:''' The word ''srotas'' means a channel or a pathway with functions like secreting, oozing, leaking, and circulating. It refers to the macro and micro inner transport system of the body and pathways concerned with the function of accepting, rejecting as well as carrying the vital external supports for life from outside viz. ''prana'' (air), ''anna'' (food) and ''udak'' (water) which are essential to sustain life besides ejecting the excreta viz. ''mala'' (feces), ''mutra'' (urine) and ''sweda'' (sweat) in order to keep the internal environment clean. There are special systemic ''srotamsi'' for carrying/circulating the nutrients and bio-factors through each of the seven ''dhatus''. Besides these gross channels there are innumerable micro channels, pathways and receptors specific for transmission and transportation of different bio-factors/bio-events, tangible or intangible in the body. The ''srotas'' system forms the basic matrix of all physiological, pathological as well as the pharmacological functions of the living body.

'''[[Srotas]]:''' The word [[srotas]] means a channel or a pathway with functions like secreting, oozing, leaking, and circulating. It refers to the macro and micro inner transport system of the body and pathways concerned with the function of accepting, rejecting as well as carrying the vital external supports for life from outside viz. ''prana'' (air), ''anna'' (food) and ''udak'' (water) which are essential to sustain life besides ejecting the excreta viz. [[mala]] (feces), [[mutra]] (urine) and ''sweda'' (sweat) in order to keep the internal environment clean. There are special systemic ''srotamsi'' for carrying/circulating the nutrients and bio-factors through each of the seven [[dhatu]]. Besides these gross channels there are innumerable micro channels, pathways and receptors specific for transmission and transportation of different bio-factors/bio-events, tangible or intangible in the body. The [[srotas]] system forms the basic matrix of all physiological, pathological as well as the pharmacological functions of the living body.

'''Vimana:''' Methodology of assessment/measurement/identification of biological/clinical events of the living body.

'''Vimana:''' Methodology of assessment/measurement/identification of biological/clinical events of the living body.

===Importance of chapter===

===Importance of chapter===

The chapter on [[Sroto Vimana]] deals with the subject of inner transport systems of the living body in a unique, holistic style and presenting almost a new way of understanding human biology. The living human body is comprised of innumerable micro and macro channels with specific functions. The tangible and intangible components of this ''srota'' system are responsible for transport and circulation of all kinds of biological fluids, energies and impulses. Charak’s statement that our body is equipped with as many micro-channels as is the number of life events is an interesting way of looking at the circulatory system within the body. The subtle dimension of ''srotovijnana'' of [[Ayurveda]] seems to encompass all the minute structural and non-structural pathways and receptors which allow complex body functions. While deliberating on the micro-structural dimensions of ''srotovijnana'',[[Ayurveda]] does not forget to reflect that it is an applied bioscience that needs to be practiced by clinicians who may need to clinically examine the roots of these channels at a gross level. Hence, after initial reflection on the quantized microstructures, Charak presents a very practical scheme of 13 gross channels or physiological systems for routine pathological considerations and for clinical examinations in a patient. Following two aspects need to be kept in mind to understand the Ayurvedic concept of ''srotvijana'':  

The chapter on [[Sroto Vimana]] deals with the subject of inner transport systems of the living body in a unique, holistic style and presenting almost a new way of understanding human biology. The living human body is comprised of innumerable micro and macro channels with specific functions. The tangible and intangible components of this [[srotas]] system are responsible for transport and circulation of all kinds of biological fluids, energies and impulses. Charak’s statement that our body is equipped with as many micro-channels as is the number of life events is an interesting way of looking at the circulatory system within the body. The subtle dimension of ''srotovijnana'' of [[Ayurveda]] seems to encompass all the minute structural and non-structural pathways and receptors which allow complex body functions. While deliberating on the micro-structural dimensions of ''srotovijnana'',[[Ayurveda]] does not forget to reflect that it is an applied bioscience that needs to be practiced by clinicians who may need to clinically examine the roots of these channels at a gross level. Hence, after initial reflection on the quantized microstructures, Charak presents a very practical scheme of 13 gross channels or physiological systems for routine pathological considerations and for clinical examinations in a patient. Following two aspects need to be kept in mind to understand the Ayurvedic concept of ''srotvijana'':  

*The concept of cellular and molecular ''srotamsi'' is aptly reflected in the following verse:

*The concept of cellular and molecular ''srotamsi'' is aptly reflected in the following verse:

Bhawavisheshah tawant ewasmin Srotasam prakara visheshah.''  

Bhawavisheshah tawant ewasmin Srotasam prakara visheshah.''  

(The body is a network of srotasa. There are as many types of ''srotas'' as there are corporeal entities.)

(The body is a network of [[srotas]]. There are as many types of [[srotas]] as there are corporeal entities.)

[[Ayurveda]] in general and the [[Charak Samhita]] in particular presents its unique approach to the molecular physiology of the living body encompassing the entire range of micro transport tissues or channels, with the help of microstructure and nonstructural physiological mechanisms describing the same under [[Sroto Vimana]]. The bio receptors, the micro transport accelerator mechanisms and all kinds of designed micro barriers such as blood brain barrier etc. fall in the realm of micro ''srotas''. This could be easily compared with the contemporary information prevalent today in molecular biology.

[[Ayurveda]] in general and the [[Charak Samhita]] in particular presents its unique approach to the molecular physiology of the living body encompassing the entire range of micro transport tissues or channels, with the help of microstructure and nonstructural physiological mechanisms describing the same under [[Sroto Vimana]]. The bio receptors, the micro transport accelerator mechanisms and all kinds of designed micro barriers such as blood brain barrier etc. fall in the realm of micro [[srotas]]. This could be easily compared with the contemporary information prevalent today in molecular biology.

*On the other hand, Charak describes 13 gross channels from the applied point of view of pathology, clinical medicine and diagnostics which is routinely used in examination of a patient in clinical settings. It seems Charak considers physiology as subtle and pathology as gross. As also mentioned in the introduction of this chapter, the described set of 13 channels are designed for following physio-pathological attributes, namely, three channels for intake of biologically needed material from outside such as air, water, food through three channels called ''pranavaha, udakavaha,'' and ''annavaha''. Besides, there are three other gross excretory functions associated with evacuation of bowels, urine and sweat through the three respective channels/systems called ''purishavaha, mutravaha,'' and ''swedavaha.''

*On the other hand, Charak describes 13 gross channels from the applied point of view of pathology, clinical medicine and diagnostics which is routinely used in examination of a patient in clinical settings. It seems Charak considers physiology as subtle and pathology as gross. As also mentioned in the introduction of this chapter, the described set of 13 channels are designed for following physio-pathological attributes, namely, three channels for intake of biologically needed material from outside such as air, water, food through three channels called ''pranavaha, udakavaha,'' and ''annavaha''. Besides, there are three other gross excretory functions associated with evacuation of bowels, urine and sweat through the three respective channels/systems called [[purisha]]vaha, [[mutra]]vaha, and ''swedavaha.''

Finally, there are the seven sustaining channels, one each for the seven ''dhatus'' or primordial tissues of the body namely ''rasavaha'', ''raktavaha, mamsavaha, medovaha, asthivaha, majjavaha'' and ''shukravaha'' for perfusion of the ''dhatus'' viz. ''rasa, rakta, mamsa, meda, asthi, majja'', and ''shukra'' respectively. Each of these channels has been described to possess a pair of base organs called ''mula'' which forms the origin of the respective ''srotas''.

Finally, there are the seven sustaining channels, one each for the seven [[dhatu]] or primordial tissues of the body namely rasavaha, raktavaha, mamsavaha, medovaha, asthivaha, majjavaha and shukravaha for perfusion of the [[dhatu]]viz. [[rasa dhatu]], [[rakta dhatu]], [[mamsa dhatu]], [[meda dhatu]], [[asthi dhatu]], [[majja dhatu]], and [[shukra dhatu]] respectively. Each of these channels has been described to possess a pair of base organs called ''mula'' which forms the origin of the respective [[srotas]].

These channels, both minute and gross, are vulnerable to afflictions from a set of ''srotas'' disorders viz. ''atipravritti'' or hyperactivity, ''sanga'' or hypoactivity, ''siragranthi'' or obstructive swelling, and ''vimarga gamana'' or diversion of function. Such ''srota dushti'' or vitiation are caused by a range of factors including ''ama'', unhealthy particles ingested and inhaled from the atmosphere, and wear and tear in body due to routine physiology and stress. [[Ayurveda]] advocates protecting the channels from being blocked or vitiated by means of leading a healthy life style, eating healthy food as well as by practicing periodical ''samshodhana karma''.

These channels, both minute and gross, are vulnerable to afflictions from a set of [[srotas]] disorders viz. ''atipravritti'' or hyperactivity, ''sanga'' or hypoactivity, ''siragranthi'' or obstructive swelling, and ''vimarga gamana'' or diversion of function. Such ''srota dushti'' or vitiation are caused by a range of factors including [[ama]], unhealthy particles ingested and inhaled from the atmosphere, and wear and tear in body due to routine physiology and stress. [[Ayurveda]] advocates protecting the channels from being blocked or vitiated by means of leading a healthy life style, eating healthy food as well as by practicing periodical ''samshodhana karma''.

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=== Future scope for research ===

=== Future scope for research ===

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#This chapter deals with the micro and macro inner transport system of the living body. Considering the high priority given to ''srotas'' system in [[Ayurveda]] it appears necessary to scientifically probe into this important traditional concept. It may be useful to undertake comparative studies with the contemporary knowledge about the membrane biology and systemic endothelial system. ''Srotovijnana'' of [[Ayurveda]] is a rich area of molecular biology research.

#This chapter deals with the micro and macro inner transport system of the living body. Considering the high priority given to [[srotas]] system in [[Ayurveda]] it appears necessary to scientifically probe into this important traditional concept. It may be useful to undertake comparative studies with the contemporary knowledge about the membrane biology and systemic endothelial system. ''Srotovijnana'' of [[Ayurveda]] is a rich area of molecular biology research.

#''Srotavarodha'' (obstruction of channels) is the basic cause of pathology in [[Ayurveda]]. There is a need of clinical and molecular study of the nature of ''srotavarodha'' occurring in different clinical situations with a view to develop preventive and therapeutic modalities on the lines of ''samshodhana chikitsa'' of [[Ayurveda]] beyond traditional [[Panchakarma]] therapy.

#''Srotavarodha'' (obstruction of channels) is the basic cause of pathology in [[Ayurveda]]. There is a need of clinical and molecular study of the nature of ''srotavarodha'' occurring in different clinical situations with a view to develop preventive and therapeutic modalities on the lines of ''samshodhana chikitsa'' of [[Ayurveda]] beyond traditional [[Panchakarma]] therapy.

#''Srotas''- wise classification of different diseases with a view to develop systemic medicine in [[Ayurveda]] which may facilitate the application of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

#[[Srotas]]- wise classification of different diseases with a view to develop systemic medicine in [[Ayurveda]] which may facilitate the application of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

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[[Vividhashitapitiya Adhyaya]]

[[Vividhashitapitiya Adhyaya]]

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