Concept of Rasa Dhatu in Ayurved

Concept of Rasa Dhatu in Ayurved.

1. Rasa Dhatu Dr. Sayali Waghulde . BAMS. MD (KRIYA SHARIR). Asst. Professor. Kriya Sharir Department. B. R. Harne Ayurvedic Medical College, Karav – Vangani . Rasa Dhatu

2. Rasa Dhatu Definition ( Nirukti ). Dhatu which is circulated continuously in the body is called as Rasa dhatu . Dhatu which is formed from the previously digested food is called as Rasa Dhatu .

3. Synonyms ( Paryaya ): Saumya Dhatu - Indicates coolness of Rasa dhatu . Ahara Prasad, Ahara Teja – Prasad bhag of Ahara rasa hence, Ahara prasad ; it is 1 st dhatu formed from ahara hence it is called Ahara teja . Agni Sambhava – Rasa dhatu is formed due to action of Jatharagni on food hence it is called. Dhatu saara – It contains saara bhag ( Poshak ansha ) of each and every dhatu . Asrik-kar – Asrik ( Rakta Dhatu ) is formed after Rasa Dhatu , hence is called Asrik kar .

4. Location of Rasa Dhatu ( Sthana ) Twenty four dhamanis (blood vessels) emerging from heart carry Ahara rasa to all parts of body and performs functions of Tarpana , Vardhana , Dharana and Yapana . Rasa dhatu with Ahara Rasa is circulated in every part of the body, hence whole body is location of Rasa dhatu .

5. Properties: ( Swaroop ) Panchbhautik Predominance: Jala mahabhuta is predominantly present in Rasa Dhatu . Predominance of water in Rasa dhatu keeps it in liquid state. But water in food, water in Ahara rasa and Water in Rasa Dhatu are all different. Water in the Rasa dhatu is slightly Viscous.

6. Properties: ( Swaroop ) Qualities of Rasa Dhatu : ( Guna ). Saumya : indicating Coolness, Calmness. So it’s the synonym of Rasa Dhatu . Qualities of Rasa dhatu is nearly same as Kapha Dosha. By Vagbhat qualities of Kapha are: Due to Drava Guna , Function of Preenan Karma is done as it is drava and sancharanshil in each type of cells and whole body. Snigdha : ( unctous ): Rasa dhatu is Oily in nature. Sheet: (Cold). Guru: (Heavy). Shlakshna & Picchil : (Slippery & Sticky).

7. Colour: Colour of Rasa Dhatu is Shweta (white) in colour by Darshan parikshan and Anuman Praman . Properties: ( Swaroop ) Qualities of Rasa Dhatu : ( Guna ).

8. Rasa is Drava

9. Functions of Rasa Dhatu . ( Karya ) Dhatu which nourishes the body as well as support the body. Rasa dhatus important Karma is Preenan karma. Preenan means gratification, satisfaction or freshness. Preenan = Trupti by Arundatta . Preenan = Aapyayana by Hemadri . To supply fluids and nutrients to every cell of body and keeps body as well as mind fresh and active is the Preenan done by Rasa dhatu .

10. Functions of Rasa Dhatu . ( Karya ) Nourishment of Rakta Dhatu . ( RaktaPushti ): It is another important function of Rasa dhatu .

11. Praman of Rasa Dhatu . Normal value of Rasa Dhatu is 9 Anjali . Anjali Praman is the unit to measure volume of different body constituents which are in fluid or semi solid state. Anjali : when two palms of hands are joined together, a cup – like pit is formed, which is called Anjali . One Anjali – one handful of a person.

12. Praman of Rasa Dhatu . According to sushruta , it is not possible to measure quantity of body constituents. Quantity or volume of Dosha, Dhatu , Mala cannot be measured. Climatic variations, type of food, mental conditions always effect quantity of dosha, dhatu , and mala. e.g. Cold season, volume of urine is physiologically more, but in such case water volume is maintained by reducing excretion of sweat. High intake of water increases volume of urine. Excessive sweating reduces volume of rasa dhatu which may lead to dehydration also.

13. Physiology of Rasavaha Strotas. Heart and blood vessels carrying Rasa are the roots of Rasavaha Strotas. Health of Dhatu depends on its own strotas. Hence, healthy rasa dhatu = healthy rasavaha strotas.

14. Formation of Rasa Dhatu .

15. Tridha Poshan of Rasa Dhatu . Dalhan has explained three level metabolism of every dhatu .

16. Rasa Dhatu Utpatti Kala. Time taken for replenishment of Rasa Dhatu from Ahara rasa is called Rasa Dhatu utpatti kala / Parinaman Kala. From Ahara rasa, Rasa dhatu is formed within 24 hours (1 Day).

17. Circulation of Rasa Dhatu . (Rasa – Rakta Samvahana ) Circulation of rasa dhatu from heart to periphery and from periphery to heart is called as Rasa Samvahana . Charak and Sushruta has mentioned references of Rasa dhatu being transported through Hridaya (heart), but raktavah sira or the blood vessels have not been mentioned directly. But Chakradutta in his commentary on Charaksamhita has mentioned that rasa is Drava dhatu so when rasavaha is mentioned, it includes all other liquid dhatus like Rakta through vessels. Rasa and Rakta dhatus are circulated together,so we have used the term Rasa – Rakta Samvahana , (and not only rasavahana or raktavahana ).

18. Reference of systemic circulation is found in Bhel Samhita which is explained in the following. Rasa – Rakta Samvahana Bhel . Su. 21 First reference of systemic circulation is explained in Bhela samhita , in which he states about the circulation of Rasa dhatu from heart to periphery and from periphery to the heart. Rasa dhatu is circulated from blood vessels ( Sira ) of heart ( hrudaya ) to every part of body and from body, it is brought back to heart.

19. Rasa – Rakta Samvahana Control of Rasa Samvahana by Vyana Vayu . Ch. Chi. 15/36 Vyana Vayu controls Rasa samvahana (cardiac output) and thus controls peripheral flow of rasa dhatu so that every cell receieves nutrients dissolved in Rasa.

20. Control of Rasa Samvahana by Samana Vayu . Rasa – Rakta Samvahana Under the control of Samana Vayu , Ahara – Rasa, formed in grahani (small intestine) is absorbed in the blood and brought to heart ( Hriday ) for circulation.

21. Samana Vayu Vyana Vayu

22. रसजं पुरुषं विद्यात रसं रक्षेत प्रयत्नत: । (सु. सू. १४/१२). Importance Of Rasa Dhatu . Sushruta advises to maintain health of rasa – dhatu by taking healthy food and with proper lifestyle.