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AYURVEDIC MEDICAL
JOURNAL
International Ayurvedic Medical Journal, (ISSN: 2320 5091) (October, 2017) 5(10)
1,2,3
PG Scholar (Ay), 4M.D. Ph.D. (Ay), Associate Professor;
P.G. Department of SharirKriya, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Email: drsanjayshahu@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Individual Purusha is consists of three Dosha , seven Dhatu and three Mala which are the primary
basic of living body.Shukra Dhatu is considered as best among all seven Dhatus. Shukra is white,
pure, excellent Dhatu which is lacated in entirebody. Sperm along with spermatic fluid and male sex
hormones are also one part of Shukradhatu. Shukra is Saumya which is derived from Jala Mahabhu-
ta and counted as a Kapha Vargiya Dravya. It possesses Shadrasa. Quantity of the Shukra Dhatu is
Ardha (½) Anjali in human body. Nearly one month is required for metamorphosis of Ahara Rasa
into Shukra Dhatu. Main function of Shukra Dhatu is Garbhotpadana (reproduction) Vitiation of
Shukradhatu shows Shukradhatudusti (pathology) in the form of Vriddhi (hyper state) Kshaya (wan-
ing). This vitiation may leads to male infertility. So it is an important entity in context to reproduc-
tion.
INTRODUCTION
Shukra is the substance which is responsible tion of Shukra. Garbha is formed by fusion of
for all systemic body activities including Shukra and Artava1. This main function of
metabolic functions and part of which comes Shukra is attributed to spermatozoa. While
out of the body at the time of sexual act and enumerating Shukra Pradoshaja Vikara, it has
performs specific functions of reproduction. It been stated that, the vitiation of Shukra ham-
is the product of four proto elements, Vayu, pers one’s fertilizing capacity. Shukra is
Agni, Aapaa nd Prithvi with all six Ra- Saumya2which is derived from Jala Mahabhu-
sa.Shuddha Shukra Lakshanas resembles the ta but Charakacharya consider that Shukra
physical properties of the seminal fluid. Garb- contain all the bhutas except Akash. All the-
hottpadana i.e., fertilization is a prime func- four bhutas (Vayu, Agni, Prithvi and Am-
Sanjay Kumar Shahu Et Al: Physiological Study Of Shukra Dhatu- A Review
bu)individually share one fourth of the cursor to next and higher by the action of re-
attributes of each of the Mahabhutas.Shukra is spective dhatvagni in it. So from Majja Dhatu,
pittrija bhava3Shukra Dhatu is counted as a Shukra Dhatu is produced11. The mode of
Kapha Vargiya Dravya according to Harivan- conversion of Ahara Rasa into Shukra is ex-
shaPurana4 and also Acharya Vagbhata stated plained by these hypotheses namely –
Shukra as Ashraya Sthana of Kapha Dosha.5. 1. Ksira-dadhi Nyaya,
Shukra Dhatu possesses Shadrasa6and one of 2. Khale-kapota Nyaya,
Pranayatanas of Sharira7. Shukra is one and 3. Kedari-kulya Nyaya
ultimate dhatu of body. Shukra is produced as 4. Eka-Kaal Dhatuposhana Nyaya
result of successive evaluative metamorphosis
of Ahara rasa. Quantity of the Shukra Dhatu The ingested ChaturvidhaAhara converts in to
is Ardha (½) Anjali in human body as per Ahararasa after acting upon it by Jatharagni
Acharya Charaka8but Acharya Bhela stated and Bhutagni. Then the action Dhatwagni
that quantity of Shukra is Eka (1) Anjali9. starts. The former Dhatu gets converted and
divided into two portions by the action of
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:- Dhatwagni. They are
To study methods of production of Shukra i) Prasada Bhaga
Dhatu. ii) Kitta Bhaga
To study what is thecharacters and normal
physiological function of Shukra Dhatu. KSHIRA-DADHI NYAYA
According to this hypothesis, prior Dhatu is
DISCUSSION completely transformed into the next Dhatu
PRODUCTION OF SHUKRA FROM SO- like the milk is completely transformed into
MA: curd, then curd into butter and thenbutter into
As described earlier Bhautic origin of Shukra ghee. It is called Krama-Parinam Paksha also
is considered to be Soma or Jalamahabhuta10. because the formation of next Dhatu up to
As Soma or Jala Mahabhuta is the predomi- Shukra Dhatu goes step by step and because
nant basic element from which Kapha is de- the prior Dhatu transforms completely into the
rived. So it can be said that Shukra has origi- next Dhatu so it is called Sarvaatma-Parinam
nated from Jala or SomaMahabhuta Paksha also. After acting the Agni, two parts
are formed - Prasad Bhag and Kitta Bhag.
PRODUCTION OFSHUKRA FROM Firstly the Jatharagni acts on Ahara and forms
AHARA RASA: Anna Rasa as the Prasad Bhag and Purisha
Beginning from Rasa Dhatu upto Shukra all and Mutra as the Kitta Bhag. This Anna Rasa
the Dhatu are produced in a fashion of pro- is processed by Rasa Dhatvagni and forms the
gressive evolutive metamorphosis. This means Prasada and Kitta Bhag.12
that Rasa Dhatu is basically produced from Now this Prasad Bhag is divided into Sthula
Ahara Rasa which is ingested by the action of and Sukhsma Prasadansh. SthulaPrasadansh
Jatharagni. Rasa Dhatu gets converted into nourishes the respective Dhatu - Rasa. Suksh-
Rakta Dhatu and so on. Previous Dhatu is pre- ma Prasadansh nourishes the Upadhatu and
forms the next Dhatu by its part resembling to site of formation of a Dhatu. So as far as
that next Dhatu - Rakta. Now this next Dhatu the site of formation of a Dhatu is, the
nourishing part of prior Dhatu is processed by path will also be lengthy and Anna Rasa
the respective Dhatvagni and forms the Pra- will take more time to there and nourish
sad and Kitta Bhaga. In this series when the that Dhatu. When the part of the Anna Ra-
Shukradhatu resembling part of Shukshma sa resembling Shukra Dhatu reaches at the
Prasadansh of Majja Dhatu is processed by site of Shukra formation through proper
the ShukraDhatvagni, Prasada and Kitta Bha- channels, Shukra Dhatvagni acts upon it
ga should be formed here. Because the Shukra and forms the shukra dhatu as described in
is thelast and purest Dhatu of our body so only Kedari-Kulya Nyaya.
Prasad Bhaga is formed which totally trans- EK-KAAL DHATU POSHANA NYAYA
forms into Shukra Dhatu and no Kitta Bhaga Charaka and Vagbhatta says that the Aha-
is formed here. ra Rasa is spread and distributed into the
entire body at the same time, continuously
KEDARI-KULYA NYAYA and always by the help of Vyan Vayu.13
According to this hypothesis, Anna Rasa Arundatta comments that all the seven
reaches at the specific Dhatu formation site of Dhatus are nourished at the same time due
a Dhatu and transformed into that respective to the entry of this Ahara Rasa into chan-
Dhatu by action of respective Dhatvagni on it. nels of all seven Dhatus at the same time14
Pattern of reaching of Anna Rasa is like the
pattern of a tributary ofcanal serving water to PRODUCTION OF SHUKRA FROM
the field rows. It means which row is near to MAJJA DHATU:
the tributary, water reaches there first. Like The highest stage to which food attains is the
this, Anna Rasa nourishes Rasa Dhatu first semen. Shukra is the seventh and final Dhatu
and then Rakta and so on. Shukra Dhatu is as a Sara (essence) of all Dhatu and produced
nourished by the Anna Rasa lastly. Shukra in a progressive evolutive metamorphosis.
Dhatu resembling part of the Anna Rasa is Shukra Dhatu derives from Prasada Bhaga of
processed by Shukragni there and produces Majja Dhatu by the action of Shukra Dhat-
Prasad Bhaga without producing Kitta Bhaga. vagni.15Vayu and Akasha Mahabhuta produce
Now this Prasada bhaga nourishes the Shukra porosity in Asthi Dhatu. From this pores, Shu-
Dhatu completely without forming any Upd- kra oozes out like water from a new earthen
hatu. pot and spreads all over the body.16
On the basis of Dalhana Acharya’s commen-
KHALE-KAPOTA NYAYA tary on Sushruta it is stated that Mastiska or
When the pigeons return back to their Mastulunga is Majja,17 Prof. V. J. Thaker
dwellings after feeding from field, every opines that brain and pituitary gland can be
pigeon takes time according to the dis- taken as functional representative of Majja.
tance between the field and their dwelling. The production of Shukra and secondary hair
According to this hypothesis, there are dif- growth at particular age can be understood in
ferent paths of the Anna Rasa to reach the this way. (Purushvichaya)
tion. The eight psychosomatic factors related is invisible to bare human eyes and also nir-
to Mana and Shukra play a major role in regu- guna23, similarly SarvasariragataShukra is
lation of ejaculation. In total it is psycho- also in covert form. But this Shukra trickles
somatic endocrinal mechanism. downduring copulation between a man and
CHARACTERS OF SHUKRA: woman, caused by Chesta (physical stimulus),
There are two important features of Shukra Sankalpa (desire), and Pidana (stimulation of
namely: erogenous area of body). As a result of Harsa
1. SarvasariragataShukra (stimulation), Tarsa (longing for women) Sa-
2. Functions of Ejaculatory or Rupadravya rattva (fliuidity), Picchilata (slimness), Gau-
FEATURE OF SARVASARIRAGATA- rava (heaviness), Anuttva (automicity), Prva-
SHUKRA: nattva (tendency to flow out) and Drutattvat-
The attributes of Shukra Sara individual can Marutasya ((pace of motion of Vata) covert
be considered as SarvasariragataShukra Shukra is ejaculated out of body as Roopa-
a. Saumya (Gentleman) dravya or Semen24.
b. Saumyapreksinaha (Gentle look) This overt tangible Shukra or Roopadravya or
c. Ksirapurnalochana (eyes appearing fillled Semen has physical characteristics that can be
with milk) attributed to semen as well as sperm.
d. Praharshabahula (cheerfulness)
e. Snigdha-vrittasamhata- Dasanaha (teeth PHYSICAL CHARACTERS
which are unctuous, round, strong, dense, REPRESENTING SEMEN:
even) Acharyas have described the qualities of Shu-
f. Prasanna - Snigdha-varnasara (pleasant - kra. The qualities are quoted as Shuddha Shu-
unctuous voice and complexion) kra Lakshanas .
g. Bhrajisnuta (dazzling appearance) Sphatikabha (crystalline), Ghrita- Ksau-
h. Mahaspica (large buttocks) dra-Taila- nibha (color that of ghee, ho-
i. Stripriya (loved by women) ney, oil),
j. Upabhoga balavana (virile) Madhugandhi (smelling like honey)25
k. Sukha (endowed with happiness) Drava (liquid), Picchila26
l. Aishwarya (prosperity) Bahu (abundant), Bahala (thick)
m. Arogya (health)
Avisra (no bad smell), Shukla (white)
n. Vitta (money)
Kaphavarga 27
o. Sammana (honour)
p. Apatyabahula (many offspring)21
Madhura (sweet), Snigdha (unctuous)28
Sara (mobile), Sandra (dense), Ambasi
FEATURE OF RETAS (EJACULATORY kinchitmajjati (which dips in water)-these
PART): represent Rupadravya or Shukra or Semen.
Shukra is the representative principle of (Roo- 1) Sphatikabha indicates the colour of semen
padravya) of Visvarupa (Atma) in human which is white and translucent.
body22. To achieve this Visvarupa (sariraru- 2) Quantity of semen indicated by Bahu / Ba-
pa), Shukra is principal cause for it. As Atma hala is the normal 1/2 Anjali Pramana.
a result of sexual intercourse46 which is Phal- kra.53Vaktra Snigdhata (sebum of the face)
vat meaning - its potential for reproduction, and Yuavana Pidaka (Acne) are Mala of Shu-
when it combines with Rajas (ovum) in female kra according to Acharya Sharngdha-
uterus under favourable condition, can devel- ra.54ButAcharya Chakrapani mentioned that
op as a foetus47. Shukra has no Mala. 55
GENERAL BODY FUNCTIONS:-
Shukra dhatu imports physical power to the CONCLUSION
individual. Dalhana explains that the dehaba- Shukradhatu is produced from aahar ras
la is provided by Shukra in two ways. through Majjadhatu it is somya or Jala ma-
1] Utsahalakshanam habhuta pradhana. Shukra is situated entire
2] Upachayalakshanam body. There are so many functions of Shu-
Utsaha- The stimulation to perform any activi- kradhatu but main function of Shukra Dhatu is
ty or enthusiasm to perform any activity is de- reproduction.
pendent on Shukra Dhatu48 and can be ex-
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Source of Support: Nil
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International Ayurvedic Medical Journal {online} 2017
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