Though the rasa is circulating all over the body, its main site is said to be Hrudaya because it is Hrudaya which distributes the Rasa through the dhamanis. Travelling all over the body through the dhamanees, the rasa dhatu nourishes the tissues, organs, doshas and malas (excreta). Travelling through 4 dhamanis going laterally (side-wards), the Rasa dhatu nourishes the lateral parts or sides of the body. Through the 10 dhamanis travelling in downward direction, Rasa dhatu travels and nourishes the lower parts of the body and Through the 10 dhamanis travelling in upward direction, the Rasa dhatu travels and nourishes the upper parts of the body. The Rasa from Hridaya enters the 24 dhamanis (aorta and its branches, main arterial branches) and reaches different parts of the body, pumped by the heart with the help of Vyana Vayu. This Rasa being pushed by the Vyana Vayu (sub-type of Vata) reaches the Hridaya (heart). The food is digested in the stomach and intestines.Īfter proper digestion the Rasa (poshaka rasa dhatu – the essence of food whose function is to nourish) is formed. The location or seat of Rasa Dhatu is said to be Hridaya or Heart. Tasya Hridayam Sthaanam (Ref – Sushruta Sutra 14/3) The micro-fine form is very essential for the Rasa to flow freely in the circulation and nourish the body. This can be compared with butter being heated to form ghee. When the food enriched with above said qualities is subjected to proper digestion by Jataragni (belly fire) – it is converted into a micro-fine extract or essence (just like the juice extracted from the food). Sheeta (cold potency), Ushna (hot), guru (heavy), laghu (light), mrudu (soft), teekshna (sharp), snigdha (unctuous or oily) and ruksha (dry)Īneka Guna – Many qualities like Guru (heavy), Laghu (light), etc Sheeta Veerya (cold potency) and Ushna Veerya (hot potency)Īshta vidha veerya – 8 types of potency, i.e. This food will be enriched with the below mentioned qualities –ĭwividha Veerya – 2 types of potency i.e. earth, wind, water, fire and ether or space) These forms of food are Pancha Bhoutika in nature (made up of components of 5 elements of nature i.e. Madhura (sweet), Amla (sour), Lavana (salt), Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter) and Kashaya (astringent). The food we take will be enriched with Shad Rasas or 6 tastes i.e. The Rasa Dhatu is directly formed from the essence of the food that we take. The extract or essence of the food which is in ultra fine or minute form is called Rasa. Tatra pancha bhoutikasya chatuhu vidhasya shad rasasya dvi vidha veeryasya ashta vidha veeryasya vaa aneka gonopetasya upayuktasya aahaarasya samyak parinatasya yaha tejo bhootaha saaraha parama sookshmaha sa rasa iti uchyate (Ref – Sushruta Sootra 14/3) In this article let us discuss in detail about the Rasa Dhatu Rasa Dhatu Similarly the qualitative defects which are inherited already through the genes might lead to quantitative errors. This will also lead to qualitative defects in the tissues. Increase in quantity leads to metabolic disorders and decrease in quantity leads to lowering of immunity. An increase or decrease in their quantity indicates metabolic or nutritional errors. The Dhatus being structural components take part in our construction. substances having energy and strength or capacity (to hold, wear or construct the body). By this definition, we should not have any hesitation in calling the dhatus as the tissues of the body.ĭharayati jeevayati iti dhatavaha (Dalhana)ĭhatus, as said above fall into the category of Shakti Yukta Dravyas i.e. The Dhatus form the frame and structure of the body. ‘They wear the body’ should be understood that they form, frame and construct the body. This term indicates the responsibility put on the shoulders of the dhatus in holding and guarding the wellness of the body. Those which wear the body or hold the body are called Dhatus.

Rasa meaning