THE CLASSIFICATION OF RASA DHATU WITH RESPECT TO BODY FLUIDS

*Dr. Patil Asmita

ABSTRACT

Among the seven dhatu, Rasa dhatu is the adya and apya dhatu. It is the foremost dhatu predominantly made up of water element and refers to primary nutritive fluids present in the body. ‘Preenan’ meaning nourishment is rightly its main function. Gratification, nourishment, satiation, growth, support, hydration, satisfaction, pleasure, maintenance of body requirements in old age and during starvation and fast are its other important functions. Rasa dhatu also keeps mind fresh and active so that mind can coordinate sensory and motor functions of the body. Due to properties of fluidity and penetrability it reaches every minutest part of the body and carries out its function unceasingly. Rasaj factor is one of the essential factors in the formation of garbha. Chakrapani and Dalhana classified Rasa dhatu as Sthayi (Poshya) and Poshak. Sthayi Rasa dhatu circulates through the dhamanis and nourishes subsequent tissues, sense organs, joints, membrane secretions and internal organs. This Sthayi Rasa dhatu can be compared to ECF-intravascular- plasma. Poshak Rasa dhatu does not circulate through dhamanis. This can be related to ECF-extravascular-interstitial fluid and lymph.

Keywords: Dhatu, Rasa dhatu, ahar Rasa, Sthayi, asthayi, Poshak, poshya, preenan, dharan, Jeevan, tarpan, vardhan, yapan, plasma, lymph, interstitial fluid, transcellular fluid.