The document discusses the concept of srotas or channels in Ayurveda. It describes srotas as the pathways through which substances like nutrients, bodily waste, and doshas circulate in the body. It classifies srotas into external and internal channels and provides examples of each. It explains how vitiation or abnormalities in the srotas can lead to disease manifestations and impact various bodily functions and tissues. Key srotas like pranavaha, udakavaha, annavaha and rasavaha are further explained in terms of their roots, causative factors and associated diseases.
The document discusses the concept of srotas or channels in Ayurveda. It describes srotas as the pathways through which substances like nutrients, bodily waste, and doshas circulate in the body. It classifies srotas into external and internal channels and provides examples of each. It explains how vitiation or abnormalities in the srotas can lead to disease manifestations and impact various bodily functions and tissues. Key srotas like pranavaha, udakavaha, annavaha and rasavaha are further explained in terms of their roots, causative factors and associated diseases.
The document discusses the concept of srotas or channels in Ayurveda. It describes srotas as the pathways through which substances like nutrients, bodily waste, and doshas circulate in the body. It classifies srotas into external and internal channels and provides examples of each. It explains how vitiation or abnormalities in the srotas can lead to disease manifestations and impact various bodily functions and tissues. Key srotas like pranavaha, udakavaha, annavaha and rasavaha are further explained in terms of their roots, causative factors and associated diseases.
The document discusses the concept of srotas or channels in Ayurveda. It describes srotas as the pathways through which substances like nutrients, bodily waste, and doshas circulate in the body. It classifies srotas into external and internal channels and provides examples of each. It explains how vitiation or abnormalities in the srotas can lead to disease manifestations and impact various bodily functions and tissues. Key srotas like pranavaha, udakavaha, annavaha and rasavaha are further explained in terms of their roots, causative factors and associated diseases.
The document discusses the concept of srotas (channels) in Ayurveda which are responsible for transportation of nutrients and waste. It describes different classifications of srotas and factors affecting them.
The different types of srotas discussed are mutravaha srotas, purisavaha srotas, svedavaha srotas and artavavaha srotas.
Some of the etiological factors that can vitiate the srotas mentioned are intake of unwholesome foods and drinks, suppression of natural urges, injuries, emotions like anger and grief, exposure to extremes of heat and cold.
AYURVEDA THERAPY INSTITUTE
UDUPI, KARNATAKA, INDIA
AYURVEDA FOR POSITIVE HEALTH An Online Study Program
PART II. LESSON 7
SROTAS : CHANNELS OF THE BODY
The word srotas is derived from sru gatau dhatu, which means movement. It is the path which helps for transportation of substances. Nutrient substances are supplied to cells and tissues via the process of transudation through paths called srotases. Channels carry the transformed dhatus to different destinations through their mess of network to nourish the cells and tissues. Srotasas are defined as empty spaces spread in the entire body, which originates from root space except sira(veins) and dhamani(arteries). Synonyms are sira, srotamsi, marga, kha, dhamani. Srotasas are those in which manas, prana, anna, jala, dosa, dhatu, upadhatu, dhatumala, mutra, purisa are circulating. It is not possible to numerate all sortasas because these are innumerable. Sira and dhamani are the modifications of srotas only. Srotas, sira, dhamani resides closely and perform similar functions.
STRUCTURE OF SROTAS
Orifices of the srotas are minute, spread long and far away like lotus stalk. Through such channels rasa circulates and nourishes cells and tissues.
COLOUR OF THE SROTAS
Srotasas attain the colour of the dhatu in which they circulate. These are circular, big, small, long and resembles like lines of a leaf.
IMPORTANCE OF SROTAS IN PATHOGENESIS
Improper foods, erratic behavior and such other things which are not conducive to the body brings abnormality in srotas leading to manifestation of disease. Adoptance of normal conducive foods and action leads to happiness and sound health. Injury to the srotas manifest incurable condition, thats why such information should be given to the patient and to his attenders and then proceed to the treatment to remove foreign body. Bodily humors, vata, pitta and kapha moves inside the srotas to perform their normal functions at different places. Similarly things which are beyond perception of sensory organs like mind etc. move inside the srotas and are located in sentinent portion of the body. Healthy srotasas perform their normal functions as a result body is free from diseases and unhealthy srotas become root cause for the development of pathogenesis. Once the empty spaces (srotas) become abnormal, it brings abnormality in normal dhatu by not transporting to required destination, this is because of the abnormality in srotas. Srotas vitiates other srotas, dhatus vitiates other dhatus, for all these happenings disturbed dosas are responsible. Dosas get aggravated by the disturbed function of agni. Thats why life span, health, strength and nourishment etc. depend on agni. Due to their pervasion in entire body, they become responsible for aggravation as well as alleviation of dosas inside the body. Thats why some Ayurveda authorities say that body is the conglomeration of srotas.
SROTOVEDHA LAKSHANA : CLINICAL FEATURES DUE TO INJURY OF SROTAS
Clinical features develop due to injury to srotas are unconsciousness, tremors, distention of abdomen, vomiting, fever, delirium, pain, obstruction for urine and stool, death. Thats why considering these points practitioner should inform to the patient attender about its poor prognosis and then plan the treatment by removing the foreign body and manage the wounds as per wounds line of treatment.
CLASSIFICATION OF SROTAS
Mainly srotas is classified into two kinds namely bahya(external) and abhyantara(internal) srotas.
According to Susruta Bahya srotas or bahirmukha srotas in Male are 09 in number and in female 12 in number. According to Sarangadhara Bahya srotas or bahirmukha srotas in Male are 10 in number and in female 13 in number. According to Caraka Abhyantara srotas or antarmukhi srotas are 13 in number and 11 pairs according to Susruta. Susruta does not include ashtivaha, majjavaha and svedavaha srotas.
BAHYA SROTAS OR BAHIRMUKHA SROTAS : EXTERNAL SROTAS
ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS FOR SROTODUSTI : PATHOLOGY OF SROTAS
Improper dietetics which aggravates dosas i.e., person who is not following the rules and regulations of eight fold diet principles. Erratic behavior or activities related to speech, body and mind aggravates the dosas. Diet and activities which are contrary to dhatus. For example day sleep and fatty food which aggravates meda dhatu and brings vitiation in them inspite of having identical properties.
CLASSIFICATION OF SROTODUSTI:
There are mainly four kinds of srotodusti explained. 1. Ati pravrtti Excessive actions 2. Sangha Complete or partial obstruction of srotas 3. Sira granthi nodules, tumours, new growths inside the srotas 4. Vimargagamana Leaving its own path and entering into other path
Examples of each kind of srotodusti: Atipravrtti 1. Excessive urination in diabetes 2. Excessive watery stools in diarrhea 3. Excessive mucous secretions in asthma
Sanga `1. Constipation 2. Dysuria 3. Fever
Siragranthi 1. Hemorrhoids 2. Ascitis 3. Keloids
Vimargagamana 1. Entrance of mala into mutra path a. Fistula-in-ano b. Jaundice c. Bronchial Asthma d. Inflammation e. Injury
PRANAVAHA SROTAS
Channels carrying pranavayu is called pranavaha srotas.
Root- Heart and Gastro-intestinal tract. Pranavaha srotas are two in number and they originate from heart and arteries carrying rasa.
Etiological factors Depletion of dhatus, suppression of natural urges, intake of dry food and activities, heavy exercises during hunger and other factors which bring vitiation in srotas.
Symptoms of vitiation in Pranavaha srotas: Prolonged respiration Obstructed respiration Agitated respiration Frequent respiration Respiration associated with sound and pain
Injury to pranavaha srotas leads to groaning, bending down of the body, illusion, tremors or ultimately death.
Diseases of Pranavaha Srotas: Bronchitis Asthma Tuberculosis Heart diseases Hoarseness of voice Coma Nervous disorders
UDAKAVAHA SROTAS
Channels which carries udaka (water) is called udakavaha srotas.
Root Udakavaha srotas have their origin in palate and pancreas.
Etiological factors Udakavaha srotas gets vitiated by exposure to heat, indigestion, fear, excess intake of drinks, intake of dry food and who is suffering from excessive thirst.
Symptoms of vitiation in Udakavaha srotas: Dryness in tongue, palate, lips and pancreas along with excessive severe thirst Injury to udakavaha srotas develops thirst and patient dies instantaneously within 7 days.
Disease of Udakavaha Srotas Diabetes Bronchial asthma Thirst Inflammation Ascitis
ANNAVAHA SROTAS
Channels carrying anna (food) is called annavaha srotas.
Root Annavaha srotas have their origin in stomach and flanks.
Etiological factors Annavaha srotas gets vitiated by; Excess intake of food Eating during improper time Consumption of unwholesome food Due to impairment in agni Injury
Symptoms of vitiation in Udakavaha srotas: Lack of interest towards food Anorexia Indigestion Vomiting
Disease of Udakavaha Srotas Nausea Diarrhea Indigestion Lack of appetite Worm infestation Acidity Hemorrhoids Colic pain Ascitis
RASAVAHA SROTAS
Channels which carries rasa (nutrient substances) is called rasavaha srotas.
Root Rasavaha srotas have their origin in heart and ten major rasa carrying vessels.
Etiological factors Rasavaha srotas gets vitiated by; Intake of heavy and cold substances Excess intake of unctuous substances Consumptions of excess food Intake of wholesome and unwholesome food together Excessive worry
Symptoms of vitiation in Rasavaha srotas: Lack of interest towards food, anorexis, distaste in mouth etc.Consumption, other symptoms similar to pranavaha srotas and death.
Disease of Rasavaha Srotas Heart diseases Tuberculosis Obesity Fever Diabetes Unconsciousness and coma Skin diseases Malarial fever Anemia Impotency Gout
RAKTAVAHA SROTAS
Channels which carried blood is called raktavaha srotas.
Root Raktavaha srotas have their origin in liver and spleen.
Etiological factors Raktavaha srotas gets vitiated by; All pitta aggravating factors Excess intake of liquid, unctuous, hot, heavy foods Sleeping during day time. Excessive exposure to sun and heat Excessive anger, exertion, eating during indigestion, eating antagonistic foods and taking food during digestion. Injury
Symptoms of vitiation in Raktavaha srotas: Bluish discoloration of body, fever, burning sensation, paleness, hemorrhages, redness in eye.
Channels which carries the substances to nourish mamsa (muscle tissue) is called mamsavaha srotas.
Root Mamsavaha srotas have their origin in ligaments, skin and rakta carrying arteries.
Etiological factors Mamsavaha srotas gets vitiated by; Intake of food substances which induce moistureness in dosa, dhatu, srotas Heavy food Bulk promoting foods Intake of food followed by day sleep Injury
Symptoms of vitiation in Mamsavaha srotas: Granulomas, tonsillitis, inflammation of muscles, muscle wasting, varicose veins and death.
Channels which carries the substances which nourishes meda (fat) is called medovaha srotas.
Root Medovaha srotas have their origin in Kidneys and Omentum
Etiological factors Medovaha srotas gets vitiated by; Lack of physical exercises Day sleep Excess intake of fatty foods Excess drinking of wine Injury
Symptoms of vitiation in Medovaha srotas: Undesired constitution, diabetes, excessive perspiration, unctuousness or sliminess of body parts, dryness in palate, marked swelling and severe thirst.
Channels which carries the substances which nourishes asthi (bone) is called asthivaha srotas.
Root asthivaha srotas have their origin in meda (adipose tissue) and buttocks.
Etiological factors Asthivaha srotas gets vitiated by; Excessive physical exercises Over strain to bones Friction among bones in excess Consumption of vata aggravating factors
Symptoms of vitiation in Asthivaha srotas: Pain in bones and teeth, discoloration
Channels which carries the substances which nourishes majja is called majjavaha srotas.
Root Majjavaha srotas have their origin in bones and Joints.
Etiological factors Majjavaha srotas gets vitiated by; Excessive crushing, increased moisture, compression of bone and intake of incompatible dietetics.
Symptoms of vitiation in Majjavaha srotas: Pain in joints Giddiness
Channels which carries the substances which nourishes sukra is called sukravaha srotas.
Root Sukravaha srotas have their origin in testicles and penis in Male and in breasts in female.
Etiological factors Sukravaha srotas gets vitiated by; Sexual intercourse without proper sexual arousal or having sexual intercourse with other animals like dog etc. Suppression of sexual urge Excess indulgence in sexual activities Untimely sexual intercourse Intake of food which are ununctous, bitter, astringent, salt, sour and hot. Indulging in sexual intercourse with women who is not passionate Old age, worry, grief and lack of confidence in partner Fear, anger and application of black magic Severe emaciation due to chronic diseases Injury to dhatus Injury by surgery, alkalies and cauterization
Symptoms of vitiation in Sukravaha srotas: Impotency, delayed emission of sukra, sukra come out with rakta along with difficulty
Channels which carries mutra (urine) is called mutravaha srotas.
Root Mutravaha srotas have their origin in urinary bladder and kidneys
Etiological factors Mutravaha srotas gets vitiated by; Intake of drinks and foods during urge for maturation Indulging in sex during the urge for micturation Suppression of urge of urination One who is emaciated and injured Injury
Symptoms of vitiation in Mutravaha srotas: Excessive urination, complete obstruction for urination, urine comes out with difficulty, patient passes little quantity of urine frequently, patient passes large quantity of urine associated with pain.
Disease of Mutravaha Srotas Diabetes Obstruction of urine Dysuria Urinary calculi Jaundice Anemia Fever
PURISAVAHA SROTAS
Channels which carries purisa(stool) is called purisavaha srotas.
Root Purisavaha srotas have their origin in Large intestine and rectum.
Etiological factors Purisavaha srotas gets vitiated by; Suppression of urge for stools Consumption of large quantity of food Eating during indigestion Eating food before the digestion of previous meal Whose agni is weak Who is emaciated injury
Symptoms of vitiation in Purisavaha srotas: Patient passes stool with difficulty, passes little quantity of stool associated with pain and sound Passing of excess watery stool or mucous with thread stool Distension of abdomen Foul smell stool
Channels which carries sveda (sweat) is called svedavaha srotas.
Root Svedavaha srotas have their origin in meda(adipose tissue) and hair follicles
Etiological factors Svedavaha srotas gets vitiated by; Heavy exercises Excessive exposure to sun and heat Indulging or exposure to cold and heat simultaneously Anger Grief Fear
Symptoms of vitiation in Svedavaha srotas: Absence of perspiration Excess perspiration Excessive roughness Excessive smoothness Burning sensation all over the body horripulation
Channels which carries the artava(menstrual blood) is called artavavaha srotas.
Root artavavaha srotas have their origin in uterus and artava carrying vessels
Etiological factors Arthavavaha srotas gets vitiated by; Excessive consumption of salt, sour, heavy, pungent, burning, unctuous, meat of aquatic and marshy land animals Excess intake of fatty, sweet preparations, curd and its products, fermented wine etc. Agitated vata etc dosas bring abnormality in uterus and develops uterus related diseases.
Symptoms of vitiation in Arthavavaha srotas: Colour of discharge becomes frothy, thin, ununctous, brownish black or pink.
Disease of Medovaha Srotas 20 types of uterus disorders Menorrhagia Leucorrhea