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Review Article

Artavavha Srotas

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2023 Volume 8 Number 3 March
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

A conceptual review of Artavavaha Srotas and its Viddha Lakshan

Durgeshvari.1*, Kumar Singh D.2, Kumar K.3
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21760/jaims.8.3.12

1* Durgeshvari, First Year Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Rachana Sharira, Shree Narayan Prasad Awasthi Shaskiya Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.

2 Dileep Kumar Singh, Lecturer, Department of Rachana Sharira, Shree Narayan Prasad Awasthi Shaskiya Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.

3 Kuldeep Kumar, Lecturer, Department of Rachana Sharira, Shree Narayan Prasad Awasthi Shaskiya Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.

According to Ayurvedic Samhitas, Srotas is a structural and functional unit of the body. Srotas are the hollow spaces or channels which are responsible for any movement or transformation. There are many types of Srotas mention by Acharyas. Maharshi Charaka explains Srotas as a medicinal aspect and Maharshi Sushruta explains Srotas according to surgical aspect. Artavavaha Srotas is Antarmukh Srotas which are also known as Yogawahi Srotas. It is similar to the female reproductive system in modern medical science. As per Maharshi Sushruta, Artavavaha Srotas are two in number and their Moolsthana is Garbhashaya and Artavavahi Dhamanya. Any trauma to this Srotas causes Bhandhayatva (infertility), Artavanasha (amenorrhea) and Maithuna Asahishnuta (dyspareunia). In this study description of Ayurvedic concept along with discussion regarding the patho-clinical perspective of Artavavaha Srotas and its Viddha Lakshan in light of modern science.

Keywords: Srotas, Artavavha Srotas, Moolasthana, Bandhyatva, Maithuna Asahishnuta, Artavanasha

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Durgeshvari, First Year Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Rachana Sharira, Shree Narayan Prasad Awasthi Shaskiya Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
Email: 		Durgeshvari, Dileep Kumar Singh, Kuldeep Kumar, A conceptual review of Artavavaha Srotas and its Viddha Lakshan. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2023;8(3):69-72.
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https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/2338

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2023-01-21 2023-01-23 2023-01-30 2023-02-06 2023-02-13
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
Nil Nil Yes 19%

© 2023by Durgeshvari, Dileep Kumar Singh, Kuldeep Kumarand Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

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Durgeshvari et al: A conceptual review of Artavavaha Srotas and its Viddha Lakshan

Introduction

Maharshi Charaka has described the concept of Srotas in the 5th chapter of Viman Sthana. He has defined Srotas as meaning the structure, through which the process of Sravanam Karma (oozing, flowing) takes place.[1] He said that Srotas have colour similar to that to their own Dhatus, they may cylindrical, either Sthula or Anu, Dirgha or Pratana.[2] He described thirteen main Srotas which are Prana, Udaka, Anna, Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa, Medo, Asthi, Majja, Shukra, Mutra, Purisha and Swedavaha Srotas.[3] Maharshi Sushruta has stated that which originates from vacant spaces and spread throughout the body and purveys materials are to be understood as Srotas and apart from Sira and Dhamani.[4] In Sushruta Samhita Dhamani Vyakarana 9th chapter of Sharir Sthana, has described about Srotas. He has described eleven pairs of Srotas specially in the context of injury and symptoms of piercing as its roots. He has excluded the Asthi, Majja, and Swedavaha Srotas in his counting and included one additional Artavavaha Srotas in his list. As per consideration of Srotas the Artavavaha Srotas is the unique in female body and perform important function of reproduction.

As per Maharshi Sushruta the Artavavaha Storas are two in number and their Moolasthana is considered as Garbhashaya and Artavavahi Dhamanya.[5] Garbhashaya is the uterus which is the reservoir of Artava (menstrual blood) in the endometrium up to the date of menstruation.

Garbhashaya, it consists of two words Garbha and Ashaya means the organ holds the Garbha called Garbhashaya. It is situated between Pittashaya and Pakvashaya and is located in third Avarta.[6]

As per Acharya Vagbgata, Sushruta and Bhavprakash the structure of Yoni is similar to that of a conch shell and it is made up of three Avarta and Garbhashaya is situated in the third Avarta. It refers to the uterine cavity which is shaped like Rohita Matasya Mukha.[7]

Maharshi Sushruta has described the channels carrying the Artava (menstrual blood) out of the body during menstrual cycle called Artavavaha Srotas. He has defined “Artavavahe Dwe” that means Artavavaha Srotas is present in pair and their Moola Sthana are Garbhashaya (uterus) and Artavavahi Dhamanya (uterine tube), injury

to these leads to Bandhyatva (infertility), Maithuna Asahishnuta (dyspareunia or intolerance to compulsion) and Artavanasha (amenorrhea).[8]

According to modern science the uterus is a hollow muscular organ located in the female pelvis between the bladder and rectum.[9] The ovaries produce the ovum that travel through the fallopian tubes. Ones the ovum has left the ovary it can be fertilized and implant itself in the lining of the uterus. It is a pear-shaped organ that plays a critical role in menstruation, fertility and pregnancy.

Aim and Objectives

1. Conceptual study about Artavavaha Srotas with its

2. Comparative study of Artavavaha Srotas and its Viddha Lakshan with modern point of view.

Materials and Methods

1. Review of Ayurvedic literature from Ayurvedic classics including relevant commentaries.

2. Relevant modern literature is also included for comparative study.

3. Other online information, journals, print media are also searched for according to the need of the topic.

Discussion

Ayurveda mentions the Garbhashaya and Artavavahi Dhamanis as a Mool Sthana of Artavavaha Srotas. Garbhashaya is responsible for the Artava’s creation, production and expulsion, from origin point of view. It shows same structural and functional characteristics of uterus along with ovaries and both have same pathological, clinical circumstances after injury.

Artavavahi Dhamani can be defined as uterine tube, oviduct and fallopian tubes that move Artava (ovum) in the direction of uterus during menstrual phase and ovarian and uterine vessels, Dhamana word defined as contraction, therefore in this study as through contracting fallopian tube conduct the ovum so it works like an Artavavahi Dhamani. Dhamani described as artery. Dhamani shows great importance because without Dhamani there is no nutrition in Artavavaha Srotas, no menstruation is possible and no conception has occurred.


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Durgeshvari et al: A conceptual review of Artavavaha Srotas and its Viddha Lakshan

Due to injury in any part of Artavavaha Srotas leads to Bandhayatva (infertility), Maithuna Asahishnuta (dyspareunia) and Artavanasha (menstrual disturbance).

Bandhayatva (infertility) is the first clinical feature of injury in Artavavaha Srotas. Infertility is not an independent disease; it is a symptom of so many diseases. According to modern medical science, infertility is when a couple of mature age cannot get conceive despite having normal coitus during appropriate of menstrual cycle regularly at least for one or more year. Ayurveda has defined Bandhayatva as infertility. Mention in Ayurveda specific role of Ritu (time of fertilization), Kshetra (reproductive organs), Ambu (nourishment) and Beeja (ovum and sperm) for the healthy progeny and any defect in these four factors leads to infertility. In modern medical science described various factors responsible for infertility like menstrual disturbance, hormonal imbalance, PCOS tubular blockage, genital tissue injury and genetic factor etc. The uterus has two types of tissue one is Endometrium that sheds each month with menstrual cycle and the other Myometrium. Both of these tissue types are sensitive to become tumors. Polyps are the pathological conditions which are formed when the lining tissue expands. Similarly, fibroids are the tumors caused by the proliferation of muscle tissue. Fibroids mostly produces abnormal uterine bleeding and infertility.

Maithuna Asahishnuta (dyspareunia), it has been described as the second clinical feature of injury to Artavavaha Srotas. According to modern medical science dyspareunia means that the coital act is difficult. Causes of dyspareunia depending upon the site of pain it can be superficial, vaginal or deep. Superficial is one where the pain is restricted to vulva, due to factors like tough hymen, vulvitis, narrow introitus etc. vaginal dyspareunia is burning pain along the barrel of vagina, either during or after intercourse due to factor like vaginal septum, vaginitis, secondary atresia, surgical scar tenderness and tumor etc. deep dyspareunia is when the penis penetrates deep into the vagina, due to factor usually involving pathology like endometriosis, chronic cervicitis, chronic PID, retroverted uterus etc.

Artavanasha (amenorrhea), it has been described as third clinical feature of injury to Artavavaha Srotas.

According to modern medical science amenorrhea is a defined as the absence of menstruation during the reproductive years of a women life. It is not a disease but a symptom of an underlying disorder of female reproductive system. The pathological causes of amenorrhea are uterine infection, tubercular endometriosis, ovarian causes, pituitary causes, hysterectomy malignant growth and tumor etc.

We can consider as Artavavaha Srotas to the entire female reproductive system. Because the any injury in any a part of Artavavaha Srotas there can be infertility, amenorrhea and dyspareunia. It can appear because of the injury of uterus, uterine tubes, vaginal wall cervix and their surrounding viscera.

The concept of Aratavaha Srotas can be understand through its function, origin point and symptoms produced due to injury [Viddha Lakshan] occurs in Aratavaha Srotas. Ayurveda and modern medical science accept that fertilization, implantation, nutrition and development of fetus take place in Garbhashaya. Any injury of Aratavaha Srotas cause symptoms like menstrual disturbance, dyspareunia and infertility and that is also accepted and well described by modern medical science.

Conclusion

The Artavavaha Srotas consist of various structures that are related to the female reproductive system. Artavavaha Srotas is found in female as described by Maharshi Sushruta. Artavavaha Srotas could be compared with female reproductive system because the root of Artavavha Srotas is Garbhashaya and Artavavahi Dhamanya. Here Garbhashaya is uterus and Artavavahi Dhamanis are the uterine tubes or arteries which play a role in suppling uterine blood and further in the menstrual process. Fertilization, implantation, nutrition and fetal development all of these take place in Garbhashaya and Artavavahi Dhamani. Any injury to the Artavavaha Srotas and its root causes symptom such as menstrual irregularities, dyspareunia, even infertility.

All of these are accepted and comprehensively described by modern medical science. So, we can conclude that, the concept of Artavavaha Srotas is well explained by modern medical science in term of female reproductive system as well as its anatomy, physiology, clinical and pathological conditions.


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Reference

1. Kashinath Shastri, Gorakhnath Chaturvedi. Charaka Samhita, Chaukhambha Bharti Academy, Varanasi, 1998, sutra sthana chapter 30/12.

2. Kashinath Shastri, Gorakhnath Chaturvedi. Charaka Samhita, Chaukhambha Bharti Academy, Varanasi, 1998, viman sthana chapter 5/25.

3. Kashinath Shastri, Gorakhnath Chaturvedi. Charaka Samhita, Chaukhambha Bharti Academy, Varanasi, 1998, viman sthana chapter 5/6.

4. Bhaskar Govind Ghanekar. Sushruta Samhita New Delhi, Meharchand Lakshman Das Publication, 2019, sharir sthana chapter 9/13.

5. Bhaskar Govind Ghanekar. Sushruta Samhita. New Delhi, Meharchand Lakshman Das Publication, 2019, sharir sthana chapter 9/22.

6. Bhaskar Govind Ghanekar. Sushruta Samhita. New Delhi, Meharchand Lakshman Das Publication, 2019, sharir sthana chapter 5/51.

7. Bhaskar Govind Ghanekar. Sushruta Samhita. New Delhi, Meharchand Lakshman Das Publication, 2019, sharir sthana chapter 5/55,56.

8. Bhaskar Govind Ghanekar. Sushruta Samhita. New Delhi, Meharchand Lakshman Das Publication, 2019, sharir sthana chapter 9/22.

9. Henry Gray Lippincott Williams. Grays anatomy. 39th edition 2005, pg. 1331, 48.


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