Introduction

Our great Acharyas created and discovered Ayurveda, a treasure trove of wisdom. We need to be knowledgeable about Sharira and Ayurveda in order to comprehend and use this knowledge correctly. The structural entities known as Sira and Dhamani are responsible for carrying the Doshas, which are allocated the Kriyasamarthya (action potential). However, the ancient Acharya advocated for structural scientific knowledge of life. The knowledge of Rachana Sharira (anatomy) is required for students of any system of medicine. Although they have been used interchangeably, they are all distinct. In general sira and dhamani means blood vessels. Because of the descriptions in the Sushrut Samhita about the methods for studying anatomy, cadaver dissection, Dhamani, Sira, Srotas, Marma etc., Acharya Sushruta is regarded as the father of surgery. He has placed a greater focus on practical knowledge. Words like "Moola of Srotas" "Nabhinadi," and others are used frequently in the Sushrut Samhita. The up-coursing Dhamani tend to preserve the body's integrity by carrying out certain bodily functions related to sound, touch, taste, smell, sneezing, laughter, speaking, etc. Flatus, urine, stool, semen, and contained food are all conveyed downward through the descending Dhamanis. It is important that the conveyance of Rasa is verified to the Dhamanis alone. Dhamanis spread Rasa throughout the body and fill it with air. Conversely, Dhamanyath Anilapuranath Dhamani discusses the related construction of arteries in technical terms, but we have to restrict the concept of palpable arteries when we include the word "Nadi," which is also an artery.

The Atharvaveda refers to Dhamanis which are duct with thick wall equivalent to arteries, Siras - which are duct with thin wall equivalent to vein and still finer ducts are referred to as Snayu similar to capillaries. Acharya Charaka starts from the root meaning of Dhamani. Dhamani is pipe like structure or tubular vessels or canal of the human body which starts from heart or from umbilicus on supported to carry Rasa. Dhamani's etymological meaning is derived from the Sanskrit verb ‘Dhamyatiti’, which means ‘to expand’. ‘Dhamanaat Dhamanyaha’^[1] says Acharya Charaka, ‘the one who has the distinguishing traits of pulsation is Dhamani’. ‘Dhamanat Pooranaat Baahyena Rasaadenetyartaha’^[2]

Materials and Methods

The literature on Dhamani collected from all available classical as well as modern text, the present study depends on the data collected from Ayurvedic Samhitas and modern books, national and international journals, previous work done, paper presented, magazines, etc. data studied, reviewed and the appropriate conclusion have been withdrawn from reviewed literature. Scholar tried to identify and understand the term used in ancient literature. This article will be help to know about Dhamanis from ancient science.

Development of Dhamani

Acharya Sushruta has used the word "Nabhiprabhava".^[6-8] This is because in the intrauterine period the arteries and the vein start from the fetal umbilicus, thus the word Nabhiprabhava came into being. Sometimes the word Nabhi is used in the sense of heart but Charak, Ashtansangrah, Ashtanghridaya have shifted their view about the origin of Dhamanis from Nabhi to Hridaya.

• Charak has also mentioned in his 30th chapter of sutrasthana that Dhamanis arise from the heart.^[9]
• Sushruta safely commented that the Dhamanis are vessels that originate from Nabhi only during fetal life, post-birth, the Dhamanis are directly connected to the heart. The blood vessels develop between the endoderm and the mesoderm of the yolk sac.
• According to Ashtang Sangraha Sharira 6/9, there are twenty-four Dhamani; they provide nourishment to the entire body, similar to canals carrying water supplying nourishment to a vast plot of land; the Nabhi is surrounded by them (Dhamani), just as an axle hole is surrounded by spokes (of a wheel); life is designed to dwell at that umbilicus (centre); thus, it is the seat of internal fire.^[10]
• Bhavprakash further stated that Dhamanis are twenty-four in number and are descended from Nabhi (24), ten spread upwards, ten below, and four in various directions from among them. These capillaries feature tiny openings through which Rasa (nutrients) flow, very similar to the pores found in the blossom stalk of a lotus flower.

Conclusion

Some researchers compare Dhamani to nerves, while others compare it to arteries, based on their number and function in the text, despite differences in opinion over its identity and purpose. Dhamani's structural media for carrying nutritious components is one of their features. According to the Dhamani, throbbing signifies both health and the existence of life. All throughout life, the Dhamanis are Panchabhutika, which facilitate communication between the sense organ and its corresponding object. Dhamani being composed of Panchmahabhuta (five primary elements) pervade (join with) the Panchendriyas (five sense organs), five times (once in each sense organ): after thus uniting (joining) the Panchendriyas (five sense organs) these attain Panchatva (merge into five elements, in other words destruction) at the time of death (of the body). According to the definition that Dhamanis are named because they pulse, authors compare Dhamani to arteries. The literature research and discussion lead to the conclusion that Dhamani should be interpreted as an artery.