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Those who have supreme quality of Shukra dhatu in a body are identified by some characteristic features. These features are called as Shukra-sarata features (शुक्रसारता लक्षणानि). These features are manifested on various organs and body parts which reflect beauty and external appearance of a person e.g skin, eyes, teeth. Thus one can identify the quality of Shukra dhatu by assessing presence or absence of following signs in body.<blockquote>सौम्याः सौम्यप्रेक्षिणः क्षीरपूर्णलोचना इव प्रहर्षबहुलाः स्निग्धवृत्तसारसमसंहतशिखरदशनाः प्रसन्नस्निग्धवर्णस्वरा भ्राजिष्णवो महास्फिचश्च शुक्रसाराः|</blockquote><blockquote>ते स्त्रीप्रियोपभोगा बलवन्तः सुखैश्वर्यारोग्यवित्तसम्मानापत्यभाजश्च भवन्ति|| (Char. Samh 8.109) <ref>Charaka Samhita (Vimanasthanam Adhyaya 8 Sutra 109)</ref></blockquote><blockquote>saumyāḥ saumyaprekṣiṇaḥ kṣīrapūrṇalocanā iva praharṣabahulāḥ snigdhavr̥ttasārasamasaṁhataśikharadaśanāḥ prasannasnigdhavarṇasvarā bhrājiṣṇavo mahāsphicaśca śukrasārāḥ|</blockquote><blockquote>te strīpriyopabhogā balavantaḥ sukhaiśvaryārogyavittasammānāpatyabhājaśca bhavanti|| (Char. Samh 8.109)</blockquote>Meaning: The persons endowed with the essence of shukra dhatu are gentle (saumya), having charming yet decent appearance (saumyaprekshina), beautiful eyes as if filled with milk (kshirapurnalochana) and immensely exhilarated (praharshabahula). Their teeth are unctuous, rounded, firm, even and compact. They have prominent buttocks (large pelvic girdle). They have pleasant, unctuous complexion and voice. They are brilliant. They are liked by women for enjoyment, are strong and endowed with happiness, leisure, health, wealth, honor, and progeny.<ref>Available from Charakasamhitaonline.com</ref>

Those who have supreme quality of Shukra dhatu in a body are identified by some characteristic features. These features are called as Shukra-sarata features (शुक्रसारता लक्षणानि). These features are manifested on various organs and body parts which reflect beauty and external appearance of a person e.g skin, eyes, teeth. Thus one can identify the quality of Shukra dhatu by assessing presence or absence of following signs in body.<blockquote>सौम्याः सौम्यप्रेक्षिणः क्षीरपूर्णलोचना इव प्रहर्षबहुलाः स्निग्धवृत्तसारसमसंहतशिखरदशनाः प्रसन्नस्निग्धवर्णस्वरा भ्राजिष्णवो महास्फिचश्च शुक्रसाराः|</blockquote><blockquote>ते स्त्रीप्रियोपभोगा बलवन्तः सुखैश्वर्यारोग्यवित्तसम्मानापत्यभाजश्च भवन्ति|| (Char. Samh 8.109) <ref>Charaka Samhita (Vimanasthanam Adhyaya 8 Sutra 109)</ref></blockquote><blockquote>saumyāḥ saumyaprekṣiṇaḥ kṣīrapūrṇalocanā iva praharṣabahulāḥ snigdhavr̥ttasārasamasaṁhataśikharadaśanāḥ prasannasnigdhavarṇasvarā bhrājiṣṇavo mahāsphicaśca śukrasārāḥ|</blockquote><blockquote>te strīpriyopabhogā balavantaḥ sukhaiśvaryārogyavittasammānāpatyabhājaśca bhavanti|| (Char. Samh 8.109)</blockquote>Meaning: The persons endowed with the essence of shukra dhatu are gentle (saumya), having charming yet decent appearance (saumyaprekshina), beautiful eyes as if filled with milk (kshirapurnalochana) and immensely exhilarated (praharshabahula). Their teeth are unctuous, rounded, firm, even and compact. They have prominent buttocks (large pelvic girdle). They have pleasant, unctuous complexion and voice. They are brilliant. They are liked by women for enjoyment, are strong and endowed with happiness, leisure, health, wealth, honor, and progeny.<ref>Available from Charakasamhitaonline.com</ref>

== Function of shukra dhatu ==

== शुक्रधातुकार्यम् ॥ Function of shukra dhatu ==

Reproduction is the prime function of Shukra dhatu. <ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 11 Sutra 4)</ref> In Ayurveda this function is called as Garbhotpadanam (गर्भोत्पादनम्, Garbha (गर्भः)- Embryo; Utpadanam (उत्पादनम्)-generation). Thus, irrespective of the gender, Shukra dhatu present in the body is responsible for the function of reproduction. Apart from that, it also impacts the various psycho-somatic attributes like courage, lust, strength, pleasure, love and affection.<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 15 Sutram 5)</ref> It is closely related with human emotions and [[Manas (मनः)|manas (मनस् mind)]].  

Reproduction is the prime function of Shukra dhatu. <ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 11 Sutra 4)</ref> In Ayurveda this function is called as Garbhotpadanam (गर्भोत्पादनम्, Garbha (गर्भः)- Embryo; Utpadanam (उत्पादनम्)-generation). Thus, irrespective of the gender, Shukra dhatu present in the body is responsible for the function of reproduction. Apart from that, it also impacts the various psycho-somatic attributes like courage, lust, strength, pleasure, love and affection.<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 15 Sutram 5)</ref> It is closely related with human emotions and [[Manas (मनः)|manas (मनस् mind)]].  

== Causes of vitiation ==

== शुक्रदुष्टिहेतवः ॥ Causes of vitiation ==

Shukra dhatu can get vitiated by various dietary and lifestyle factors. Acharya Charaka has listed such factors under the causes vitiating Shukravaha srotas (शुक्रवह स्रोतसम्) i.e. channels for transport and transformation of shukra dhatu.<ref>Charaka Samhita (Vimanasthanam Adhyaya 5 Sutram 19)</ref><ref>Charaka Samhita (Chikitsasthanam Adhyaya 30 Sutram 135-139)</ref>  The causes are listed below,

Shukra dhatu can get vitiated by various dietary and lifestyle factors. Acharya Charaka has listed such factors under the causes vitiating Shukravaha srotas (शुक्रवह स्रोतसम्) i.e. channels for transport and transformation of shukra dhatu.<ref>Charaka Samhita (Vimanasthanam Adhyaya 5 Sutram 19)</ref><ref>Charaka Samhita (Chikitsasthanam Adhyaya 30 Sutram 135-139)</ref>  The causes are listed below,

=== Dietary causes ===

=== आहार हेतवः ॥ Dietary causes ===

* Consumption of incompatible food

* Consumption of incompatible food

* Excessive consumption of dry, bitter, astringent, salty, sour and hot (energy or heat generating) food.

* Excessive consumption of dry, bitter, astringent, salty, sour and hot (energy or heat generating) food.

=== Emotional and psychological causes ===

=== मानसहेतवः ॥Emotional and psychological causes ===

* Excess stress

* Excess stress

* Grief

* Grief

* lack of relaxation, confidence, intimacy/familiarity

* lack of relaxation, confidence, intimacy/familiarity

=== Lifestyle causes ===

=== विहारहेतवः ॥ Lifestyle causes ===

* Excess indulgence in intercourse

* Excess indulgence in intercourse

* Untimely coitus, coitus other than in vagina, or  

* Untimely coitus, coitus other than in vagina, or  

All these causes lead to vitiation of shukra as well as the channels that transport and transform Shukra dhatu.  

All these causes lead to vitiation of shukra as well as the channels that transport and transform Shukra dhatu.  

== Importance of Shukra dhatu in preservation of health and wellness ==

== शुक्रधातोः स्वस्थ्यरक्षणे प्राधान्यम् ॥Importance of Shukra dhatu in preservation of health and wellness ==

Shukra dhatu being the essence of all 7 dhatus has significant role in maintaining the overall strength of the individual. Vigour and vitality are the other 2 aspects closely related with the quality of Shukra in one's body. Moreover, Shukra plays the key role in the reproduction. Therefore in order to produce lineage of progeny, Shukra is the integral dhatu. The quality, health and wellbeing of the progeny depends upon the qualities of Shukra from which it is developed. Therefore health and wellbeing of not just that person but also his lineage rely largely on the Shukra dhatu of the individual. [[Vajikaran (वाजीकरणम्)|Vajikarana]] (वाजीकरणम्) therapies described as one of the 8 branches of Ayurveda deals with methods and ways to produce and maintain good quality of Shukra in one's body which provides basis for healthy progeny.  

Shukra dhatu being the essence of all 7 dhatus has significant role in maintaining the overall strength of the individual. Vigour and vitality are the other 2 aspects closely related with the quality of Shukra in one's body. Moreover, Shukra plays the key role in the reproduction. Therefore in order to produce lineage of progeny, Shukra is the integral dhatu. The quality, health and wellbeing of the progeny depends upon the qualities of Shukra from which it is developed. Therefore health and wellbeing of not just that person but also his lineage rely largely on the Shukra dhatu of the individual. [[Vajikaran (वाजीकरणम्)|Vajikarana]] (वाजीकरणम्) therapies described as one of the 8 branches of Ayurveda deals with methods and ways to produce and maintain good quality of Shukra in one's body which provides basis for healthy progeny.  

== References ==

== References ==

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