Basti ( बस्तिः)

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Introduction

Basti which literally means to reside is one of the important Ashaya or organ entity in the Shareera. It is one of the dashapranayatana, which means is one of the ten vital sites in the body where Prana (precisely energy) resides. (char.shar.7.9). Basti is a sadhyapranahara marma(if injured or afflicted can cause severe pain or death situated in the Madhyashareera(trunk region). Basti also refers to an important Panchakarma procedure where Classically Basti or the bladder of a certain animal was used to administer Enemas. https://dharmawiki.org/index.php/Basti_(%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83_)

Basti is described by Acharya Charaka as one of the Trimarma which means three marmas (hriday or heart and Shiras or head being the other two). These three are differently explained because they are considered the root of the body, and the existence of the shareera depends on them. (char.sidd.9.3)

Acharya Charaka also considered Skandha Marmas or the marmas which are located in the Trunk region as important that of the shakha(extremities or limbs). Basti is one of the skandha marmas. (char.sidd.9.3)

Nirukti

According to vachaspatyam

Basti word is derived from the word “vas” and “tich” as a Pratyay or suffix

Which means to reside or stay.

As the function of the basti or urinary bladder is observed, that bladder collects the waste in the liquid form from all over the body, stores and expels it out from the body.

Anatomy

According to acharya Sharangdhara, Basti is located below the Pakwashaya(an organ entity correlated with the stomach). Acharya Sushruta states the basti is surrounded by naabhi, guda, vankshana , shepha in the pelvic cavity.

The shape of the Basti is similar to that of alabu sadrusha which means looking like butternut squash. And the size is equal to that of the pit of one’s own palm.

Basti is developed from the saara bhaaga or the essence part of Rakta and Kapha. The Vayu forms the hollow shape of Basti during its development. (sush.shar.4.26,27)

Basti is situated in the Madhya or the mid of sthula guda(rectum), mushka(scrotum), sevani(precisely perineal raphe), and the naadi or the channels carrying mutra are drained in mutra dhaara which is called as the reservoir of the urine. Acharya Charaka states this with a simile, just like the rivers are drained in the ocean the ambuvaha srotas(a type of strotas carrying urine) are drained in the mutradhara. (char.sidd.9.4-5)

Doshas in relation with Basti

Apana vata

Pana vata is a type of Vata Dosha that has a role to play in the Nishkramana kriya of mutra, which means Apana Vata helps in urine excretion or expulsion mechanism. Apart from this Basti or bladder is the sthana or location of Apana Vata.

(Thus, Basti is primarily afflicted with Vata dosha disorders and the best and the prime treatment for Basti and its related disorders is Basti karma or ayurvedic Enema)

Signs of Injury to the Basti avayava | Basti abhighata lakshana

(char.siid. trimarmiya siddhi.6)

Affliction to the basti or injury leads to,

Vata-mutra-varcha nigraha (blockage of vata dosha, urine, and stools)

Shula in vankshana, meha, Basti (pain in genital region, urinary bladder)

Kundala (pathological movements of vata and mutra)

Udavarta (reflux of vata dosha and mutra)

Gulma (tumors)

Stiffness in the umbilical region, and abdominal region.

Urinary disorders | mutra vikaras

There are 13 types of urinary disorders mentioned according to Acharya Charaka,(char.sidd.trim.25-49)

(the channels carrying urine originate from Basti(urinary bladder) and vankshana (kidneys) thus making mutra, Basti, and vankshana part of a system)

मूत्रौकसादो जठरं कृच्छ्रमुत्सङ्गसङ्क्षयौ|

मूत्रातीतोऽनिलाष्ठीला वातबस्त्युष्णमारुतौ||२५||

वातकुण्डलिका ग्रन्थिर्विड्घातो बस्तिकुण्डलम्|

त्रयोदशैते मूत्रस्य दोषास्ताँल्लिङ्गतः शृणु||२६|| (char.siddh.trimar.25,26)

Mutrauksada

All three doshas are aggravated in this disorder, the urine is thick, yellowish, or whitish in color.

Mutra jathara

Accumulation of urine in the abdominal cavity due to withholding the urinary urge. Here Vata dosha causes affliction mainly.

Mutra krichra

Correlated with dysuria, mutra krichra is caused due to dislodging of Shukra(seminal discharge) in the pathway while suppressing the urge of micturition during sexual intercourse.

Mutrautsanga

Due to Vata dosha affliction, mutra or urine is passed painfully and the flow is not uniform but in split form and there is residual urine accumulated in the shepha(penis), due to which there is enlargement.

Mutra samakshaya

There is a decrease in the quantity of urine output due to Vata dosha.

Mutratita

In mutratita, urine does not flow properly and with the thin stream.

Asthila

Asthila literally means stone, here in this disorder a tumor is formed due to vata dosha obstructing the normal pathway of urine, leading to distension og bladder.

Vata basti

Again a vata dosha disorder wherein there is pain and itching due to withholding the urine in the bladder for a longer period.

Ushna vata

Pitta and vata dosha are affected leading to a decrease in urine output, pain, burning sensation, and passing of reddish-yellow urine.

Vata kundalika

Due to vata dosha aggravation, the flow of urine is in a zigzag form, with heaviness, severe twisting pain, and stiffness.

Rakta granthi

Due to aggravation of Rakta, Vata, and Kapha Dosha, there is the formation of a granthi or a swelling leading to obstruction of urine.

Vid vighata

Due to vata dosha aggravation, the fecal matter changes its physiological pathway to urinary pathway leading to presence of stool matter through urinary tract causing pain and difficulty in urination with foul smelling.

Basti kundala

Kundala means circular, here basti or the urinary bladder gets distended manifesting severe pain, contractions, burning sensation while passing urine, heaviness.

General management | samanya chikitsa

(char.chik.trim.45-75) (char.siid.tri.50/58)

1.Uttara basti or urinary/ vaginal enemas are administered under control environment with medications according to the dosha.

2. Varti or suppository application with dravyas like, pippali, apamarga, lavana etc

3. seka

4. poultice

5. administration of medicated ghrita or ghee/ clarified butter

6. intake of medicated decoctions of Kamala, utpala, Shatavari, Daruharidra etc

7. sudation

8. administration of medicated buttermilk, barley etc

9. administration of medicated milk (specifically in Raktaja affliction)

References