Basti ( बस्तिः)

The term basti in Ayurveda is used in 2 contexts. Basti refers to the urinary bladder in body and also it is the name of the panchakarma procedure performed with the help of bladder of other animals as a tool. Basti as an organ is one of the 3 vital organs known as marmas which highlights the importance of this organ in body.

परिचयः ॥ 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. Basti is a sadhyapranahara marma (if injured or afflicted can cause severe pain or death situated in the Madhyashareera (trunk region).

Basti is described by Acharya Charaka as one of the Trimarma which means three marmas (hruday 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.

पंचकर्मसु बस्तिः॥ Basti in Panchakarma

Basti also refers to an important Panchakarma procedure where classically Basti or the bladder of a certain animal was used to administer Enemas.

To read about basti procedure done in Panchakarma read,

Main article: Basti in Panchakarma (पंचकर्मसु बस्तिः )‎

निरुक्तिः॥ 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.

बस्तिशारीरम्॥ 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 (umbilicual region), guda (anal region), vankshana (inguinal region) , shepha (penile region) in the pelvic cavity.

The shape of the Basti is similar to that of alabu (bottle gourd/ pumpkin gourd). And the size is equal to that of the pit of one’s own palm.

Basti is developed from the saara bhaaga (the essence part) of Rakta and Kapha dosha. The Vayu forms the hollow shape of Basti during its development.

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.

बस्तिविशिष्टाः दोषाः॥ Doshas in relation with Basti

3 types doshas viz Vata, Pitta and Kapha control all the functions in body. Each and every organ is under their control and its function is primarily influenced by one doshas. In the same way, the function of organ basti is primarily under control of Vata dosha. Further, the type of vata known as Apana vata, which controls organs in pelvis, is closely related to Basti.

Apana vata

Apana vata is a type of Vata Dosha that has a role to play in the collection and excretion of urine. Apart from this, Basti or bladder is also known as one of the sites 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)

बस्तिअभिघातलक्षणानि॥ Signs of Injury to the Basti avayava | Basti abhighata lakshana

Basti being one of the vital organs in body, injury to it can lead to multiple signs and symptoms. These are briefly listed below,

• Vata-mutra-varcha nigraha (blockage of gas, urine, and stools or absolute constipation with urinary obstruction)
• Shula in vankshana, meha, Basti (pain in genital region, inguinal region and urinary bladder)
• Kundala (pathological movements of vata and mutra)
• Udavarta (reflux of vata dosha and mutra)
• Gulma (swellings and tumors)
• Stiffness in the umbilical region, and abdominal region.

मूत्रविकाराः॥Urinary disorders

There are 13 types of urinary disorders mentioned according to Acharya Charaka,

(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. Samh. 6.25-26)

मूत्रौकसादः॥ Mutrauksada

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

मूत्रजठरम्॥ Mutra jathara

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

मूत्रकृच्छ्रम्॥ 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.

मूत्रौत्संङ्ग॥ 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.

मूत्रसंक्षयम्॥ Mutra samakshaya

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

मूत्रातीत॥ Mutratita

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

अष्ठीला॥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.

वातबस्तिः॥ 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.

उष्णवात॥ Ushna vata

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

वातकुण्डलिका ॥ Vata kundalika

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

रक्तग्रंथी॥ 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.

विड्‍विघात ॥ 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.

बस्तिकुण्डल ॥ Basti kundala

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

सामान्य चिकित्सा ॥ General management

When the vital organ basti is afflicted by internally imbalanced doshas or due to any external causative factor, various diseases related to it are manifested as discussed earlier. Considering the common site of affliction i.e. basti, the doshas controlling its function etc some basic line of treatment is advised by Acharya Charaka as a general management for basti related diseases. It is discussed in short below,

• Uttara basti or urinary/ vaginal enemas are administered under controlled environment with medications according to the dosha.
• Varti or suppository application with dravyas like, pippali, apamarga, lavana etc
• Seka
• Poultice
• Administration of medicated ghrita or ghee/ clarified butter
• Intake of medicated decoctions of Kamala, utpala, Shatavari, Daruharidra etc
• Sudation
• Administration of medicated buttermilk, barley etc
• Administration of medicated milk (specifically in Raktaja affliction)