Changes

== Etymol0gy and definition ==

== Etymol0gy and definition ==

The word 'Majja' is derived from root word 'Majjan' which means to be immersed, drowned or submerged into something. Therefore in human body, the dhatu which is present inside the other i.e. Asthi dhatu is called as the 'Majja dhatu'. This has been explained in depth while describing the formation of dhatus in Charaka samhita. <ref>Charaka Samhita (Chikitsasthanam Adhyaya 15 Sutra 31-32)</ref>  

The word 'Majja' is derived from root word 'Majjan' which means to be immersed, drowned or submerged into something. Therefore in human body, the dhatu which is present inside the other i.e. Asthi dhatu is called as the 'Majja dhatu'. This has been explained in depth while describing the formation of dhatus in Charaka samhita. <ref name=":0">Charaka Samhita ([https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/ecaraka/?mod=read&h=majjA Chikitsasthanam Adhyaya 15 Sutra 31-32])</ref> Majja dhatu is thus defined as, the body component which fills the cavities of bones.

 

Majja dhatu is thus defined as, the body component which fills the cavities of bones.

 

== Panchabhoutikatwam ==

== Panchabhoutikatwam ==

Sneha dominant hence the mahabhuta having sneha dominant quality i.e. jalam is in abundance in majja dhatu

Sneha (Unctuousness) is the most important quality of majja dhatu described by Ayurveda acharyas. Sneha means the ability to bind something together. This is the characteristic feature of Jala mahabhuta. Hence the mahabhuta having sneha dominant quality i.e. jalam is in abundance in majja dhatu.

== Location of majja dhatu ==

== Location of majja dhatu ==

Inside asthi dhatu, eyes, joints

Majja dhatu is invariably present inside the cavities of bones as the name suggests. Majjavaha srotas i.e. the channels of transportation and transformation of majja dhatu are known to originate from bones and joints.<ref>Charaka Samhita (Vimanasthanam Adhyaya 5 Sutram 8)</ref> Also, since eyes are placed inside the cavities formed by bones of skull, those too are believed to be dominant in majja dhatu. The increase in level of majja dhatu is reflected in eyes where heaviness is experienced.<ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam ([http://vedotpatti.in/samhita/Vag/ehrudayam/?mod=read&h=parvasu Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 11 Sutram 11])</ref> Thus, majja dhatu is found in bones, joints and eyes.  

 

The channels of transportation and transformation of meda dhatu originate from bones and joints. [Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 5/8].

== Formation or utpatti ==

== Formation or utpatti ==

During metabolism, vata dosha produces hollowness inside the asthi dhatu. These hollow cavities are filled by adipose tissue(meda dhatu). The adipose tissue in hollow cavities of bones is known as majja dhatu (bone marrow).[Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 15/31-33]

The majja dhatu is formed from its predecessor asthi dhatu and meda dhatu ( धातु). During metabolism, vata dosha produces hollowness inside the asthi dhatu. These hollow cavities are filled by the unctuous extract of meda dhatu which percolates inside asthi through its minute holes because of porous nature of Asthi. In this way, the majja dhatu is formed.<ref name=":0" />

== Upadhatu of majja dhatu ==

== Upadhatu of majja dhatu ==

Sharangadhara considered hairs (kesha) as metabolic byproduct of majja dhatu. [Sha.Sa. Purva Khanda chapter 5]

Majja dhatu when subjected to the process of micro-transformation (सूक्ष्मपचनम्), it generates 1 more body component which is known as Upadhatu (उपधातु Metabolic by-product) of majja dhatu. Sharangadhara samhita (one of the classical treatises on Ayurveda) considers Kesha (hair) as metabolic byproduct of majja dhatu.<ref>Sharangadhara Samhita (Purvakhandam Adhyaya 5)</ref>

== Mala of Majja dhatu ==

== Mala of Majja dhatu ==

Unctuousness in eyes, skin and stools (akshi-twacha-vit sneha) are metabolic waste of majja dhatu. [Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 15/20]

During the micro-transformation of majja dhatu inside body and formation of upadhatus (उपधातु), one liquid form of substance is generated as a waste byproduct which is unctuous in nature. This unctuous or fatty substance which provides lubrication specifically in eyes, skin and stools is identified as the mala of majja dhatu.<ref>Charaka Samhita (chikitsasthanam Adhyaya 15 Sutra 18-20)</ref>

== Majja sara characteristics ==

== Majja sara characteristics ==

The persons having superior quality of majja dhatu are endowed with soft body parts, strong, unctuous complexion, and sweet voice. They have prominent (sthula), long (dirgha) and rounded joints. [Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/108] (https://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/index.php/Majja_dhatu)

 

 

 

Meaning: The persons having superior quality of majja dhatu are endowed with soft body parts, strength, unctuous complexion, and sweet voice. They have prominent (sthula), long (dirgha) and rounded joints.<ref>Available from [https://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/index.php/Majja_dhatu charakasamhitaonline.com]</ref> 

== Function ==

== Function ==

The functions of majja dhatu are providing unctuousness(snehana), strength(bala), filling of bone cavity (asthi poorana) and nourishment of its successor shukra dhatu (shukra pushti). [Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 15/5]

Puran i.e. Filling the cavities of bones is the major function of majja dhatu as described by classical Ayurveda treatises.<ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam ([http://vedotpatti.in/samhita/Vag/ehrudayam/?mod=read&h=pUraNe Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 11 Sutram 4])</ref> This provides strength to the asthi and ultimately strength to the entire skeletal framework and body structure. Along with that, being unctuous in nature it performs the function of lubrication, maintains unctuousness in body thus keeping check on excess Vata levels. Being predecessor of Shukra dhatu it performs the function of providing nourishment to shukra dhatu.<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 15 Sutra 5)</ref>

== Causes of vitiation ==

== Causes of vitiation ==

The channels of transportation and transformation of majja dhatu are afflicted due to the following causes[Cha. Sa. Vimana Sthana 5/18]

Majja dhatu is vitiated due to various dietary and lifestyle related causes. Ayurveda acharyas have listed certain causes that directly and adversely affect the channels of transportation and transformation of majja dhatu.<ref>Charaka Samhita ([https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/ecaraka/?mod=read&h=virudd Vimanasthanam Adhyaay 5 Sutram 18])</ref> These causes therefore vitiate majja dhatu as well. The cases are listed below.

==== Dietary causes ====

==== Dietary causes ====

Excess and frequent consumption of incompatible food (viruddha ahara)

Viruddha ahara : This is the concept of incompatible food exclusively discussed in Ayurveda. The food that is incompatible for body tissues and thus acts like a foreign body or toxin can be considered as Viruddha. Ayurveda described 18 types of such incompatible food. Any of these types of viruddha ahara when consumed frequently and excessively adversely and directly affect majja dhatu.

==== Exogenous causes ====

==== Lifestyle related other causes ====

* crushing injury

* Utpesha crushing injury

* excessive discharge causing pressure

* Abhishyanda excessive discharge causing pressure

* trauma

* Abhighata trauma

* compression

* Prapidana compression

== Importance in the preservation of health and prevention ==

== Importance in the preservation of health and prevention ==

* Longevity, strength, learning ability, wealth, understanding, progeny, and social respect depend upon superior quality of majja dhatu. [Cha. Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/108]

* Longevity, strength, learning ability, wealth, understanding, progeny, and social respect depend upon superior quality of majja dhatu. [Cha. Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/108]

[[Category:Ayurveda]]

[[Category:Ayurveda]]