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Line 32: − === आयुर्वेददृष्टिकोणम् ॥ Ayurveda Viewpoint ===+ − + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − + − + − + Line 114:
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Both smrti texts clearly mention the time in terms of nights when a woman should be approached by her husband for union and the result of such an association (like male, female, twin children etc). It is said that union on the odd days (except 11th and 13th days) results in girl child if conceived and sons are born out of union on even days.
Both smrti texts clearly mention the time in terms of nights when a woman should be approached by her husband for union and the result of such an association (like male, female, twin children etc). It is said that union on the odd days (except 11th and 13th days) results in girl child if conceived and sons are born out of union on even days.
== आयुर्वेददृष्टिकोणम् ॥ Ayurveda Viewpoint ==
Bharatiya Ayurveda shastra has enlightened us on the aspects related to menstrual flow and important Ayurvedic texts - Charaka and Sushruta samhitas - have discussed this topic with a holistic approach. [[Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदः)|Ayurveda]] has always considered not just physical or mental health while assessing a patient; on the contrary it addresses the patient's constitution and the combination of Doshas involved in the physiological manifestations of a human body. Artava or menstrual blood is classified as the eighth dhatu<blockquote>रसादेव स्त्रिया रक्तं रजःसंज्ञं प्रवर्तते । .... आर्तवं शोणितं त्वाग्नेयम् अग्नीषोमीयत्वाद्गर्भस्य ७ (Sush. Samh. Sutrasthana 14.6-7)<ref>Sushruta Samhita ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5% Sutrasthana])</ref></blockquote>Described as one of the saptadhatus (seven dhatus), blood is different from Artava (आर्तवं) or menstrual blood in that the normal blood is said to be of "soumya" quality whereas Artava blood is said to be "agneya". Thus Artava is classified as eighth dhatu. So men have seven dhatus only whereas women have eight dhatus with the additional dhatu in the form of Artava or menstrual blood.<ref name=":4" />
Bharatiya Ayurveda shastra has enlightened us on the aspects related to menstrual flow and important Ayurvedic texts - Charaka and Sushruta samhitas - have discussed this topic with a holistic approach. [[Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदः)|Ayurveda]] has always considered not just physical or mental health while assessing a patient; on the contrary it addresses the patient's constitution and the combination of Doshas involved in the physiological manifestations of a human body. Raja and Artava are are the 2 terms mostly synonymously used to indicate menstrual blood, ovum, female reproductive hormones etc in Ayurveda.
=== रजः॥ Raja ===
The term Raja is very frequently used in [[Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदः)|Ayurveda]] and it refers to the menstrual blood of women in reproductive age group. Many a times it is synonymously used with the terms Rakta because of close resemblance in appearance to [[Rakta Dhatu (रक्त धातु)|rakta dhatu (रक्त धातुः)]] and Artava (आर्तवम्) because it flows out each month through the female reproductive tract. Raja is called a [[Upadhatus (उपधातवः)|upadhatu (उपधातु)]] of [[Rasa Dhatu (रस धातु)|Rasa dhatu (रस धातु)]]. It means it is generated when the Rasa dhatu is subjected to the process of micro-transformation (सूक्ष्मपचनम्) it is formed as a by-product of metabolism.
Ayurveda scholars have defined the nature and action of raja as follows,<blockquote>मासि मासि रजः स्त्रीणां रसजं स्त्रवति त्र्यहम्| वत्सराद्वादशादूर्ध्वं याति पञ्चाशतः क्षयम्||७|| (Asha. Hrud. 1.7)<ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam ([http://vedotpatti.in/samhita/Vag/ehrudayam/?mod=read&h=rasajaM Sharirastanam Adhyaya 1 Sutra 7])</ref>
Meaning: In women (of reproductive age group), Raja which is generated from Rasa (rasa dhatu) flows out for 3 days every month. This happens in her after 12 years of age and up to 50 years of age when it eventually depletes in the body.
रसादेव स्त्रिया रक्तं रजःसंज्ञं प्रवर्तते । .... (Sush. Samh. Sutrasthana 14.6-7)<ref name=":7">Sushruta Samhita ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5% Sutrasthana Adhyaya 14 Sutra 6-7)])</ref>
Menaing: Rakta (like constituent) which is called as Raja in women develops from the Rasa dhatu. </blockquote>Thus Raja in the term rajodharma refers to the menstrual blood while the the complete term rajodharma indicates menstrual cycle. The entire menstrual cycle is also known as Rtuchakram (ऋतुचक्रम्).
Ayurveda scholars have described in depth about natural characteristics of Raja or artva which indicate its pure nature and then 8 different types abnormalities of raja known as Rajodoshas (रजोदोषाः). Measures to manage the the disturbances of raja have also been discussed. .
=== आर्तवम्॥ Artava ===
The term ‘artava’ is used to indicate many different body constituents in different contexts in Ayurveda. It refers monthly periodic physiological uterine bleeding through vagina, with the duration of 3-7 days symbolizing the forthcoming fertile period; also used in some contexts for ovum and the functionality of female reproductive hormones also.[SAT-B.453]<ref>Available from http://[http://namstp.ayush.gov.in/#/index namstp.ayush.gov.in/#/sat]</ref><blockquote>ऋतौ भवति इति आर्तवम् |
Meaning: Artava means the one that is formed every month in a fertile period. </blockquote>The fertile period in a woman's cycle is known as Rtu (ऋतु). And thus the one that is formed in every fertile cycle is called as Artava. By this definition Artava seems very much similar to the ovum developing in each cycle. <blockquote>आर्तवं शोणितं त्वाग्नेयम् ७ (Sush. Samh. Sutrasthana 14.6-7)<ref name=":7" />
Meaning: Artava shonita (blood in the form of menstrual fluid) is predominant in agni (heat). </blockquote>Described as one of the [[Dhatus (धातवः)|saptadhatus]] (seven dhatus), [[Rakta Dhatu (रक्त धातु)|Rakta dhatu]] is different from Artava (आर्तवं) or menstrual blood in that the normal blood is said to be of "anushnasheeta (अनुष्णशीतम्)" quality i.e. neither hot nor cold whereas Artava blood is said to be "agneya (आग्नेयम्)" i.e. hot in [[Gunas or Qualities : An Ayurvedic perspective (आयुर्वेदे गुणाः)|guna]] or quality.
Some authors consider that Artava is classified as eighth dhatu. So men have seven dhatus only whereas women have eight dhatus with the additional dhatu in the form of Artava or menstrual blood.<ref name=":4" /> However, Ayurveda acharyas have categorized Artava into [[Upadhatus (उपधातवः)|upadhatu]] group and not [[Dhatus (धातवः)|dhatu]].<ref>Charaka SAmhita (Chikitsasthanam Adhyaya 15 Sutra 17)</ref> Therefore men and women all are believed to have 7 dhatus only. Raja or Artava which is [[Upadhatus (उपधातवः)|upadhatu]] of rasa dhatu is absent in men.
=== Rtuchakra ===
While menstruation is recognized as a natural physiological process, it divides the monthly cycles into Rtukala, Rtu Vyateeta kala and Rajasraava kala and each of these phases are predominated by a different Dosha.<ref name=":6" />
While menstruation is recognized as a natural physiological process, it divides the monthly cycles into Rtukala, Rtu Vyateeta kala and Rajasraava kala and each of these phases are predominated by a different Dosha.<ref name=":6" />
* '''Rtukala - Proliferative phase''' (12 - 16 days) during which follicles inside the ovaries develop and mature in preparation for ovulation. This phase is dominated by Kapha Dosha.
* '''Rtukala (ऋतुकालः) - Proliferative phase''' (12 - 16 days) during which follicles inside the ovaries develop and mature in preparation for ovulation. This phase is dominated by Kapha Dosha.
* '''RtuVyateetakala - Secretory Phase''' (9 - 13 days) during which hormones and nutrients are secreted in anticipation of nourishing the embryo if conception were to take place. This phase is dominated by Pitta Dosha.
* '''RtuVyateetakala (ऋतुव्यतीतकालः) - Secretory Phase''' (9 - 13 days) during which hormones and nutrients are secreted in anticipation of nourishing the embryo if conception were to take place. This phase is dominated by Pitta Dosha.
* '''Rajasraava-kala - Menstrual Phase''' (3 - 5 days) during which the menstrual blood along with the endometrium is shed from the body. This phase is dominated by Vata Dosha (and Apana Vayu).
* '''Rajasraava-kala (रजस्रावकालः) - Menstrual Phase''' (3 - 5 days) during which the menstrual blood along with the endometrium is shed from the body. This phase is dominated by Vata Dosha (and Apana Vayu).
== रजस्वला इत्याख्यानम् ॥ Name Rajasvala to Menstruating Women ==
== रजस्वला इत्याख्यानम् ॥ Name Rajasvala to Menstruating Women ==
== Discussion ==
== Discussion ==
The ayurvedic texts conclude that the paricharya prescribed for menstruating women will assist in the natural cleansing process and will restore health to menstruating women who face many symptoms from simple pimples to severe debilitating abdominal and lower backpain. The prescriptions aid by preventing any imbalance in the Doshas and nourish the Agni which is in a weakened state (Agnimandya) resulting in loss of appetite. Thus the diet prescribed is also simple and aids in rekindling the digestive fire. Doshas in ayurvedic terminology indicates the bodily attributes and it must be noted that the term does not imply "fault" of a woman.
The ayurvedic texts conclude that the paricharya prescribed for menstruating women will assist in the natural cleansing process and will restore health to menstruating women who face many symptoms from simple pimples to severe debilitating abdominal and lower backpain. The prescriptions aid by preventing any imbalance in the Doshas and nourish the Agni which is in a weakened state (Agnimandya) resulting in loss of appetite. Thus the diet prescribed is also simple and aid
\s in rekindling the digestive fire. Doshas in ayurvedic terminology indicates the bodily attributes and it must be noted that the term does not imply "fault" of a woman.
Restriction of other activities such as not sleeping during the day, not participating in strenuous exercises even household activities assist in fast healing of the delicate organs of a woman's body. These prescriptions primarily protect the woman who is the future mother, as her health effects the children born to her. It does not mean that each and every woman who does not follow the paricharya will end up having children who are afflicted with deafness, laziness or mental disorders. The gist is that the children born to such women are more suceptible to developing such conditions because of their exposure to the vitated doshas, while they were in their mother's womb.<ref name=":6" />
Restriction of other activities such as not sleeping during the day, not participating in strenuous exercises even household activities assist in fast healing of the delicate organs of a woman's body. These prescriptions primarily protect the woman who is the future mother, as her health effects the children born to her. It does not mean that each and every woman who does not follow the paricharya will end up having children who are afflicted with deafness, laziness or mental disorders. The gist is that the children born to such women are more suceptible to developing such conditions because of their exposure to the vitated doshas, while they were in their mother's womb.<ref name=":6" />