Majja (Bone Marrow) - An indispensable factor for theexistence of Shukra

Introduction

Arecent news reported on December 09 2019 that, after a bone marrow transplant, the recipient has only donor’s DNA in his semen. Chris Long an IT worker at Sheriff’s department had received a bone marrow transplant from a European stranger four years ago. The result of which has impacted on future forensic science. It made sense to them that after a bone marrow transplant, Long’s blood might contain donor’s DNA, but his colleague who runs a forensic lab at his office suspected that the transplant might affect DNA in other parts of the body¹ . Concurrent to which they started taking DNA samples from all parts of the body and found that Mr. Long had become a Chimer (technical term for the rare person with two sets of DNAs). The test swabs from Long’s lip, check and tongue showed DNA of both donor and the recipient. Surprisingly, four years down the procedure, samples of Long’s semen show only his donor’s DNA. Millions of people get bone marrow transplant for diseases such as blood cancer, leukemia, lymphoma etc. and the implications of Mr. Long’s case has conquered the attention of DNA analysts all over the world. This mechanism was found mysterious by few scientists and other bone marrow transplant experts.² As novel as this might look, from the Ayurveda perspective it’s a prevailing fact that Majja Dhatu (grossly correlated as Bone marrow) engenders Shukra Dhatu (Grossly correlated to Semen)³ . The principles inAyurveda are structured in a coded form and deciphering it to apply in the current scenario is the need of the hour.

Material Methods

All classical texts of Ayurveda such as, Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga hridaya, Ashtanga sangraha, Bhela Samhita and other relevant websites and journals are explored and the subject matter has been compiled.

Insight as per Ayurveda

Ayurveda explains, seven entities supporting and sustaining the body and are termedas Dhatu (Bodily tissues). These are categorized depending on the specific functions they take part in. With the potential of Ahararasa (food nutrient), the nourishment of respective elements materializes in a systematic order. Ayurveda explains detail mechanism involved in process of metabolism, where in the Ahararasa gets converted into Sara (essence) and Kittabhaga (waste end product). The Sara bhaga undergoes further digestion process and forms precursor Dhatu (Poshanamsha), nourishes successive Dhatu (Poshyamsha) and also supplementsUpadhatu. Each Dhatu are connected such that, every precursor Dhatu nourishes its successive Dhatu. In this order, Majja dhatu (Bone marrow) is formed from Asthi Dhatu (Bone) and in turn forms Shukra (semen). Majja is that which fills up bone cavity. Sharangadara opines that Majjapresent inside cranial bone is Mastulunga (brain) and that which is present inside long bones is Majja(Bone marrow). Shukra is the last Dhatu and doesn’t form any kittabhaga (Waste product) as it is the essence of all the other Dhatu.

Critical understanding of relation between Majja and Shukra

The relation between Majja (Bone marrow) and Shukra Dhatu (Sperm)is appreciated in all the aspect from their origin, Vriddhi–Kshaya(aggravation – alleviation), their involvement in a disease, the factors disturbing them, the treatment opted to bring them to normalcy andother aspects.

Origin

The Snehamsha (essence)of Majja dhatu is termed as Shukra⁴ and its Srotas (pathway) originate from Sthana (Breast), Mushka (Scrotum) and Majjaitself⁵ . Sthana and shukra both manifest completely at puberty. It can also be appreciated that similar factors such as contemplating (smarana), contact (sparsha) and other factors are responsible for the secretion of Sthanya (Breast milk) and Shukra (semen). Sthana is made up of adipose tissue which is considered under MedoDhatu in Ayurveda and the sneha part of Medas is called as Majja. Thus, the relation can be drawn between Majja (Bone marrow) and Shukra (Semen) with respect to their origin. As the fruit exists intangible in a flower, cannot be appreciated till it gets metamorphosed to an evident form, likewise, the Shukra present in the body will be subtle till all the Dhatu especially Asthi (Bone) and Majja Dhatu are completely manifested⁶ . Bhela Samhita also substantiate this fact that Shukra will be in its full potency in adulthood and decreases in old age where there will be Kshaya(loss) of all the other Dhatu⁷ .

Vridhi-Kshaya (Dysfunction)

It is comprehended that when there is Kshaya (loss) in Majja Dhatu, there will be AlpaShukrata (Loss/Less) furthermore, ShukraKshayais always associated with difficulty in production and ejaculation of semen, where in the ejaculate will be mixed with Raktaand Majja⁸ . The Sara lakshana (essence) of Majja Dhatu is characterized in humans with Uttamabala(power/ vigor), which is also encountered because of well-formed Shukra.

Disease condition

Acharya Sushruta does not mention Majja and ShukraVyadhiin detail owing to the reason that they are very less in number⁹ . One of the etiological factors causing disturbance to Majja Dhatu is consumption of incompatible food (Viruddhanna), and this is also the chief factor which affects Shukra Dhatu leading to infertility¹⁰. Klaibya (impotency) a condition characterized by loss of strength, acquired with Moha, and attains Tamas, elicits the relation between Shukra and Majja¹¹. Obesity presents with loss of libido and this could be understood that there will be obstruction at the level of Medo Dhatu compromising proper nourishment to Majja and thereby to shukra¹².

Treatment for both Majja and Shukra are collectively mentioned such as food with sweet and bitter taste, exercise, Vyavaya (coitus), purification procedures¹³. The Madhura rasa Ahara (sweet foods) increases all dhatu along with Majja and Shukra, whereas when there is increased condition of Majja and Shukra, foods with bitter taste helps to alleviate them¹⁴. Exercise keeps the body light, enhances metabolism and there by leading to Majja and Shukrapushti (Strength). All these treatments should be opted according to the condition and it is individual specific.

Discussion

In conditions wherein, the bone marrow isn’t healthy enough to carry out its functions, Bone marrow transplant is opted as a treatment. Bone marrow contains immature stem cells which have the potential to multiply and differentiate into other cell structures.The bone marrow cells are cultured in laboratory and are coaxed into becoming potential immature stem cells which are later transplanted into recipient’s body. Subsequent to the transplant these cells from bone marrow start multiplying and produce essential structures in the recipient’s body. Nonetheless, the bone marrow in recipient’s body, following the transplant is donor’s cells, thequalities of bone marrow remains inherent and it executes its innate functions of its original attributes to multiply and produce other bodily structures.

Conclusion

The concepts in Ayurveda are well tested and established facts which are true even in the present era. It takes a researcher to ascertain and understand the concepts as per classics and apply it to current circumstances. The description of physiology available in Ayurveda is complete and scientists and physicians must widen their gaze in order to understand in all its depth.