CONCEPTS OF SEMEN LOSS AND DHAT SYNDROME

 

CONCEPTS OF SEMEN LOSS AND DHAT SYNDROME

Vedic and Hindu concepts

“Dhat” is derived from the word “dhatu”. The word “Dhatu” is a Sanskrit word which means “Metal” or “Elixir”.[3,18,19] There is description of seven “Dhatus” [Chyle (Rasa), Blood (Rakta), Flesh (Maans), Fat (Meda), Bone (Asthi), Marrow (Majja), Semen (Veerya)], out of which most important is “Shukra Dhatu (semen)”. In Sanskrit, semen is quoted as “Sukra” or “Veerya”. Ancient Vedic literature, believes “Sukra” as the force of life.[20]

There is description about normal semen in Charaka Samhita and Susruta Samhita as:

(normal semen is crystal like oily, slimy, thick, non-corrosive and sweet with honey-like smell).[21]

Ancient Hindu mythology believes “Dharma”, “Artha”, “Kama”, and “Moksha” as the basic supports of life. The word “Kama” stands for sexual life. As per Charaka Samhita, excessive indulgence in sexual activities, obstructing ejaculation of semen, sexual intercourse with impassionate women, black magic and overpowering sexual urges may lead to decline in sexual performance. It also emphasizes on dietary, age-related, injury and prolonged illness as other causes of sexual decline.[21] Charaka Samhita mentions it as below:

Charaka Samhita has depiction of semen loss or loss of semen-like substances in the urine in different names like-Shukrameha (semen in urine), Suklameha (white substance in urine) and Sitameha (sweet and cold urine).[17] Charaka Samhita also mentions that suppression of natural urges (defecation and urination) are abnormal as it may hamper the natural flow of semen and ejaculation of this obstructed semen lead to tiredness (called as ‘Avasadi’) which is mentioned[20] as:

Ayurveda, the most ancient medical literature also gives descriptions about semen loss. Ayurveda mentioned ‘semen is derived from marrow which is formed from flesh and blood in stepwise manner’.[17,21] Blood is formed from food. Therefore, semen is derived from food in a multistep process of purification and filtration. During each step of this process there occurs forty times condensation and ultimately one drop of semen is formed from 40 drops of bone marrow.[22] Due to these reasons, semen is considered as highly precious body fluid. It is also mentioned that semen attributes to physical beauty, physical strength (energy) and mental strength (intelligence and memory). Loss of semen leads to loss of happiness, loss of memory and loss of vigor.

Charaka Samhita and Susruta Samhita have also descriptions about semen and semen loss.[18] Charaka Samhita mentions the significance of semen and also depicts about different medications to boost it up.[20] As per Charaka Samhita, obstruction of semen (Veeryavarodha) by suppressing the erotic impulses gives rise to loss of libido in long run.[15] Similarly, loss of semen is described as “Sukra Kshya”. Both obstruction of semen and loss of semen over time give rise to impotence (Clibya/Klaibya).[20] Ayurveda mentions about substances and foods that lead to increase in libido (Aphrodisiacs) and also highlights the foods and behaviors to be avoided in order to prevent loss of semen and impotency.[15]

Impotency due to loss of semen is mentioned as “Shukra-Kshayaj Klaibya” which can be factually translated as “semen loss related impotency” which is depicted in Charaka Samhita is as below[21]:

Indian cultural attitude toward semen loss was also depicted in the famous book “Kama Sutra” by Vatsayana (300 A.D.) and it also emphasizes the vital role of semen in keeping the individual healthy. Due to this strong cultural belief semen loss is accompanied with fear and anxiety.[23] Ayurveda also puts restriction in sexual intercourse during the lifetime of an individual and emphasizes that one should not in frequent sexual intercourses with advancing age as it leads to loss of semen causing decline in vigor and vitality. It is also mentioned that loss of semen predisposes the individual to various diseases and even death.[24]