CRITICAL REVIEW OF SIRA SHAREERA

Abstract

Concept of Sira is an important part of Ayurvedic Anatomy as well as Chikitsa, Sira Vyadha is Chikitsartha in Shalya Tantra. Origin of Sira is Nabhi according to Acharya Sushruta and Hrudaya according to Acharya Vagbhata. Sira spreads upwards, downwards and horizontally; there are Vata-Vaha, Pitta-Vaha, kapha-Vaha and Rakta-Vaha Sira each having specific functions. But no Sira carries single Dosha;  all Sira carry all the Doshas in it. Out of forty Moola Sira, each ten divides into one seventy five accounting for a total of seven hundred Sira in Sharira.

Even though the Mula Sthana has been stated as Nabhi by  Acharya Sushruta the direction of flow is not mentioned clearly; Acharya Chakrapani has described it as Deshantara Gamana but not the direction. Chalatwa is described as its characteristic; thus Sira can be understood as a superficial and less adherent structure. In embryonic period, vitelline veins and umbilical veins are exclusively related to umbilicus indicating Nabhi Moolatwa of Sira. While performing dissection, not all the Sira are appearing alike;  but the classification of veins on the basis of Dosha seem to be not  feasible in preserved cadavers. According to Modern Anatomy, veins are innumerable; thus seven hundred Sira in Sharira is not justified. The functions of Sira like Kriyanam Apratighata, Budhi Karmata, etc. can be justified in modern point of view.

Even though all the details of Sira are not complying with venous system; it is best correlated to veins of body. Pratyaksha is Alpa and Apratyaksha is Analpa; true knowledge can be beyond the scope of a preserved cadaveric dissection in Anatomy. Anatomical studies may continue to trace the proof for the different types of Sira in future and it may propose to be done with hydraulic dissection similar to dissection method described by Acharya Sushruta.