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Ayurveda describes a systemic inner transport system comprising of gross and minute as well as very subtle channels transporting not only biological fluids, nutrients and waste products but also energies and impulses in different biological settings. These are generically called ''srotamsi'' or channels. The ''srotamsi'' are innumerable but 13 gross channels are clinically approachable and are affected in different disease states with specific manifestations. These 13 gross channels comprise of three channels which transfer life-support substances from outside to inside the body and are called ''pranavaha, udakavaha'' and ''annavaha srotas''. Another three  channels perform gross excretory functions and remove feces, urine and sweat and are called ''purishavaha, mutravaha'' and ''swedavaha srotas'' respectively. The remaining seven channels are for sustenance of the seven primordial tissues or ''dhatus'' and are collectively called ''saptadhatus''.

Ayurveda describes a systemic inner transport system comprising of gross and minute as well as very subtle channels transporting not only biological fluids, nutrients and waste products but also energies and impulses in different biological settings. These are generically called ''srotamsi'' or channels. The ''srotamsi'' are innumerable but 13 gross channels are clinically approachable and are affected in different disease states with specific manifestations. These 13 gross channels comprise of three channels which transfer life-support substances from outside to inside the body and are called ''pranavaha, udakavaha'' and ''annavaha srotas''. Another three  channels perform gross excretory functions and remove feces, urine and sweat and are called ''purishavaha, mutravaha'' and ''swedavaha srotas'' respectively. The remaining seven channels are for sustenance of the seven primordial tissues or ''dhatus'' and are collectively called ''saptadhatus''.

   

   

Besides these gross channels, the living body has innumerable micro-channels responsible for secretion, synthesis and microcirculation of different life substances. According to Charaka, there are as many ''srotamsi'' as there are life-factors operating in the body.

Besides these gross channels, the living body has innumerable micro-channels responsible for secretion, synthesis and microcirculation of different life substances. According to Charak, there are as many ''srotamsi'' as there are life-factors operating in the body.

These channels are prone to getting vitiated and obstructed, a fundamental reason for all pathologies in the body-mind system. ''Ama'', the byproduct of diminished ''agni'', is the most common cause of ''srotodushti'' (vitiation of transport system). There are four broad categories of ''srotas'' morbidity viz. hyperactivity, hypoactivity, distortions and swellings, and diversions of pathway. It is imperative to conserve the integrity of the ''srotamsi'' for good health. Ayurvedic ''srotovijnana'' is a unique approach to the understanding of macro, micro and molecular dimensions of the inner transport system of the living body.

These channels are prone to getting vitiated and obstructed, a fundamental reason for all pathologies in the body-mind system. ''Ama'', the byproduct of diminished ''agni'', is the most common cause of ''srotodushti'' (vitiation of transport system). There are four broad categories of ''srotas'' morbidity viz. hyperactivity, hypoactivity, distortions and swellings, and diversions of pathway. It is imperative to conserve the integrity of the ''srotamsi'' for good health. Ayurvedic ''srotovijnana'' is a unique approach to the understanding of macro, micro and molecular dimensions of the inner transport system of the living body.

ityagnivēśakr̥tē tantrē carakapratisaṁskr̥tē vimānasthānē srōtōvimānaṁ nāma pañcamō'dhyāyaḥ||5||

ityagnivēśakr̥tē tantrē carakapratisaṁskr̥tē vimānasthānē srōtōvimānaṁ nāma pañcamō'dhyāyaḥ||5||

Thus ends the fifth chapter  - on the specific features of the ''srotas''  - of the [[Vimana Sthana]] in the treatise composed by Agnivesha and redacted by Charaka. [5]

Thus ends the fifth chapter  - on the specific features of the ''srotas''  - of the [[Vimana Sthana]] in the treatise composed by Agnivesha and redacted by Charak. [5]

=== ''Tattva Vimarsha'' ===

=== ''Tattva Vimarsha'' ===

=== ''Vidhi Vimarsha'' ===

=== ''Vidhi Vimarsha'' ===

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The chapter on [[Sroto Vimana]] deals with the subject of inner transport systems of the living body in a unique, holistic style and presenting almost a new way of understanding human biology. The living human body is comprised of innumerable micro and macro channels with specific functions. The tangible and intangible components of this ''srota'' system are responsible for transport and circulation of all kinds of biological fluids, energies and impulses. Charaka’s statement that our body is equipped with as many micro-channels as is the number of life events is an interesting way of looking at the circulatory system within the body. The subtle dimension of ''srotovijnana'' of Ayurveda seems to encompass all the minute structural and non-structural pathways and receptors which allow complex body functions. While deliberating on the micro-structural dimensions of ''srotovijnana'',Ayurveda does not forget to reflect that it is an applied bioscience that needs to be practiced by clinicians who may need to clinically examine the roots of these channels at a gross level. Hence, after initial reflection on the quantized microstructures, Charaka presents a very practical scheme of 13 gross channels or physiological systems for routine pathological considerations and for clinical examinations in a patient. Following two aspects need to be kept in mind to understand the Ayurvedic concept of ''srotvijana'':  

The chapter on [[Sroto Vimana]] deals with the subject of inner transport systems of the living body in a unique, holistic style and presenting almost a new way of understanding human biology. The living human body is comprised of innumerable micro and macro channels with specific functions. The tangible and intangible components of this ''srota'' system are responsible for transport and circulation of all kinds of biological fluids, energies and impulses. Charak’s statement that our body is equipped with as many micro-channels as is the number of life events is an interesting way of looking at the circulatory system within the body. The subtle dimension of ''srotovijnana'' of Ayurveda seems to encompass all the minute structural and non-structural pathways and receptors which allow complex body functions. While deliberating on the micro-structural dimensions of ''srotovijnana'',Ayurveda does not forget to reflect that it is an applied bioscience that needs to be practiced by clinicians who may need to clinically examine the roots of these channels at a gross level. Hence, after initial reflection on the quantized microstructures, Charak presents a very practical scheme of 13 gross channels or physiological systems for routine pathological considerations and for clinical examinations in a patient. Following two aspects need to be kept in mind to understand the Ayurvedic concept of ''srotvijana'':  

*The concept of cellular and molecular ''srotamsi'' is aptly reflected in the following verse:

*The concept of cellular and molecular ''srotamsi'' is aptly reflected in the following verse:

(The body is a network of ''srotasa''. There are as many types of ''srotas'' as there are corporeal entities.)

(The body is a network of ''srotasa''. There are as many types of ''srotas'' as there are corporeal entities.)

Ayurveda in general and the [[Charaka Samhita]] in particular presents its unique approach to the molecular physiology of the living body encompassing the entire range of micro transport tissues or channels, with the help of microstructure and nonstructural physiological mechanisms describing the same under [[Sroto Vimana]]. The bio receptors, the micro transport accelerator mechanisms and all kinds of designed micro barriers such as blood brain barrier etc. fall in the realm of micro ''srotas''. This could be easily compared with the contemporary information prevalent today in molecular biology.

Ayurveda in general and the [[Charak Samhita]] in particular presents its unique approach to the molecular physiology of the living body encompassing the entire range of micro transport tissues or channels, with the help of microstructure and nonstructural physiological mechanisms describing the same under [[Sroto Vimana]]. The bio receptors, the micro transport accelerator mechanisms and all kinds of designed micro barriers such as blood brain barrier etc. fall in the realm of micro ''srotas''. This could be easily compared with the contemporary information prevalent today in molecular biology.

*On the other hand, Charaka describes 13 gross channels from the applied point of view of pathology, clinical medicine and diagnostics which is routinely used in examination of a patient in clinical settings. It seems Charaka considers physiology as subtle and pathology as gross. As also mentioned in the introduction of this chapter, the described set of 13 channels are designed for following physio-pathological attributes, namely, three channels for intake of biologically needed material from outside such as air, water, food through three channels called ''pranavaha, udakavaha,'' and ''annavaha''. Besides, there are three other gross excretory functions associated with evacuation of bowels, urine and sweat through the three respective channels/systems called ''purishavaha, mutravaha,'' and ''swedavaha.''

*On the other hand, Charak describes 13 gross channels from the applied point of view of pathology, clinical medicine and diagnostics which is routinely used in examination of a patient in clinical settings. It seems Charak considers physiology as subtle and pathology as gross. As also mentioned in the introduction of this chapter, the described set of 13 channels are designed for following physio-pathological attributes, namely, three channels for intake of biologically needed material from outside such as air, water, food through three channels called ''pranavaha, udakavaha,'' and ''annavaha''. Besides, there are three other gross excretory functions associated with evacuation of bowels, urine and sweat through the three respective channels/systems called ''purishavaha, mutravaha,'' and ''swedavaha.''

Finally, there are the seven sustaining channels, one each for the seven ''dhatus'' or primordial tissues of the body namely ''rasavaha'', ''raktavaha, mamsavaha, medovaha, asthivaha, majjavaha'' and ''shukravaha'' for perfusion of the ''dhatus'' viz. ''rasa, rakta, mamsa, meda, asthi, majja'', and ''shukra'' respectively. Each of these channels has been described to possess a pair of base organs called ''mula'' which forms the origin of the respective ''srotas''.

Finally, there are the seven sustaining channels, one each for the seven ''dhatus'' or primordial tissues of the body namely ''rasavaha'', ''raktavaha, mamsavaha, medovaha, asthivaha, majjavaha'' and ''shukravaha'' for perfusion of the ''dhatus'' viz. ''rasa, rakta, mamsa, meda, asthi, majja'', and ''shukra'' respectively. Each of these channels has been described to possess a pair of base organs called ''mula'' which forms the origin of the respective ''srotas''.