Changes

Shukra dhatu  is described to be of two forms in Ayurveda textbooks:  

Shukra dhatu  is described to be of two forms in Ayurveda textbooks:  

#The one that is ejaculated during the process of mating, which is responsible for fertilization of ovum and thus embryogenesis. This is semen in males.  

#The one that is ejaculated during the process of mating, which is responsible for fertilization of ovum and thus embryogenesis. This is semen in males.  

#The one that is formed from predecessor [[majja dhatu]] (the tissue that fills the bony cavities). This in turn circulates all over the body both in males and females.

#The one that is formed from predecessor the tissue that fills the bony cavities([[majja dhatu]]). This in turn circulates all over the body both in males and females.

Reproduction is the function of this second form of shukra too. Therefore, on careful examination, it seems that the first form of shukra stands for the semen in general and for sperms in particular; and, the second form of shukra stands for hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis of hormones that circulate all over the body.<ref>Patwardhan Kishor. 2018 [[Grahani Chikitsa]] Adhyaya available from http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/mediawiki-1.32.1/index.php?title=Grahani_Chikitsa#Vidhi_Vimarsha_.28Applied_Inferences_.29 accessed on 08/06/2020 </ref>  

Reproduction is the function of this second form of shukra too. Therefore, on careful examination, it seems that the first form of shukra stands for the semen in general and for sperms in particular; and, the second form of shukra stands for hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis of hormones that circulate all over the body.<ref>Patwardhan Kishor. 2018 [[Grahani Chikitsa]] Adhyaya available from http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/mediawiki-1.32.1/index.php?title=Grahani_Chikitsa#Vidhi_Vimarsha_.28Applied_Inferences_.29 accessed on 08/06/2020 </ref>  

*'''Annavikara''': originated  from the nutrient fluid (ahara rasa)

*'''Annavikara''': originated  from the nutrient fluid (ahara rasa)

*'''Majjarasa''': derived from the essence of [[majja dhatu]] (bone marrow)

*'''Majjarasa''': derived from the essence of bone marrow([[majja dhatu]])

==Meanings in different contexts==

==Meanings in different contexts==

Shukra is constituted by four elements-[[vayu]], [[agni]], [[prithvi]] and [[jala]](four [[mahabhuta]]) in equal proportion. It is originated from six basic tastes. [Cha.Sa.[[Sharira Sthana]] 2/4]

Shukra is constituted by four elements-[[vayu]], [[agni]], [[prithvi]] and [[jala]](four [[mahabhuta]]) in equal proportion. It is originated from six basic tastes. [Cha.Sa.[[Sharira Sthana]] 2/4]

The pure virile semen (shukra)is unctuous (snigdha),  viscous (ghana), slimy (picchila), sweet (madhura). It does not cause burning sensation in genital tract (avidahi).  It looks like white crystal quartz (shukla).[Cha. Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 30/146]

The pure virile semen (shukra)is unctuous (snigdha),  viscous (ghana), slimy (picchila), sweet (madhura). It does not cause a burning sensation in genital tract (avidahi).  It looks like white crystal quartz (shukla).[Cha. Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 30/146]

== Formation and metabolism of shukra dhatu ==

== Formation and metabolism of shukra dhatu ==