Kala Sharira

‘Kala’ can be termed as layer or sheathin the context of anatomy and structural understanding of human body. Locations, enumerations, examples, and clinical utilities of kala are described in ayurvedic classical texts like Sushruta Samhita, Sharangadhara Samhita and Ashtanga Sangraha. Kala can be noticed by their functions in the body. The primary function of kala is to hold, to support or to protect the body components (dhatu) and its related structures.

Contributors

Section/Chapter/topic	Concepts/Kala Sharira
Author	Kasar N.V.1 Mali S.1
Reviewer	Basisht G.2,
Editor	Deole Y.S.3
Affiliations	1 Department of Rachana Sharir, G.J.Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India 2 Rheumatologist, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. 3 Department of Kayachikitsa, G.J.Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India
Correspondence emails	drnileshvk@gmail.com, carakasamhita@gmail.com
Publisher	Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre, I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, India
Date of publication:	May 18, 2023
DOI	10.47468/CSNE.2023.e01.s09.138

Etymology

The Sanskrit term ‘Kala’ means time, a small part of anything, a symbolic expression for sixteen, and a black or dark color as mentioned in Panini.
A specific tin coating proceduretermed as‘kalyalepa’or ‘kalai’ is applied on utensils of brass and copper. ‘Kalai’ means white wash or tin. The main purpose of kalaiis to prevent utensils from rusting and oxidization.It serves as barrier between food and utensils. Similarly, kala is a barrier between body tissues (dhatu) and organs (ashaya) in the human body.

Definition and development of kala

Kala is the innermost tissue/viscera (dhatu) lining that separates it from the inner cavity (ashaya). It can also be considered as an interface between them. [Su.Sa. ShariraSthanaDalhana 4/4]
The sticky substance (shleshma) between tissue and its lumen (dhatu and ashaya) gets digested by its own dhatwagni and converts into a thin sheath-like structure known as ‘kleda’.[SharangdharaSamhita Purvakhanda 5] The kledaor moisture present in between dhatu and inner cavity(,ashaya)reacting to its heat gets converted into kala. Here, the term ‘kala’ refers to a small quantity of essence of tissue (dhatu) or tissue fluid (dhatu rasa) that oozes from it. It is similar with the liquid that oozes from tree after cutting. It envelops muscular tissue (snayu), mucus (shleshma) and serous layer (jarayu). [Ash. Sa. ShariraSthana 5/34]
For a better understanding of kala, it can be correlated with the section of wood, the thin layer that lies in between the core portion of a trunk and the outer thick bark of a tree. Similarly, the section on the fleshy part of the body reveals the internal structure ofdhatu. [Su.Sa. ShariraSthanaDalhana4/6] The word ‘snayu’ refers to fibrous sheath, shleshmarefers to the mucus membrane, and jarayuas a serous layer. Kala can be correlated with membrane, septum, sheath, layers of the body or cell membrane of each cell.
The topic of kala sharirais elaborated with different examples from the environment to illuminate the ideas and structure of kala. Intellectual visualization and comparative tools can be seen in the kala sharira description.

Number of kala

In samhitas, the total number of kala mentioned is seven. Only slight variation can be seen in their names. [Su.Sa. ShariraSthanaDalhana 4/4], [Ash. Sa. Sharirasthana 5], [Sharangdhara Sa Purvakhanda 5/6]. It is given in table no.1 :

Table no. 01: List of seven kala

Sr no.	Sushruta	Vagbhata	Sharangadhara
1	Mamsadharakala	Mamsadharakala	Mamsadharakala
2	Raktadharakala	Raktadharakala	Asrugdharakala
3	Medodharakala	Medodharakala	Medodharakala
4	Shleshmadharakala	Shleshmadharakala	YakritaPittadharakala
5	Purishadharakala	Purishadharakala	Antradharakala
6	Pittadharakala	Pittadharakala	Agnidharakala
7	Shukradharakala	Shukradharakala	Retadharakala

Kala is thin, sheath like structure covered by mucus (shleshma).Anatomically, it is a thin lining of epithelium or mucus membrane (that lines the cavities of viscera) and endothelium (that lines the blood vessels, ducts etc).As the transverse section of the wood shows its innermost tissue separated from the cortex by a thin layer, the same way one can study the structure of kala is by taking a section of tissue (dhatu). [Su.Sa. ShariraSthanaDalhana 4/6]

Characteristics

Kala is differentiated as covered with ligaments (snayupratichhinna), the continuation of fetal coverings (jarayusantata) and coated with mucus membrane (shleshmaveshthita). All these structures may or may not be necessarily present in each kala. Even one or two of the above-mentioned structures may be visible in the existing kala. This can be observed in cadaveric dissectionup to a certain extent. [Su.Sa. ShariraSthanaDalhana 4/7]

Various kala

1. Mamsadharakala: The first kala is mamsdhara kala. Within the mamsa dhatu, the network of vessels and nerves (sira&dhamani), tendons or ligaments (snayu), and capillaries (srotasa) are spread. To explain this structure,Sushruta correlated it with the lotus plant, as its stem and roots are firmly embedded in muddy water, similarly, branches of vessels, nerves, and capillaries are embedded in this kala [Su.Sa. ShariraSthana 4/7] [Ash SaSharirsthan. 5/35]. The mamsadhara kala provides anatomical support and forms the protective shield covering of all these delicate structures.[Su.Sa. ShariraSthana 4/7]
   Mamsadhara kala includes the innermost layer of skin i.e., dermis (mamsadharatwacha), superficial and deep fascia, intermuscular septum, epimysium, perimysium, and endomysium.
2. Raktadharakala/ asrugdhara kala: The second kala is raktadhara kala, which is found mainly in the blood vessels, sinusoids of the liver, and spleen. To elucidate this kala, a perfect simile is latex-yielding trees. If the branches of such trees are cut, we can see the milky sap coming out of them. Similarly, when the incision is given on the body, we can see blood oozing from it. From this, we can state that raktadharakala is located deep within the mams. [Su.Sa. ShariraSthana 4/9-10] [Ash. Sa. ShariraSthana5/36].
   The raktadharakala allows blood to flow through various blood vessels, capillary networks, and sinusoids in the liver and spleen. The tunica intima of blood vessels can be considered raktadharakala.
3. Medodhara kala:The third kala is medodhara kala. Medadhatu is present in all individuals, in abdomen and small bones.While large bones contain bone marrow (majja). [Su. Sa.ShariraSthana 4/11]Sushruta identified bone marrow (majja) of two types: red bone marrow (saraktameda) is seen in short bones and yellow bone marrow (peetmajja) is seen in long bones.
   Medadhatu is distributed all over the body, especially in the abdomen and small bones. Medadhatu of small bonesis called saraktameda. It is red. That within large bones is called peetmajja (yellow). Similarly, the meda dhatu inside the skull bonesand brain is called ‘mastulunga’.
   Hence, medodhatu is present over the entire body, especially in the abdominal region in the form of omentum, mesentery, and mesocolon. It can also be correlated with the endosteum of the bones.
4. Shleshmadhara kala: The fourth kala is known as ‘shleshmadharakala’. It is present in the joints, especially in movable joints (cheshtavanta sandhi). It is compared with the smooth functioning of wheel around its axis. The lubricant achieves this smooth function,allowing the wheel to move around its axis without friction. Similarly, the shleshmawith shleshmadhara kala present in the joint facilitates their proper and smooth action. Thus, shleshmadhara kala prevents excessive friction and permits free and smooth movements.This kala can be correlated with synovial fluid and the membrane of the joints.
5. Purishadharakala: The fifth Kala is purishdhara kala, also known as maladhara kala. In Sharangadharasamhita, this kala is calledantradharakala. This kala includes the viscera surrounding the liver, the biliary apparatus (yakrutasamantat), and small and large intestines. The purishdhara kala lies in the large intestine (pakwashaya), predominantly in the caecum (unduka). This part separates fecal matter (mala) and chyle (ahara rasa). The primary role of maladhara kala is the segregation of water and other essential and non-essential materials. [Su.Sa. ShariraSthana 4/16-17]
   This kala can be correlated with mucosal membrane of the gastro-intestinal tract.
6. Pittadharakala:The sixth kala is pittadharakala. It receives all four kinds of food; ashita(chewed), khadita(swallowed), peeta(drinks), and leedha(licked) from mouth to the stomach.It retains the food until its complete digestion in proximal part of the digestive tube up to the ileum. Further, the digested food is propelled toward the larger intestine. This digestion and absorption of food in a given time is accomplished by pachakapitta in pittadharakala. [Su.Sa. ShariraSthana 4/18-19] The pittadhara kala site is between the stomach (amashaya) and the large intestine (pakvashaya). This part of annavahasrotasais known as ‘grahani’.
   This kala can be correlated with the epithelium of digestive glands, enzymes, mucous membrane of the digestive tube, its villi, and lacteals responsible for digestion.
7. Shukradharakala:The seventh Kala is shukradhara kala, present all over the body of all living beings. Jaggery and ghee are present in the sugarcane juice and milk, respectively, but it is difficult to identify their presence. Similarly, the shukra is present in the entire body,and it can be understood only by its function. Semen is ejaculated through the male urethra during coitus.Shukradhara kala can be correlated with the inner lining of the seminal vesicle, ejaculatory duct, vas difference, epididymis and seminiferous tubule in the testis.
   It is difficult to quote references to shukradhara kala in females as observed in Ayurveda texts. But it may be correlated with the development of anasthigarbha (boneless embryo) formed by ejaculation in females only. It is mentioned in Shukrashonita Shuddhi ShariraAdhyaya.[Su. Sa. ShariraSthan 2/49]

Importance of kala in the prevention and preservation of health

The primary functions of kala are protection, secretion, and absorption.

1. Protection:
   The epidermis and dermis layer of skin, superficial and deep facia, and intermuscular septa can be considered mamsadhara kala. These structures protect and envelop the underlining tissues, muscles, vessels, nerves, organs, glands etc.
   The omentum, mesentery, and mesocolon are considered medodharakala. In contemporary science, the omentum is the policeman of the abdomen.Similarly, the medodhara kala works as the protective layer of abdominal viscera. And also, the endosteum and periosteum, the protecting layer of bone, can be correlated with medodhara kala.
   The synovial membrane and fluid within the movable joint prevent friction during its movement and protect the articulating ends of bones.
   The mucus membrane of the gastrointestinal tract protects the submucosal and muscular layer from hydrochloric acids and other digestive enzymes.
   Similarly, the meninges, pleura, and pericardium act as shock absorbers and protect the vital organs, brain, lungs, and heart. Also, we may consider the endometrium and hyaloid membrane of the eyeball in this context.
2. Secretion:
   The pleural fluid is secreted by the mesothelial cells of the pleura, the pericardial fluid by the serous layer of the pericardium, the peritoneal fluid by its serous layer, digestive juices and enzymes, cerebrospinal fluid secreted by choroid plexus, all these can be considered as secretions of various kala.
3. Absorption:
   The arachnoid villi and granulation of arachnoid matter absorb CSF from subarachnoid space. Similarly, the digested food (chyle) is absorbed from the intestinal villi.

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