PG Module 8

INTRODUCTION

Raktamokṣaṇa is the procedure of letting out of the blood from the body in a measured way. The different pañcakarma procedures so mentioned like Vamana, Virecana, ĀsthāpanaVasti,   Nasya are meant for the elimination of vitiated doṣas. Apart from that Raktamokṣa is meant for the elimination of Rakta. Since, Rakta is an important factor for life, Raktamokṣaṇa is also one of the main Śodhana Cikitsā. 

Raktamoshana is made of two words i.e., Rakta +Mokṣaṇa . Therefore, synonyms of Raktamokṣaṇa includes:

Asra visruti, Śoṇitamokṣaṇa , rakta nirharaṇa, rakta cheda, rakta mokṣa, rakta srāvaṇa, sirā mokṣa, rakta visrāvaṇa, rudira srāvaṇa, rakta haraṇa, rakta avasechana, sirā karma, sirā vyadha, etc.

DEFINITION

The śodhana method that performed by the eliminating the vitiated blood, to bring the normalcy in the body is known as Raktamokṣaṇa.

IMPORTANCE OF RAKTAMOKṢAṆA  

शीतोष्णस्निग्धरूक्षाद्यैरुपक्रान्ताश्च ये गदाः|

सम्यक् साध्या न सिध्यन्ति रक्तजांस्तान् विभावयेत्||[i]

Raktamokṣaṇa is the treatment modality that can be utilised for the diseased that doesn’t get subsided by treating with Snigdha, Rūkṣa, Śīta or Uṣṇa upakramas.

त्वग्दोषा ग्रन्थयः शोफा रोगाः शोणितजाश्च ये |

रक्तमोक्षणशीलानां न भवन्ति कदाचन ||३४||[ii]

Those who are undergoing Raktamokṣaṇa at the proper interval of time in a judicious way, will not be afflicted with Tvak Doṣa. Granthi, Śopha and other Raktaja Vikaras.

 तद्विशुद्धं हि रुधिरं बलवर्णसुखायुषा|

युनक्ति प्राणिनं प्राणः शोणितं ह्यनुवर्तते||४||[iii]

The blood that becomes purified by Raktamokṣaṇa is responsible for the endowment of strength, complexion, happiness and a long life.

सिराव्यधश्चिकित्सार्धं शल्यतन्त्रे प्रकीर्तितः |

यथा प्रणिहितः सम्यग्बस्तिः कायचिकित्सिते ||२३||[iv]

Sirāvyadha is considered as Ardha Cikitsā in Śalya Tantra, like that of a Samyak yojana of the Basti Karma in Kāya cikitsā.

यानीहोक्तानि कर्माणि विसर्पाणां निवृत्तये|

एकतस्तानि सर्वाणि रक्तमोक्षणमेकतः||[v]

Raktamokṣaṇa is considered as best treatment for Visarpa. It is having the curative effect in Visarpa as equal to sum of all the other therapies. This shows the significance of Raktamokṣaṇa in Visarpa.

[i] Ca. Su. 24/17

[ii] Su. Sū. 14/34

[iii] Ca. Sū. 24/4

[iv] Su. Śā. 8/23

[v] C. Chi. 21/141

Raktamokṣaṇa is classified into Śastra and Aśastravisrāvaṇa. Śastravisrāvaṇa is again classifies into Pracchāna and Sirāvyadha.

शस्त्रविस्रावणं द्विविधं– प्रच्छानं, सिराव्यधनं च || [i]

Whereas, Aśastravisrāvaṇa can be again classified into 4 types:

• Śṛṅga
• Alābu
• Ghaṭī Yantra
• Jalaukā

[i] Su. Sū. 14/25