This document discusses the Ayurvedic concept of Asthi, which refers not just to bones but also other hard structures in the body. It begins by explaining how Asthi is understood differently in Ayurveda than in modern sciences. It then provides definitions of Asthi from several Ayurvedic texts, noting that Asthi refers to any hard substance that remains after death. The document outlines the panchabhautic constitution, functions, types and locations of different Asthi. It lists the total number of Asthi according to different texts, ranging from 300-360. In summary, the document explores the classical Ayurvedic perspectives on Asthi as a broader concept than just bones.

1. Dr Gaurav Soni
MD (AYU)

2. INTRODUCTION
• The classical way of understanding Asthi is a bit
different from the present contemporary
sciences.
• Asthi can’t be merely correlated with Bones…as is
done habitually.
• Concept of Ayurveda, explains asthi in more
profound meanings and covering a larger number
of structures.
• Due to difference in the principle and thought of
what to be called Asthi ; there are certain other
differences also occurred specially in
enumeration.
Dr Gaurav Soni 2

3. INTRODUCTION
• It is a hard substance which remains left even
after most part of body has been decayed.
अस्यते इतत अस्स्थ| नऩु.
( अस्यते – अस ् धातु में कक्थन प्रत्यय ऱगकर अस्स्थ शब्द बन है )|
तस्मास्चिरविनष्टेषु त्िङमाांसेषु शरीररणाम ् |
अस्थीतन न विनश्यस्तत साराण्येतातन देहहनाम ्
tasmācciravinaṣṭēṣu tvaṅmāṁsēṣu śarīriṇām |
asthīni na vinaśyanti sārāṇyētāni dēhinām
(Su.Sh.5/22)
3Dr Gaurav Soni

4. DEFINITIONS
• According to Susruta it is substance which
remains even after else very part like flesh,
muscles etc. are shattered even after burying the
body after death. It remains as last identity of
person even after demise.
• According to Shabdastomkara- it is part of body
which remains till long period even after death of
body. “Hada” is synonym of Asthi.
• According to “Halayush kosa”, it is substance of
body which remains till last and is in whole body.
मासाभ्यततरस्थे हाड इतत|
अस्यते, क्षऺप्यते यत् अस्स्थ | (हऱायुध ् कोष)
Dr Gaurav Soni 4

5. Continue…
• Asthi is hard and stable Dhatu which gives
support to Mamsa, Peshi and Snayu .
स्स्थर कहिन अबऱम्बन धातु: शरीरस्य यत्र
प्रततिधयतते माांस ऩश्येयतता स्नायिश्ि ||
pratyaksa sariram
by gananath sen part1 chapter 3 page 14||
Dr Gaurav Soni 5

6. SYNONYMS
• Following synonyms are used for Asthi
Keekasa = hard, firm.
Kulyam = a bone.
Kapala = the skull, cranium, skull bone.
Astri = not feminine, masculine.
Medojam = which is produced from meda.
Dr Gaurav Soni 6

7. ASTHI DHATU
• Dhatus are the tissue-humoral systems of the
body.
• They are always formed in a fixed sequence.
• In different permutations and combinations the
Dhatus form various physical organs of the body
according to the genetically coded information’s.
• It is one among the Sapta Dhatus which are
present in the Sharira.
• Form of Dhatu which is present inside the
Mamsa Dhatu is known as Asthi.
Dr Gaurav Soni 7

8. PANCHABHAUTIKACONSTITUTION
• Though every substance is made of all five Mahabhutas
(Akasha, Vayu, Agni, Jala and Prithivi), but Asthi has
predominance of Prithivi and Vayu Mahabhuta.
• As we have seen that Asthi has predominance of Prithvi
and Vayu Mahabhuta, Asthi Dhatu thus comprises
qualities of these two dominantly.
• As per qualities of Prithvi Mahabhuta, Asthi is
strong and heavy and as per qualities of Vayu
Mahabhuta,Asthi is dry and rough.
• Thus, both these Mahabhuta give characteristic
qualities like strongness, roughness, dryness and
hardness .
Dr Gaurav Soni 8

9. ASTHI KARMA
• The Asthi Karmas are as follows
• Deha Dharana.
• Majja Pushti.
• Asthi supports the Mamsa, Sira and
Snayu
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10. ASTHI MALA
• During the formation of any Dhatu it will
produce their own Mala. Similarly Asthi also
has Mala, as per different texts-
Dr Gaurav Soni 10

11. ASTHI SANKHYA
Dr Gaurav Soni 11
S.no Text books Numbers
1. Charaka Samhita 360
2. Sushruta Samhita 300
3. Astanga Hrudaya 360
4. Astanga Sangraha 360
5. Bhavaprakasha 300
6. Kashyapa Samhita 360
7. Bhela Samhita 360

12. DISTRIBUTION
The distributions of Asthi in the Shadanga of
Sharira (Regional ) are as follows:
• According to Sushruta Samhita .
• Shaakha : 120
• Shroni, Parshva, Prushtha, Uras: 117
• Greevordhva : 63
• According to Ashtanga Sangraha .
• Shaakha :140
• Madhya Sharira:120
• Urdhva Sharira: 100
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13. ASTHI BHEDAS (TYPES)
• Depending upon size, shape, position of Asthi
in the body total Asthi is divided into five
types. These are tabulated below-
Dr Gaurav Soni 13
S.no Types S.S A.S A.H. B.P
1 Kapala + + + +
2 Ruchaka + + + +
3 Taruna + + + +
4 Valaya + + + +
5 Nalaka + + + +

14. ASTHI BHEDAS (TYPES)
The meaning of particular type-
• Kapala-Asthi - These are flat in nature. Literally it means bone which covers
and protects the brain .
• Valaya-Asthi - These are round in shape or particularly hemi circle in shape.
• Taruna-Asthi - These are soft in nature . Literally it means which have either
not fully developed i.e. ossified. Also the bones of child have come under same
scenario.
• Nalika-Asthi - These are long like tubes and hollow from within. They are
reed shaped.
• Ruchaka-Asthi - The bones which are different from all and are utilized to
chew food and enjoy the taste. These are for taste sensation.
Dr Gaurav Soni 14

15. THE LOCATIONS OF EACH TYPE
1) Kapala- Asthi’s present in the Janu, Nitamba, Amsa, Ganda, Talu,
Shankha, Vankshana and Madhyashira are known as Kapala Asthi.
2) Valaya- Asthi in Pani, Pada, Uru, Parshva and Prustha are Valayasthi .
Some commentator’s don’t agree with it as they count some other bones in
this category as Pada, Hasta, Griva and Prishsta .
3) Taruna- Asthi’s present in the Ghrana, Karna, Greeva and Akshikuta are
called as TarunAsthi . Bhoja also added Kantha in list.
4) Nalaka- Asthi’s which are left from above description is listed in this type
. Commentators like Dalhana and Bhoja have specified some of bones like
Hasta Anguli, Pada Anguli, Pada Tala, Kurcha , Bahu Asthi, Jangha Asthi
etc in examples of this type. Typically bones of extremities are Nalaka-
Asthi
5) Ruchaka- The Dashanas are known as RuchakAsthi. These are 28 or 32 in
all. So, here Ruchaka i.e. Danta (teeth) are also regarded as Asthi along
with various other stiff parts.
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16. ASTHI AND THEIR SANKHYA
ACCORDING TO CHARAKA
Dr Gaurav Soni 16
S.NO ASTHI NUMBER
1 Danta 32
2 Dantaulukhala 32
3 Nakha 20
4 Anguli 60
5 Salaka 20
6 Salaka-Asdhisthana 4
7 Parsni 2
8 Gulpha 4
9 Manika 4
10 Aratni 4
11 Jangha 4
12 Janukapal 2
13 Kapalika 2
14 Uru-Nalaka 2
15 Bahu-Nalaka 2
16 Amsa-Phalaka 2

17. ASTHI AND THEIR SANKHYA
ACCORDING TO CHARAKA
Dr Gaurav Soni 17
17 Aksaka 2
18 Sroni-Phalaka 2
19 Bhag-Asthi 1
20 Prsthagat-Asthi 45
21 Uras 14
22 Parsvaka 24
23 Sthalaka 24
24 Arbuda 24
25 Griva 15
26 Jatru 1
27 Talusaka 2
28 Hanv-Asthi 1
29 Hanu-Mula-Bandhana 2
30 Nasika-Gandakuta-Lalata 1
31 Sankha 2
32 Sirah-Kapala 4
Total 360

18. ASTHI AND THEIR SANKHYA
ACCORDING TO SUSRUTA
Dr Gaurav Soni 18
S.NO ASTHI NUMBER
1 Anguli 60
2 Tala 20
3 Kurca 20
4 Gulpha
5 Parsni 4
6 Jangha 8
7 Janu 4
8 Uru 4
9 Sroni 5
10 Parsva 72
11 Prstha 30
12 Uras 8
13 Aksaka/Amsaphalka 2

19. ASTHI AND THEIR SANKHYA
ACCORDING TO SUSRUTA
Dr Gaurav Soni 19
14 Griva 9
15 Kantha-nadi 4
16 Hanu 2
17 Danta 32
18 Nasa 3
19 Talu 1
20 Ganda 2
21 Karna 2
22 Sankha 2
23 Siras 6
Total 300

20. Dr Gaurav Soni 20

21. THANKS
Dr Gaurav Soni 21