Abstract

RE-EXAMINING MUTRA AND MUTRAVAHA SROTAS: CLASSICAL INSIGHTS, MYTHS, AND MULTIDIMENSIONAL PERSPECTIVES IN AYURVEDIC PHYSIOLOGY

*Dr. Anagha H. A., Dr. Shrinath Mayur Vaidya

Abstract

Objective: Ayurvedic physiology views Mutra not as mere excretory waste, but as a dynamic Dravya central to Kledavaahana (the conduction and regulation of metabolic fluids). Article aims 1. To comprehensively examine the classical Ayurvedic concepts of Mutra and Mutravaha Srotas, including their definitions, functions, and interrelations with other physiological systems. 2. To critically analyze the physiological significance and contemporary understanding of Mutra, addressing prevalent misconceptions and highlighting its systemic roles. Data source: Classical data from Caraka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanag Sangraha, Ashtanga Hṛdaya, Madhava Nidana, Pratyakshashareeram. Contemporary sources are e -Journals and Pub-med articles. ABSTRACT Objective: Ayurvedic physiology views Mutra not as mere excretory waste, but as a dynamic Dravya central to Kledavaahana (the conduction and regulation of metabolic fluids). Article aims 1. To comprehensively examine the classical Ayurvedic concepts of Mutra and Mutravaha Srotas, including their definitions, functions, and interrelations with other physiological systems. 2. To critically analyze the physiological significance and contemporary understanding of Mutra, addressing prevalent misconceptions and highlighting its systemic roles. Data source: Classical data from Caraka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanag Sangraha, Ashtanga Hṛdaya, Madhava Nidana, Pratyakshashareeram. Contemporary sources are e -Journals and Pub-med articles. Review Methods: A critical literary review of authoritative texts and their commentaries was conducted, using thematic analysis and layered interpretation to model Mutra’s role from a digestive byproduct to a systemic facilitator. Supportive theme lines were identified in Pub-med articles. Conclusion: Ayurvedic texts portray fluid regulation as an intelligent, interconnected, and adaptive systemic process. Mutra is central to sustaining fluid homeostasis. This reinterpretation provides a deeper understanding of pathologies like Prameha, Sthoulya, Ashmari, and Mutraghata, affirming a holistic vision that bridges textual wisdom with modern systemic physiology. Mutra was revealed to be a multidimensional mediator of fluid equilibrium, acting as a transport medium and discriminator of non-essential fluids (Kleda). The Mutravaha Srotas were found to operate as a functional node coordinating fluid dynamics across five other channels, with dynamic adaptability evidenced by seasonal variations (e.g., increased urine in winter, increased sweat in summer). Key misconceptions were successfully debunked.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Mutra, Mutravaha Srotas, Kleda, Ambuvaha Srotas, Prameha, Fluid Regulation.