FUNCTIONS OF TWACHA:

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1.   Lepana: -

Most important function of Mamsa dhatu.Skin is the Upadhatu of Mamsa which covers whole body and protects body.

2.           Maintenance of complexion of skin: –

Bhrajaka Pitta is present in the skin, which maintains normal colour of skin. Skin is permeable to oils and fats. Medicated  oils and fats which are applied during Abhyanga, are absorbed through the skin and digested by Bhrajaka pitta.

3.           Conduction of touch: –

 Skin is a seat of Vata dosha, function of Vata dosha is to conduct touch impulse.

TWACHA UTAPATTI

        The process of formation and development of Twacha is described by various Ayurvedic granthas. But to understand it, first Garbhanirman should be considered, the process of formation and development of Garbha.

v    Formation and Development of Garbha:

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       Foetus is formed by fertilization of Sukra and Shonita along with Aatma.In this way, in Fourth chapter of Sharirsthana of Charak Samhita, process of Garbha formation and its Development is described.

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Also Aacharya Charaka said that Twacha is a matrujabhava because it is coming through ovum.

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But Acharya Sushruta in fifth chapter of Sharirsthana describes his own view about the formation and development of Garbha. According to him along with Sukra, Shonita and Aatma the other three elements Ashta Prakuti and Shodasha Vikara are involved in the process of formation and development of Garbha.

v  FORMATION OF TWACHA :

Formation of Twacha by Ayurvedic texts describes as follows:

A) CHARAK SAMHITA :

Aacharya Charaka has described Mansa-shonita upachaya that is increased of Mansa in fifth month of Intra uterine life while Bal-varna upachaya that is Varna utapati in sixth month of Intra uterine life form these it is clear that Twacha is developed in sixth month.

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Twacha is updhatu of mansadhatu it is formed during conversion of Mansadhatu into Medo dhatu by Mansadhatwagni.In Charak only few references are found regarding development of Twacha, however Sushruta decribed it elaborately.

B] SUSHRUTA SAMHITA:

 In ‘Garbha Vyakarna sharir’, Sushruta described formation of Twacha.

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After the fertilization of Sukra and Shonita along with Chetana (jiva) embryo formation and development get started .Here Sushruta compares formation of Twacha in embryo (Garbha) by giving an example of formation of creamy layer over the surface of boiled milk.

C] ASHTANGA SANGRAHA :

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       In fifth chapter of sharirsthana acharya Vagbhata has described the concept of formation and development of Twacha in detail. He also compared the formation of Twacha with the formation of creamy layer over the surface of boiled milk as similar to sushruta. But the main difference according to Vagbhata in formation of Twacha is mentioned from the metabolism of Rakta dhatu.

        To explain the concept of Twacha formation Indu in his commentary “Shashi lekha” described the concept as follows.

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There are six stara of Twacha present in the body. Twacha is formed when Rakta dhatu is metabolised by its own agni. The layers of skin appear over outer surface of embryo similarly as creamy layer over the surface of milk.

        Indu explains the appearance and arrangement of skin layers by giving an example of ‘Kadalidal’ that is stem of Banana which has several layers, which are arranged in systematic manner. He said Twacha is formed from Sara that is prasad bhaga of rakta. Shiny and lustrous appearance of Twacha depends on Raktadhatu.

E] ASHTANGA HRIDYA:

        In ‘Ashtanga Vibhag Sharir’ Aacharya Vagbhata mentioned concept of formation and development of Twacha, similar to that of Ashtang Sangraha. Hemadri in his commentary ‘Ayyurved Rasayna ‘depicts the same.

  F] BHAVPRAKASH:

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Aacharya Bhavaprakash in its Poorvakhand ‘Garbha Prakarna’ quoted his view regarding the formation of Twacha. He said Twacha is formed by Pachan that is metabolism of shukra and Rasa dhatu.

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