The Saptadhatus in Human Body
As per the great Ayurveda surgeon Sushruta, the characteristics of a healthy person are:
समदोषः समाग्निश्च समधातुमलक्रियः।
प्रसन्नात्मेन्द्रियमनाः स्वस्थ इत्यभिधीयते ॥
meaning one who has balance in all the doshas (vata, pitta and kapha), balance in fire, balance in dhatus (sapta dhatus or body tissues) and the process of excretion and one who has his soul, senses and mind happy (pure) should be considered healthy.
Thus, the basic theory of Ayurveda is based on the state of equilibrium of Tridosha, Saptadhatu and Trimala.
As per Sushruta Samhita (14.10), the 7 types of dhatus are:
रसाद्रक्तं ततो मांसं मांसान्मेदः प्रजायते |
मेदसोऽस्थि ततो मज्जा मज्ज्ञः शुक्रं तु जायते ॥
meaning from food is produced Rasa (Bile & Plasma or Chyle), from Rasa is produced Rakta (Blood), from Rakta is produced Mamsa (Flesh or Muscle), from Mamsa is produced Meda (Fat), from Meda is produced Asthi (Bones), from Asthi is produced Majja (Bone marrow) and from Majja is produced Shukra (Semen).
After consuming food, the Jatharagni (digestive energy) helps in the creation of Rasa from food. The nourishment of all Dhatus is influenced by the function of respective Dhatvagni (metabolic energy of each tissue). To motivate the formation of self-clone of respective tissue and depended tissues (Upadhatus) are major functions of each Dhatvagni. For example, Rasadhatvagni plays an important role in the formation of Rakta Dhatu from Rasa Dhatu which further nourishes the Mamsa Dhatu by the influence of Raktadhatvagni. During this process, some metabolic wastes are produced which are known as Dhatumala (tissue excreta). For example, from Rasa is produced Kapha, from Rakta is Pitta, from Mamsa is the excreta from nose, ears and eyes, from Meda is Sweda (sweat), from Asthi is Kesha (body hair) & Loma (hair on head and face) and from Majja is eye mucus. However, Shukra does not produce any mala (excreta) and the whole of it produces Ojas (Bala or strength).
Importance of the Shukra Dhatu (Semen)
Thus, we see that semen is the most distilled and valuable form of energy derived from food. The two testes or seeds that are located in the scrotal bag are secretory glands. The cells of these testes have been endowed with the peculiar property of secreting semen from the blood. Just as bees collect honey in the honeycomb drop by drop, so also, the cells of the testes collect semen drop by drop from the blood. It is a medical and physiological fact that the best blood in the body goes to form the elements of reproduction in both the sexes.
As per Ayurveda, it takes around 80 drops of blood to produce 1 drop of semen. Even as per modern science it takes around 40 drops of blood to produce 1 drop of semen. As an average man eats around 800 gm of food/ day, it will take him around 40 days to eat 32 kg of food. These 32 kg of food will produce 800 gm of blood, which will produce 20 gm of semen. Each ejection of semen for momentary pleasure dispense around 20 gm of this semen.
Moreover, each of the conversions from one dhatu to another takes about 5 days and hence, for Rasa to be converted to Shukra it takes 30 days 4 hours.
Semen also has a very high energy content. Sperms are only 1% of semen, the rest 99% is composed of over 200 separate proteins, as well as vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, calcium, chlorine, citric acid, fructose, lactic acid, magnesium, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, vitamin B12, and zinc. Like in plants, nature puts the most valuable ingredients in the seed in all forms of life to provide for continuation of the species, similarly semen, containing the human seed, contains all essential elements necessary to create another human being when it is united with an ovum.
An analysis of both brain cells and semen shows great similarities. Both are very high in phosphorus, sodium, magnesium and chlorine. The sex glands and brain cells are intimately connected physiologically, but are competing for the same nutritional elements from the identical blood stream. Semen is found in a subtle state in all the cells of the body. Whenever the seminal secretions are conserved and thereby reabsorbed into the system, it goes towards enriching the blood and strengthening the brain. Conservation of semen thus leads to Ojas.
It is therefore said that Mind, Prana and Virya (semen) are under one connection or circuit. If the Virya is controlled, and if it is made to flow upwards into the brain (by pure thoughts and the practice of Pranayam, Sarvangasana, Sirsasana etc.), the mind and the Prana are automatically controlled. If the mind is controlled (for e.g. by spiritual practice), Prana and Virya are controlled automatically. If one of the 3 pillars is disturbed —mind, Prana or Virya— the whole building will fall to pieces.
Conclusion
Thus, basis evidences from both Ayurveda and modern science, it can be seen that Shukra or Virya (semen) is the precious essence of the energy derived from food. It has the capability of giving life and gives vitality to the human body. The Ojas that comes from its conservation has been seen in the form of determination (e.g. Mahatma Gandhi who abandoned sex life at the age of 36) and intellect (e.g of our brahmachari saints and philosophers like Swami Vivekanand and many others) of greats gone by. In the Yoga Shastras it is said:
Maranam Bindu Patanat,
Jivanam Bindu Rakshanat.
meaning falling of semen brings death; preservation of semen gives life. Semen is the real vitality in men. It is the hidden treasure in man. It imparts Brahma-Tejas to the face and strength to the intellect.
Scriptures declare emphatically:
Ayustejo balam veeryam vidya shrih kirtireva cha,
punyam cha satpriyatvam cha vardhate brahmacharyaya
meaning by the practice of Brahmacharya, longevity, glory, strength, vigour, knowledge, wealth, undying fame, virtues and devotion to Truth increase.
Brahmacharya needs to be observed in thoughts (mansa), words (vacha) and deeds (karmana) - because deed is just a grosser form of thought. Brahmacharya can be practiced not just in the Brahmacharya (student), Vanaprastha (retired) and Sannyasa (renunciation) ashramas (stages) of life but, also in the Grihastha (householder) ashrama if the semen is used just for creating life and not wasted for ephemeral pleasure.
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