What is Oja??? Part 2 (Concluding part)

We have looked upon Oja very critically and to be frank, we have not yet found an answer that is satisfactory and which points out exactly what oja is all about. We have been given clues by our acharyas trying to explain it in their terminologies. The function of oja has also been specifically mentioned and the diseases or conditions occurring due to decreased oja specified.

We now know for a fact in our last discussion that :

v  Oja is no energy or an abstract but is a physical substance as its physical features have been well specified.

v  Oja has a very intimate relationship with shukra dhatu

v  Oja is the excellence of all dhatus and hence is superior to them

v  Oja helps to maintain the immunity of the body by helping in regeneration and hence gives strength and stability to the body

v  Oja has the quality of “Sheetatva” or coldness hence cannot withstand heat

v  There are 2 types of Oja – Para (superior) and Apara (Inferior)

v  Para oja is constant throughout life and Apara may change depending on various factors

v  Oja delays the degeneration and the ageing processes

v  Oja forms a link between the 3 bodies (Gross, Subtle and Causal)

We know all of the above facts and yet there is confusion in our minds as to what oja really is.

In this blog, I would like to explain, according to me “what is oja”

In the human body, there are some cells that are known as “Stem cells”. Stem cells are primal undifferentiated cells which retain the ability to differentiate into other cell types. This ability allows them to act as a repair system for the body, replenishing other cells as long as the organism is alive.

These cells are further divided into 2 major types as “embryonic stem cells” and “adult/somatic stem cells”.

Embryonic Stem Cells (Para Oja)*- The embryonic stem cells are tottipotent cells and remain constant throughout life. They are formed from embryos after fertilization. This very well explains why the content of embryonic stem cells or para oja remains constant throughout life as with only 1 gamete, more of it cannot be formed.

Somatic/Adult Stem Cells (Apara Oja)* - The adult stem cells are pleuripotent  cells which are present in the body in greater number than embryonic stem cells. These cells are not as potent as embryonic stem cells but have the capacity to multiply and specialize themselves to any tissue eg blood. Hence, the regeneration of the body depends directly on the amount of adult stem cells that the body has. Similarly the immunity or resistance to degeneration or to a disease is directly dependant on the amount of Oja the body has. This Oja is, as the name suggests, formed from shukra dhatu (only 1 gamete is involved)

Now, let us compare the parameters of oja to stem cells in the same order

v  Stem cells is no energy or an abstract thought, but is a physical substance with physical features matching the description of Oja given by the respected Acharyas

v  The relationship of Shukra dhatu with stem cells is obvious

v  Stem cells is definitely superior to all tissue elements as it can specialize to any of them at will, hence it is the most excellent of cells to be present in the human body

v  As this stem cell regenerates or replaces damaged organs or tissues by specializing itself to form the tissue, this acts as the best immunity provider in the body by providing strength and stability to the body

v  Stem cells require a cold temperature to thrive in vitro and in vivo. Heat destroys these cells easily.

v  The 2 types of stem cells have been discussed in short where the superior one being the embryonic stem cells and inferior being the somatic counterpart

v  Embryonic stem cells remain constant throughout life and if depleted the patient dies as regeneration stops completely whereas somatic stem cells may increase or decrease

v  Stem cells are used for delay in ageing processes as it stops degeneration by regenerating and substituting degenerated cells.

*(My opinion, may or may not be true)

Hence, I have tried to give my understanding of oja in very very short and easy language. I have also co-related it with stem cells specifically to explain why I think what I think.

According to me, the Acharyas of ayurveda knew of the complete existence of these stem cells and they chose the word Oja to explain it.

I hope to have clarified another tricky concept of ayurveda. If there are any arguments for or against this topic or any comments or critical analysis, please feel free to post them as it will only improve my understanding of the subject