Yapanam means prolonging and supporting life.
Yapana Basti is also defined as that which can be used for longer periods (prolonged use) and that which promotes longevity.
Acharya Charak gives a detailed description of Yapana Basti yogas in siddhi sthana. He mentioned about 216 yogas of which 29 are original yogas and the remaining 187 are extended yogas. Among the 29 original yogas, 3 yogas for Anuvasana are also mentioned (ShatavaryadiAnuvasanam, BaladayaAnuvasanam, SahacharadyaAnuvasanam).
Yapana Basti with various types of mamsa(meat) (mostly not available) cannot be prepared nowadays and so they are excluded here. As per Charak, adding honey to Yapana Basti increases the sexual potency of the person.
Acharya Charak also explains the general characteristics of Yapana basti and the things to be avoided during the course of Yapana basti. Further, he explains the complications of Yapana basti and their management.
Sushruta and others explain the “Mustadi Yapana basti” as the king of all Yapana bastis (Raja Yapanam).
Vagbhata also explains about Yapana basti. Most of them are Vataraktahara and Vrishya (aphrodiasciac )in nature. He also explains” Mustadi raja Yapanam”.
General Characteristics of Yapana basti:
- It has properties of both Sneha basti and Niruha basti.
- It can be utilized for healthy people, sick people, young and old.
- It does not require Purvakarma (Sneha basti) on the previous day.
- It will not create problems like Atiyoga or Ayoga.
- It has got Rasayana and Chakshushaya properties.
- It is a panacea for all diseases and is suitable for administration in all seasons.
- It is useful for people who excessively indulge in sex.
- It promotes semen and muscular tissues.
- It is useful in infertility, cosmetic skin problems and in uterine disorders.
How to Increasing potency of basti Yogas?
To increase the strength and potency of basti dravyas, the sneha used in the yoga can be prepared by cooking for 100 times or 1000 times.
Important: Sneha dravyas (mainly ghee and oil) are yogavahi in nature. i.e. they will enhance the properties of other drugs to which they are added, and the same time does not lose their properties. This can be compared to the action of a catalyst. Ghritam has this property in excess when compared to the other dravyas. In Ayurvedic texts, another special quality of sneha dravyas is also mentioned. i.e. “Samsakarasya Anuvartanam”. This can be taken as a process of potentiation which is called ‘Avartika Kalpana’. E.g. Kshira Bala 101, Sahacharadi Tailam 7 times avarti. This may be theoretically correct but not economical. Practically, we can do Avartana for 3 to 7 times only.
Prohibitions during the course of Yapana basti:
While using the above mentioned Yapana basti, the patient/person should avoid:
- Physical exercise
- Heavy food
- Intake of cold water
- Intake of alcohol
- Intake of different types of honey (as it can cause ama ajirna)
- Too much of travel
- Sexual intercourse (C. S.Si. 12/23)
Adverse effects of excessive use of Yapana Basti and their management:
Excessive use of Yapana Basti gives rise to:
- Colic pain
- Loss of power of digestion
- Parikartika (Proctalgia)
- Fever
- Diarrhoea
- Oedema
- Anaemia
- Piles
Important: Long term use of Yapana basti produces complications. Colic pain, indigestion, anal irritation is seen immediately. Features of Shopha are seen as long – term side effects.
For the treatment of these ailments, the person should be given Arishtas and therapies for the promotion of digestion. Other conditions should be managed by yukti (understanding of physician).
Therefore, Yapana basti should be used judiciously and should not be used continuously (as a matter of habit). Yapana bastis are basically like Anuvasana basti. The retention is also more than that of Niruha.
Various types of Yapana basti:
Yapana Basti is considered to be having particular action on Shukra Dhatu. Many of the Basti yogas are Vrishya in nature.
Composition of Yapana Vasti:
Usually, the ingredients of Yapana basti include meat juice, eggs, decoction, Milk, honey, ghee, jaggery, salt, etc.
Note: Whenever Tailam is mentioned, it denotes murchita Tailam. Simple murchana is to process tila Tailam or erranda Tailam with shatahva and followed by patrapaka with saindhava. It is vata-kaphahara and highly economical also. Most of the Yapana Bastis are of 900 ml quantity unless a specified quantity is mentioned.
- Bruhatyadi Yapana basti (C.S, SI.12/16(4))
| Dravyam | Quantity |
| Maakshikam | 200 ml |
| Lavanam | 15 gm |
| Sneham Madhuyashtayadi TailamSukumaraghritam | 100 ml 100 ml |
| Kalkam | 30 gm |
| KhiraKashayam | 450 ml |
| Total quantity (Approximately) | 900 ml |
“Ayusho Yapanam”, “Deergha kala anuvartana mkurvantiitiyapanavastaya”
As per this shloka, the basti which prolongs the life and restores the health is called as Yapana Vasti.
