The Sanskrit term Śrotas can be transliterated into English as Srotas or Shrotas, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Srotas (स्रोतस्, “channels”).—The channels in the form of tracts, veins, arteries etc. are known as Srotas which are also called as ‘kha’ (ākāśa=empty space). They carry and transport four types of food, dhātus, doṣas and malas. Dhātu sustains the body and nourishes the successive dhātu only when digested full by its agni and transported properly through its channel. Thus Srotas play important role in dhātupāka (metabolism).

Besides agni, Srotas also play important role. As agni is necessary for transformation, srotas is required for unrestriced flow of the materials. Srotorodha (‘obstruction in channels’) leads to disorders.

Caraka (Vimānasthāna chapter 5) has described thirteen main channels each for

1. Prāṇa (air),
2. Udaka (water)
3. and Anna (food);
4. Rasa,
5. Rakta,
6. Māṃsa,
7. Medas,
8. Asthi,
9. Majjā,
   
10. Śukra;
11. Mūtra (urine),
12. Purīṣa (faeces)
13. and Sveda (sweat)

along with the symptoms of their disorders. In fact, all passages, blood vessels lymphatics, nerves, orifices, pores, viscera etc. come under srotas.

Source: Google Books: Essentials of Ayurveda

The word ‘Srotas’ is derived from ‘Sru’ which means oozing. The oozing of nourishing fluid and the return of waste matters take place through these Srotas. In fact, the whole body is composed of Srotas, but for the convenience of diagnosis and treatment, they have been classified in 13 groups.

They are

1. Prāṇa-Vaha (channels through which oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange takes place),
2. Udaka-Vaha (water-balance),
3. Anna-Vaha (food passage),
4. Rasa-Vaha,
5. Rakta-Vaha,
6. Māṃsa-Vaha,
7. Meda-Vaha,
8. Asthi-Vaha,
9. Majjā-Vaha,
10. Śukra-Vaha,
11. Mūtra-Vaha (urinary channels),
12. Purīṣa-Vaha (channel for faeces)
13. and Sveda-Vaha (channels for sweat).

The pathological conditions in these Srotas are

1. Atipravṛtti (excessive flow),
2. Saṅgraha (accumulation),
3. Vimārga-Gamana (extravasation),
4. and Sirā-Granthi (thrombosis).

Any one, two, three or even four types of pathological conditions may occur in the disease.

Source: Hand book of domestic medicine: Basic principles of Āyurveda

Srotas (स्रोतस्):—1. Structural or Functional Channels meant for the transportation of Dhatus undergoing transformation. 2. Appearance of a Srotas is similar to the Dhatu that it transports. 2. They are of two types: Sthūla (macro) and Aṇu (micro).

Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of terms

context information

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Srotas (स्रोतस्) refers to “streams” or “branches” (of Śaiva teaching).—The Teaching of Śiva which defines the Śaivas is divided between two great branches or “streams” (srotas). These are termed the Outer Path (atimārga) and the Path of Mantras (mantramārga). The first is accessible only to ascetics, while the second is open both to ascetics and to married home-dwellers (gṛhastha). There is also a difference of goals.The Atimārga is entered for salvation alone, while the Mantramārga promises both this, and for those that so wish, the attainment of supernatural powers (siddhis) and the experience of supernatural pleasures in the worlds of their choice (bhoga).

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions

Srotas (स्रोतस्) refers to the “streams” ([of Āgamas ?]), according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 9.5-11, while explaining the universality of Amṛteśa]—“[...] Thus, in this way, Deveśa [is found in all] Āgamas. He gives of all Sādhakas the benefits [of worship] from all directions [i.e., no matter what their tradition]. Because of him, splendid gems light up [differently] under different conditions, giving the fruits of all āgamas in all streams (srotas—tasmāt srotaḥsu sarveṣu). Thus, he is Śiva, Sadāśiva, Bhairava, Tumburu, Soma, and Sūrya, with his own form arising bearing no form”.

Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Srotas (स्रोतस्) refers to “stream”, according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XLIX.—Accordingly, “the Chinese characters Siu-t’o (srotas) mean ‘stream’, i.e., the noble eightfold Path (ārya-aṣṭāṅgikamārga). The characters Pan-na (āpanna) means ‘entry’. To enter into the noble eightfold Path is to enter into the stream of nirvāṇa: that is the first vision of the true nature of dharmas (dharmāṇāṃ bhūtalakṣaṇam or dharmatā). By successfully entering into this part of the immense dharmadhātu, one is classed among the Āryas”.

Srotas and Āpanna make Srotaāpanna. Notes: As soon as he enters into the darśanamārga, the ascetic penetrates into the certainty of the acquisition of the supreme good (samyaktvaniyāma); he loses the quality of ordinary person (pṛthagjana) and takes on that of the saint (Ārya):

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Śrotas (श्रोतस्, “ear”) or śrotendriya refers to one of the “five sense-organs” (pañcendriya), according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 2.19. What is the meaning of hearing sense organ? The sense organ used by its owner for hearing the sound of an object of knowledge is called hearing sense organ (śrotas-indriya).

The respective object of hearing (śrotas) is sound (śabda). What is the meaning of sound? Cognition which results by hearing the object of knowledge is called sound.

Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 2: the Category of the living

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Śrotas (श्रोतस्).—n. [śru-asun tuṭ ca]

1) The ear.

2) The trunk of an elephant.

3) An organ of sense.

4) The stream or current (for srotas q. v.).

--- OR ---

Srotas (स्रोतस्).—n. [sru-tasi]

1) (a) A stream, current, flow or course of water; पुरा यत्र स्रोतः पुलिनमधुना तत्र सरिताम् (purā yatra srotaḥ pulinamadhunā tatra saritām) Uttararāmacarita 2.27; Manusmṛti 3.163. (b) A torrent, rapid stream; नदत्याकाशगङ्गायाः स्रोतस्युद्दामदिग्गजे (nadatyākāśagaṅgāyāḥ srotasyuddāmadiggaje) R.1.78; स्रोतसेवोह्यमानस्य प्रतीपतरणं हि तत् (srotasevohyamānasya pratīpataraṇaṃ hi tat) V.2.5.

2) A stream, river (in general); स्रोतसामस्मि जाह्नवी (srotasāmasmi jāhnavī) Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 1.31.

3) A wave.

4) Water.

5) The canal of nutriment in the body.

6) An organ of sense; निगृह्य सर्वस्रोतांसि (nigṛhya sarvasrotāṃsi) Rām.; तद्वन्न रिक्तमतयो यतयोऽपि रुद्धस्रोतोगणास्तमरणं भज वासुदेवम् (tadvanna riktamatayo yatayo'pi ruddhasrotogaṇāstamaraṇaṃ bhaja vāsudevam) Bhāgavata 4.22.39.

7) The trunk of an elephant.

8) Rush, onset; कराल- स्रोतो जगदाच्छिद्य धावत् (karāla- sroto jagadācchidya dhāvat) Bhāgavata 3.21.18.

9) The spout of a jar.

1) An aperture in animal body (randhra); स्रोतोभ्यो बहु रक्तं तु तस्य सुस्राव पात्यतः (srotobhyo bahu raktaṃ tu tasya susrāva pātyataḥ) Rām.4.11.46; Mahābhārata (Bombay) 1.3.152.

11) Going; ऊर्ध्वस्रोतस इत्येते देवा वैकारिकाः स्मृताः (ūrdhvasrotasa ityete devā vaikārikāḥ smṛtāḥ) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 14.38. 13.

12) Lineage.

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Srotas (स्रोतस्).—nt., a high number (between vivāha and ojas): Sukhāvatīvyūha 31.1.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Śrotas (श्रोतस्).—n.

(-taḥ) 1. The ear. 2. The current of a stream. 3. An organ of sense. 4. The trunk of an elephant. E. śru to hear or to leak, aff. asun, and tuṭ augment.

--- OR ---

Srotas (स्रोतस्).—n.

(-taḥ) 1. A current, a natural or rapid stream. 2. A river in general. 3. The flow or course of water. 4. Water. 5. A spring. 6. A wave. 7. An organ of sense. 8. The trunk of an elephant. E. snutasi aff.; or snu to flow, Unadi aff. asun, and tuṭ augment; also with a final vowel srota, and palatial sibilant śrotas .

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Śrotas (श्रोतस्).—i. e. śru + tas, n. 1. The ear. 2. An organ of sense; the trunk of an elephant as his special organ, [Meghadūta, (ed. Gildemeister.)] 43 (Sch.). 3. Erroneously for srotas. 4. śrotam, [Padma-Purāṇa, (ed. Wollheim.)] 8, 11, must be changed to śrautam.

--- OR ---

Srotas (स्रोतस्).—i. e. sru + tas, n. 1. A current, stream, [Vikramorvaśī, (ed. Bollensen.)] [distich] 24. 2. The course of water, [Mālatīmādhava, (ed. Calc.)] 79, 18. 3. A torrent, [Mālatīmādhava, (ed. Calc.)] 60, 11; a river. 4. A wave, [Śākuntala, (ed. Böhtlingk.)] [distich] 50. 5. A spring. 6. Water. 7. An organ of sense (? cf. śrotas and Mallinātha ad [Meghadūta, (ed. Gildemeister.)] 43), Mahābhārata 1, 814.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Srotas (स्रोतस्).—[neuter] current, stream, river, channel; aperture of the body (as eyes, ears, etc.); organ of sense.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Śrotas (श्रोतस्):—[from śru] 1. śrotas etc. See srotas.

2) [from śrotavya] 2. śrotas n. ([from] √1. śru) the ear, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.] (also [wrong reading] for srotas).

3) Srotas (स्रोतस्):—[from sru] n. the current or bed of a river, a river, stream, torrent, [Ṛg-veda] etc. etc.

4) [v.s. ...] water, [Naighaṇṭuka, commented on by Yāska i, 12]

5) [v.s. ...] rush, violent motion or onset of ([compound]), [Kāvya literature; Purāṇa; Sarvadarśana-saṃgraha]

6) [v.s. ...] the course or current of nutriment in the body, channel or course for conveying food (See ūrdhvaand tiryak-sr)

7) [v.s. ...] an aperture in the human or animal body (reckoned to be 9 in men and 11 in women), [Suśruta]

8) [v.s. ...] the spout of a jar, [Suśruta]

9) [v.s. ...] an organ of sense, [Śvetāśvatara-upaniṣad; Rāmāyaṇa] etc.

10) [v.s. ...] lineage, pedigree (?), [Mahābhārata]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Śrotas (श्रोतस्):—(taḥ) 1. n. The ear; a current; organ of sense.

2) Srotas (स्रोतस्):—(taḥ) 5. m. A current, river, spring, water; organ of sense.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Śrotas (श्रोतस्):—(wie eben) n. Ohr [Trikāṇḍaśeṣa 2, 6, 31.] — S. auch srotas .

--- OR ---

Srotas (स्रोतस्):—(von sru) n. [Uṇādisūtra 4, 201.]

1) Strömung; Strombett; Strom, Fluss [das 1, 12.] [Amarakoṣa 1, 2, 3, 11. 3, 4, 31, 235.] [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 1080. 1086.] [Anekārthasaṃgraha 2, 594.] [Medinīkoṣa s. 45.] [Halāyudha 3, 44. 47.] u.ro ya.iṃ nira.aḥ srotasāsṛjat [Ṛgveda 1, 51, 11.] dhanva.srotaḥ kṛṇute gā.umū.mim [95, 10.] niruṇaddhi srotaḥ [Yāska’s Nirukta 6, 1.] srotobhimukha [ĀŚV. GṚHY.] [PARIŚ. 1, 9.] āpaḥ srotassu [ŚVETĀŚV. Upakośā 1, 15. 2, 8.] srotasāṃ bhedakaḥ, srotasāmāvaraṇam [Manu’s Gesetzbuch 3, 163.] [Mahābhārata 1, 4208.] nadyāḥ srotojavena [5875. 6752. 13, 4929.] [Rāmāyaṇa 1, 44, 8.] [Rāmāyaṇa Gorresio 1, 45, 10. fg. 2, 6, 12. 3, 31, 11.] śīghramapām [5, 22, 12.] [Meghadūta 52.] [Raghuvaṃśa 1, 78. 4, 36.] [Śākuntala 50. 85, 1.] srotasevohyamānasya pratīpataraṇaṃ mahat [Vikramorvaśī 24.] [MĀLATĪM. 79, 19.] [Spr. (II) 5122. 6338. 6518.] srotonyatva [Varāhamihira’s Bṛhajjātaka S. 97, 5.] [Rājataraṅgiṇī 3, 240. 6, 317.] srotasāmasmi jāhnavī sagt Kṛṣṇa [Bhagavadgītā 10, 31.] srotobhiriva sāgaraḥ (vardhate) [Mahābhārata 12, 3473.] srotāṃsi susruvurgiridhātubhyaḥ [Rāmāyaṇa 2, 63, 18.] payaḥ srotasām [Meghadūta 13. 46.] [Varāhamihira’s Bṛhajjātaka S. 80, 10.] sarvasrotāṃsi gaṅgāyāḥ Nebenarme [Rāmāyaṇa 1, 38, 15. 18.] tasyāṃ (gaṅgāyāṃ) visṛjyamānāyāṃ sapta srotāṃsi jajñire [44, 14.] [Spr. (II) 6095.] [Bhāgavatapurāṇa 3, 33, 32.] mūla [Rājataraṅgiṇī 5, 96.] dugdha [?(pl.) MĀLATĪM. 60, 11.] Am Ende eines adj. comp.: śīghra [Rāmāyaṇa 2, 55, 13. 103, 25.] tīkṣṇa [4, 41, 11. 44, 47.] śuṣka [5, 21, 15.] bahu [Kathāsaritsāgara 110, 80.] bhūri [Rājataraṅgiṇī 5, 96.] —

2) Strom so v. a. schnelle Bewegung: karāla adj. (kālacakra) [Bhāgavatapurāṇa 3, 21, 18.] heftiger Andrang: tṛṣṇā [Spr. (II) 4310.] āsravasya (so ist zu lesen) srotaso dvāraṃ saṃvṛṇoti [SARVADARŚANAS. 39, 14.] —

3) Kanal im menschlichen Leibe; deren dreizehn (für Athem, Wasser, Speise, Speisesaft, Blut u.s.w.) [CARAKA 3,5.] [Bhāvaprakāśa] in [Oxforder Handschriften 311,a,3 v. u.] srotomārga [Suśruta 2, 354, 8.] ambuvāhin [488, 4. 5. 11.] vātamūtrapurīṣavaha [516, 9. 529, 13.] muṣka [57, 12.] viśodhana [1, 218, 6.] [Mahābhārata 12, 6876.] —

4) Ausguss, Oeffnung an einem Topf [Suśruta 1, 29, 11.] [?Anekārthasaṃgraha einem Rohr 2, 233, 13. 234, 5.] —

5) Oeffnung am menschlichen und thierischen Leibe (neun an Zahl: Augen, Ohren, Mund, Nasenlöcher, After, Harnweg; beim Weibe ausserdem Brustwarzen und Blutweg). [Suśruta 1, 337, 11. 338, 3. 96, 18. 2, 57, 6. 121, 14. 236, 17.] nāsāsrotogata [239, 17.] śepha (so zu lesen) [?1, 35, 1. - Mahābhārata 1, 814. 3, 15995. 12, 6876. Hemacandra Yogaśāstra 4, 72.] ūrdhvamadhyādharebhyo tha srotobhyaḥ prakṛtīḥ sṛjan [Sūryasiddhānta 12, 26.] —

6) Sinnesorgan [Amarakoṣa 3, 4, 31, 235.] [Hemacandra’s Abhidhānacintāmaṇi 1383.] [Hemacandra’s Anekārthasaṃgraha] [Medinīkoṣa] [Halāyudha 2, 380.] pañcsrotombu adj. [ŚVETĀŚV. Upakośā 1, 5.] nigṛhya sarvasrotāṃsi [Rāmāyaṇa 7, 106,] [?15.Mārkāṇḍeyapurāṇa 119, 18.] niruddhasrotogaṇa [Bhāgavatapurāṇa 4, 22, 39.] —

7) etwa Geschlechtsfolge: kule srotasi saṃchanne yasya syādyonisaṃkaraḥ [Mahābhārata 13, 2606.] — Häufig (aber nicht in den Bomb. Ausgg.) śrotas geschrieben. — Vgl. ut, ūrdhva, karṇaśrotas (das hierher gehört), karṇasrotas (auch [Harivaṃśa 2921]; könnte an beiden Stellen auch Ohrloch bedeuten), garga, tiryak, tri, prati (auch [Yājñavalkya’s Gesetzbuch 3, 249]), pratyak, prāk, vi, sa, sapta, sahasra .

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Böhtlingk and Roth Grosses Petersburger Wörterbuch

Srotas (स्रोतस्) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Soa.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Starts with: Shrotendriya, Shrotorandhra, Srotahshodhin, Srotaisha, Srotasa, Srotasamavabadhnati, Srotasta, Srotasvat, Srotasvati, Srotasvini, Srotasya, Srotogata, Srotonugata, Srotovah, Srotovaha.

Full-text (+79): Urdhvasrotas, Pratisrotas, Pratyaksrotas, Shrotorandhra, Tiryaksrotas, Prakshrotas, Srotasvini, Trisrotas, Srotasvati, Srotovaha, Arvaksrotas, Saptashrotas, Mulasrotas, Srotovah, Shrota, Mahasrotas, Utsrotas, Karnasrotas, Pancasrotas, Gargasrotas.

Relevant text

Search found 48 books and stories containing Srotas, Śrotas, Shrotas; (plurals include: Srotases, Śrotases, Shrotases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

A conceptual study of upadhatus < [2018: Volume 7, December issue 19]

Role of bilwadi lehya on gastrointestinal disorders < [2021: Volume 10, June issue 6]

A review on concept of srotas < [2018: Volume 7, September issue 16]

+ 1417 more chapters

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

A correlative study of Shosha, As a ‘Rasavaha Srotovidda Lakshana’ with... < [Vol. 8 No. 6 (2023)]

Hypothyroidism - Through Ayurvedic Vision < [Vol. 5 No. 05 (2020)]

A critical study of Artavavaha Srotas w.s.r. to Vandhyatva (infertility) < [Vol. 9 No. 7 (2024)]

+ 894 more chapters / show preview

International Research Journal of Ayurveda and Yoga

CONCEPTUAL STUDY OF SHUKRAVAHA SROTAS WITH ITS MULASTHANA < [Vol. 3 No. 2: Feb (2020)]

A brief description of Madatya w.s.r to Alcohol poisoning -A Conceptual Study < [Vol. 4 No. 6: JUN (2021)]

A Review Article on Dadru w.s.r. to Fungal Infection < [Vol. 5 No. 3: March (2022)]

+ 274 more chapters / show preview

Ayushdhara journal

A study on the role of rasa-vaha srotas in pandu roga < [Volume 4, issue 5: September- October 2017]

Study of Laghupanchmoola in cow's milk protein allergy treatment. < [Volume 7, Issue 2: March - April 2020]

Ayurveda for Managing Male Infertility from Oligospermia: Case Report < [Volume 8, Issue 4: July - Aug 2021]

+ 235 more chapters / show preview

International Ayurvedic Medical Journal

Ayurvedic perspective of cushing’s syndrome < [2017, Issue I January,]

Review on concept of srotas w.s.r. rasayana chikitsa < [2018, Issue XII, December]

Clinical correlation of pranavaha srotas and its vidda lakshana with modern science < [2021, Issue 4, April]

+ 1189 more chapters / show preview

Ancient Science of Life

The organ kloma: a fresh appraisal < [Volume 9 (issue 2), Oct-Dec 1989]

Evaluating prakṛti and quality of life in IBS patients < [Volume 34 (issue 4), Apr-Jun 2015]

Ayurvedic Management of Recurrent Abortions due to Uterine Fibroid < [Volume 36 (issue 3), Jan-Mar 2017]

+ 32 more chapters / show preview

 

Click here for all 48 books