What is "dhatu"

Dhātu may refer to:

• Dhātu (Ayurveda) -- Sanskrit term for the seven fundamental elements of the body.
• Skandha#Eighteen Dhātus -- a Sanskrit technical term meaning realm or substrate in Buddhism
• A Theravada Buddhist term for a stupa, a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics.

Dhātus (dhä·tōōs), n.pl. ( from Sanskrit धातु dhātu - layer, stratum, constituent part, ingredient, element, primitive matter ) in Ayurveda, the seven fundamental principles (elements) that support the basic structure (and functioning) of the body.

They consist of:

• Rasa dhatu ( Lymph)
• Rakta dhatu ( Blood)
• Mamsa dhatu ( Muscles)
• Medha dhatu ( Fat)
• Asthi dhatu ( Bone)
• Majja dhatu (marrow (bone and spinal))
• Shukra dhatu ( Semen)

Traditional texts often refer to the above as the Seven Dhātus (Saptadhātus). Ojas is known as the eighth Dhātu, or Mahādhātu (superior, or great dhātu).