# Shirodhara terms

> A short glossary of the Sanskrit terms used around Shirodhara: murdha taila, dhara, taila dhara, takra dhara, shiro abhyanga, shiro pichu, shiro basti, snehana, sukhoshna, lekhana and sthapani marma.

**Dhara** — a stream or continuous pour. The second half of the word Shirodhara.

**Dhara patra** — the vessel the oil is poured from, suspended above the forehead.

**Dhara stambha** — the stand or post the vessel hangs from.

**Jala dhara** — the same technique using a water infusion.

**Kashaya dhara** — the same technique using a herbal decoction.

**Ksheera dhara** — the same technique using milk, traditionally chosen for a depleted or dry
presentation.

**Lekhana** — scraping or reducing. A property of herbs used where the aim is to mobilise and
lighten rather than to settle, which is why lekhana herbs appear in Kapha formulations.

**Murdha taila** — the classical group of head-oleation procedures, of which Shirodhara is one.

**Shiras** — the head. The first half of the word Shirodhara.

**Shiro abhyanga** — oil worked into the scalp by hand. The lightest of the murdha taila group,
and usually given briefly before a Shirodhara session.

**Shiro basti** — oil retained on the head inside a collar. The most intensive of the group.

**Shiro pichu** — an oil-soaked cloth pad held on the crown.

**Snehana** — oleation. The broader category of therapies using oil or other unctuous
substances, internal or external.

**Sthapani marma** — the marma point between the eyebrows, the usual target of the stream.
Often conflated in popular writing with the yogic term ajna.

**Sukhoshna** — pleasantly warm. The classical instruction for oil temperature: above body
heat, comfortably, and not hot.

**Taila** — oil. **Tila taila** is sesame oil, the classical base.

**Taila dhara** — Shirodhara performed with oil, which is the default and by far the most
common form.

**Takra dhara** — the same technique using buttermilk, traditionally chosen where a cooling
stream is preferred.

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/shirodhara/glossary/

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.