concept of Agni
- 1. CONCEPT OF AGNI PRESENTER – DR.SONIYA.M.VETAL 1ST YEAR MD, KAYACHIKITSA,BVVS AMCH, BAGALKOT.
- 2. INTRODUCTION • Agni is the important integral part of body. • The word Agni in general language gives the meaning of fire. • Ayurveda has given prime importance to Agni (digestive fire) as it is one of the basic biologic elements of the living body. • Agni is representative of energy in the living organism, it maintains the structural and functional integrity by performing the vital activities like Pakadi Karmas. • It is one among the Panchamahabhuta. i.e Tejas
- 3. • Agni has been stated as one of the seats of the Prana or life • In the text Bhagavat Geeta it is mentioned that the Lord Krishna says that he lives in Deha in the from of Agni. • अहं वैशवानरो भुत्वा प्राणिनं देहमाश्रित्ः। प्रािापान सम्युक्तम पचतत अन्नंचतुर्विधंं (भगवत्गीता) • According to Charaka Acharya Kaya (body), represents the Agni in the human body. He also described Agni as Mool (root) of life.
- 4. • Before prescribing any therapeutic procedure physician should examine Ayu of patient. If he has long span of life then his Vyadi, Rutu, Agni, Bala, Satva, Satmya, Prakruti etc should be examined to get proper therapeutic effect.(Su.Su.35/3) • Therapeutic effect of Shodhana and Shamana Chikitsa depends on Prakruti, Dosha, Agnibala, Kostha and such other factors. • So before administrating any therapeutic procedure it is must to asses Agni of a person.
- 5. NIRUKTI अग्नन गत ्ः| (अमरकोश) The word ‘Agni’ is derived from – ‘Ang Dhatu’ and ‘Gati pratyaya’ which means – ‘Widely spreading’ अङ्गयग्न्त अग्र्यं जन्मं प्रापयग्न्त इतत|(श.क.द्रु.) Agni is foremost, among that which controls our body and responsible for the Janma(life).
- 6. आन्गतत व्याप्नोतत इतत अग्नन्ः| (श.क.द्रु.) Agni is wide spread in all the substances. यदा अङ्गतत उर्धवि गच्छतत इतत। ( श.क.द्रु.) The one which moves in upwards is known as Agni आग्नन कस्मत आग्रणि भवतत| In each and every procedure worship of Agni is indicated first. It is applicable to both the spiritual and treatment aspect. So it is called ‘Agrani’.
- 7. SYNONYMS OF AGNI In Amarakosha, • Vaishwanara • Vanhi • Pavaka • Dhananjaya • Jwalana • Anala • Shikhawana • Dhahan etc
- 8. IMPORTANCE OF AGNI शान्ते अनन म्रियते, युक्ते श्रचरं ग्जवत्यनामय्ः| रोगी स्याद् र्वकृ ते,मूलमग्ननस्तस्माग्न्नरुचच्यते|| ( च.श्रच.15/4) • Acharya Charak has mentioned that after stoppage of the function of Agni, the individual dies, and when the Agni of an individual is sama (normal), then that person would be healthy and would lead a long life. But, if the Agni of a person is vitiated, resulting in ill health and disease. Hence, Agni is said to be the Mool of life.
- 9. अग्ननमूलं बलं पुंसां रेतोमूलं च जीर्वतम | तस्मात सवं प्रयत्नेन अग्ननं च रेतं च रक्षयेत|| (यो. र) Agni and Retas are considred as the Moola (source of strength and life), hence one must protect them. बलमारोनयमायुश्च प्रािाश्चनन प्रततग्ठिता| अन्नपानेन्धंनैश्चाग्ननर्जविलतत चान्यथा|| (च.सू. 27/342) If one intakes proper food, his Bala, Arogya, etc entities will be protected as they are dependent upon the Agni.
- 10. FUNCTIONS OF AGNI आयुवििो बलं स्वास््यमुत्साहोपचय प्रभा| ओजस्तेजोऽननय्ः प्रािश्चोक्ता देहाग्ननहेतुका्ः|| (च.श्रच.15/3) Agni provides Bala, Arogya, Ayu, Prana, Swasthyam, Varnam, Utsaha, Prabha, Ojha and Teja to the body.
- 11. AGNI AND RITU & VAYA (चक्रपाणि टिक्का, च.सू.5/3) Agni Bala Ritu Vaya Uttama Hemanta Yavana Manda Varsha Vardhakya
- 12. TYPES OF AGNI The Agni is of two varieties (Acc.to Tarka Samgraha ) Agni Nityam Anityam (Paramnurupam) (Karyarupam) Shariram Indriyam Vishaya ( Solar region (in the eye in objects eg- Adhityalokha) eg- Chakshu) (4 types)
- 13. Vishaya Agni is of 4 types 1. Bhaumyagni- Agni which is available on earth Eg -From wood, charcoal, oil, gas etc 2. Divyagni- Agni which is available in sky Eg – Sun, Moon, Stars, Lighting etc 3. Audaragni- Agni which is present in udar . Eg - Jataragni 4. Akarajagni – Agni which is formed from the shining of metals Eg – Gold, sliver etc.
- 14. CLASSIFICATION OF AGNI ACHARYA NUMBER TYPES CHARAKA 13 Jatharagni – 1, Bhutagni – 5, Dhatvagni – 7 SUSHRUTA AND SHARANGADHARA 5 Pachakagni, Ranjakagni, Alochakagni, Sadhakagni Bhrajakagni VAGBHATA 18 Bhutagnis –5 Dhatvagnis–7 Dhoshagni – 3 Malagni–3
- 15. • Agni has been divided into 13 types according to the function and site of action. 1)Jatharagni (1) 2)Bhutagni (5) 3)Dhatwagni(7)
- 16. अग्ननषु तु शरररेषु चतुर्विधंो बलभेदेन भवतत। तर्धयथा ततक्ष्िो,मन्द्ः,समो,र्वषमश्चेतत। (च.र्व.6/12) These 13 types of Agni are further divided into four types on the basis of bala as follows, (Balabhedena ) 1)Tikshnagni 2)Mandagni 3)Vishmgni 4)Samagni
- 17. JATHRAGNI सवािग्ननषु जािराननो्ः प्रधंन्यमाह। (चक्रपणि,च.श्रच 15) जािरो भगवानग्ननररश्वरोऽन्नस्य पाचका्ः| (सु.सू.35/27) Jatharagni is considered as prime among all the Agni .
- 18. STHANA OF JATHARAGNI जािरमुदरं, तत्रभवो जािर्ः। (डल्हि) Jatharagni is the Agni present in the Jathara (stomach and duodenum). According to Ashtanga Hridaya, Jatharagni, seat is Grahani (duodenum). In the opinion of Dhanvantari,it is the Kala known as “Pittadhara”.
- 19. Amount of Jatharagni : In Bhela Samitha the amount of Jatharagni is as • In Sthula Kaya – Yava Matra Pramana • In Hraswa Kaya – Truti Matra Pramana • In Krimi, Keeta, Patanga- Vayu Matra Pramana.
- 20. FUNCTIONS OF JATHARANGI तच्चदृठिहेतुके न र्वशेषेि पक्वामाशयमर्धयस्थं र्पत्तं चतुर्विधंमन्नपानं पचतत र्ववेचयतत च दोषरसमुत्रपुररषाणि; तत्रस्थमेव चात्मशक्त्या शोषािां र्पत्तनानां शरररस्य चग्ननकमििाऽनुग्रहं करोतत, तग्स्मन र्पत्ते पाचकोऽग्ननररतत संज्ञा| (सु.सू.21/10) चतुर्विधंमन्नपानं पाचन (Digestion of the food materials) दोषरसमुत्रपुररषा र्ववेचन(separation of the food material into Prasad and kitta)
- 21. PRADHANYATHA OF JATHARAGNI यदन्नं देहधंात्वोजोबलविािटदपोषकम। तत्राग्ननहेतुराहारान्न ह्यपक्वाद्रसादय्ः (च.श्रच 15/5) The proper digestion of food and nourishment of body, Dhatus, Ojas, Bala, Varna etc depends on equilibrium state of Jatharagni. Improper Jatharagni will not digest food and produce Apakwa Rasadi Dhatus. अन्नस्य पक्ता सवेषां पक्तृिमश्रधंपोमत्ः| तन्मूलास्ते टह तत्वृद्श्रधंक्षयवृद्श्रधंक्षयात्मका्ः||(च.श्रच15/39) Jatharagni digests the ingested food and it is superior to other Agnis and Vridhhi & Kshaya of Bhutagni and Dhatwagni are dependent on it. Hence Jatharagni is considered as Pradhanya
- 22. BHUTAGNI भ माप्याननेयवायव्या्ः पञ्चोठमाि्ः सनाभसा्ः| पञ्चाहारगुिान्स्वान्स्वान पाश्रथिवादीन्पचग्न्त टह || (च.श्रच.15/3) Acharya Charak has mentioned that the five Bhutagni digest their own part of the element present in the food materials. After the digestion of food by the Bhutagni, digested materials containing the elements and qualities similar to each Bhutas nourish their own specific Bhautika elements of the body.
- 23. DHATWAGNI • सप्तम्रभदेहधंातारो धंातवो द्र्वर्वधंं पुन्ः| यथास्वग्ननम्रभ्ः पाकं याग्न्त ककट्िप्रसादवत|| (च.श्रच.15/3) The Ahara Rasa formed after digestion is converted into seven Dhatu through Dhatwagni. And sepration of Sara and Kitta takes place with the help of Dhatwagni.
- 24. ROLE OF AGNI IN AHARA PAKA अन्नमादानकमाि तु प्राि्ः कोठिं प्रकषितत। तद्रवैम्रभिन्नसंघातं स्नेहेन मृदुतां गतम समानेनावधंूतोऽग्ननरुचदयि्ः पवनोद्वह्ः। काले भुक्तं समं सम्यक पचत्यायुर्विवर्धदये एवं रसमलायान्नयस्यमधं्ःग्स्थत्ः। (च.श्रच.15/6-8)
- 25. Ahara Sevana Ingestion of Ahara into Kostha (By Pranavayu) Breakdown of Ahara Dravya and Snigdhata and Murudhuta of Ahara Dravya (By Kledhaka Kapha ) Udirana of Agni(Pachakagni) (By Samanavata) Pachana of Anna
- 26. Ahar rasa Jatharagni stimulates Pachabuthagni digestion of respective food ingredients General circulation of Ahara Rasa by Vyanavata When Ahara Rasa comes in respective channels nutrients substance are accepted by concrened Dhatavagni Dhatavagni converts these substance into Sara and Kitta Bhaga and does Dhatu Poshana
- 27. SAMAGNI तत्र, यो यथाकालमुपयुक्तमन्नं सम्यक पचतत स सम्ः समैदोषै्ः। (सु.सू.35/29) समा समाननेरम्रशत मात्रा सम्यग्नवपच्यते। (मा.तन.6/3) • In this state Doshas are in balanced condition . • In this phase the complete digestion of food takes place which is ingested at the proper time without any irregularity.
- 28. • तत्र, समे परररक्षिं कु वीत। (सु.सू.35/31) The Samagni should be protected.
- 29. TIKSHNAGNI य्ः प्रभुतमप्युपयुक्तमन्नमाशु पचतत स ततक्ष्ि:। स एवाम्रभवर्धदिमानोऽत्यग्ननररत्याभाठयते। स मुहुमुिहु्ः प्रभुतमप्युपयुक्तमन्नमाशुतरं पचतत (सु.सू.35/29) • Tikshnagni is influenced predominantly by Pitta . • In this phase, the meal is digested too quickly or frequently. When Agni is excessively increased , condition is known as Atyagni and this Agni digest even heavy meal within a short peroid. • It produces Gala, Talu, Ostha Shosha, Daha and Santapa etc.
- 30. • ततक्ष्िे मधंुरशीतग्स्ननधंर्वरेकै श्च। (सु.सू.35/31) Tikshanagni should be trearted with Madhura, Sheeta,Snigdha Ahara and Aushada. Virechana Chikitsa.
- 31. MANDHAGNI स्वल्पाऽर्प नैव मन्दानने्ः। (मा.तन6/3) यत्स्वल्पमप्युपयुक्तमुदरम्रशरोग रवश्वासप्रसेकच्छटदिगात्र सदनातन कृ त्वा महता कालेन पचतत स मन्द्ः| (सु.सू.35/29) • This is state Agni is inhibited due to dominant influence of Kapha, • In this state Agni is unable to digest even a small quantity of food or even easily digestible food. • This condition produces Udar Shira Gaurava, Shwasa,Praseka,Charadi,Gatra Sadana etc.
- 32. • मन्दे किुततक्तकषायैवमनैश्च। (सु.सू.35/31) Mandagni should be treated with Katu, Tikta, Kashaya Ahara and Aushadi. Vamana chikitsa.
- 33. VISHAMAGANI य्ः कदाश्रचत सम्यक पचतत, कदाश्रचदार्धमानशुलोदावतािततसारजिरग रवान्त्रकु जन प्रवाहिातन कृ त्वा स र्वषम्ः। (सु.सू.35/29) कदाश्रचत्पच्यते सम्यक्कदाश्रचत न र्वपच्यते। (मा.तन.6/3) • This state of Agni arises as a result of influence of predominat vata dosha • In this type of Agni is irregular, some time do complete process of digestion and some time indigestion and produces Adhamana, Shula, Udavarta, Atisara, Jathara Gaurava, Anatrakujana etc.
- 34. • र्वषमे ग्स्ननधंाम्ललविै्ः कक्रयार्वशेषै्ः प्रततकु वीत। (सु.सू.35/31) Vishamagni should be treated with Snigdha,Amla,Lavana Ahara and Aushada.
- 35. AGNI AND PITTA न खलु र्पत्तव्यततरेकादन्योऽग्ननरुचपलभ्यते, अननेयत्वात र्पत्ते दहनपचनाटदठवम्रभप्रवतिमाने – ऽग्ननवदुप चार्ः कक्रयतेऽन्तराग्ननररतत….| (सु.सू.21/9) Sushruta has mentioned that there cannot be any Agni without Pitta. Pitta is the same as Agni and it is called as Antaragni, since it possesses the properties of Agni and performs similar actions as performed by the Agni (digestive fire) itself. During Pitta Kshayavasta use of drugs which are having Aganeya Guna will increase Pitta. During Vrudhhavasta Sheeta Kriya are advocated.
- 36. DISSIMILARITIES BETWEEN AGNI AND PITTA AGNI PITTA Color - Neela (Ama) Pita (Nirama) Taste No taste Katu (Nirama) Smell No smell Visra and Pooti Consistency Sushaka Drava Guna Ruksha Snigdha Intake of Ghrita Agni Deepana Pitta Shamana Gati Uradhva Gati Adho Gati
- 37. AGNI PAREKSHA • अग्ननं जरिशक्त्या पररक्षेत|(च.र्व.4/8) Strength of Agni is assed by its capacity to digest food.
- 38. AGNI DUSTI KARANA अभोजनादग्जिािततभोजनात र्वषमाश्नात| असात्म्यगुरुचशीताततरुचक्षसन्दुठिभोजनात|| र्वरेकवमनस्नेहर्वभ्रमात व्यश्रधंकषििात| देशकाल ऋतुवैषम्यात वेगानां च र्वधंारिात|| (च.श्रच.15/42,43)
- 39. ROLE 0F DUTSA AGNI IN ROGA UTTAPATI रोगा्ः सवेऽर्प मन्देऽनन (अ.हृ.तन.12/1) Impaired Agni is the route cause of all diseases जिरानल द बिल्यादर्वपक्वस्तु यो रस्ः। स आम संज्ञको देहेसविदोषप्रकोपि्ः (मधंुकोष) As a result of weakness of Jatharagni there is formation of Avipakwa Ahara Rasa called Ama, which is responsible for the Prakopa of all Doshas. र्वषमो वातजान रोगा्ः, ततक्ष्ि्ः र्पत्ततनम्रमत्तजान। करोत्यग्ननस्तथा मन्दो र्वकारान कफसम्भवान (मा.तन.6/2) Vishamagni will produce Vataja Rogas, Tikshanagni will produce Pittaja Roga and Mandagni will produce Kaphaja Rogas.
- 40. NEED FOR PROTECTION OF AGNI शमप्रकोप दोषािां सवेषामाग्ननसंश्रित । तस्मादग्ननं सदारक्षेत तनदानातन च वजियेत (च.श्रच.5/136) Normal functioning as well as vitiation of dosha depends upon normalcy of Agni. Thus Nidhana Parivarjana helps to protect balanced state of Agni. तस्मात्तं र्वश्रधंवत युक्तैरन्नपानेन्धंनैटहितै्ः। पालयेत प्रयतस्तस्य ग्स्थत ह्यायुबिलग्स्थतत्ः (च.श्रच.5/136) One has to protect the Agni, as it maitains Ayu, Bala etc entities. Further if a person does not take proper Ahara, he will end up in diseases .
- 41. MEASURES TO PROTECT AGNI • आहारमात्रा पुनरग्ननबलापेक्षक्षणि। (च.सू.5/3) Power or condition of Agni determines the quantity of food to be consumed. One should take proper quantity of food to protect Agni. • स्नेहान्नर्वश्रधंम्रभग्श्चत्रैश्चुिािररठिसुरासवै्ः। सम्यक्प्रयुक्तैम्रभिषजा बलमनने्ः प्रवधंिते। (च.श्रच.15)
- 42. CONCLUSION • Agni is a important integral part of body. • The entire range of digestive and metabolic activity of the body takes place with the help of biological fire of the body known as Agni. • Normal state of Agni should be maintained by consuming suitable diet and behavior because longevity and strength depends on the healthy state of Agni. • These pathological events ultimately lead to various gastrointestinal, allergic, auto-immune, and metabolic disorders. • Hence, preservation and promotion of Agni is the first and foremost step to be taken in every therapeutic endeavor and management of a patient .