View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Ayushdhara (E-Journal) AYUSHDHARA ISSN: 2393-9583 (P)/ 2393-9591 (O) An International Journal of Research in AYUSH and Allied Systems Review Article CONCEPT OF AGNI AND AMA IN AYURVEDA - A BRIEF REVIEW Shekhar G. Uike1*, Mayurkumar M. Parate2 *1Assistant Professor, Dept. of Kriyasharir, Shri K.R. Pandav Ayurved College, Nagpur, India. 2Assistant Professor, Dept. of Rachana Sharir, Shri K.R. Pandav Ayurved College, Nagpur, India. KEYWORDS: Bhutagni, ABSTRACT Dhatvagni, Jatharagni, Pitta. In our country since last few decades along with scientific and technological revolution a social revolution has also took place which ultimately has drastically changed dietary habits of society at large. This change in dietary habit has ultimately resulted in manifestation of many problems related to gastrointestinal tract. Ayurveda, an ancient system of Indian medicine documented and practiced since 1500 B.C. deals with inter-individual variability for personalized and predictive medicine. In Ayurveda the concept of Agni is *Address for correspondence Dr. Shekhar G. Uike very specific one of its kind among other contemporary sciences. Concept Assistant Professor, of Agni is vividly discussed in Ayurveda as it is the most significant entity for maintaining health of an individual. In Ayurveda, Agnimandya is said Dept. of Kriyasharir, Shri K.R. Pandav Ayurved College, to be the root cause of most of the diseases. Hence it is important to Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. understand the basic nature of Agni so as to take care of it. In the present Mob: 09970447065 study we have reviewed the basic concept of Agni its types thoroughly Email: and also discussed efficacy of some well-known approaches to treat [email protected] Agnimandya on the basis of recent clinical studies. INTRODUCTION Primary aim of Ayurveda is to maintain 3) The Dhatus are normally formed and healthy status of an individual and to cure the proportionally well balanced performing their disease of diseased one. Ayurveda is divided into respective functions. eight main branches. Kayachikitsa is the first and 4) The Malas are properly formed and timely foremost among Ashta Anga of Ayurveda. Agni is of eliminated out of the body. prime importance in Kayachikitsa, as Kayachikitsa is 5) The soul, mind and all sense organs working nothing but the Chikista of Agni. properly with pleasure and happiness. Thus In Ayurveda, the term Agni is used in the overall well-being depends on the equilibrium sense of power which converts ingested substances of Dosha, Agni, Dhatu, Mala, soul and mind.2 from one form to another. Agni converts food in the While addressing process of Vyadhi Nirmiti form of substances which are acceptable by body. (disease formation) as well, Aacharya has Ayurveda considers that Dehagni is the fundamental mentioned that weakened power of Agni cause of life, complexion, strength, health, (Agnimandya) is the root cause of most of the nourishment, lusture, Oja, Teja and Prana (The very disorders.3 life energy). 1 Thus the concept of Agni is associated with Aacharya Sushruta explains the qualities of health of an individual as well as closely related Swasthapurusha (healthy person) determining his with formation of diseases. The improper diet or physical and mental health. A person is considered faulty life style causes Agni Dushti which causes to be healthy when. abnormality of Dhatus and ultimately results in 1) All three Doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) are in various diseases as discussed by Acharya Charaka, well balanced condition. Acharya Sushruta and other scholars of Ayurveda. 2) The Agni is working normally. Since last few decades along with scientific and technological revolution a social revolution has also took place which ultimately has drastically AYUSHDHARA | September - October 2017 | Vol 4 | Issue 5 1355 AYUSHDHARA, 2017;4(5):1355-1358 changed dietary habits of society at large. This 1. Jatharagni change in dietary habit has ultimately resulted in Jatharagni is the most important one, which manifestation of many problems related to digests four types of food and transforms it into gastrointestinal tract. So it becomes our prime Rasa and Mala. Jathragni Mandya (i.e., hypo concern to understand Agnimandya thoroughly. functioning Agni) causes production of Ama6. This research paper is a sincere effort to Saamataa is a condition manifesting due to the understand Agni and Agnimandya in terms of amalgamation of Ama with Dosha and Dushya contemporary dietary habits, which will be (Dhatus and Mala) resulting into the manifestation beneficial for prevention of disease as well as for of various disorders7. Any sort of pathology of treatment purpose. Jatharagni will ultimately affect the normal Aims and objectives functioning of Bhutagni and Dhatvagni ultimately 1. To re-evaluate, discuss, and elaborate the causing manifestation of various diseases. Ayurvedic concept of Agni and Ama. Therefore by all means one has to protect 2. To understand the importance of correcting Jatharagni by means of proper diet according to Ama in the treatment of Neej Vyadhi with own Agni. One who consumes unwholesome diet respect to current research work. due to greed and does not follow rules of diet as Material And Methods mentioned by Stalwart Aacharyas, give way to diseases caused by the vitiation of Grahani8. This article is based on a review of Ayurvedic texts. Materials related to Agni, 2. Bhutagni Agnimandya and other relevant topics have been Bhutagni is the one that is present in a basic collected. The main Ayurvedic texts used in this element (Bhutas). There are five Agnis in each of the study are Charaka Samhitha, Astanga Sangraha, five basic elements, namely – Parthiva (earth), Apya Astanga Hridaya and available commentaries on (water), Tejas (Agni), Vayavya (Vayu) and Nabhasa these texts. We have also referred to the various (Aakash). Each cell (Dhatuparamanu) consists of websites and scientific journals to collect these five Bhutagnis as each and every cell in our information regarding current researches on the body is composed of the five basic elements. All the relevant topics. nutrients in this world that we eat also consist of Literature Review the same five basic elements with their respective Agni Agni. Acharya Charaka has mentioned that the five Bhutagni digest their own part of the element Food that we eat undergoes gradual present in the food materials. After the digestion of transformation by the effect of Jatharagni, Bhutagni food by the Bhutagni, digested materials containing and Dhatvagni. The processed metabolic products the elements and qualities similar to each Bhutas circulate inside the Srotas continuously by the nourish their own Bhautika elements of the body9. proper functioning of Vata Dosha. This in turn However, there is an indirect reference of five favours the overall development and growth of Bhutagnis underlying in the brief description made tissues, strength, complexion and happiness as to the transformation of food stuff.10 well.4 In the text Brahmasutra, presence of Agni 3. Dhatwagni has been said to be the sign of life in the body. Each of the seven type of Dhatus viz. Rasa, Acharya Yasaka has given the etymology of the term Rakta, Mamsa, Meda, Asthi, Majja and Shukra have Agni. The word “A” denotes root “I,” meaning “to their own Agni known as Dhatwagni. Each go”; “G” denotes the root “Anja,” meaning “to glitter” Dhatvagni present in each Dhatu synthesizes and or root “Daha” meaning “to burn” and “Ni” means transforms the essential Dhatu nutrients required “to carry.” for that particular Dhatu from the basic nutrients It means Agni carries everything in it. It present in the Anna Rasa.11 moves everywhere and metamorphoses substances, According to Vagbhata the Dhatwagni is burns, assimilates, glitters and grows.5 Sukshmaansh of Jatharagni which is situated in Types of Agni Dhatu. It’s Sada (diminished power) and Dipti Agni is innumerable because of its presence (increased power) causes Dhatuvruddhi and 12 in each and every Parmanu of the body. According Dhatukshaya respectively. to the functions and site of action, Agni has been Other Types divided into 13 types, i.e. one Jatharagni, five According to Acharya Sushruta, five types of Bhutagni and seven Dhatvagni. Agnis are illustrated, viz. Pachakagni, Ranjakagni, Alochakagni, Sadhakagni and Bhrajakagni.13 AYUSHDHARA | September - October 2017 | Vol 4 | Issue 5 1356 Shekhar G. Uike, Mayurkumar M. Parate. Concept of Agni and Ama in Ayurveda Vagbhata has described different types of dribbling of saliva), Mala Sanga (obstruction to Agnis, viz.- Aaudaryagni, Bhutagnis14. Sharanga- Mala eg. Purisha, etc.), Aruchi (anorexia), Klama dhara has described five Pittas. (Pachak, Bhrajak, (lethargy) these are the signs of presence of Ama in Ranjak, Alochaka and Sadhak)15. body.19 Agnis in the body are divided into four types Classic principles of treating Ama Dosha with respect to their 'Bala'.16-17 The line of treatment of AmaDosha starts A. Teekshnagni- Teekshna Agni is the one having with Pachana (digestion of Ama) then Deepana tolerance for all types of Apachara in Aahar is (increasing digestive power) and lastly Shodhana called Teekshnagni. Due to predominance of Pitta after Snehan and Swedan. Shodhana without Ama Dosha in Agni Adhisthana, Agni becomes Pachana results in further complication as Ama Teekshna. Dosha is amalgamated within body tissues. Hence B. Manda Agni - Manda Agni is the one having no Shodhana Karma is not recommended as first line of tolerance of even a little bit of Apachara. Due to treatment. The overall treatment approach predominance of Kapha Dosha in Agni primarily focuses on Pachana (digestion of Ama), Adhisthana, Agni becomes Teekshna. Deepana (increasing digestive power), Anulomana C. Samagni - Agni at its normality is a Samagni. (purge) and Shamana (medicine) to avoid further Sama Agni is the one which gets Vikrita due to formation of Ama20. Apachara. Samagni exists in persons having Current studies on effect of various measures to balanced of Vata, Pitta and Kapha Dosha.