CORE Metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk Provided by International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine Published online in http://ijam.co.in ISSN: 0976-5921 International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, 2013, 4(4), 264-271 A review on relation between prakruti and agni Review article Sarita V. Ohol.1* 1. Associate Professor, Department of Kriyashareer, Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Ayurveda and Research Institute, Nerul, Navimumbai-400706. Abstract Ayurveda takes into account an individual in his entirety and advices to follow daily regimen and adopt achar- rasayan(fixed rules conduct in life) accordingly. But today’s irregular and fast lifestyle, irregularities in diet, sleep, high stress levels at the workplace and emotional factors can lead to indigestion. It occurs due to deficiency in quality and quantity of digestive juices, which is termed as mandagni (deficient digestive fire). Prakruti means neutrality or habits or condition. Ayurvedic treatment emphasizes on examining the prakruti or the natural states of an individual’s before proceeding. In Ayurvedic compendia, relation between prakruti and agni is not quoted directly except tikshnagni (intense digestive fire) in pitta prakruti, if it is quoted indirectly (anukta) elsewhere in Ayurvedic texts then it should be enlightened. Hence the concept of agni, prakruti & its inter-relation are vital factors which are to be studied in detail for wellbeing of a person. Hence aim is conceptual study of prakruti, agni and their inter relation. For this, Ayurvedic literature regarding prakruti and agni is reviewed. Summing up all literature regarding prakruti and agni, study shows that not only influence of factors like dosha, kaala(season), aahar(diet), desha(habitat) are but also jati, kula, panchmahabhuta (five elements) etc. plays important role in formation of prakruti and it should be determined by all aspects and not by the influence of dosha only. Likewise, agni also should not only judged by prakruti but also by considering other factors like influence of dosha, age, season, work pattern, yoga, quality and quantity food habit, mental states, desha, effect of treatment etc. Keywords: Agni, Mandaagni, Prakruti, Tikshnagni . Introduction: Rather than trying to cure a disease in Ayurvedic treatment differs from isolation, Ayurveda takes into account an the majority of conventional cures because individual in his entirety and advices to of its unique approach towards healing. follow daily regimen and adopt achar The principle of Ayurvedic treatment is rasayan accordingly. curing the sick, and not the sickness. In today’s irregular and fast lifestyle skipping regular meals, excessive *Corresponding Author: intake of food or drinks, irregularities in Sarita V. Ohol, diet and sleep; and high stress levels at the Associate Professor, workplace, emotional factors such as envy, Department of Kriyashareer, fear, anger, etc. can lead to indigestion. Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Ayurveda and Indigestion can also be due to Research Institute, Nerul, Navimumbai- uncomfortable postures, controlling 400706. natural urges and changes in the period Mb. No.-8879326377, and pattern of sleep. It can lead to waking Email ID- [email protected] up frequently at night, several diseases and 264 Published online in http://ijam.co.in ISSN: 0976-5921 Sarita V. Ohol et.al., A review on relation between prakruti and agni psychological disturbances. It occurs due tantraukti, except tikshnagni in pitta to deficiency in quality and quantity of prakruti. digestive juices, which is termed as mandagni (deficient digestive fire). (1) Material and Methods Agni is one of the ten factors which Review of Ayurvedic literature will be is to be examined before initiating, the taken regarding the prakruti and agni. treatment of patient. The role of agni in Review of research work related to body is very much emphasized for agni and prakruti will be considered. example, having a balanced state of doshas, agni (digestive fire), dhatus The concept of prakruti (tissues) normal functioning of mala The word prakruti means "nature" (waste products), cheerful state of atman or natural form of the build and (soul), sensory organs and mind are the constitution of the human body. Pra means symptoms of healthy life. (2) the "beginning", "commencement" or It is stated that all internal disease "source of origin" and kruti means "to are caused by vitiation of this agni, another perform" or "to form". Put together, meaning of agni is kaya, and kaya (agni) prakruti means "natural form" or "original chikita is included in Ashtang Ayurved. (3) form" or "original source". Disease occurs Prakruti means neutrality or habits when there is a change in this original or condition. (4) In Ayurveda, prakruti form at the psychological or physiological concept has been given much importance. level. Ayurvedic treatment also emphasize on Ayurveda lays emphasis on examining the prakruti or the natural states examining the prakruti or the natural state of an individual before proceeding. The of an individual first. The disease vikruti is prakruti or the physical constitution, examined later. However, in terms of the Susceptibility to diseases, mental functioning of living beings, Ayurveda make-up and lifestyle of an individual is sees all actions based on three basic ascertained in accordance to the elemental functions called doshas - constitution of the universe. Hence the namely vata, pitta and kapha. Before a concept of agni, prakruti & its inter- detailed description of each prakruti type, relation are vital factors which are to be the qualities of each of the doshas are studied in detail for wellbeing of a person. given. These qualities are manifested in the individual's personality. Need of topic In Ayurvedic compendia relation Vata prakruti between prakruti and Agni is not quoted Vata is dry, light, mobile, directly except Tikshnagni in Pitta expansible, quick, cold, rough, clear and prakruti.(5) If it is quoted indirectly astringent in taste. So, dry quality of vata (anukta) elsewhere in Ayurvedic texts then is manifested in the body as dry skin and it should be enlightened. thin structure i.e. lean body. The hair, This study may give some idea of nails, teeth and eyes appear dry. The voice preventive measures for diseases caused is weak, low, crackling and hoarse. These by agni and prakruti. individuals require little sleep and are hyperactive. The movements of the Aim & objectives individuals - especially of the eyebrows, To study concept of prakruti chin, lips, tongue and limbs are quick and To study concept of agni. unsteady. The expansive nature is manifest To re-establish relation in between in prominent blood vessels. Due to quick prakruti and agni with help of action, the individual shows early initiative 265 Published online in http://ijam.co.in ISSN: 0976-5921 International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, 2013, 4(4), 264-271 in work but because of the dry quality he soft, the looks gentle and clear. The sweet loses strength and becomes tired. Their quality gives them a large quantity of memory is weak but they have a quick semen and they have a strong sexual urge. grasp. Due to the cold nature, the body The stable and steady quality endows them temperature is low and body stiff. The with a well-built and steady body. The natural desires and craving for food and dense nature provides fullness to the body environment are opposite to the qualities and organs. The slow quality of vata. They have meager seminal fluid of kapha makes the individuals slow in and have only a few children. They tend to their activities but they have strong have a short life span.(6) perseverance and are emotionally very mild. They have steady and slow body Pitta prakruti movements. The cold quality results in Pitta is hot, penetrating, slightly poor appetite and low body temperature. foul smelling, liquid, sour and pungent in The steady and dense quality gives them taste. So steady joints and ligaments. The clear Due to the inherent hot quality of quality gives rise to a pleasant appearance, pitta, these individuals have a high colour and voice. All the qualities of metabolic rate, a tendency to eat and drink kapha endow the individual with strength, a lot and are often thirsty. They develop wealth and energy and also a long life. (8) moles and skin eruptions. They possess Most people are a combination of soft and scanty hair and tend to be two doshas i.e. dwandvaja prakruti. They prematurely grey and bald. They are possess characteristics of both doshas unable to bear even minimum heat. They involved depending on the percentage of are brave and courageous but cannot the combination. A balanced constitution tolerate exertion. They get easily provoked is ideal and extremely rare in which the and upset. The fluid quality makes the balanced state of all the three doshas body parts, muscles and joints soft and neutralizes the bad or unwanted qualities, flabby. The high metabolic rate leads to support and bring out good qualities of the excessive perspiration and excretion. The other. foul smell of the pitta tends to give them a strong body odour. The quality of heat and The concept of Agni pungent taste leads to limited sexual urge, The term “Agni” generally means scanty semen and limited progeny. Due to fire. In Ayurvedic perspective this term the sharp and quick action, they have a does not actually means fire. In this very good intellect, grasping power, context, it comprehends various factors memory and are of moderate strength and which participate in and direct the course the life span is medium.(7) of digestion and metabolism in living and physiologically functioning organism. Kapha prakruti Kapha is unctuous, smooth, soft, Etymology and sweet in taste, stable, dense, slow, The word, agni is the root verb of rigid, cold and clear. Kapha “anga” in the broad sense agni.