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CONCEPTUAL STUDY OF AGNI IN AYURVEDA

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Pharma Science Monitor 8(4), Oct-Dec 2017

PHARMA SCIENCE MONITOR

AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
Journal home page: http://www.pharmasm.com

CONCEPTUAL STUDY OF AGNI IN AYURVEDA

Amrit Godbole*1, Sweta2, Abhinav3, O.P.Singh4, J.S.Tripathi5
1
Junior Resident 3rd year, Department of Kayachikitsa, FOA, IMS, BHU
2
Junior Resident 3rd year,Department of Rachana Sharir, FOA, IMS, BHU
3
Assitant Professor(Panchakarma), Department of Kayachikitsa, FOA, IMS, BHU
4
Professor, Department of Kayachikitsa, FOA, IMS, BHU
5
Professor & Head Department of Kayachikitsa, FOA, IMS, BHU

ABSTRACT
The creation and destruction of the universe, metabolism and catabolism in organism all are
regulated through Agni. The presence of ‘Agni’ in human system responsible for digestion and
metabolism. Agni digests the Ahara (food) on which the strength of body (Bala), VarÆa, Oja,
etc depends. Hypofunctioning of Agni leads to indigestion and formation of Ama which in the
turn is the root cause of various ailments meanwhile hyperfunctioning leads to several other
digestive as well as generalised metabolic anomalies. Agni is the most important aspect of
Ayurveda as all the states diseased or health revolves around the status of agni. Agni acompasses
all the changes include the digestion and absorption of food, cellular transformation, and
assimilation of sensory perception, mental and emotional experiences.
KEYWORDS: Agni; Ama; Metabolism.

INTRODUCTION
In Ayurveda, the term “Agni” is used in the sense of digestion of food and metabolism. Agni is
one of the ten factors which are required to be examined before initiating the treatment of
patients1.Agni is responsible for absorbing the nutrients and essential elements the body needs
while burning off waste products (Agni is the root of the English word “ignite”). If our Agni is
strong, we’re able to digest food efficiently and easily. On the other hand, if Agni is weak, our
body won’t digest the ingested food item well, creating toxic residue or Ama that lodges deep in
our cells2. If digestive fire is not functioning properly, one has poor digestion, languid blood-
circulation, poor complexion, low energy levels, flatulence and poor immunity against diseases.
Thus according to Ayurvedic principles promoting proper functioning of the digestive fire is the
main key of treating the root cause of the diseases.
Agni in various Literature:
In Brahmasutra, Agni has been meant to be a sign of life in the body.

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In Shabdakalpadruma, 61 synonyms of Agni have been compiled. These synonyms help in

explaining the nature and functions of the Agni, e.g., Vaishvanara, Sarva Paka, Tanoonpata,
Amivachatana, Damunasa, Shuchi, Vishwambhar, Rudra etc3.
Nyaya & Vaisesika Darshana divided Agni into following categories-
Bhauma or the physical fire,
Divya or the celestial fire like the lightening, rays of sun, moon, and the stars,
Audarya or the abdominal fire which is responsible for the digestion as well as metabolism and,
Akaraja which is present in the metals such as gold and silver.
It has been shown here that the matter and energy are separable only upto a certain level beyond
which they are interchangeable and inseparable from each other.
Acharya Charak mentioned that after cessation of the function of Agni, the individual dies, and
when the Agni of an individual is sama, then that person would be absolutely healthy and would
lead a long, happy, healthy life. If somehow the Agni of a person is disturbed either vitiated or
diminished, the whole metabolism of the body would be disturbed, resulting in ill health and
diseased state. That’s why, Agni is said to be the base (mool) of life. (Cha.Chi.15/4.)4.
According to Acharya Sushruta, there is no other form of Agni in the body except the Pitta, and
when this Pitta dosha is vitiated or diminished the digestion of the food material is affected the
same way as the combustion of fuel is affected with diminished or vitiated fire in the outer world
and both the conditions are tackled in a similar manner. (Su. Su. 21/09)5.
Chakrapani has commented on “Pittantargatta,”that the function of Pitta inside the body is not
combustion but its work is to provide Heat energy of Agni.(Chakrapani Tika on Cha.Su.-12/11).6
According to Hemadri, Pitta is of five divisions, which is located in the middle of
the pakvashaya and amashaya, although it is composed of panchabhutas, because of an increase
of (predominance qualities of) tejas bhuta, it is devoid of liquidity (although it is a liquid). Also,
because it does not possess snigdha(viscidity), sita and such other properties of apa bhuta, it is
called by the term “Anal”. Because of its function of paka it cooks the food, dividing it into
essence (prasad) and waste (kitta) separately. The Jatharagni bestows grace (help) to the
other Pitta in the body and to the dhatvagni present in the dhatus. 7(As.Hr.Su.12/10-12)

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Types of Agni-

Author No. Name Reference

Acharya charaka 13 Jatharagni-1,Bhutagni-5,Dhatvagni-7 Ch.Chi.15/38).[8]
Acharya 5(agni) Pachak,Ranjak,Sadhak,Bhrajak,Alochak (Sh.Su.21/10.)[9]
Sushruta
Acharya 18 Bhutagni-5,Dhatvagni-7,Doshagni- (Sha.Sa.Pu.Kh.-
Vagbhata 3,Malagni-3 5/32).[10]

Sharangadhara 5(pitta) Pachak,Ranjak,Sadhak,Bhrajak,Alochak

Bhavamishra Same as Acharya Charaka &Vagbhata (Bh.Pu.Kh.-
3/169,180).[11]

Detailed Study of Jatharagni, Bhutagni, Dhatvagni- The strength of the Grahani is

from Agni itself, and the strength of Agni is from Grahani. When the Agni undergoes
vitiation, Grahani also gets vitiated and produces diseases(As.Hr.Sha.3/50-54)12. 1.Jatharagni
is the Agni present in the Jathara. Jathara stands for the stomach and duodenum. As per
Ashtanga Hridaya, seat of Jatharagni is Grahani (duodenum). The name Grahani, as it holds
the food for certain amount of time inside the Amasaya (stomach) in order to initiate
digestion. Jatharagni is the main important Agni that controls the function of all other 12 Agnis.
All the Agnis are totally dependent on the status of Jatharagni13 (Cha. Chi. 15/39-
40).Jatharagni is considered to be the prime because each and every nutrient that one ingests
first comes to the stomach and duodenum and is subjected to the action of Jatharagni.
Jatharagni plays a key role in digestion of food-stuffs composed of the five basic elements and
transforms it for utilization by the respective tissues. Jatharagni separates food material into the
sara (essence portion) and kitta (waste products) in the human body. Jatharagni is also classified
into four categories according to its performance of digestion in the human
14
being(Cha.Chi.15/51) namely Vishamagni,tikshanagni,Mandagni and Samagni.
A. Samagni- Normal digestive fire is characterised by strong and appealing appetite that is easily
satisfied with normal food. Digestive functions are proper; there are no episodes of gas, colic and
constipation15.It digests and assimilates food properly at the proper time. This thus increases the
quality of the Dhatus (supportive tissues of the body)14.

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B.Vishamagni(Variable)Here the digestive fire is disturbed by vata. Because of variability in

vata, there are episodes of alternating cycles of strong appetite with loss of appetite and
forgetfulness to consume foods15.This type of Agni changes between digesting food quickly and
slowly. It creates different types of udargata roga14.
C.Tikshnagni(High) Here the digestive fire is disturbed by pitta. In these cases, agni is usually
high and both pitta and agni share same properties. In these cases, immunity against diseases is
good. Because of variability in pitta, there are episodes excessive appetites15.Tikshnagni means
very quick/very sharp/very fast. Acharya Shushrut states that when the power of digestion is
increased from normal to above normal, food digests very quickly and produces hunger or the
desire for food. When food is digested, the throat, the mouth cavity and the lips become dry with
a burning sensation. This condition is known as “Bhasmak Roga” according to Ayurveda14.
D. Mandagni(Low) “Mand” means slow. Here the digestive fire is disturbed by kapha. Because
of variability in kapha, there are episodes of poor appetite, sluggish metabolism and tendency to
weight gain despite optimal food consumption. Excessive mucus or phlegm production and
congestion are striking features15.The meaning of the Mandagni is slow digestive power or
digestive capacity. Those who are having Mandagni eat very little and are unable to digest the
smallest amount of food. Lord Dhanvantri says that Agni digests the least amount of food in the
greatest amount of time14.
According to Hareet Samhita, Samagni depends on whether the Doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha)
are in normal stage. When the Pitta is higher than normal, the condition is known as Tikshnagni.
When Vata and Kapha are higher than normal, the condition is known as Mandgni
2.Five bhutagni are fine and subtler agnis located in the five mahabhutas. These agnis are
responsible for the molecular metabolism and help in synthesis and break down of materials at
molecular level. These represent the catabolic processes in our body. There are five Agnis in
each of the five basic elements, namely – Parthiva (earth), Apya (water), Tejas (Fire), Vayavya
(Wind) and Nabhasa (sky).
3. Seven dhatu agnis are responsible for the formation of tissues (dhatus) and participate in the
specific tissue metabolism. The dhatvagni represent the entire range of anabolic
processes functioning in the respective tissues. Acharya Charaka has mentioned the fact that
that the seven dhatus that are a support system of the body contain their own Agnis, and by its
virtue they digest and transform the materials supplied to them to make the substances alike to
them for nourishment16 (Cha. Su. 28/15)

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1. Rasadhatu (nutrient fluid) – Rasagni.

2. Rakta dhatu (blood tissue) - Raktagni.
3. Mamsa dhatu (muscle tissue) - Mamsagni.
4. Medas dhatu (Adipose tissue) – Medo agni
5. Asthi dhatu (Bony tissue) – Asthyagni.
6. Majja dhatu (Bone marrow and nervous tissue) – Majjagni
7. Sukra dhatu (Reproductive tissues including sperm and ovum) – Sukragni
CONCLUSION
Agni apart from the digestive function, is also responsible for the production of strength which
has two aspects namely 1.strength to resist the occurrence of disease and decay in the human
body 2.strength to perform physical exercises. Due to faulty agni status, a number of unripe,
undigested or unmetabolised byproducts are formed and have tendency to block the micro
channels of the body, thus resulting in accumulation of doshas(morbid matters) and finally
precipitate in the form of disease. Ayurveda emphasizes that most of the diseases are the
byproduct of agnidushti that is why the main principle of treatment of all diseases in Ayurveda is
to restore and strengthen the agni (digestive and metabolic fire).
REFERENCES
1. ayurvedaforyou.com/ayurveda_principles/ayurveda_agni.html
2. www.chopra.com/agni-ojas-ama
3. Shabdakalpadruma, Radhakantdev R, editors. Amar Publication Varanasi: Chaukhamba
Samskrit Series.1967:8
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Chaukhamba Bharti Academy; 2004. Chikitsasthana, 15/2; p. 452).
5. Sushrut Samhita, Shastri Ambicadutt., Dr . Varanasi: Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan;
2005. p. 88
6. Chakrapani Tika on Charak Samhita of Agnivesa by Cakrapanidatta. Varanasi:
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9. Sushrut Samhita, Shastri A., editors. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan; 2005. p.
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