AYUSHDHARA ISSN: 2393-9583 (P)/ 2393-9591 (O)

An International Journal of Research in AYUSH and Allied Systems

Review Article

ROLE OF AGNIDUSHTI IN PATHOGENESIS OF DISEASES

Lanjewar Swati Rajkumar1*, Gurmule Rajni Kamlakar2
*1Assistant Professor, Dept. of Rognidan Avum Vikriti Vigyan, L.N.Ayurved College & Hospital, Bhopal,
Madhya Pradesh, India.
2Assistant Professor, Dept. of Rachana Sharir Mahatma Gandhi Ayurveda College, Hospital & Research

Centre, Salod (H), Wardha, Maharashtra, India.

KEYWORDS: Agni, Agnidushti ABSTRACT

(improper function of Agni), According to fundamentals of Ayurveda Agni has an important role in the
Tridosha, Rasadhatu. physiological functioning of body. Agni is broadly described in three
types Jatharagni, Bhutagni, Dhatvagni. The Jatharagni is Param– Sukshma
and a unit which transforms of Aahara (food substances) into various
forms which can be easily assimilated by our body. When it is in good
quality it covert ingested food into absorbable form which gives energy
to each and every tissue of the body. Therefore all components present in
own body are depending upon Agni directly or indirectly. It helps in the
balance condition of the three Doshas or humors namely Vata, Pitta,
*Address for correspondence Kapha. As in classics of Ayurveda all diseases are caused due to Mandagni
Dr. Lanjewar Swati Rajkumar (hampered function of Agni) -“Roga Sarvepi Mandagnou”. If Agni becomes
Assistant Professor hampers, it will result into improper formation of Rasadhatu and
Dept. of Rognidan Avum Vikriti consequently Uttorotar Dhatu formation hampers. Once the Srotus
Vigyan becomes abnormal, it brings abnormality in normal Dhatu by not
L. N. Ayurved College and transporting to required destination, so Srotus vitiates other Srotus and
Hospital, Bhpoal, Madhya pradesh, Dhatu, Dhatu vitiates other Dhatu, and for all these imbalanced Dosha are
India. responsible. Agnidushti (Improper functioning of Agni) causes imbalance
Email :
in the level of Tridosha which results in pathogenesis of various disease.
srlanjewar1990@gmail.com
Mob: 8888871902/ 9730517624
That’s why Agnidushti play an important role in pathogenesis of various
diseases.

INTRODUCTION
In the universe the difference between happy, healthy life. But, if the Agni of a person is
Achetan (Non-living) and Chetan (Living) is due to vitiated, the whole metabolism in his body would be
the presence of Agni Tatwa in the living thing. In disturbed, resulting in ill health and disease.
Ayurveda only because of Agni ingested food is get Hence, Agni is said to be the vital source (Mool) of
digested, absorbed and assimilated, which is life.[2]
unavoidable for the maintenance of life. According to Charaka, the constituent parts
Ayurveda considers that Dehagni is the of the body, if further divided into the Dhatu
cause of Ayu (life), Varna (complexion), Bala Paramanu (atoms), are sure to become
(strength), Swasthya (health), Utsaha (Enthusiasm), innumerable, as such cells or atoms are exceedingly
Chayapachya (nourishment and growth), Prabha numerous, very minute and ultrasensory. In the
(lusture), Oja, Teja (energy) and Prana (life Sanyog (conjunction) and Vibhag (disjunction) of
energy).[1] Dhatu Paramanu, the activating factors are Vata and
About the importance of Agni, Acharya the nature of action.[3] According to modern
Charaka has mentioned that after stoppage of the medicine, metabolic processes, division and
function of Agni, the individual dies, and when multiplication are going on in all cells of our body
the Agni of an individual is Sama, then that person from birth till death. The cell is the functional unit
would be absolutely healthy and would lead a long, of the body. Thus, based on Acharya Charaka, the
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 Lanjewar Swati Rajkumar, Gurmule Rajni Kamlakar. Role of Agnidushti in Pathogenesis of Diseases
cells can be considered as “Dhatu Paramanus.” For Jatharagni
these constant processes in all cells, a biological Jatharagni is chief among all types of Agni
energy is constantly essential, without which the because functions of Bhutangi and Dhatvagni
survival of our body will be quite impossible. The depend on it. Aggravation or diminution of
same biological energy is provided by Agni in Jatharagni results in aggravation or diminution of
Ayurveda. Bhutagni and Dhatvagni.[10]
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES According to Acharya Sushruta, there is no
1. To study the concept of Agni in details. existence of any other Agni in the body without
2. To study the concept of Agnidushti in Pitta, because when there is increased digestion
pathogenesis of diseases. and combustion in the body due to Ushna Guna of
MATERIALS AND METHODS Pitta, the treatment is like Agni.[11]
The main Ayurvedic texts used in this study Acharya Marichi has also emphasized that
are Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Astang the Agni present in the Pitta gives good or bad
Sangraha, Ashtang Hridya, Madhav Nidan and results when it is normal or vitiated. Chakrapani has
commentaries on these. Also referred some text commented on “Pittantargatta,” that the function of
books on Rognidan avum Vikruti Vigyan, and Sharir Pitta inside the body is not combustion but its work
Kriya and searched various research article related is to provide heat of Agni.[12]
to the topic. Acharya Dalhana also state that “Teja
Review and Discussion Patham Jatharanalmargam” i.e. Agnivaha Srotas is
present.[13] Jatharagni helps in the proper
Types of Agni
functioning of Bhutangi and Dhatvagni.
Agni varies in various classical Ayurvedic texts, as
Bhutagni
shown below
Bhutagni is the one that is present in a basic
 Charaka has mentioned about 13 Agnis.
element (Bhutas). There are five Agnis in each of the
Jatharagni - 1, Bhutagni - 5, Dhatvagni - 7
five basic elements, namely – Parthiva (earth), Apya
(Cha.Chi.15/38) .[4]
(water), Tejas (Agni), Vayavya (Vayu) and Nabhasa
 According to Acharya Sushruta, five types of
(Akash).
Agnis are illustrated, viz. Pachakagni, Ranjakagni,
Alochakagni, Sadhakagni and Bhrajakagni. Each and every cell in our body is composed
However, there is an indirect reference of of the five Mahabhutas or five basic elements.
five Bhutagnis underlying in the brief description Naturally, each cell (Dhatu Paramanu) consists of
made to the transformation of food stuff. these five Bhutagni also.[14] All the nutrients in this
(Sh.Su.21/10.)[5] world that we eat also consist of the same five basic
elements with their respective Agni or bio energies.
 Vagbhata has described different types Agni,
Thus, they are completely similar with respect to
viz.– Bhutagnis – 5, Dhatvagnis – 7, Dhoshagni – 3
the five basic elements with their Bhutagni in our
and Malagni – 3. (A. Hr. Sha. 3/70)[6]
body cells as well in the entire outside nutrient,
 Sharangadhara has recognized five pittas only which we ingest for the nutrition of our body.
(Pachak, Bhrajak, Ranjak, Alochaka and Sadhak) Acharya Charaka has mentioned that the five
(Sha.Sa.Pu.Kh.-5/47-50).[7] Bhutagni digest their own part of the element
 Bhavamishra has followed Acharya Charaka and present in the food materials. After the digestion of
Vagbhata (Bh.Pu.Kh.-3/169,180).[8] food by the Bhutagni, digested materials containing
Agni is innumerable because of its presence in each the elements and qualities similar to each Bhutas
and every Dhatu Paramanu (cell) of the body.[9] nourish their own specific Bhautika elements of the
Broadly Agni has been divided into 13 types body.[15] These Bhutagnis act after the Jatharagni,
according to the function and site of action. These acting on the food and causing their disintegration.
are: Dhatvagni
1. Jatharagni: one Agni present in the All the seven Dhatus (seven element tissues
Pakwaamashaya. of the body) contain their own Agni to metabolize
2. Bhutagni : Five Agni from Panchamahabhuta the nutrient materials supplied to them through
(five basic elements). their own Srotas.
3. Dhatwagni : Seven Agni present, one in each of 1. Rasagni present in the Rasa Dhatu
the seven Dhatus. 2. Raktagni present in the Rakta Dhatu
3. Mamsagni present in the Mamsa Dhatu

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 AYUSHDHARA, 2019;6(4):2316-2319
4. Medagni present in the Meda Dhatu circulates simultaneously and continuously all over
5. Asthyagni present in the Asthi Dhatu the body with the help of Vyana Vata. As earlier we
6. Majjagni present in the Majja Dhatu studied that this Rasdhatu helps in the formation of
other Uttarottar Dhatu formation if there is any
7. Shukragni present in the Shukra Dhatu
Srotorodha (obstruction in Srotas) or abnormality
Each Dhatvagni or the bio energy present in present, then it will vitiated other Srotas which
each Dhatu synthesizes and transforms the results help in the formation of disease. Once the
essential Rasa Dhatu required for that particular Srotas becomes abnormal, it brings abnormality in
Dhatu or cell from the basic nutrients present in the normal Dhatu by not transporting to required
Anna Rasa or essence of the diet that we consume. destinations; this is because abnormality in Srotas.
Each Dhatvagni has got a speciality to synthesize Srotas vitiates other Srotas, Dhatus vitiates other
and transform the constituents suitable to its Dhatus, and for all these happenings disturbed
particular Dhatu. This action is a sort of selective Doshas are responsible. Doshas get aggravated by
action. Acharya Charaka has mentioned the fact that the hampered functions of Agni.
that the seven Dhatus that are a support of the body
Certain terminologies used in Ayurveda
contain their own Agni, and by their own Agni they
while explaining the pathogenesis, signs and
digest and transform the materials supplied to them
symptoms etc are Dushyatagn, Agnisadan,
to make the substances alike to them for
Mandagni, Nastagni, Durbalagni, Atyagni,
assimilation and nourishment.[16]
Upahatagni, Hatwagni, Agninsha, Sheetagni,
All these process on Aahara by these Teekshnagni, Vishamagni, Alpagni, it indicates the
Bhutagni and Dhatvagni cause only because of importance in the disease process.[24]
Jatharagni. If Jatharagni gets hampered then it also
All Acharyas gives importance to Agni
hampered other Agni’s function. Aahara Parinat
Pariksha in the evaluation and therapeutic
Sukshma Rasa gets distributed all over the body
management of diseases; it shows the importance
with the help of Vyan Vata. If this Aahara Ras is
of Agnidushti in the pathogenesis of diseases.
Apakva or Aparinat due improper function of
Jatharagni, results in Ama Dosha.[17] CONCLUSION
Swasthya (healthy state of body) and
Ama:
Rogawastha are entirely depending on Agni.
Impaired function of Agni results in the Consumed Aahara undergo metabolic
production of Ama. As Acharyas states various types transformation process with the help of Jatharagni,
of Agni that means impaired function of any type of Bhutagni, Dhatvagni. If any type of Agni gets
Agni i.e. Jatharagni, Bhutagni or Dhatvagni.[18] Ama vitiates; it vitiates the other Agni, and ultimately it
leads to various symptoms which causes diseases. disturbed or vitiates the Doshas. So we can conclude
Srotorodha (Obstruction in Srotasas / body that Agnidushti has prime importance in the genesis
channels), Balabhramsha (decreased physical and of diseases. Hence we should protect Agni by proper
immunological strength), Gaurav (feeling of intake of Aahara and Vihara which will gives us
heaviness), Anilmudhata (decreased activity of Vata healthy and joyful life span.
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Cite this article as:
Lanjewar Swati Rajkumar, Gurmule Rajni Kamlakar. Role of Agnidushti in Pathogenesis of
Diseases. AYUSHDHARA, 2019;6(4): 2316-2319.
Source of support: Nil, Conflict of interest: None Declared

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