CONSEPT OF AGNI
(DIGESTIVE FIRE) IN AYURVEDIC AND MODERN PERSPECTIVE.
Prof.Dr. R.R.deshpande.
(MD in Chikitsa and kriya sharir)
HOD & Guide (Kriya
sharir department)
Address – 9/A, Kapila
Society, Gokhale nagar, Pune-411016
Ph.no.-
9226810630
Mail id – professordeshpande@gmail.com
ABSTRACT-
Ayurveda, Indian system of
medicine is popular and well know globally. Basic reason is the fundamental
principles of ayurveda have proved their time tested importance. One of them
principle is, role of Agni or Digestive fire in the body. Ayurvedic compendia
have explained details about Agni (Digestive fire), Sthula pachana (Primary
or gross digestion) & Sukshma pachana (Tissue metabolism). For treating
any patient, understanding of Agni concept with contemporary knowledge of
modern medicine will be immensely helpful.
While explaining the importance of
Agni ayurveda quotes “Rogaha sarve api manda agnau….” (Ashtangahrudaya,
nidan sthan 12), this means all the diseases are created due to weak digestive
fire or faulty metabolism.
This article is an attempt to
explain ayurvedic Agni concept in more vivid manner & clarifying some
points with the knowledge of modern physiology.
(References no.- 13)
KEY WORDS – Agni, Jatharagni, Bhutagni, Dhatwagni,
Pachana, Digestive juices, Metabolism, Dhatu poshana nayay.
INTRODUCTION –
Agni concept is important in healthy
condition as well as in diseased condition. According to ayurveda the person is
called healthy when he has balanced condition of Dosha (Bio energy), Dhatu (
Body tissue), mala (Waste products) & Agni (Digestive fire).
Functions of Agni –
When digestive fire is working
efficiently, the person can enjoy the benefits of its normal functions. These
are explained in charak chi. 15/2. From excellent digestive fire or Agni person
will get a Long healthy life (Ayu), Health (Swasthya), Physical strength
(Bala), Energy (Utsaha), Proper nutrition & growth of body (Upachaya).
Normal metabolic process will be reflected externally as well by radiating skin color, complexion
& texture. Not only this benefits but Ayurveda explains that even life
& death condition of person depend on normal Agni. This means when body
metabolism is extremely distorted it can cause death.
Ayurveda believe that Agni is like fire,
a form of thermal energy. Energy requires medium to perform it’s normal
function. For example, electrical energy can be experienced by moving fan and
blowing lamps similarly Agni, Thermal energy works through the medium of pitta
dosha (Ref. Agni reva sharire, pitta antarrgataha kupita akupita……………. Charak
sutra sthana 12) In this verse (shlok) dual functions of Agni are explained
i.e. physiological & pathological functions.
Physiological condition of Agni will be responsible for – Digestion,
normalcy in vision & body heat, normalcy of complexion, valour, joy &
happiness etc.
Pathological condition will be responsible for- Indigestion, loss of
vision, Hyperpyrexia, abnormality in colour complexion, anger, sorrow &
anxiety etc.
Types of Agni-
In each cell of the body,
conversion & metabolic process is taking place, which occurs due to Agni. So,
ideally we can say there is Innumerable numbers of Agni’s like Innumerable
numbers of cells. But for practical purposes mainly 13 types of Agni’s are
explained as follows –
1) Jatharagni – 1
2) Bhutagni
– 5 ( Parthiwagni, Apyagni,
Tejasagni, Vayavagni, Akashiyagni)
3) Dhatwagni – 7 (Rasagni, Raktagni, Mamsagni,
Medagni, Asthiagni, Majjagni, Shukragni)
Where & how these Agni’s work?
Sthula pachana (Primary
digestion or Gross digestion) –
It takes place from mouth
to large intestine. Digestion is a transformation or parinamana in Sanskrit. Digestion
converts heterogeneous substances to homogeneous substances. For example,
proteins are converted into amino acids, fats are converted into fatty acids
& glycerol and carbohydrates are converted into glucose.
Ayurveda explain the same
thing in its own language. For example, Wheat is parthiv i.e. nutrious
substance. But it is useful only when it is converted into body assumable form.
Ayurveda says this conversion take place in five forms like shabda (sound),
sparsha (touch), rupa (dimensions, appearance), rasa (taste) & gandha
(smell).
Conversion in structure, taste &
smell can be easily understood by available instruments & chemicals. But
change in shabda (sound) & sparsha (touch) is comparatively difficult to
prove by present available investigations. It may require sophisticated or
ultramodern techniques. For example, when wheat is converted into glucose, to
test change in the sound we will need an instrument, which can record sound
waves oscillations of wheat molecule & glucose molecule.
Digestion & conversion is taking place
from mouth to large intestine. Ptylin is present in saliva which converts
starch into Dextrin & Maltose i.e. why even if we chew a slice of bread or
piece of chapatti, only you can feel its sweet taste. Gastric secretions
contain Pepsinogen which is converted into Pepsin with the help of HCL. This
Pepsin acts on proteins & converts it into Peptone & Proteoses. Gastric
Lipase breaks the short chains of Triglycerides in Fatty substances.
In
pancreas, with the help of Enterokinase, Trypsinogen is converted into Trypsin.
This Trypsin acts on Chymotrypsinogen & form Chymotrypsin. This
Chymotrypsin acts on Peptone & Proteoses & Diapeptides are formed.
Pancreatic Amylase acts on Starch & converted it into Dextrin &
Maltose. Pancreatic Lipase acts on Triglycerides & converts them into Free
Fatty Acids (FFA) & Glycerol. Erepsin from intestinal juice converts
simpler Peptides into Amino acids. Intestinal Lactase acts on Lactose &
converts them into Glucose, Maltase converts Maltose to Glucose. Intestine
Lipase converts fats into Fatty acids.
All above said enzymes,
all other digestive enzymes & gastrointestinal hormones CCK, Secretin &
Gastrin can be considered as objective representative of Agni mentioned by
ayurveda. Jatharagni is exists from mouth to large intestine in the form of
energy for all sorts of digestive conversions.
Awasthapak &functions of bhutagni ----
Ayurveda has mentioned
3 phases of primary digestion which are called Awasthapak. In the first phase
i.e. Madhur awasthapak, mainly digestion of substance with madhur taste take
place. Composition of madhur or sweet rasa is pruthvi (earth) + jala (water)
mahabhut. Conversion of pruthvi & jala molecules will take place due to
parthivagni & jalagni.
In second phase
i.e. Amla awasthapak amla i.e. sour taste substances are disintegrated.
Tejasagni disintegrates tej predominant molecules from food.
In the third phase
of digestion i.e. Katu awasthapak, vaywagni & akashagni disintegrates vayu
& akash predominant molecules from the food.
Above 3 phases
take place at mouth, stomach, small intestine, large intestine. In these 3
phases, predominantly disintegration of panchabhutik elements takes place.
Bhutikagni’s are responsible for this conversion or disintegration. So bhutikagni
at primary digestion can be considered as a part of jatharagni.
After sara –
kitta vibhajana i.e. separation of nutrients & waste part,ahara rasa or
nutrient fluid is circulated in the whole body & then sukshma pachan or
tissue metabolism starts.
From rasa to shukra, 7 dhatu’s are formed in their respective places or
strotasas.
Role of bhutagni in shukshma pachan ----
To understand this concept, let us again
understand modern physiology aspects. Proteins are converted into amino
acids in primary digestion. Amino acids are absorbed from villi & through
the blood circulation they reach to liver. Now again amino acids synthesize
different proteins molecules like hemoglobin in the blood & myoglobin in
muscles. This type of conversion is done by bhutagni again.
Similarly we can explain it in ayurvedic language. In sukshma pachana
mamsa (muscles), meda (fats) these parthiv elements are formed. But parthivagni
of mamsa & meda is different. This different type of conversion is possible
only because of action of bhutagni’s during sukshma pachana.
Another example is apya or watery element. Jala or water is present in
rasa dhatu, mutra or urine & in saliva as well. But again difference in
jaliya quality is because of action of apyagni in sukshma pachana.
Action of Dhatwagni –
After seeing the role of bhutagni in sukahma
pachana, some may get confused that what is the role of dhatwagni then?
Apyagni can provide water element to
rasa dhatu. But rasa dhatu is also panchabhutik, so there are also other
elements or molecules are present in rasa dhatu. Here, comes the role of
dhatwagni, rasagni will form the total structure & composition of rasa
dhatu as whole. Naturally dhatwagni’s role will be wider than the role of
bhutagni.
Dhatu poshan nyaya (Theory about tissue metabolism) –
Ayurveda explains 3 important factors with
relation to tissue metabolism as follows –
1)
Kedar
kulya nayay (Theory) –
This theory explains
that specific places, channels i.e. strotasa’s are essential to get proper
nutrition to the tissue. If channels are blocked, transport of nutrients & waste products
will be hampered. This can damage to the tissue structure & quality.
Practical example is myocardial infarction, due to coronary blockage.
2)
Kshirdadhi
nayay (Theory) –
Lot of conversions or transformations process take place when milk products
are formed from milk. Milk is fermented & curd is formed. Curd is churned &
butter milk is formed. After cooking the butter we get ghee. In the human body
also lots of conversion & transformation process take place due to various
enzymes & hormones. Proteins form pulses, are acted upon by enzymes &
then muscle proteins are formed. In formation of any tissue, conversion
& transformation process is very important. This can be explained by
kshirdadhi nayay or theory.
3)
Khale kapot
nayay (Theory) –
Pigeon like birds has an ability to select the food grains from the
dust & sand. Similarly in the human body each tissue & dhatu, select its
own nutrients necessary for its growth or anabolism. For example, from the
circulating blood, reticuloendothelium system will accept iron necessary for
the formation of rakta dhatu or blood. Asthi dhatu or bone will select only
calcium molecule for its anabolism. This theory explains selectivity action
of body tissues during growth or anabolism.
SUMMARY –
In the present article, attempt is made to clarify Ayurvedic views
about Agni’s & Pachana in scientific manner.
REFRENCES –
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