An Analytical Study Of Annarasa To Maintain Sharira Dhatu by Agni

Abstract

According to Ayurveda "Sarvamdravyam Panchabhautikam" i.e all creation arises out of five great  elements known as Mahabhutas. As per Ayurvedic theory, like all the universal matter our body is also  formed by the Pancha Mahabhutas. In this Panchabautika Sharira Various Paka (metabolic  transformations) are going on continuously. [1] Agni is the invariable agent in the process of Paka (digestion, transformation). Ingested food is to be  digested, absorbed and assimilated, which is unavoidable for the maintenance of life, and is performed  by the Agni. Different examples are available in our classics to indicate that Pitta is the same as Agni,  but some doubt arises behind this concept, that Pitta is Agni. Agni is innumerable because of its  presence in each and every Paramanu of the body. But, the enumeration of the number of Agni varies  in various classical Ayurvedic texts. According to the functions and site of action, Agni has been  divided into 13 types, i.e.one Jatharagni, five Bhutagni and seven Dhatvagni. Jatharagni is the most  important one, which digests four types of food and transforms it into Rasa and Mala.[2] In these  sequences, the term Agni comprehends various factors which participates and regulate the course of  digestion and metabolism. The paper tries to validate this theory scientifically.