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Agni is an important vital entity in Ayurveda. Its chief function is to assimilate or transform. It has a potential to convert the biologically distinct substances into the form which can be used up by the body tissues for their growth and nourishment. This action happens at multiple different sites in the body and is responsible for many life processes. Any fluctuation in the strength of agni leads to imbalances in the level of [[Doshas (दोषाः)|doshas]], [[Dhatus (धातवः)|dhatus]] and [[Malas (मलाः)|malas]] which are the building blocks of the body.  Thus agni is an indispensable for [[Ayu (आयुः)|Ayu]] (life) of any individual. In the physical body, Agni is involved in the process of Paka (पाकः । Digestion and transformation). Different Ayurvedic texts mention that Agni is Pitta (पित्तम्), one of the [[Doshas (दोषाः)|tridoshas]] (त्रिदोषाणि) of the human body, which are vata (वातः), pitta (पित्तम्) and kapha (कफः).  

Agni is an important vital entity in Ayurveda. Its chief function is to assimilate or transform. It has a potential to convert the biologically distinct substances into the form which can be used up by the body tissues for their growth and nourishment. This action happens at multiple different sites in the body and is responsible for many life processes. Any fluctuation in the strength of agni leads to imbalances in the level of [[Doshas (दोषाः)|doshas]], [[Dhatus (धातवः)|dhatus]] and [[Malas (मलाः)|malas]] which are the building blocks of the body.  Thus agni is an indispensable for [[Ayu (आयुः)|Ayu]] (life) of any individual. In the physical body, Agni is involved in the process of Paka (पाकः । Digestion and transformation). Different Ayurvedic texts mention that Agni is Pitta (पित्तम्), one of the [[Doshas (दोषाः)|tridoshas]] (त्रिदोषाणि) of the human body, which are vata (वातः), pitta (पित्तम्) and kapha (कफः).  

== The similarities between Agni in vedic literature and Agni in Ayurveda ==

== The similarities between Agni in Ayurveda and Agni in other vedic literature ==

[[Agni (अग्निः)|Agni]] (Samskrit: अग्निः) means Fire, Lighting, Purifier.  According to [[Vedas (वेदाः)|vedas]], it is the devata for fire, yajnas and divine knowledge. In [[Agni in Vedavangmaya (अग्निः वेदवाङ्मये)|vedavangamaya, Agni]] has been praised in large number of mantras and suktas where it is considered to be the important devata next to [[Indra (इन्द्रः)|Indra]]. Kindling of Agni, which generically refers to lighting of fire, is one of the important aspects in all वैदिकयज्ञः (Shrauta Yajnas or rituals prescribed in Vedas) and गह्ययज्ञः (Grhyayajnas, homas in domestic affairs such as that in samskaras). Agni carries the ahutis (oblations) of men to the devatas in heavenly worlds, who thereby pleased ensure the continuance of conditions favorable to mankind. Hence agni is considered to be the chief carrier of havishya offered in [[Yajna (यज्ञः)|Yajnas]]. Similarly Agni in body described in Ayurveda is the chief carrier of food from outside to the internal bodily elements in a processed form suitable and acceptable to them. Paka or Pachanam (the activity which includes acceptance of the offered food and its transformation into the substances similar to the body elements to make them available to body tissues as a raw material for their growth and repair) is believed to be the chief job of the Agni. Thus Agni is an important vital entity in Ayurveda. This does not limit the role of agni only up to the digestion of ingested food but also extends to absorption of substances through skin, accepting the sensory stimuli from sense organs and processing the information into the form suitable for one's life processes.  

[[Agni (अग्निः)|Agni]] (Samskrit: अग्निः) means Fire, Lighting, Purifier.  According to [[Vedas (वेदाः)|vedas]], it is the devata for fire, yajnas and divine knowledge. In [[Agni in Vedavangmaya (अग्निः वेदवाङ्मये)|vedavangamaya, Agni]] has been praised in large number of mantras and suktas where it is considered to be the important devata next to [[Indra (इन्द्रः)|Indra]]. Kindling of Agni, which generically refers to lighting of fire, is one of the important aspects in all वैदिकयज्ञः (Shrauta Yajnas or rituals prescribed in Vedas) and गह्ययज्ञः (Grhyayajnas, homas in domestic affairs such as that in samskaras). Agni carries the ahutis (oblations) of men to the devatas in heavenly worlds, who thereby pleased ensure the continuance of conditions favorable to mankind. Hence agni is considered to be the chief carrier of havishya offered in [[Yajna (यज्ञः)|Yajnas]]. Similarly Agni in body described in Ayurveda is the chief carrier of food from outside to the internal bodily elements in a processed form suitable and acceptable to them. Paka or Pachanam (the activity which includes acceptance of the offered food and its transformation into the substances similar to the body elements to make them available to body tissues as a raw material for their growth and repair) is believed to be the chief job of the Agni. Thus Agni is an important vital entity in Ayurveda. This does not limit the role of agni only up to the digestion of ingested food but also extends to absorption of substances through skin, accepting the sensory stimuli from sense organs and processing the information into the form suitable for one's life processes.  

A unique feature about [[Agni in Vedavangmaya (अग्निः वेदवाङ्मये)|Agni in vedas]] is that it is classified and called by different names based on its purpose in [[Yajna (यज्ञः)|yajnas]] (Shrauta | श्रौतः and smarta । स्मार्तः ), the ahutis (आहुति-s । oblations) offered and its use in laukika kriyas (cooking). Similarly Agni in Ayurveda has also been classified in different types based on its site and specific action.  

A unique feature about [[Agni in Vedavangmaya (अग्निः वेदवाङ्मये)|Agni in vedas]] is that it is classified and called by different names based on its purpose in [[Yajna (यज्ञः)|yajnas]] (Shrauta | श्रौतः and smarta । स्मार्तः ), the ahutis (आहुति-s । oblations) offered and its use in laukika kriyas (cooking). Similarly Agni in Ayurveda has also been classified in different types based on its site and specific action.  

== What is Agni in Human body? ==

== What is Agni in Human body? ==

== Can agni exist in body without pitta? ==

== Can agni exist in body without pitta? ==

Ayurveda acharyas have explained that agni inside the body can not exist without pitta. It can perform various actions only through the medium of pitta.  

Ayurveda acharyas have explained that agni inside the body can not exist without pitta. It can perform various actions only through the medium of pitta. <blockquote>न खलु पित्तव्यतिरेकादन्योऽग्निरुपलभ्यते, आग्नेयत्वात् पित्ते दहनपचनादिष्वभिप्रवर्तमानेऽग्निवदुपचारः क्रियतेऽन्तरग्निरिति; क्षीणे ह्यग्निगुणे तत्समानद्रव्योपयोगात् , अतिवृद्धे शीतक्रियोपयोगात् , आगमाच्च पश्यामो न [१] खलु पित्तव्यतिरेकादन्योऽग्निरिति ||९|| Su su 21.9</blockquote>Meaning: Agni can not exist without pitta. It is because of the agneyatwam (original nature of agni i.e. heat) of pitta which performs functions like burning, cooking/digesting (which are similar to agni in nature) it is treated like antaragni. If the agni nature of pitta reduces dravyas (substances) having similar nature to agni are utilized to kindle it, when this agni nature is excessively increased, cooling therapies are used to reduce its severity. Also we know it from the agama ( traditional doctrine or perspect also known as [[Pramanas in Astika Darshanas (आस्तिकदर्शन-प्रमाणानि)|Shabda pramana or aptopadesha]]) that agni can not exist without pitta.  

 

न खलु पित्तव्यतिरेकादन्योऽग्निरुपलभ्यते, आग्नेयत्वात् पित्ते दहनपचनादिष्वभिप्रवर्तमानेऽग्निवदुपचारः क्रियतेऽन्तरग्निरिति; क्षीणे ह्यग्निगुणे तत्समानद्रव्योपयोगात् , अतिवृद्धे शीतक्रियोपयोगात् , आगमाच्च पश्यामो न [१] खलु पित्तव्यतिरेकादन्योऽग्निरिति ||९|| Su su 21.9

 

Meaning: Agni can not exist without pitta. It is because of the agneyatwam (original nature of agni i.e. heat) of pitta which performs functions like burning, cooking/digesting (which are similar to agni in nature) it is treated like antaragni. If the agni nature of pitta reduces dravyas (substances) having similar nature to agni are utilized to kindle it, when this agni nature is excessively increased, cooling therapies are used to reduce its severity. Also we know it from the agama ( traditional doctrine or perspect also known as [[Pramanas in Astika Darshanas (आस्तिकदर्शन-प्रमाणानि)|Shabda pramana or aptopadesha]]) that agni can not exist without pitta.  

== Types of the agni involved in food transformation ==

== Types of the agni involved in food transformation ==

== Role of agni in human physiology according to ayurveda ==

== Role of agni in human physiology according to ayurveda ==

Agni as the root of human body-mind mechanism

Agni is an integral part of human body mechanics. In order to survive in the nature every individual has to establish a relationship with the nature. Through this relationship one's internal and external environment maintain a harmony and [[Purusha (पुरुषः)|purusha]] can survive and grow in the loka (external world/nature) as a part of it. However, this can be achieved only when one can take up the substances from outer world and convert them in a form suitable for acceptance by the body tissues so that it can be made use of to grow and repair the internal bodily environment. At the same time, the wastes generated through this process which are not compatible for body are separated by the agni and thrown out of the body. Thus agni plays the vital role of establishing and maintaining this crucial link between the man and the world. This function happens at multiple levels and thus the agni plays key role in maintenance of health and well-being. These various aspects of health controlled that are under the control of agni are listed by all the Ayurveda acharyas and thus they call agni the root of not just body but life.

 

आयुर्वर्णो बलं स्वास्थ्यमुत्साहोपचयौ प्रभा|

<blockquote>आयुर्वर्णो बलं स्वास्थ्यमुत्साहोपचयौ प्रभा| ओजस्तेजोऽग्नयः प्राणाश्चोक्ता देहाग्निहेतुकाः||३||

ओजस्तेजोऽग्नयः प्राणाश्चोक्ता देहाग्निहेतुकाः||३||

शान्तेऽग्नौ म्रियते, युक्ते चिरं जीवत्यनामयः| रोगी स्याद्विकृते, मूलमग्निस्तस्मान्निरुच्यते||४|| (Char. Samh. 15.3-4)<ref>Charaka Samhita (Chiktisasthanam Adhyaya 15 Sutra 3-4)</ref></blockquote>

शान्तेऽग्नौ म्रियते, युक्ते चिरं जीवत्यनामयः|

* Acharya Vagbhata in his treatise Ashtanga Hrdayam has delivered the similar message,<br />

रोगी स्याद्विकृते, मूलमग्निस्तस्मान्निरुच्यते||४||

तच्चान्नं विपक्वमेव देहधात्वादिपोषणम्, नापक्वम्| तस्य चान्नपाकस्य हेतुरग्निः, अत आह----

यथाग्न्यभ्यवहारोऽग्निसन्धुक्षणानां (Char Samh sutra 25.40)

अग्निरामस्तम्भशीतशूलोद्वेपनप्रशमनानां (Char Samh sutra 25.40)

अन्नमादानकर्मा तु प्राणः कोष्ठं प्रकर्षति|

अन्नमादानकर्मा तु प्राणः कोष्ठं प्रकर्षति|

स ख़लु विधिवदभ्यवहृतमन्नजातं प्राणेन वायुना कोष्ठमाकृष्टं द्रवैर्विभिन्नसङ्ग़ातं स्नेहेन मृदूकृतमभिसन्धुक्षितः समानेनामाशयस्थं स्थालीस्थमिवाम्बुतण्डुलमग्निरन्तरग्निः पचति||३६||  (A.H.SHA 5.36)

स ख़लु विधिवदभ्यवहृतमन्नजातं प्राणेन वायुना कोष्ठमाकृष्टं द्रवैर्विभिन्नसङ्ग़ातं स्नेहेन मृदूकृतमभिसन्धुक्षितः समानेनामाशयस्थं स्थालीस्थमिवाम्बुतण्डुलमग्निरन्तरग्निः पचति||३६||  (A.H.SHA 5.36)

 

== Site of Jatharagni in body: Grahani ==

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

== Site of Agni in body: Grahani ==

अग्न्यधिष्ठानमन्नस्य ग्रहणाद्ग्रहणी मता|

अग्न्यधिष्ठानमन्नस्य ग्रहणाद्ग्रहणी मता|

दुर्बलाग्निबला दुष्टा [२] त्वाममेव विमुञ्चति||५७|| Cha chi 15

दुर्बलाग्निबला दुष्टा [२] त्वाममेव विमुञ्चति||५७|| Cha chi 15

== 7 types of Dhatwagni ==

== 7 types of Dhatwagni ==

सस्नेहैर्जायते तद्वदाहारैः कोष्ठगोऽनलः||७९|| A.H.chi 79

सस्नेहैर्जायते तद्वदाहारैः कोष्ठगोऽनलः||७९|| A.H.chi 79

== Agni: savior or killer ==

== Agni: savior or killer ==

== How to examine agni? ==

== How to examine agni? ==

प्रश्नेन च विजानीयाद्देशं कालं जातिं सात्म्यमातङ्कसमुत्पत्तिं वेदनासमुच्छ्रायं बलमन्तरग्निं Su su 10.5 (https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/esushruta/?mod=read&h=agni)

प्रश्नेन च विजानीयाद्देशं कालं जातिं सात्म्यमातङ्कसमुत्पत्तिं वेदनासमुच्छ्रायं बलमन्तरग्निं Su su 10.5 (https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/esushruta/?mod=read&h=agni)