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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.  

== gni as one of the panchamahabhutas ==

== Agni as one of the panchamahabhutas ==

Agni or tejas is one of the [[Panchamahabhutas (पञ्चमहाभूतानि)|Panchamahabhutas]] (पञ्चमहाभूतानि the 5 basic elements in the nature).  

Agni or tejas is one of the [[Panchamahabhutas (पञ्चमहाभूतानि)|Panchamahabhutas]] (पञ्चमहाभूतानि the 5 basic elements in the nature).  

The agni inside pitta located in twak (skin) is called as bhrajakagni. It can absorb the externally applied substances like oil, medicate liquids, packs etc on skin and make them available to body tissues. Since it is also the factor responsible for appearance of chaya (Chaya means shadow or shade or skin complexion. It is generally indicate changes in complexion due to a disease pathology.) on one's body/skin it is called as bhrajaka (bhraj- lusture/shine) agni. <ref name=":0" /> Chhaya has been deeply studied in Ayurveda. It is believed to be associated with the imbalances in the internal bodily environment and thus any change in the body inside can be reflected outside through chhaya which can affect the original color and complexion of the individual.<ref>Charaka Samhita (Indriyasthanam Adhyaya 7 Sutra 10-17)</ref> Since the agni inside skin has the potential to reflect / throw light on / illuminate the changes in internal environment of body through chaya of skin (which can be visible outside) it is calle das illuminator/ reflector i.e. bhrajakagni.  

The agni inside pitta located in twak (skin) is called as bhrajakagni. It can absorb the externally applied substances like oil, medicate liquids, packs etc on skin and make them available to body tissues. Since it is also the factor responsible for appearance of chaya (Chaya means shadow or shade or skin complexion. It is generally indicate changes in complexion due to a disease pathology.) on one's body/skin it is called as bhrajaka (bhraj- lusture/shine) agni. <ref name=":0" /> Chhaya has been deeply studied in Ayurveda. It is believed to be associated with the imbalances in the internal bodily environment and thus any change in the body inside can be reflected outside through chhaya which can affect the original color and complexion of the individual.<ref>Charaka Samhita (Indriyasthanam Adhyaya 7 Sutra 10-17)</ref> Since the agni inside skin has the potential to reflect / throw light on / illuminate the changes in internal environment of body through chaya of skin (which can be visible outside) it is calle das illuminator/ reflector i.e. bhrajakagni.  

== ॥ Relation between all agni types ==

== Relation between all agni types ==

In all the types of agni mentioned above the one which digests ahara (food) i.e. Jatharagni is believed to be the chief. Maintenance of strength or status of all the other types of agni is dependent upon the jatharagni. If jatharagni is strong and stable sp would be the other types of agni and vice versa. Thus acharyas emphasize on keenly take care of jatharagni by offering it only the vidhivat ahara  (see : [[Healthy food habits (आहारविधिः)|Healthy food habits]]) because the status of ayu (life) and balam (strength and immunity) is rooted in this agni. <blockquote>अन्नस्य पक्ता सर्वेषां पक्तॄणामधिको मतः| तन्मूलास्ते हि तद्वृद्धिक्षयवृद्धिक्षयात्मकाः||७१||

In all the types of agni mentioned above the one which digests ahara (food) i.e. Jatharagni is believed to be the chief. Maintenance of strength or status of all the other types of agni is dependent upon the jatharagni. If jatharagni is strong and stable sp would be the other types of agni and vice versa. Thus acharyas emphasize on keenly take care of jatharagni by offering it only the vidhivat ahara  (see : [[Healthy food habits (आहारविधिः)|Healthy food habits]]) because the status of ayu (life) and balam (strength and immunity) is rooted in this agni. <blockquote>अन्नस्य पक्ता सर्वेषां पक्तॄणामधिको मतः| तन्मूलास्ते हि तद्वृद्धिक्षयवृद्धिक्षयात्मकाः||७१||

== स्नेहस्य अग्निवृद्धिकरत्वम्॥ Role of sneha in agni strength ==

== स्नेहस्य अग्निवृद्धिकरत्वम्॥ Role of sneha in agni strength ==

Effect of sneha (unctous substances / certain fatty substances) on the agni is well-known to everyone. We know that when we add oil or ghee like substances which are snigdha (unctuous in property) onto the burning fire  the flame immediately increases. Ayurveda acharya have explained that the same is applicable to the agni inside the body. As strong firewood greased with oil or any unctuous substance on coming in contact with the agni increases or becomes strong, food that has some unctuousness substance in it ignites the agni inside the body. Thus it is always recommended to food topped with ghee in Bharateeya Samskrti and Ayurveda. <blockquote>दीप्तो यथैव स्थाणुश्च बाह्योऽग्निः सारदारुभिः| सस्नेहैर्जायते तद्वदाहारैः कोष्ठगोऽनलः||७९|| (Asht. Hrud. Adhyaya Sutra )<ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam (Chikitsasthanam Adhyaya Sutra 79 )</ref></blockquote>

Effect of sneha (unctous substances / certain fatty substances) on the agni is well-known to everyone. We know that when we add oil or ghee like substances which are snigdha (unctuous in property) onto the burning fire  the flame immediately increases. Ayurveda acharya have explained that the same is applicable to the agni inside the body. As strong firewood greased with oil or any unctuous substance on coming in contact with the agni increases or becomes strong, food that has some unctuousness substance in it ignites the agni inside the body. Thus it is always recommended to food topped with ghee in Bharateeya Samskrti and Ayurveda. <blockquote>दीप्तो यथैव स्थाणुश्च बाह्योऽग्निः सारदारुभिः| सस्नेहैर्जायते तद्वदाहारैः कोष्ठगोऽनलः||७९|| (Asht. Hrud. Adhyaya Sutra 79 )<ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam (Chikitsasthanam Adhyaya Sutra 79 )</ref></blockquote>

== ॥ Role of quantity of food in agni strength ==

== आहारमात्रा तथा अग्निः संबन्धः॥ Role of quantity of food in agni strength ==

यथाग्न्यभ्यवहारोऽग्निसन्धुक्षणानां (Char Samh sutra 25.40)

[[Ahara (आहारः)|Ahara]] or Food is the fuel for the agni. Thus the strength of the agni primarily depends upon the quantity of the food. Ayurveda scholars therefore have pointed out that  the best way to kindle the agn is to feed it with the right amount of ahara (food) . Right amount is different for each and every individual and that depends upon the natural strength of that individual's agni from his birth. If some person has teekshna (strong) agni then it might require more food to maintain its strength than other persons manda (sluggish) agni which would be maintained with very less amount of food. <blockquote>यथाग्न्यभ्यवहारोऽग्निसन्धुक्षणानां (Char. Samh. 25.40)<ref>Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 25 Sutra 40)</ref></blockquote>

== ॥ Agni: savior or killer ==

== Agni: savior or killer ==

आहारमग्निः पचति दोषानाहारवर्जितः|

Agni has a power to nourish and maintain the life when it is fueled with the right amount and quality of the ahara. But when this agni is not properly taken care of it also possess the capacity to even end the life. The exact stepwise process and the logical reasoning behind it has been clearly mentioned in Ashtanga Hrudayam of Acharya Vagbhata. <blockquote>आहारमग्निः पचति दोषानाहारवर्जितः| धातून् क्षीणेशु दोषेषु जीवितं ढातुसङ्क्षये||९१|| (Asht. Hrud. 10.91)<ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam (Chikistasthanam Adhyaya 10 Sutra 91)</ref>

धातून् क्षीणेशु दोषेषु जीवितं ढातुसङ्क्षये||९१|| Asht. Hrud. Chi. 10.91

Meaning: Agni digests food. When food the unavailable it digests doshas, when the doshas have reduced and unavailable to agni then it reaches to dhatus and starts digesting those. At last when even dhatus are unavailable it ends life (liberates prana). </blockquote>This sutra holds significant importance in the field of Ayurveda [[Chikitsa (चिकित्सा)|chikitsa.]] Keeping this fact in mind a vaidya can make make use of one's agni for treating his diseases and also to find causative factors for disease developments. Thus one must take utmost care of this powerful fire element i.e. agni in body so as to achieve complete health and well-being.  

== ॥ Causes of disturbances in Agni ==

== अग्निदुष्टिहेतवः॥ Causes of disturbances in Agni ==

असात्म्यगुरुशीतातिरूक्षसन्दुष्टभोजनात्||४२||

# Asatmya ahara, guru ahara, shita ahara, ruksha ahara and dushta ahara sevana (असात्म्यगुरुशीतातिरूक्षसन्दुष्टभोजनात्)- Eating incompatible, heavy to digest, cold, dry and spoiled food

# Virechana vibhrama, vamana vibhrama, sneha vibhrama (विरेकवमनस्नेहविभ्रमात्) - Improper execution of panchakarmas like [[Virechana (विरेचनम्)|virechana]], [[Vamana (वमनम्)|vamana]] and snehana

# Vega vidharana (वेगानां च विधारणात्) - Suppressing the natural urges called as [[Vega (वेगाः)|vegas]]

विरेकवमनस्नेहविभ्रमाद्व्याधिकर्षणात्|

Thus it is highly recommended to be cautious to avoid or control these factors in one's lifestyle so as to guard one's agni. Once this agni is vitiated it can not perform its basic function well. It then can not even digest even the light food properly. In such cases whatever the food is ingested it is improperly processed and becomes fermented which subsequently becomes toxic in nature. <blockquote>दुष्यत्यग्निः, स दुष्टोऽन्नं न तत् पचति लघ्वपि| अपच्यमानं शुक्तत्वं यात्यन्नं विषरूपताम्॥  (Char. Samh. 15.44)<ref name=":3" /></blockquote>

== अग्निपरिक्षा॥ How to examine agni? ==

 

Agni, the fire element inside humans is not seen separately but it is present inside the pitta dosha. May it be th eagni or pitta dosha, both these are just the biological forces present inside us. Though they have physical dimension to them one can not see them or check them with the help of  naked eyes or even any lab test. However, agni or pitta being so vital for one's existence, even inancient times ayurveda scholars found it necessary to assess those for diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Therefore Ayurveda samhitas provide method to examine the agni inside one's body and that method is by prashna pariksha i.e. by interrogation. <ref>Sushruta Samhita ([https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/esushruta/?mod=read&h=agni) Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 10 Sutra 5])</ref>

 

 

== ॥ 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)

== References ==

== References ==