A review on relation between prakruti and agni

Abstract

Ayurveda takes into account an individual in his entirety and advices to follow daily regimen and adopt achar-rasayan(fixed rules conduct in life) accordingly. But today's irregular and fast lifestyle, irregularities in diet, sleep, high stress levels at the workplace and emotional factors can lead to indigestion. It occurs due to deficiency in quality and quantity of digestive juices, which is termed as mandagni (deficient digestive fire). Prakruti means neutrality or habits or condition. Ayurvedic treatment emphasizes on examining the prakruti or the natural states of an individual's before proceeding. In Ayurvedic compendia, relation between prakruti and agni is not quoted directly except tikshnagni (intense digestive fire) in pitta prakruti, if it is quoted indirectly (anukta) elsewhere in Ayurvedic texts then it should be enlightened. Hence the concept of agni, prakruti & its interrelation are vital factors which are to be studied in detail for wellbeing of a person. Hence aim is conceptual study of prakruti, agni and their inter relation. For this, Ayurvedic literature regarding prakruti and agni is reviewed. Summing up all literature regarding prakruti and agni, study shows that not only influence of factors like dosha, kaala(season), aahar(diet), desha(habitat) are but also jati, kula, panchmahabhuta (five elements) etc. plays important role in formation of prakruti and it should be determined by all aspects and not by the influence of dosha only. Likewise, agni also should not only judged by prakruti but also by considering other factors like influence of dosha, age, season, work pattern, yoga, quality and quantity food habit, mental states, desha, effect of treatment etc.