IMPORTANCE OF AGNI AND AGNIPARIKSHA IN AYURVEDA

Abstract

Ayurveda is the science of life. It has two basic aims: First, to preserve the health of healthy people, and second to treat illness and disease. As per Ayurvedic concept Agni is the principal substance responsible for health and disease. In Ayurveda the term ‘Agni’ is used in the perception of digestion of food and metabolic products. During its normalcy it is responsible for longevity, complexion, strength, health, enthusiasm, well built, luster, immunity, temperature, and other vital functions all are dependent on agni. According to Acharya Charak, One dies if the function of agni is stopped, lives long and free from disorders if it is functioning properly, gets ill if it is deranged, hence Agni (digestive fire) is the main reason of all. To know the normal and abnormal condition of Agni, Agnipariksha or Agnibala pariksha is important. Ingested food amount and doses of medicine is depends on the condition of Agni. It is mainly of 13 types- 1 Jatharagni, 5 Bhutagni, 7 Dhatvagni, by the functions and their sites of actions. Here is a review of Agni and its importance in digestion and metabolism, detail description of all types of Agni in Ayurvedic classics and Agnipariksha for its clinical importance.