In the Ayurvedic science, Agni is internal digestive fire which is responsible for all the nutrient transformation and assimilation in the body. It is responsible for the transformation of energy in the tissues and cells. It not only controls the digestive processes of gastrointestinal and cellular absorption and assimilation, but it extends also to the psychological processes that are associated with digestion. It indicates all the processes of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and tissue and cellular levels throughout the whole body. In addition to these processes, Agni controls the brain also in the psychological sphere.

Agni is such a dynamic concept, it is stated to be the main determiner of one’s energy, vitality and well being. One’s overall digestion is likely to determine the overall health of that individual.

If the fire is strong, one is able to take in various types of food and properly absorb, metabolize and eventually eliminate any unused portion. The channels of the body will remain open and the energies of the body can flow freely. If the fire is weak or imbalanced, even the healthiest of food that is taken in will not go through this process and therefore remain in the body causing a toxic sludge known as ama. This ama then fills the channels of the body, causing stagnation and blockage which eventually will lead to the pathway of disease.

Relation to Panchamahabhutas

According to Ayurveda, Sarvam dravyam Panchabhautikam i.e. all creation arises out of five great elements known as mahabhutas. Our body is also formed by the pancha mahabhutas. Agni is derivative of tejas (fire) mahabhuta. It carries metabolic transformations in which the inherent feature is change.

The Functions of Agni

Agni governs

• Transformation
• Digestion, absorption, assimilation
• The creation of digestive enzymes
• All metabolic activities
• Strength & vitality
• Tissue nutrition
• The production ofojas, tejas & prana
• Skin color, complexion, glow & luster
• The maintenance of body temperature
• Mental clarity
• Intelligence
• Sensory perception (especially visual perception)
• Flow of cellular communication
• Alertness, affection, & enthusiasm for life
• Courage & confidence
• Joy, laughter, & contentment
• Discrimination, reason, & logic
• Patience, stability, & longevity

Types of Agni

According to Ayurveda there are 13 types of Agni in body:

7 Dhatwagni (situated at the 7 Dhatus or tissues)
5 Bhutagni (represents the digestion at the panchamahabutha level)
1 Jathragni (the gastric digestion)

• Jathragni(Jathar means Gastrium) is the prime Agni that nourishes the other Jathragni refers to the whole process of digestion in digestive tract. It is related to the gastro-intestinal tract, converting the gross food particles into smaller particles which are then able to be absorbed.
• Dhatwagnirefers to tissue metabolism. The nutrients digested and absorbed by the Jatharagni are then sent to their respective areas. For the Dhatus, these nutrients are not in a stage of absorption, so to absorb them properly they have to be digested further with the help of Dhatvagni’s. Each Dhatu would have different dhatvagni’s to digest what comes to them, thus absorbing the nutrients supplied. The role of Dhatvagni’s is real important when it comes to treating various chronic diseases.
• Bhutagnirefers to the final digestion in liver. The whole universe is divided in 5 elements namely called Panchbhutas. The food that we eat would be also Panchamahbhovatic – made of five elements. Thus to digest food into perfect energy, each of us also require respective Panchamahbhut agni which could digest all elements in the simplest form in our body to provide us the energy and strength.

The four states of Agni

When dosas are aggravated, the functions of all the internal systems and agnis are affected. Four different states of agni exist in the body. Of these various states, three are due to the aggravation of each dosha respectively (vata, pitta, kapha) and the fourth state is considered the balanced state.

Samagni
The functioning of agni is normal and stable in this state, indicative of the balanced state of the three dosas in the body. Jatharagni can easily digest the normal diet and extract proper nourishment. All the tissues/dhatus, cells and organs receive sufficient nutrition, and good health is maintained.

SYMPTOMS

• Happiness, perfect health, and a calm, clear, and loving state of mind
• Can generally digest a reasonable quantity of any food in any season without issue, and they tolerate changes in the weather and the seasons quite gracefully.
• They enjoy balanced digestion, absorption, and elimination
• Has a surplus ofojas, tejas, and prana, strong immunity, and an abiding sense of contentment and satisfaction, even bliss, in their lives.

Visamagni
This is an erratic and unstable agni state, arising due the influence of vata. The functioning of agni is variable – the jatharagni sometimes digests food normally, and at other times slowly. This type of agni is often found in people with a vata dosa or when vata is aggravated.

SYMPTOMS

• Irregular appetite, variable digestion, indigestion,
• abdominal distension, gas, gurgling intestines,
• constipation (or alternating constipation and diarrhea)
• colicky pain
• dry mouth, receding gums,
• dry skin, cracking joints,
• sciatica, low back ache,
• hemorrhoids, muscle spasms
• insomnia
• a feeling of heaviness after eating, and cravings for hot, spicy, or fried foods
• anxiety, fear, and insecurity
• a brownish-black coating on the back (posterior) portion tongue.

Tikshagni
The function of agni becomes too fast or strong in this state, which is due to an aggravation of pitta. It is often seen in people with a predominantly pitta constitution, or when pitta is disturbed. The jatharagni becomes hyperactive in the tikshagni state, and can digest even large quantities of food in a very short amount of time, leaving the person feeling constantly hungry.

SYMPTOMS

• insatiable appetite, tend to desire large quantities of food on a frequent basis, and have great difficulty skipping meals
• hyperacidity, gastritis, heartburn, hot flashes, acidic saliva, fever
• The lips, throat, and palate may feel excessively dry after eating and the tongue can develop red margins and tenderness
• Hypoglycemia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dysentery, loose stools,
• pain in the liver, ulcerative colitis, and other inflammatory conditions.
• hives, rash, acne, and many other skin conditions
• anger, hate, envy, irritability, aggressiveness, a strong desire to be in control, and harsh judgment of everyone and everything.
• intense craving for sweets.
• a yellow or greenish coating on the central part of the tongue.

Mandagni
The agni begins to function at a minimal rate in this condition, which is often found in people with kapha aggravation or constitution. The jatharagni cannot digest even a small quantity of food.

SYMPTOMS

• heaviness in the stomach, the body, and the mind – especially after eating, but sometimes even without food.
• frequent colds, congestion, coughs, as well as allergies, edema, and lymph congestion.
• over salivation, nausea, mucoid vomiting,
• hypertension, hyperglycemia, diabetes, hypothyroid, excess weight, and obesity
• Cold, clammy skin, and generalized weakness
• lethargy, boredom, attachment, greed, and possessiveness, along with a desire for excess sleep.
• strong craving for sharp, dry, and very hot, spicy foods
• a white coating on the entire tongue

It should be remembered that more complex imbalances can occur such as a combination of two or three of these impaired agnis. For example, there might be tikshna-vishama agni where the appetite is strong but the digestion is irregular, such that when one eats a large meal, they get gas, bloating, and discomfort.

The key to a healthy agni is the intake of easily digested, freshly cooked, saatvic (Pure) & compatible foods eaten consciously at the appropriate times. According to Vedas, the ancient texts of India, agni is worshipped in its Divine form as the bringer and sustainer of life. When we honor our agni thus, we become mindful of what we eat and how we accept it in ourselves. Within us arises a desire for metamorphosing – what we eat at our highest consciousness, and manifestation of a balanced state of body, mind & soul.

Importance of agni article by Dr. Vishnu B Chandran ( BAMS)
Private consultation at Kollam, Kerala‎