NIDANA OF AGNIDUSHTI

NIDANA OF AGNIDUSHTI

MEANING AND CONCEPT OF AGNI

• Agni refers to the biological fire responsible for digestion, metabolism, transformation, and assimilation in the body.

• It is central to all physiological activities and health in Ayurveda.

• Agnidushti means disturbance or vitiation of Agni leading to improper digestion and metabolism.

• Ayurveda emphasizes "Rogaha Sarvepi Mandagnau" – all diseases originate from impaired Agni.

शरीरस्थं महाग्निं तं रोगमूलं विदुर्बुधाः॥
(Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana 15/3)

TYPES OF AGNI

• Jatharagni – Primary digestive fire in the stomach and duodenum.

• Bhutagni – Fire acting on each Mahabhuta (element).

• Dhatvagni – Fire specific to each Dhatu for metabolic functions.

NORMAL STATE OF AGNI – SAMAGNI

• Balanced function of Agni.

• Digests food properly and provides nourishment to all tissues.

• Maintains Dosha, Dhatu, and Mala in equilibrium.

VITIATED STATES OF AGNI – AGNIDUSHTI TYPES

1. MANDAGNI – Diminished digestive capacity

   • Most common type.

   • Caused predominantly by Kapha Dosha.

   • Leads to Ama formation.

2. TIKSHNAGNI – Excessively strong digestion

   • Dominance of Pitta Dosha.

   • Digests food rapidly and even the body tissues.

3. VISHAMAGNI – Irregular digestion

   • Due to Vata Dosha.

   • Alternates between strong and weak digestion.

4. SAMAGNI – Balanced state of Agni (physiological)

समदोषः समाग्निश्च समधातुमलक्रियः।
प्रसन्नात्मेन्द्रियमनाः स्वस्थ इत्यभिधीयते॥
(Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana 15/41)

NIDANA (ETIOLOGY) OF AGNIDUSHTI

• Factors disturbing the Doshas and Agni:

AHARAJA NIDANA (DIETARY CAUSES)

• Adhyashana (eating before previous food is digested)

• Viruddha Ahara (incompatible food combinations)

• Guru Ahara (heavy food difficult to digest)

• Vishamashana (erratic eating habits)

• Atibhojana (overeating)

• Alpa Bhojana (inadequate food)

• Snigdha, Sheeta, Abhishyandi Ahara (oily, cold, clogging food)

• Ajeerna Bhojana (eating during indigestion)

आहारविहारयोर्दोषादग्निदोषः समुत्थितः।
अग्निदोषादवस्थायां दोषाणां सञ्जयः क्रमात्॥
(Ashtanga Hridaya, Sutra Sthana 12/1)

VIHARAJA NIDANA (LIFESTYLE CAUSES)

• Divaswapna (daytime sleep)

• Vega Dharana (suppression of natural urges)

• Lack of physical activity (avyayama)

• Stress, anxiety, and mental disturbances

• Exposure to cold and damp environment

MANASA NIDANA (PSYCHOLOGICAL CAUSES)

• Chinta (excess worry)

• Shoka (grief)

• Bhaya (fear)

• Krodha (anger)

• These affect Manovaha Srotas and impair Agni.

AGANTUJA NIDANA (EXTERNAL FACTORS)

• Fever, infections, injuries, and toxins (visha)

• Seasonal variations – particularly during Varsha Ritu (monsoon)

SAMPRAPTI (PATHOGENESIS) OF AGNIDUSHTI

• Nidana leads to Dosha vitiation → affects Jatharagni → formation of Ama → improper digestion and metabolism → affects Dhatvagni and Bhutagni.

• This becomes the root cause of many diseases – skin disorders, joint diseases, respiratory illnesses, metabolic disorders, etc.

रोगास्तु सर्वेऽपि मन्देऽग्नौ
(Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana 28/7)

CLINICAL INDICATIONS OF AGNIDUSHTI

• Bloating, heaviness, anorexia

• Indigestion, belching, flatulence

• Irregular bowel movements

• Lethargy, fatigue, dullness of sense organs

• Coating on tongue (Ama)

• Foul-smelling breath and stools

• Symptoms vary according to type of Agnidushti

AYURVEDIC CONCEPT OF AMA IN AGNIDUSHTI

• Undigested, toxic metabolic waste formed due to Mandagni

• Sticky, heavy, foul-smelling, blocks channels (Srotorodha)

• Leads to Amaja Vyadhi like Amavata, Agnimandya, Grahani

स जीवति न येनामं नित्यं हृदि न लक्ष्यते।
तस्यानिलहतो दोषाः सम्यग्वर्तन्त्यशेषतः॥
(Madhava Nidana, Ama Nidana 1/6)