Food has been given the highest respect in Hinduism.
Taiitiriya Mantra Kosa deals with this subject in detail, in the form of instruction to Students.
It says. Annana Nindhyaath That Vratam’ Do not Insult Food for Food is what the beings are made of.
It goes on Annam Parisaksheetha, Annam Bahukurveetha’
Please refer Anandavalli Second Chapter Dweediya Prasna
The health of man is also considered very important.
Human body is where God Dwells and Body is a Temple of God.
To maintain in its pure form free from toxins and abuse is one ‘s responsibility.
There are different kinds of penance,Tapas.
Lord Krishna lists three.
Saathivic, Rajasic and Tamasic.
He calls the torturing of the body by standing midst fire, standing on one leg, going without food for a considerable period of time, as Asura,
as being inferior, to emphasize the importance of Human body.
This being the stand of the Hindu Scriptures, it is not surprising that Digestion is dealt with in detail in sporadic references( in many a place) in the
Vedas,Purans , Ayurveda and Smritis.
Food, what is good and how to eat, Lord Krishna explains in the Bhagavad Gita.
Refer my posts on this subject.
Food that we eat is digested by the Jataraakni, a form of Fire.
Fire has Ten Primary Forms.
They are.
1..Ordinary Fire.
2.Lightning
3.The Sun.
4.Jataraagni(digestive fire).
5.Destructive like forest fire.
6.Fire that is produced by the rubbing of sticks for performance of Homas.
7.Fire that is given to student at the time of his Upanayana
8.Fire that has been kept at Home by ancestor for domestic rituals.
9.The Southern Fire of ancestors used in certain rituals and
10.The Funeral Fire for cremation.
Ayurveda lists thirteen fires, some Smritis refer to Four, some Five.
Details provided towards the close of this Post.
Jataraagni is the Agni that is involved in Digestion.
How the Jataragni Digests Food.
Jataraagni, in conjunction with the ten Forms of Air(Vaayu), performs the following functions of Digestion.
Along with Jataraagni Rechakam and Paasakam it cooks the food by heating, now explained by Science Hypochondriac Acid, which incidentally has
the property of Heat and corrosion,
Dries the Food as Shobakam( this comes out as waste from the Body),
Thaakaham, Burning the Food to create calories, Energy and
Plaavakam, Filling the cells with the essence of Food,
With the help of Five Upa Vaayus, spreads the essence through the body.
These ten are the Modifications of Agni in the Human Body involved in Digestion.(Bhavanopanishad)
Toxins might be present in the food we eat.
Toxins are referred to as Ama.
“Ama is a word from the Sanskrit language,
the language of the Vedas and early Ayurveda
medical texts. It is a word we might nowadays
translate as ‘toxins’, but it is both more
elaborate and more subtle than the word
toxins might suggest. Literally the word ama
means ‘unripened’ or ‘uncooked’ and refers to
any product that passes through our digestive
system without being completely digested or
‘cooked’. We’ve all heard of environmental
toxins, but ama toxins are of our own making…
The fire bio-energy present in the stomach
and upper small intestine (jathara in Sanskrit)
is known as the jatharagni. Ayurveda has
revealed 13 different agnisin the human body,
however jatharagni is the most important, as
the other 12 are dependent upon it.
This ama is so insidious that even traditional
Sanskrit synonyms for disease, such as
‘amaya’, ring with its name. Ama is described
as being a particularly sticky, heavy, turbid and
foul-smelling substance. It has the tendency
to accumulate in the gastro-intestinal tract
and then overflow into the circulatory system,
to eventually deposit into weak tissues around
the body (for example joints, in the case of
ama-induced arthritis). These tissues may be
genetically weak, nutritionally deprived, have
been damaged through injury or weakened by
negative emotions. Once lodged in these sites,
ama is well-placed to interrupt the
functioning and status of the affected tissue.
At that level of cellular interference, ama
deprives the cells of nourishment and energy,
and that’s how we’ll feel – dull, sluggish and
tired all the time. Also, the body’s waste
products will take on the characteristics of
ama – stools will become sticky strong smelling, urine becomes odorous and
cloudy, and perspiration (considered a waste
product or ‘mala’ in ayurveda) will also
become particularly unpleasant in odour…
Why is it important to balance the agni
(the digestive fire)?
• The nutrition required by all living cells is
dependant on a balanced and complete
digestive process.
• Imbalanced agni leaves an unprocessed
residue which accumulates as toxic ama.
• Digestive abilities on all levels (‘digestion’ of
all physical, sensory and mental experiences)
rely on balanced agni.
• Production of ojas will be improved (ojas
supports our immunity, strength and
experience of bliss).
• This helps to maintain normal bodyweight
for your body type.
How can I tell if my agni is balanced?
SIGNS OF BALANCED AGNI
• You will experience normal appetite at
mealtimes
• You will leave the table feeling comfortable,
refreshed and energised with a feeling of
satisfaction and no bloating or digestive
distress
• You will produce well-formed faeces
without strong smell
• You can eat all types of food without
disturbances
• Your complexion will glow.
SIGNS OF IMBALANCED AGNI
• If agni is excessive there may be a raging
appetite outside of mealtimes; if underactive
there may be complete lack of interest in food.
• You might leave the table feeling heavy,
lethargic, bloated, gassy, or with heartburn
and belching
• Faeces will not be well-formed, will have
foul odour, tend to stick to the bowl and
possibly contain undigested food.
• Sensitivity to many foods, food intolerances
and allergies.
• Dull complexion.
Why did my agni become ‘imbalanced’?
• Eating on the run, skipping meals
• Eating while emotionally upset
• Overconsumption of cold, liquid substances
eg ice water”
”
- Charaka has mentioned about 13 Agnis. Jatharagni – 1, Bhutagni – 5, Dhatvagni – 7 (Ch.Chi.15/38).[13]
- According to Acharya Sushruta, five types of Agnis are illustrated, viz. Pachakagni, Ranjakagni, Alochakagni, Sadhakagni and Bhrajakagni. However, there is an indirect reference of fiveBhutagnis underlying in the brief description made to the transformation of food stuff. (Sh.Su.21/10.)[14]
- Vagbhata has described different types Agni, viz. – Bhutagnis – 5,– Dhatvagnis – 7, –Dhoshagni – 3 and– Malagni – 3.
- Sharangadhara has recognized five pittas only (Pachak, Bhrajak, Ranjak, Alochaka andSadhak) (Sha.Sa.Pu.Kh.-5/32).[15]
- Bhavamishra has followed Acharya Charaka and Vagbhata (Bh.Pu.Kh.-3/169,180).[16]
Agni has been divided into 13 types according to the function and site of action. These are:
- Jatharagni – one Agni present in the stomach and duodenum.
- Bhutagni – five Agni from five basic elements.
- Dhatwagni – seven Agni present, one in each of the seven dhatus.
Accordingly, they are classified into three groups, namely Jatharagni, Bhutagni and Dhatvagni.”
Citations.
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