Conceptual Study of Pachaka Pitta—A Review

Abstract

Pachaka Pitta is responsible for digestion of food, Vibhajan of Sara and Kitta and it nourishes the Agneya part of Pitta located in different parts of body. Ancient texts provide a clear description about its Sthan, Swaroop and Karma. Acharya Sushruta, quotes “By dispensation which is unseen and hidden (a cause which cannot be perceived or explained in terms of known facts) the Pitta that is located in the area between the Amashaya and Pakwashaya is responsible for the digestion of the four modes of food and drinks ingested by living beings and, the elimination of the residue, in the form of urine and faeces, after the completion of the process”. Located, at its own place (between the Amashaya and Pakwashaya) and by virtue of its inherent power, it augments the actions of the other sites of Pitta present elsewhere in the performance of metabolic functions of the body. It is Panchabhautika in nature, but due to Kshaya of its Soumya Guna and Dravya Bhaga along with dominance of Agneya Bhaga it performs functions like Pachan, Dahan etc. Therefore, it is also termed as Agni. This Agni form Pitta helps in digestion of food, and afterwards separates the Sara and Kitta bhaga. Being in its location it nourishes and provide strength to rest Pitta. Pachaka Pitta is responsible for Aahar Pachan and this is well proved in our text. On the other hand, modern or the contemporary science after so many studies proves this that various digestive juices are responsible for digestion of food. Both the concepts show similarity in their basic principles but there are some differences in explaining their concepts. Pachaka Pitta and various digestive juices have been explained on the basis of their structure, property, site and functions.

Keywords: Pachaka Pitta, Digestive juices, Pancreatic juice

Cite this Article Garima Raj, Dadhich OP, Yadav CR. Conceptual Study of Pachaka Pitta—A Review. Journal of AYUSH: Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. 2017; 6(3): 1–7p