Agni.

AGNI.

Agni is one of the five mahabhutas which also includes Akash,Vayu,Jala and Prithvi.Since;we know that the more comlex elements are formed only after the subtler ones,we can conclude that Agni must have been formed in the universe after Akash,Vayu and before Jala and Prithvi.Agni in the universe is nothing but the fire only.

Agni posseses the qualities such as Ushna(hot-heat producing),Ruksha(dryness),Tikshna(penetrating),Vishad(clear-pure), Sukshma(microscopic).

Thus as stated by above context;yhe body is made up as the constitutional manifestation of all the panchamahabhutas and thus it also containsAgni as the vital element in it.Agni thus controls grasping power,memory,intellect and decision making capacity.It also controls normal body temperature,digestion,body colour,its shade and vision abilities.Agni is related with Satva and Raja mahagunas which shows its functioning brilliance.

The Agni being in the form of fire in the universe;cannot reside in the body in the form of fire,since fire will burn the body.Thus the Agni resides in Pitta which is in the liquid form.Due to its existence in Pitta;Agni yields Pitta its own qualities such as Tikshna(penetrating), Ushna(hot-heat produing),Laghu(lightness) etc.Also the Sara(flowing) and Drava(liquidity) are the qualities of pitta which help Agni in its significant functioning.

The chief function of Agni is to bring about the conversion.

This function of conversion is taken place at the molecular level.

The body requires nourishment for its growth and maintainance which it gets from the elements in the surrounding habitat.But these elements cannotbe assimilated in the body in their initial complex forms.Thus;the Agni converts them into their simpler forms which get transformed into the body elements.For ex:- Starch in the plants cannot benefit the human body as they do in plants.For their purpose of norishing the body tobe fulfilled;they are first needed tobe converted into the ATP(Adenosin triphosphate) molecules.These necessary conversions are brought about by the Agni.

In all there are 13 Agnis present in the body;moreover Agni of different people are differentiated into 3 categories.

#13 Agni=1 Jatharagni+7 Dhatvagni+5 Panchabhautikagni.