Charak Samhita

Pitta dosha

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Pitta dosha is responsible for maintaining body temperature, digestion and metabolism. Pitta dosha is agni mahabhuta predominant. [Code:SAT-B.401][1] This chapter describes the physiological functions and pathological importance of pitta dosha.
Contributors
Section/Chapter/topic Concepts/Dosha/Pitta Dosha
Authors Bhojani M. K. 1,
Tanwar Ankur Kumar 1
Reviewer Basisht G.2,
Editor Deole Y.S.3
Affiliations 1 Department of Sharir Kriya, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, India
2 Rheumatologist, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.
3Department of Kayachikitsa, G.J.Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India
Correspondence emails meera.samhita@aiia.gov.in,
carakasamhita@gmail.com
Publisher Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre, I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, India
Date of publication: December 16, 2022
DOI 10.47468/CSNE.2022.e01.s09.122

Etymology and derivation

The word ‘Pitta’ is derived from Sanskrit root “tap”.[2] [Su. Sa.Sutra Sthana 21/5]The root word ‘tap’has three meaning:1) tap dahe means to burn, 2) tap santape means heat generator and 3) tap aishwarye means able to procure eight types of attainments of a yogi (animadi aishwarye).[3] Dahana denotes transformation or conversion (paka) in the living body. This explains the function of pitta is the transformation or modification of one substance to other.

Synonyms[3][4]

Mayu, teja, ushma, agni, anala, bile, to inflame, to nourish, a type of kala in the body.

Bhautika composition

Pitta dosha has dominance of teja mahabhauta.[5][A.S. Sutra Sthana 20/1]Pitta dosha is originated from agni or teja mahabhauta.[2][Chakrapani on Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 15/8][Figure 01]

Pitta dosha and triguna

All the living & nonliving things originate from panchamahabhuta which originate from trigunatmaka prakriti as described in evolution process (utpatti karma). Dosha are evolved from panchamahbhuta, so these dosha bear triguna property. Pitta is evolved from agni that has sattva and raja predominance.[2] [Su. Sa.Sharira Sthana 1/20] Sharangdhara and Bhavaprakasha opines that pitta has sattva predominance. [Sha.Sa.Pratham Khand 5][6] [Bh. P. Purva Khand 3/103][7]
[Figure 01]
 
Figure 01: Relation between triguna, mahabhauta and pitta dosha.

Sites of pitta

Dosha are present in every part of the body. [Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 20/9] General location of pitta dosha is the middle part of the body, marked between the heart(hridaya) and umbilicus(nabhi).[A.S. Sutra Sthana 1/4] Pitta is predominately present in body parts between the large intestine(pakvashaya) and stomach( amashaya). [Su. Sa.Sutra Sthana 21/6][2]
The specific seats of pitta are (Figure 02):
  • Sweat(sweda)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 20/8] [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 12/2][8] [K.S. Sutra Sthana 27/11][9]
  • Nutrient body fluid or plasma (rasa)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 20/8] [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 12/2][8]
  • Lymph (lasika)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 20/8] [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 12/2][8] [K.S. Sutra Sthana 27/11][9]
  • Blood (rudhira)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 20/8][A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 12/2][8] [K.S. Sutra Sthana 27/11][9]
  • Duodenum (lower part of amashaya)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 20/8] [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 12/2][8] [K.S. Sutra Sthana 27/11][9]
  • Umbilicus (nabhi) [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 12/2][8]
  • Eyes (drika) [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 12/2][8]
  • Skin(twacha) [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 12/1][8]

Among all these sites, duodenum (amashaya) and umbilicus (nabhi) are the prime sites of pitta.[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 20/8][K.S. Sutra Sthana 27/11][9] Amashaya (stmach) is located in between the breast(stana) and umbilicus(nabhi). In amashaya, the digestion of all types of food takes place. [Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 2/17] Duodenum is the area of the digestive tract where maximum digestive process occurs. Acharya Chakrapani clears that the location of pitta is lower part of amashaya( i.e. duodenum). [Chakrapani on Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 20/8]

 
Figure 02. General (A)and specific sites(B) of Pitta dosha.

Attributes

The characteristics of pitta are:

  • Slight unctuousness (sasneha or ishatsneha)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 1/60][K.S. Sutra Sthana 27/38-39][9] [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 1/11][8]
  • Hot(ushna) [Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 1/60] [Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/97] [Su. Sa.Sutra Sthana 21/11][2] [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 1/11][8]
  • Penetrating or sharp acting property(tikshna) [Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 1/60] [Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/97] [Su. Sa.Sutra Sthana 21/11] [2][K.S. Sutra Sthana 27/38-39][9] [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 1/11][8]
  • Liquidity(drava) [Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 1/60] [Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/97] [Su. Sa.Sutra Sthana 21/11][2] [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 1/11][8]
  • Sour (amla) [Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 1/60] [Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/97] [Su. Sa.Sutra Sthana 21/11][2] [K.S. Sutra Sthana 27/38-39][9]
  • Mobile(sara) [Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 1/60] [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 1/11][8]
  • Pungent(katu)[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 1/60] [Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/97] [Su. Sa.Sutra Sthana 21/11][2] [K.S. Sutra Sthana 27/38-39][9]
  • Raw meat odor(vistra or puti gandha) [Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/97] [Su. Sa.Sutra Sthana 21/11][2] [K.S. Sutra Sthana 27/38-39][9] [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 1/11][8]
  • Blue color(nila) [Su. Sa.Sutra Sthana 21/11][2] [K.S. Sutra Sthana 27/38-39][9]
  • Yellow (pita) [Su. Sa.Sutra Sthana 21/11][2] [K.S. Sutra Sthana 27/38-39][9]
  • Lightness(laghava) [Su. Sa.Sutra Sthana 42/7][2] [K.S. Sutra Sthana 27/38-39][9] [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 1/11][8]
  • Cleansing property (vishada) [Su. Sa.Sutra Sthana 42/7][2]
Pitta is pungent (katu) in completely formed or mature stage.It is sour (amla) when in raw or incompletely formed stage. [Su. Sa.Sutra Sthana 21/11][2] Pitta is yellow in color in the mature stage and blue in color in raw stage. [ Dalhana on Su. Sa.Sutra Sthana 21/11][2]
Acharya Chakrapani described the two types of pitta: 1) sadrava and 2) nirdrava . Sadrava is the natural pitta with liquidity and unctuousness. Nirdrava causes fever(jwara) and other diseases and is dry(rukshta). [Chakrapani on Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 3/217]
These attributes should be considered while taking diet and lifestyle management of health. If the food and lifestyle habits having similar characteristics are followed in excess, a person may experience pitta dosha vitiation leading to pitta disorders. Kashypa stated that pitta have all colors (varna) except white (shweta) and crimson red (aruna). [K.S. Sutra Sthana 27/38-39][9]

Functions of Pitta

Pitta has the independent function to perform within the body. The principal function of pitta dosha is to maintain the normal physiology by supplying energy to the body for all processes. The special functions of pitta are: [Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 18/50] [Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 12/11] [Su. Sa.Sutra Sthana 15/4][2] [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 11/2-3][8]
  • Vision (darshan)
  • Digestion (pakti)
  • Feeling of hunger (kshuta)
  • Thirst (trishna)
  • Softness within the body (dehamardava)
  • Luster of the body (prabha)
  • Cheerfulness (prasad)
  • Intelligence (medha or buddhi)
  • Maintenance of normal body temperature (matratvam ushma)
  • Normal complexion of skin (prakrit varna)
  • Courage (shauryam)
  • Anger (krodha)
  • Desire of food (ruchi)
  • Discriminative power and understanding (dhi)
 
Figure 03: Categorization of the functions of pitta.

Acharya Sushruta first described five types of pitta and defined their particular functions as below:[Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 15/4][2] [Dalhana on Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 15/4][2]

  1. Imparting normal color (ragakriit): Ranjaka pitta
  2. Process of digestion (paktikrt): Pachaka pitta
  3. Production of oja and maintenance of intelligence (ojakrit and medhakrit): Sadhaka pitta
  4. Process of vision (tejakrit): Alochaka pitta
  5. Production of heat within the body (ushmakrit): Bhrajaka pitta

Classification

The classification of pitta is based on different functions and locations in human body. [Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 21/10][2] [A.S. Sutra Sthana20/5][5] [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 12/12-14][8]

Five types of pitta dosha, sites and functions:

Pachaka, ranjaka, sadhaka, alochaka, and bhrajaka are the five types of pitta dosha. Five sets of functions by which pitta dosha is divided into five types are described. [Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 15/4][2] The location and function of five types of pitta dosha are based on different Ayurvedic texts, as given in table 01.
Table 01: Description of five types of pitta dosha
S.No. Type of Pitta Location Function
01. Pachaka In between the stomach and large intestine (pakva amashaya madhya)
  • Digestion of four types of food stuff (chaturvidha annapanam pachti)
  • Differentiation of nutrient and waste products from food (vivechyati cha dosha rasa mutra purishani)
  • Provides support and energy to other pitta (sheshanam pitta sthananam anugraham karoti)
02. Ranjaka Liver (yakrit)
Spleen (pliha)
Amashaya (lower part of stomach and duodenum) 		Impart color to blood (rasasya ragkrit)
03. Sadhaka Heart(hridaya)
Brain (mastishka)
  • Implementation of desires (abhiparthita manoratha)
  • Decisive power (buddhi)
  • Intellect (medha)
  • Self esteem (abhimana)
  • Enthusiasm (utsaha)
  • Perception of word (shabda), touch (sparsha) and odor (gandha)[Bh.Sa.4/8][10]
04. Alochaka Eyes (drishti) Perception of vision (rupa grahana)
05. Bhrajaka Skin (twacha)
  • Absorption of various formulation applied through massage (abhyanga), showering (parisheka), tub bath (avgahana) and local application (avlepana)
  • Radiates the glow of skin (chayanam cha prakashaka)
  • Gives lustre to skin (kantikaritvam) [Bh. P. Purva Khand 3/125][7]
  • Maintenance of normal body temperature [Chakrapani on Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 12/11]
 
Figure 04: Physiology of different types of pitta dosha

Pitta dominant constitution (prakriti)

The characteristic features of pitta dominant constitution individuals based on properties of pitta dosha are described as below. [Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/97]
  • The predominance of moles, pimples, wrinkles
  • Premature graying of hair and scanty hair or baldness
  • Presence of brownish-reddish hair
  • Strong digestive power
  • Excessive sweating and body odor
  • Intolerance to summer and hot things
  • Intake of food and water in an excessive amount
  • Short-tempered
  • Full of courage
  • Intelligent person

Loka Purusha Samanya

Pitta is responsible for all destruction or catabolism in the cosmos. The agni mahabhuta is represented by the pitta dosha in human body. Nourishing (visarga), depleting (adana) and distributing (vikshepa) in the universe are carried by the moon, sun and wind. Similarly,the human body has kapha , pitta, and vata performing the same functions, respectively. [Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 29/6][2]

Factors responsible for abnormal states of pitta

Certain factors cause excess or decline of pitta in the human body. These factors are natural or unavoidable and artificial or avoidable.

Natural factors:

These factors are the essential component of biological rhythm occurring in the external as well as internal environment of the body. This natural increase is physiological. These factors are as follows:[Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana 21/20][2], [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana1/8][8], [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana12/20-21][8] [A.Hr. Nidana Sthana1/16][8](Figure 05)
  • Season (ritu): Pitta undergoes natural accumulation in rainy season(varsha), gets vitiated during autumn(sharada) and subsides to normal during winter(hemant).
  • Various stages of digestion of food: Pitta gets vitiated during the meal digestion(jiryteanne)
  • Biological rhythm of day and night: Pitta gets vitiated in the middle of the day(madhyanhe) and night(ardharatre).
  • Age (vaya): In middle age, pitta is in excess as compared to other doshas.
 
Figure 05: Natural factors responsible for increase in pitta.

Acquired factors

Acquired factors cause vitiation of pitta dosha other than natural factors. These are avoidable and used in clinical practice through the concept of samanya vishesha siddhanta. These factors are as follows: [Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana21/22][2] [A.Hr. Nidana Sthana 1 /16][8]
  • Diet(dravya) and a particular property of diet: Food with the dominance of pungent (katu), sour (amla), and salty (lavana) taste, hot potency cause aggravation of pitta dosha. Intake of insufficient quantity at the improper time leads to vitiation of pitta dosha.
  • Lifestyle and other activities: Fasting (upavasa), overstrain (ayasa) and excessive sexual indulgence (maithuna upgamana)
  • Emotional and behavior factors: Anger(krodha), sorrow(shoka), and fear(bhaya).

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References

  1. ↑ National AYUSH Morbidity and Standardized Terminologies Electronic Portal by Ministry of AYUSH Available on http://namstp.ayush.gov.in/#/Ayurveda
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 Sushruta. Sushruta Samhita. Edited by JadavajiTrikamjiAacharya. 8th ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia;2005.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Amarkosa. Amarsimha, Edited by Pt. Haragovinda sastri. Reprint Ed. Varanasi:Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan, 2020.
  4. ↑ Monier-Williams. Monier William's Sanskrit-English Dictionary, 2nd Ed., Oxford University Press;1899.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1  
  6. ↑ Vagbhata. Ashtanga Samgraha. Edited by Shivprasadsharma. 3rd Ed., Varanasi: Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office; 2012.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Sharngdhara. Sarngadhara Samhita. Edited by Parashuram Shastri Vidyasagar. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Surbharati Prakashan ;2013.
  8. ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.13 8.14 8.15 8.16 8.17 8.18 8.19 8.20 Bhava misra. Bhavprakasa, Edited by Brahmasankara Mishra, Rupalalaji Vaisya. 5th ed. Hindi Commentary Vidyotini; Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan, 1969.
  9. ↑ 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 9.11 9.12 9.13 Vagbhata. Ashtanga Hridayam. Edited by HarishastriParadkar Vaidya. 1st ed. Varanasi: Krishnadas Academy; 2000.
  10. ↑ Kashyapa. Kashyapa Samhita. Edited by P. V. Tewari. Reprint. Varanasi: Chaukhambha vishvabharati;2008.
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