Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S

AIAPGET Factors

1.   Usually accepted seats of Pitta – Madhya Sharira, Amashaya (Adho-Amashaya), Ama-Pakvashaya Madhye, Hrdaya-Nabhi Madhye & Nabhi.
2.   The organs predominant in pitta are – Yakrit, Pliha, Nabhi, Hrdaya, Amashaya (Adho Amashaya), Pakvashaya, Twak, Netra.
3.   Pitta is positioned between Pitta and Hrdaya – A.Hr.Su.Sth.12/2
4.   Nabhi – navel has been specified as Vishesha Sthana – distinguished seat of Pitta by Vagbhata and Kashyapa.
5.   In line with Charaka – Amashaya (Adho Amashaya in line with Chakrapani) and Nabhi are the predominant seats of Pitta.
6.   Among the many dhatus – pitta is localized in rasa and rakta dhatus. It is usually positioned in Lasika. A.Hr.Su.12/2
7.   Among the many Malas – Sweda is predominant in Pitta.
8.   In line with Dalhana, the 5 features of Pitta talked about by Sushruta signify the 5 subtypes. Ragakrit = Ranjaka Pitta, Paktikrit = Pachaka Pitta, Ojaskrit = Sadhaka Pitta, Tejaskrit = Alochaka Pitta and Ushmakrit = Bhrajaka Pitta. (Su.Su.Ch15)
9.   Seats of Ranjaka Pitta – Bhavaprakasha and Sushruta Samhita have talked about Yakrit – liver and Pliha – spleen because the seats of Ranjaka Pitta. Sharngdhara has talked about solely Yakrit whereas Vagbhata has talked about Amashaya because the seat of Ranjaka Pitta.
10.                   Pachaka Pitta is positioned between Pakvashaya and Amashaya, made up of Panchamahabhutas and is predominant in Tejo Mahabhuta in line with Vagbhata (A.Hr.Su.Sth.1/11).
11.                   Acharya Charaka has not given the names and seats of 5 kinds of pitta however has symbolically touched upon their features in scattered contexts.

Seats of Pitta In line with Completely different Samhitas 

Identical to the opposite doshas i.e. vata and kapha, pitta too pervades all around the physique. Like vata and kapha, Pitta too has been categorised into 5 sorts. Every subtype of Pitta is allotted a spot or seat within the physique from the place they function and render completely different features like transformation, digestion, metabolism, imaginative and prescient and thermoregulation by their qualities like scorching, sharp, unctuousness, lightness, liquid, move and so on. The seats of pitta i.e. sthana or mula sthana refers back to the main anatomical and practical places the place it predominates. Understanding the primary seat of pitta and the seats of subtypes of pitta will assist in diagnosing the ailments occurring therein and planning the associated remedies.

Pitta is mostly mentioned to be positioned within the madhya sharira i.e. center portion of the physique, notably Nabhi – the navel area, between the Hrdaya (coronary heart) and Nabhi (navel, umbilicus) to be exact. Above the area of Pitta, Kapha is positioned (higher portion of the physique) and under the area of Pitta, Vata is positioned (decrease portion of the physique).

On this article we will focus on the seats of Pitta in line with completely different Acharyas, primarily from the attitude of Brihat Trayees.

Seats of Pitta in line with completely different Samhitas

Charaka Samhita

Acharya Charaka has specified Adho Amashaya – duodenum and Nabhi – navel as prime places of Pitta. They’re fluid wealthy seats within the physique and the websites whereby transformative actions happen.

Common seats of Pitta are –

–        Sweda – sweat

–        Rasa – plasma, nutrient fluid / juices

–        Laika – lymph

–        Rudhira – blood

–        Adho Amashaya – decrease a part of abdomen and duodenum

–        Nabhi – navel, umbilicus

–        Netra – eyes

–        Twak – pores and skin

Prime seats – Amashaya (Adho Amashaya – duodenum in line with Chakrapani) Abdomen / Duodenum and Nabhi – Navel

Ref – Charaka Samhita Sutra Sthana – Chapter 20, Verse 8 

Amashaya and Nabhi are the primary seats of Pitta in line with Acharya Charaka. Amashaya means Adho Amashaya (duodenum, small gut) in line with Chakrapani.

Sushruta Samhita

Common seats of Pitta in line with Acharya Sushruta are –

–        Yakrt – liver

–        Pliha – spleen

–        Hrdaya – coronary heart

–        Amashaya – abdomen

–        Pakvashaya – colon, intestines

–        Twak – pores and skin

–        Netra – eyes

–        Rakta – blood

–        Sweda – sweat and

–        Madhya sthana – center portion of the physique, between coronary heart and navel, above the area of pelvis

–        Dhatus – Ras, Medas, Mutra, Purisha

Keenly Sushruta’s rationalization, the seats of pitta appear to have been defined from surgical and anatomical elements. Pitta is proven to be positioned in metabolic hotspots just like the stomach and blood vessels. Useful seats tied to agni – the digestive hearth have been burdened upon.

Reference – Sushruta Sutra Sthana Chapter 21, Verse 6

Pittam Madhye Sthitam – Pitta is positioned within the center i.e. within the stomach area between amashaya – abdomen and pakvashaya – duodenum

Pitta Subtypes defined in Sushruta Samhita

1. Pachaka Pitta –

Location – in amashaya-pakvashaya i.e. stomach – abdomen and intestines.

Features – Pakti Krit, Rasa Dhatu Pachyate – digests the meals

Ref – Su.Su.15/4

1. Ranjaka Pitta –

Location – Yakrit – liver, Pliha – spleen, Rakta – Blood

Funcitons Raga Krit, Rasasya Raga Krit – colors the chyle and converts it into blood

Ref – Su.Su15

1. Sadhaka Pitta –

Location – Hrdaya – coronary heart, Madhy Sharira – Center a part of the physique

Features – Medha Krt / Oja Krt – answerable for mind and vitality

Ref – Su.Su.15

1. Alochaka Pitta –

Location – Netra – eyes

Features – Teja Krit – Netra Tejah…Rupa Grahanam – preserves imaginative and prescient and retains it wholesome

Ref – Su.Su.15

1. Bhrajaka Pitta –

Location – Twak – pores and skin, Sweda – sweat

Features – Ushma Krit – regulates temperature, generates warmth, causes pores and skin glow

Ref – Su.Su.15

Acharya Dalhana’s commentary on the features of Pitta subtypes talked about by Acharya Sushruta is as given under –

1.   Ragakrt – that which colors – implies Ranjaka Pitta in liver and spleen
2.   Paktikrt – that which digests – implies Pachaka Pitta in abdomen and intestines (duodenum)
3.   Ojaskrt – that which helps, generates vitality and mind – implies Sadhaka Pitta within the coronary heart / mind
4.   Tejaskrt – that which exhibits / shines / glows – implies Alochaka Pitta within the eyes
5.   Ushmakrt – that which exhibits warmth – implies Bhrajaka Pitta within the pores and skin

Ashtanga Hridaya and Ashtanga Samgraha

Acharya Vagbhata too has emphasised Nabhi – Navel area as a distinguished seat of Pitta. Seats of Pitta carefully resemble these included by Acharya Charaka. Alternatively, Panchamahabhuta composition of the 5 subtypes of Pitta have been defined herein.

Common Seats of Pitta –

–        Nabhi – navel – essential seat,

–        Amashaya-Pakvashaya – abdomen / small gut

–        Sweda – sweat

–        Lasika – lymph

–        Rudhiram – blood

–        Rasa – plasma

–        Drk – eyes,

–        Sparshanam – pores and skin

Reference – Ashtanga Hridaya, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 12, Verse 2

Regional Seat of Pitta – Hrt-Nabhyoh Madhyay – Pitta is positioned between the center (chest area or area of coronary heart) and nabhi (navel area).

Reference – Ashtanga Hridaya, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 1, Verses 11-12

Sorts of Pitta

1. Pachaka Pitta

Seat – between pakvashaya and amashaya (massive gut and abdomen)

Operate – digests meals – made up of panchamahabhutas, predominant in tejo mahabhuta i.e. agni and toyavarjitam – devoid of water / liquid part

1. Ranjaka Pitta

Seat – amashaya – abdomen

Funciton – rasa ranjanam – imparts color to rasa dhatu and converts it into rakta (blood)

1. Sadhaka Pitta

Seat – Hrdaya – coronary heart

Features – intelligence, comprehension, self worth 

1. Alochaka Pitta

Seat – Netra – eyes

Operate – visible notion

1. Bhrajaka Pitta

Seat – Twak – pores and skin

Operate – produces color, complexion, luster

Reference – Ashtanga Hridaya, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 12, Verses 11-14

Pitta seats as laid out in Bhavaprakasha and Sharngdhara Samhita

Bhavaprakasha and Sharngdhara Samhita too have given related opinions about main seats of pitta and pitta subtypes as these in Brihat Trayees.

Sharngdhara has talked about the predominance of Sattva Guna in Pitta towards Raja-Sattva predominance talked about by Sushruta (Sha.Sam.5). The predominance of sattva guna most likely signifies extra in direction of mental predominance in Sadhaka Pitta and operational dynamics of upper centres of the mind, greater than another pitta subtype.

Whereas Bhavaprakasha has adopted Sushruta Samhita in mentioning each Yakrit – liver and Pliha – spleen because the operational seats of Ranjaka Pitta, Sharangadhara Samhita has talked about solely Yakrit because the seat of the talked about pitta.

References – Bhavaprakasha, Purva Khanda, Chapter 3, Verse 103 & Sharngdhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 5.

Conclusive Remarks on Seats of Pitta

There’s a common consensus of Madhya bhaga (center portion of the physique) and Nabhi (navel) because the predominant seat of pitta. This pertains to the dominant subtype of pitta which controls all the opposite pitta subtypes i.e. Pachaka Pitta. We’ve seen that the seats of subtypes of pitta are completely different and there are slight variations within the point out of their seats as effectively. Instance – The seat of Ranjaka Pitta is Yakrit and Pliha (liver and spleen) in line with Acharya Sushruta whereas it’s Amashaya – abdomen in line with Acharya Vagbhata.

Nabhi or Navel as predominant seat of Pitta – Acharya Vagbhata in Ashtanga Hridaya Sutra, Chapter 12, Verse 2 & Acharya Kashyapa in Kashyapa Samhita Sutra, Chapter 27, Verse 11 have specified that NABHI is vishesha sthana – distinguished seat of pitta. It’s seen because the working centre and central hub for the motion of agni and strategy of transformation.

Amashaya or Adho Amashaya i.e. decrease abdomen / duodenum as predominant seat of Pitta – Acharya Charaka in Charaka Sutra Sthana, Chapter 20, Verse 8, particularly commentary of Acharya Chakrapani on the identical verse has prioritized the decrease abdomen or duodenum as the primary seat of pitta. This rationalization hyperlinks this reference to the seat and motion of Pachaka Pitta, the primary pitta. Nabhi – navel is also included within the checklist of essential seats of pitta.

Pakvamashaya Madhye i.e. the place in between the abdomen and intestines as predominant seat of Pitta – Acharya Sushruta in Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 21, Verse 6 & Chapter 15, Verse 4 specifies the midpoint of the stomach which is in between abdomen and enormous gut, which falls into the territory of small gut, primarily duodenum because the predominant seat of pitta. It’s the centre and controlling station for total metabolism. It is because, the talked about place belongs to Pachaka Pitta which is the pitta which controls and influences different pittas within the physique.