Concept of Pittadharakala and its Modern Perspective

Author: Priya Paijwar, Rita Marwaha, Pankaj Gupta and Swatantra Chourasia

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Abstract

Ayurveda is a science of life. In Vedic and other ancient literature, the word "Kala" has been used in a variety of contexts. Kala Sharir is important concept of Rachana Sharir which mainly dealt about layers or membranes found in different regions or structures/organ in the body. Maharshi Sushruta gave the first description of Kala. He described Kala as a partition separating Dhatu and its Ashaya. Kala serves as an interface (barrier) between Dhatu and Ashaya by serving as the Antar-Maryada (border) between the two entities. The Kalas arrangement supports several Dhatus, proving their presence even though they are invisible. Among seven Kalas, sixth Kala is Pittadhara Kala. As per Acharya Sushruta, it is situated in between the Amashaya (stomach) and Pakwashaya (large intestine). The structure lying between these two organs is small intestine. This Kala receives four types of food materials namely Ashita, Khadita, Peeta, Leedha and facilitates its assimilation, absorption and digestion. Afterword it allows the passage of food material further down into Pakwashaya and it is also known as ‘Grahani’. Pittadhara Kala is the seat for internal Agni, due to Mandagni or impairement of Agni Pittadhara Kala Roga i.e. Grahani Roga occurs “Roga Sarve Api Mandagno”. Kala is an important concept for both healthy and the diseased person, so one should know the layers of body with respect to normal anatomical and physiological manifestation of disease.

Keywords

Kala, Pittadhara Kala, Grahani, Dhatu, Ashaya, Membrane, small intestine

Conclusion

On the basis of above discussion, it came to conclude that Kala Sharir is another key notion that ancient Acharyas described in various compendia and human body contains total seven Kalas. Kalas are the lines of separation between Dhatus along with corresponding Ashayas. These are more than just limiting or covering membranes; they also serve important functions in the body's tissues. They serve the organs support and protection. Pittadhara Kala is the sixth prime Kala in the body. The review of literature of Amashaya and Pakwashaya & present knowledge of contemporary science indicates that anatomically site of Pittadhara Kala is in between the Amashaya (stomach) and Pakwashaya (large intestine). The structure lying between these two organs is small intestine. This Kala receives four types of food materials namely Ashita, Khadita, Peeta, Leedha and facilitates its assimilation, absorption and digestion. Afterword it allows the passage of food material further down into Pakwashaya. On functional understanding Pachaka Pitta may be correlated with digestive enzymes & juices, this helps in digestion of ingested food. Grahana means collection of food, Pachana means Digestion, Shoshan means absorption and assimilation, Vivechana means separation of Sara (useful) and Kitta (waste) products, Munchana means separation and propelling action, are the functions of Pittadhara Kala. It promotes complete digestion, assimilation and absorption. All these functions governed with the help of Pachakagni and Samanvayu at Pachyamanashaya. If any disease occurs at this level it causes Grahani Roga. On contemporary it can be understood as mucosal lining situated in between Amashaya (stomach) and Pakwashaya (large intestine) i.e. small intestine, where digestion of Anna (cereals) and absorption of Annarasa (nutritional portions) gets accomplished, is the Pittadhara Kala.

References

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How to cite this article

Priya Paijwar, Rita Marwaha, Pankaj Gupta and Swatantra Chourasia (2023). Concept of Pittadharakala and its Modern Perspective. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(5a): 569-573.