In Āyurveda, digestion is not merely the breakdown of food in the stomach; it is a systemic transformation process (Pāka) governed primarily by Agni and modulated by the three Doṣas—Vāta, Pitta, and Kapha. Health, strength, clarity of mind, and longevity all depend on proper digestion.
1. Central Principle: Agni (Digestive Fire)
“Rogāḥ sarve’pi mandāgnau”
All diseases arise from impaired Agni.
Agni is the transformative intelligence in the body.
Digestion proceeds in stages, each governed by a specific Agni.
Types of Agni involved
Jatharāgni – Main digestive fire (stomach &
duodenum)
Bhūtāgni – Elemental metabolism
Dhātvagni – Tissue-level metabolism (7 Dhātus)
2. Sequential Process of Digestion (Āhāra Pāka)
Digestion is classically described in three major phases:
Avasthāpāka (Stages of Digestion)
|
Stage |
Location |
Dominant Doṣa |
Description |
|
Madhura Avasthā |
Mouth & upper stomach |
Kapha |
Moistening, lubrication, and initial breakdown |
|
Amla Avasthā |
Stomach & small intestine |
Pitta |
Acidic digestion, enzymatic action |
|
Kaṭu Avasthā |
Colon |
Vāta |
Absorption, drying, and separation of waste |
3. Role of Kapha in Digestion
Kapha governs the initial phase
Subtypes involved:
Bodhaka Kapha – Saliva (taste perception &
moistening)
Kledaka Kapha – Gastric mucus
Functions
Moistens food
Softens bolus
Protects the gastric mucosa
Allows smooth mixing with digestive juices
Kapha prepares food for digestion, but does not digest
itself.
Kapha imbalance
Excess → sluggish digestion, heaviness, nausea
Deficiency → dryness, irritation, gastritis
4. Role of Pitta in Digestion (Core Digestive Power)
Primary digestive agent
Subtypes involved:
Pācaka Pitta – Located inthe stomach & small
intestine
Rañjaka Pitta – Supports nutrient assimilation
(liver/spleen)
Functions
Chemical digestion
Enzymatic breakdown
Separation of nutritive essence (Rasa) from waste
Colour, heat, and metabolic intelligence
Pitta transforms food into absorbable nutrients.
Pitta imbalance
Excess → hyperacidity, ulcers, diarrhoea, inflammation
Deficiency → poor digestion, fermentation, and Ama formation
5. Role of Vāta in Digestion
Governs movement and absorption
Subtypes involved:
Prāṇa Vāta – Swallowing
Samāna Vāta – Churning & separation
Apāna Vāta – Elimination
Functions
Propels food through the gut
Separates nutrients from waste
Controls absorption in the intestines
Governs defecation
Vāta directs digestion but does not participate in it.
Vāta imbalance
Excess → gas, bloating, constipation
Deficiency → sluggish peristalsis
6. Formation of Rasa and Dhātu Nourishment
After digestion:
Āhāra Rasa (nutritive essence) is formed
It circulates and nourishes tissues sequentially:
Rasa
Rakta
Māṃsa
Meda
Asthi
Majjā
Śukra
Each tissue has its own Dhātvagni.
7. Ama: The Central Pathology
When digestion is faulty:
Ama = incompletely digested, toxic metabolic residue
Causes:
Weak Agni
Doṣa imbalance
Incompatible foods (Viruddhāhāra)
Results:
Disease
Blocked channels (Srotorodha)
Systemic inflammation
8. Doṣha Dominance and Digestive Types
|
Digestive Type |
Doṣa |
Features |
|
Tikṣṇāgni |
Pitta |
Strong digestion, hunger |
|
Mandāgni |
Kapha |
Slow digestion |
|
Viṣamāgni |
Vāta |
Irregular digestion |
|
Samāgni |
Balanced |
Ideal digestion |
9. Summary (One-Line Classical Understanding)
Kapha prepares food
Pitta digests food
Vāta distributes and eliminates
Agni is the central authority
Balanced Doṣas = Balanced Agni = Health
1. Foundational Principle
Digestion = Agni acting through Doṣas, directed by Grahas
In Jyotiṣa, grahas do not digest—they govern the
quality, regulation, and disturbance of digestion by controlling:
Heat
Movement
Liquefaction
Assimilation
Timing
Pitta = transformation
Vāta = motion & separation
Kapha = cohesion & lubrication
2. Mars (Maṅgala) – Pitta (Sharp, Combustive Digestion)
Doṣic Nature
Tikṣṇa Pitta
Dry heat, penetrating fire
Digestive Role
Sharpens Jatharāgni
Promotes fast enzymatic breakdown
Aids bile secretion and intestinal heat
Balanced Mars
Strong appetite
Rapid digestion
Efficient metabolism
Afflicted Mars
Hyperacidity
Gastritis
Ulcers
Inflammatory bowel conditions
Mars = igniting flame, not regulating intelligence
3. Sun (Sūrya) – Pitta (Regulatory Digestive Fire)
Doṣic Nature
Sattvic Pitta
Central authority
Digestive Role
Governs core Agni stability
Maintains circadian rhythm of hunger
Regulates liver function (bile synthesis)
Balanced Sun
Regular hunger
Stable digestion
Strong metabolism
Weak/Afflicted Sun
Low appetite
Sluggish liver
Poor bile flow
Ama formation
Sun = Agni’s king, Mars = Agni’s weapon
4. Saturn (Śani) – Vāta (Constriction & Delay)
Doṣic Nature
Rūkṣa, Śīta Vāta
Dry, cold, obstructive
Digestive Role
Slows peristalsis
Causes dryness of the intestinal tract
Governs chronic digestive disorders
Balanced Saturn
Discipline in eating
Fasting tolerance
Afflicted Saturn
Chronic constipation
Gas
Malabsorption
Long-standing indigestion
Saturn does not destroy Agni—it starves it
5. Rahu – Vāta (Erratic, Toxic Motion)
Doṣic Nature
Viṣama Vāta
Unnatural movement
Digestive Role
Creates irregular digestion
Promotes fermentation & toxins
Disturbs hunger signals
Afflicted Rahu
IBS-like symptoms
Food intolerances
Sudden appetite changes
Toxic Ama
Rahu = pathological Vāta
6. Venus (Śukra) – Kapha (Lubrication & Sweetness)
Doṣic Nature
Snigdha Kapha
Cooling, nourishing
Digestive Role
Gastric mucus production
Moistening of food
Taste satisfaction
Nutrient assimilation
Balanced Venus
Smooth digestion
Good nutrient absorption
Comfort after meals
Afflicted Venus
Overeating
Sluggish digestion
Mucus accumulation
Obesity-related disorders
Venus = digestive comfort
7. Moon (Candra) – Kapha (Fluid Intelligence)
Doṣic Nature
Jala-Kapha
Liquidity, adaptability
Digestive Role
Controls digestive fluids
Governs appetite fluctuations
Influences emotional eating
Weak/Afflicted Moon
Nausea
Water retention
Loss of appetite
Psychosomatic digestion
Moon = digestive mind
8. Jupiter (Guru) – Ether + Kapha (Assimilation &
Expansion)
Doṣic Nature
Ākāśa + Kapha
Growth & nourishment
Digestive Role
Governs Bhūtāgni & Dhātvāgni
Nutrient assimilation into tissues
Liver and pancreas function
Balanced Jupiter
Proper nourishment
Strong immunity
Efficient tissue-building
Afflicted Jupiter
Malabsorption
Fatty liver
Diabetes
Nutrient wastage
Jupiter = post-digestive wisdom
9. Mercury (Budha) – Tridoṣic Controller
Doṣic Nature
Tridoṣic
Adaptable intelligence
Digestive Role
Coordinates digestive signalling
Controls the gut–brain axis
Regulates enzyme timing
Strong Mercury
Flexible digestion
Good food discrimination
Quick recovery from indigestion
Afflicted Mercury
Food allergies
Erratic digestion
Nervous gut
Mercury = digestive intelligence
10. Integrated Planetary Digestive Axis
|
Function |
Doṣa |
Graha |
|
Ignition |
Pitta |
Mars |
|
Regulation |
Pitta |
Sun |
|
Lubrication |
Kapha |
Venus |
|
Fluid balance |
Kapha |
Moon |
|
Assimilation |
Kapha/Ether |
Jupiter |
|
Movement |
Vāta |
Saturn |
|
Erratic motion |
Vāta |
Rahu |
|
Coordination |
All |
Mercury |
11. Classical Insight (Synthesis)
Too much fire (Sun/Mars) → inflammation
Too much air (Saturn/Rahu) → gas & dryness
Too much water (Moon/Venus/Jupiter) → heaviness &
Ama
Perfect digestion requires planetary harmony, not
strength alone
12. Jyotiṣa Diagnostic Key
When judging digestion in a chart:
Assess Sun–Mars (Agni)
Examine 6th house & Virgo
Judge Moon + Mercury (gut intelligence)
Note Saturn/Rahu affliction to Moon/Mercury
