AIAPGET Ayurveda Kriya Sharira Syllabus

Define Agni and state its primary role.

Agni is the biological fire responsible for digestion, absorption, assimilation, and metabolic transformation of food into body tissues; it is essential for life and longevity.

Name the 13 types of Agni in the body.

1 Jatharagni (central digestive fire), 5 Bhutagnis (one per Mahabhuta), and 7 Dhatvagnis (one per Dhatu) = 13 total.

What are the four functional states (avastha) of Agni?

Sama (balanced/normal), Vishama (irregular, Vata-driven), Tikshna (hyperactive/sharp, Pitta-driven), and Manda (sluggish/weak, Kapha-driven).

What is Jatharagni and why is it considered most important?

Jatharagni is the central digestive fire in the stomach/duodenum; it is the chief Agni that governs all other (Bhuta and Dhatu) Agnis and performs the primary digestion of food.

What is Ama and how is it formed?

Ama is the toxic, undigested, improperly metabolized product formed due to impaired/Manda Agni; it is the root cause of many diseases.

Describe the three stages of digestion (Avasthapaka) and their dosha/rasa.

Madhura avastha (sweet, in stomach — Kapha/Bodhaka & Kledaka); Amla avastha (sour, in duodenum — Pitta); Katu avastha (pungent, in colon — Vata).

What is Vipaka?

Vipaka is the final post-digestive taste/effect of a substance after complete metabolism; it is of three types — Madhura (sweet), Amla (sour), and Katu (pungent).

What is the sequence of tissue formation called, where each Dhatu nourishes the next?

Dhatu Poshana Nyaya — the chain of tissue nutrition; classically explained by Kshira-Dadhi Nyaya, Kedari-Kulya Nyaya, and Khale-Kapota Nyaya.

Explain the Kedari-Kulya Nyaya of dhatu nourishment.

Like irrigation channels feeding fields one after another — nutrients flow sequentially through srotas, each preceding dhatu nourishing the next in order (Rasa→Rakta→Mamsa...).

What is Ojas and what are its two types?

Ojas is the essence of all seven dhatus, the substratum of immunity, strength, and vitality. Two types: Para Ojas (8 drops, in the heart, loss = death) and Apara Ojas (half anjali, circulating).

What are the three components digested food is converted into (after Jatharagni action)?

Prasada (nutrient/Ahara Rasa portion) and Kitta (waste portion); the Sara part nourishes dhatus while Kitta forms the malas.

Which Pitta subtype performs the main digestion in the GI tract, and where is it located?

Pachaka Pitta, located between the stomach and large intestine (grahani/duodenal region); it digests food and supports the other Pitta subtypes.

Which Vata subtype controls the downward expulsion of feces, urine, semen, and the fetus?

Apana Vata, located in the pelvic region (below the umbilicus).

Which Vata subtype controls inspiration, swallowing, and is seated in the head/chest?

Prana Vata; it governs intake of breath, swallowing of food, sneezing, and functions of the heart, senses, and mind.

Which Vata subtype is responsible for expiration, speech, and vocal effort?

Udana Vata, seated in the chest/throat; it controls expiration, speech, enthusiasm, strength, and complexion.

Which Vata subtype circulates throughout the whole body and governs all movements?

Vyana Vata; it pervades the entire body, controlling circulation, all bodily movements, opening/closing of eyes, and sweating.

Which Vata subtype kindles the digestive fire and separates Sara from Kitta?

Samana Vata, located near the Agni in the GI tract; it stimulates Jatharagni and aids absorption and separation of nutrients from waste.

Which Kapha subtype lubricates the joints?

Shleshaka Kapha (located in the joints/sandhi), providing lubrication and stability.

Which Pitta subtype is responsible for color/pigmentation of blood (Rakta)?

Ranjaka Pitta, located in the liver and spleen (yakrit-pliha); it imparts red color to the rasa, forming Rakta.

What is the Ayurvedic concept of respiration governed primarily by which Doshas?

Prana Vata (inspiration) and Udana Vata (expiration) govern respiration; Avalambaka Kapha and the Pranavaha Srotas support lung function.

Which srotas governs respiration, what is its moola (root), and the result of its vitiation?

Pranavaha Srotas; its roots (moola) are Hridaya (heart) and Mahasrotas (GI tract/alimentary canal); vitiation causes labored, obstructed, or painful breathing (Shwasa).

Which Kapha subtype supports the heart and lungs, and where is it located?

Avalambaka Kapha, located in the chest (uras); it supports the heart, lungs, and back, and protects/nourishes these organs.

In Ayurveda, what is the seat of Prana, mind (Manas), and Ojas, often regarded as the most vital organ?

Hridaya (the heart); it is the seat of consciousness, Para Ojas, Sadhaka Pitta, Avalambaka Kapha, and the center of the Rasavaha and Pranavaha srotas.

Which srotas governs the circulation of Rasa and Rakta, and what are their roots?

Rasavaha Srotas — roots: Hridaya and ten Dhamanis (great vessels). Raktavaha Srotas — roots: Yakrit (liver) and Pliha (spleen).

What are 'Dhamani', 'Sira', and 'Srotas' in Ayurvedic cardiovascular anatomy?

Dhamani = pulsating/great vessels (arteries), Sira = vessels carrying/transporting (veins/channels), Srotas = body channels/microchannels for transport of substances.

How many Dhamanis arise from the heart according to classical texts, and how are they grouped?

Twenty-four Dhamanis arise from the Nabhi/Hridaya; grouped as 10 going upward (urdhwaga), 10 downward (adhoga), and 4 oblique/transverse (tiryak).

What is Sadhaka Pitta and where is it located?

Sadhaka Pitta is located in the Hridaya (heart/brain); it governs intellect, memory, enthusiasm, and the achievement of desired goals (mental functions).

Which subtype of Kapha governs taste perception and is located in the tongue?

Bodhaka Kapha, located in the tongue/throat; it moistens food and enables perception of taste (rasa-bodha).

What is Grahani and what is its function in digestion?

Grahani is the seat of Agni (corresponding to the duodenum/small intestine); it holds food until digestion is complete and releases it after, governed by Agni — dysfunction causes Grahani Roga (malabsorption).

What is the byproduct (mala) of Rasa Dhatu and of Rakta Dhatu metabolism?

Mala of Rasa Dhatu is Kapha (shleshma); mala of Rakta Dhatu is Pitta.

What are the three Upadhatus derived during Dhatu metabolism (give examples)?

Upadhatus are secondary tissues: e.g., Stanya (breast milk) and Rajah (menstrual blood) from Rasa/Rakta, Kandara & Sira from Mamsa, Vasa (muscle fat) from Meda, Snayu from Asthi, and Twak (skin) from Mamsa.