Seats of Pitta According to Different Samhitas

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

AIAPGET Points

1. Generally 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 located between Pitta and Hrdaya – A.Hr.Su.Sth.12/2
4. Nabhi – navel has been specified as Vishesha Sthana – prominent seat of Pitta by Vagbhata and Kashyapa.
5. According to Charaka – Amashaya (Adho Amashaya according to Chakrapani) and Nabhi are the predominant seats of Pitta.
6. Among the Dhatus – Pitta is localized in Rasa and Rakta Dhatus. It is also located in Lasika. A.Hr.Su.12/2
7. Among the Malas – Sweda is predominant in Pitta.
8. To Dallana, Hove isvores off Pittta examined by Susrutt Arepres Red Reppoint. The radiant = Pittic Road, Pittics = Pitka Pitta, Ojaskrit = One of the Pitta, Steor = Alocha Center Alocha = Auto Pitta. (Su.Su.Ch15)
9. Seats of Ranjaka Pitta – Bhavaprakasha and Sushruta Samhita have mentioned Yakrit – liver and Pliha – spleen as the seats of Ranjaka Pitta. Sharngdhara has mentioned only Yakrit while Vagbhata has mentioned Amashaya as the seat of Ranjaka Pitta.
10. Pachaka Pitta is located between Pakvashaya and Amashaya, made up of Panchamahabhutas and is predominant in Tejo Mahabhuta according to Vagbhata (A.Hr.Su.Sth.1/11).
11. Acharya Charaka has not given the names and seats of five types of pitta but has symbolically touched upon their functions in scattered contexts.

Seats of Pitta According to Different Samhitas

Just like the other doshas i.e. vata and kapha, pitta too pervades all over the body. Like vata and kapha, Pitta too has been classified into five types. Each subtype of Pitta is allotted a place or seat in the body from where they operate and render different functions like transformation, digestion, metabolism, vision and thermoregulation through their qualities like hot, sharp, unctuousness, lightness, liquid, flow etc. The seats of pitta i.e. sthana or mula sthana refers to the primary anatomical and functional locations where it predominates. Understanding the main seat of pitta and the seats of subtypes of pitta will help in diagnosing the diseases occurring therein and planning the related treatments.

Pitta is generally said to be located in the madhya sharira i.e. middle portion of the body, particularly Nabhi – the navel region, between the Hrdaya (heart) and Nabhi (navel, umbilicus) to be precise. Above the region of Pitta, Kapha is located (upper portion of the body) and below the region of Pitta, Vata is located (lower portion of the body).

In this article we shall discuss the seats of Pitta according to different Acharyas, mainly from the perspective of Brihat Trayees.

Seats of Pitta according to different Samhitas

Charaka Samhita

Acharya Charaka has specified Adho Amashaya – duodenum and Nabhi – navel as prime locations of Pitta. They are fluid rich seats in the body and the sites wherein transformative activities take place.

General seats of Pitta are –

– Sweda – sweat

– Rasa – plasma, nutrient fluid / juices

– Laika – lymph

– Rudhira – blood

– Adho Amashaya – lower part of stomach and duodenum

– Nabhi – navel, umbilicus

– Netra – eyes

– Twak – skin

Prime seats – Amashaya (Adho Amashaya – duodenum according to Chakrapani) Stomach / Duodenum and Nabhi – Navel

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

Amashaya and Nabhi are the main seats of Pitta according to Acharya Charaka. Amashaya means Adho Amashaya (duodenum, small intestine) according to Chakrapani.

Sushruta Samhita

General seats of Pitta according to Acharya Sushruta are –

– Yakrt – liver

– Spleen

– Hrdaya – heart

– Stomach cramps

– Pakvashaya – colon, intestines

– Twak – skin

– Netra – eyes

– Rakta – blood

– Sweda – sweat and

– Madhya sthana – middle portion of the body, between heart and navel, above the region of pelvis

– Dhas – Ras, Medass, Mutra, Mutra, Walking

Keenly looking at Sushruta’s explanation, the seats of pitta seem to have been explained from surgical and anatomical aspects. Pitta is shown to be located in metabolic hotspots like the abdomen and blood vessels. Functional seats tied to agni – the digestive fire have been stressed upon.

Reference – Sushruta Sutra Sthana Chapter 21, Verse 6

Pittam Madhye Sthitam – Pitta is located in the middle ie in the abdominal region between amashaya – stomach and pakvashaya – duodenum

Pitta Subtypes explained in Sushruta Samhita

1. Annual Pitta –

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

Functions – Pakti Krit, Rasa Dhatu Pachyate – digests the food

Ref – Su.Su.15/4

1. Ranjaka Pitta –

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

Funcitons Evidence of Krit, Rasasya Evidence Krit – Colours the Chyle and Converts it into blood

Ref – Su.Su15

1. Sadhaka Pitta –

Location – Hrdaya – heart, Madhy Sharira – Middle part of the body

Functions – Medha krt / oja krt – Responsible for intellect and vital

Ref – Su.Su.15

1. Alochaka Pitta –

Location – Netra – eyes

Functions – Teja Krit – Netra Tejah…Rupa Grahanam – Preservers Vision and Keeps it healthy

Ref – Su.Su.15

1. Bhrajaka Pitta –

Location – Twak – skin, Sweda – sweat

Functions – Ushma Krit – regulates temperature, generates heat, causes skin glow

Ref – Su.Su.15

Acharya Dalhana’s commentary on the functions of Pitta subtypes mentioned by Acharya Sushruta is as given below –

1. Ragakrt – that which colours – implies Ranjaka Pitta in liver and spleen
2. Paktikrt – that which digests – implies Pachaka Pitta in stomach and intestines (duodenum)
3. Ojaskrt – that which supports, generates vitality and intellect – implies Sadhaka Pitta in the heart / brain
4. Tejaskrt – that which shows / shines / glows – implies Alochaka Pitta in the eyes
5. Ushmakrt – that which shows heat – implies Bhrajaka Pitta in the skin

Ashtanga Hridaya and Ashtanga Samgraha

Acharya Vagbhata too has emphasized Nabhi – Navel region as a prominent seat of Pitta. Seats of Pitta closely resemble those included by Acharya Charaka. On the other hand, Panchamahabhuta composition of the five subtypes of Pitta have been explained herein.

General Seats of Pitta –

– Navel – main seat,

– Amashaya-Pakvashaya – stomach / small intestine

– Sweda – sweat

– Lasika – lymph

– Rudhiram – blood

– Taste – plasma

– Drk – eyes,

– Sparshanam – skin

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

Regional Seat of Pitta – Hrt-Nabhyoh Madhyay – Pitta is located between the heart (chest region or region of heart) and nabhi (navel region).

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

Types of Pitta

1. Annual Pitta

Seat – between pakvashaya and amashaya (large intestine and stomach)

Function – digests food – made up of panchamahabhutas, predominant in tejo mahabhuta i.e. agni and toyavarjitam – devoid of water / liquid component

1. Ranjaka Pitta

Seat – arms – stomach

Funciton – the taste of the raja – the believer to taste the road is confused in the frost (blood)

1. Sadhaka Pitta

Seat – Hrdaya – heart

Functions – intelligence, comprehension, self esteem

1. Alochaka Pitta

Seat – Netra – eyes

Function – visual perception

1. Bhrajaka Pitta

Seat – Twak – skin

Function – produces colour, complexion, luster

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

Pitta seats as specified in Bhavaprakasha and Sharngdhara Samhita

Bhavaprakasha and Sharngdhara Samhita too have given similar opinions about primary seats of pitta and pitta subtypes as those in Brihat Trayees.

Sharngdhara has mentioned the predominance of Sattva Guna in Pitta against Raja-Sattva predominance mentioned by Sushruta (Sha.Sam.5). The predominance of sattva guna probably indicates more towards intellectual predominance in Sadhaka Pitta and operational dynamics of higher centres of the brain, more than any other pitta subtype.

While Bhavaprakasha has followed Sushruta Samhita in mentioning both Yakrit – liver and Pliha – spleen as the operational seats of Ranjaka Pitta, Sharangadhara Samhita has mentioned only Yakrit as the seat of the mentioned pitta.

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

Conclusive Remarks on Seats of Pitta

There is a general consensus of Madhya bhaga (middle portion of the body) and Nabhi (navel) as the predominant seat of pitta. This pertains to the dominant subtype of pitta which controls all the other pitta subtypes i.e. Pachaka Pitta. We have seen that the seats of subtypes of pitta are different and there are slight differences in the mention of their seats as well. Example – The seat of Ranjaka Pitta is Yakrit and Pliha (liver and spleen) according to Acharya Sushruta while it is Amashaya – stomach according to 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 – prominent seat of pitta. It is seen as the operating centre and central hub for the action of agni and process of transformation.

Amashaya or Adho Amashaya i.e. lower stomach / duodenum as predominant seat of Pitta – Acharya Charaka in Charaka Sutra Sthana, Chapter 20, Verse 8, especially commentary of Acharya Chakrapani on the same verse has prioritized the lower stomach or duodenum as the main seat of pitta. This explanation links this reference to the seat and action of Pachaka Pitta, the main pitta. Nabhi – navel also is included in the list of main seats of pitta.

Pakvamashaya Madhye i.e. the place in between the stomach 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 abdomen which is in between stomach and large intestine, which falls into the territory of small intestine, mainly duodenum as the predominant seat of pitta. It is the centre and controlling station for overall metabolism. This is because, the mentioned place belongs to Pachaka Pitta which is the pitta which controls and influences other pittas in the body.