PHYSIOLOGICAL STUDY OF PITTADHARA KALA AND ITS APPLIED ASPECT-A REVIEW

*Vd. Shraddha Mahamulkar and Dr. Ramesh M. Bansode

ABSTRACT

There are many concepts in Ayurveda which are not much explained in detail and one of them is “KALA”. It is a unique and a very important concept explained by Acharya Sushruta in his Sushrut Samhita, in the 4th chapter named “Garbhavyakkaran Sharir” i.e Embryology. Even though Kalas are mentioned in the embryonic life, they are present and functioning in the body from the time of birth upto the end of life. Kalas are total seven in numbers and are situated at the extreme borders of Dhatu and Ashaya. Kalas are not arranged in the same order as dhatus. They don‟t take part in dhatuposhana, they are meant for dharan only. Kalas are not the formative elements or mechanical support of dhatus but these are the membranes with special functions. All samhitakaras have same opinion about number of kalas that these are seven in total. Among the sapta kala mentioned by various acharayas, Pittadhara kala stands sixth in order. It is the site of Agni(digestive fire) and thus plays a significant role in the physiology of our body by aiding in digestion and metabolism. It also has great clinical significance. Hence here it is reviewed in detail.

Keywords: Kala, Pittadhara Kala, Agni, Dhatus, Ashaya.