SADHAKA PITTA OF AYURVED AND ITS AFFILIATES IN MODERN PERSPECTIVE: A REVIEW

Abstract

In Ayurveda a person is said to be healthy when Dosha, Agni, Dhatu, all the physiological process are in homeostatic state and soul, sense organ and mind are in a state of total wellbeing. Theory of tridosha is a unique concept to Ayurveda. Pitta dosha plays a major role in digestion and metabolism. Pitta doshas are of five types namely pachaka, ranjaka, alochaka, bhrajaka, and sadhaka pitta. The seat of Sadhaka pitta is hridaya and it is associated with mental faculties and emotions. These functions can be recognized as functions of higher center of brain which is carried out by small molecule, rapidly acting transmitters and neuropeptides or slowly acting neurotransmitters. Few works have been mentioned on conceptual features of pitta. In this article a correlation of the physiological activity of sadhaka pitta with modern medical science has been mentioned.

Full text

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Review&Article&
www.ijrap.net+(ISSN:2229–3566)!
SADHAKA PITTA OF AYURVED AND ITS AFFILIATES IN MODERN PERSPECTIVE: A REVIEW
Pritam Moharana 1, Rakesh Roushan 2*
1 MD, Department of Kriya Sharir, Ch. Brahm Prakash Ayurved Charaka Sansthan, New Delhi, India
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Kriya Sharir, Ch. Brahm Prakash Ayurved Charaka Sansthan, New Delhi, India
Received on: 10/09/20 Accepted on: 21/10/20
*Corresponding author
E-mail: rakesh.roushan45@gov.in
DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.1106187
ABSTRACT
In Ayurveda a person is said to be healthy when Dosha, Agni, Dhatu, all the physiological process are in homeostatic state and soul, sense organ and
mind are in a state of total wellbeing. Theory of tridosha is a unique concept to Ayurveda. Pitta dosha plays a major role in digestion and metabolism.
Pitta doshas are of five types namely pachaka, ranjaka, alochaka, bhrajaka, and sadhaka pitta. The seat of Sadhaka pitta is hridaya and it is associated
with mental faculties and emotions. These functions can be recognized as functions of higher center of brain which is carried out by small molecule,
rapidly acting transmitters and neuropeptides or slowly acting neurotransmitters. Few works have been mentioned on conceptual features of pitta. In
this article a correlation of the physiological activity of sadhaka pitta with modern medical science has been mentioned.
Keywords: Ayurved, Buddhi, Hridaya, Mana, Neurotransmitter, Neuropeptide, Sadhaka pitta
INTRODUCTION
Theory of Tridosha is a unique theory in indigenous system of
medicine. Pitta in general does the bodily functions related to
digestion and metabolism. All metabolic and catabolic activities,
biochemical reactions, and the process of energy exchange are
due to pitta. There is always involvement of pitta dosha in every
reaction or changes take place inside our body. Pitta dosha is
present at all level of organizations i.e., cellular level, single
system level and organization level1. Pitta dosha do not move in
the body independently. It is circulated all over the body with the
help of vata dosha. In modern physiology it has been mentioned
that the basic theory of body’s control system allows the
functional system to operate in support of one another. Pitta
dosha has been divided into five types on the basis of location
namely pachaka, ranjaka, sadhaka, alochaka, bhrajaka pitta. All
these five type of pitta doshas have their different location and
functions as well2. Sadhaka pitta is related with all type of mental
functions and behavior. The word sadhaka is derived from the
root word “saadha” which means to accomplish. It is located in
hridaya and is responsible for intelligence, memory, self-esteem,
enthusiasm and for the achievement of one’s own aspiration. On
the basis of functional understanding in modern science small
molecule, slow and rapid acting transmitters are the substances
responsible for all mental faculties, emotions, enthusiasm and
memory.
Sadhaka pitta cannot be represented by a single entity at all the
time. There are variations in the functions of sadhaka pitta. Based
on the functions of sadhaka pitta, we can identify a variety of
chemical factors based on contemporary modern medical
sciences responsible for the same functions. Ayurveda is the
science based on the concept of functional understanding of the
body, by considering its functions, the entities representing can
be assumed. In these modern era students particularly first year of
Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery face a lot of
problem in understanding the basic concept of Ayurveda. There
is no specific correlation of Sadhaka pitta mentioned in Ayurvedic
literature in terms of supporting modern literature. Increased
demand of Ayurveda science is required to understand the depth
of Ayurvedic principles on criterion of modern medical science in
an easy mode.
Acharya Charaka has mentioned the function of hridaya in
reference to rasa rakta samvahana. In this context Vyana vayu
ejects rasa (blood) from hridaya (Heart) and circulates it all over
the body3. Again, Acharya Charaka has mentioned about
Hridaya in arthedashamahamuliya adhyaya. Shadanga (six
divisions of the body, i.e., four limbs, head, and torso), internal
organs, consciousness, motor and sensory organs, five objects of
sensory perceptions, and the soul (along with its attributes such
as joy, etc.), mind and objects of the mind are all located in the
Hridaya (heart)4. All these mental functions are related to brain.
Sadhaka pitta is located in Hridaya and it is associated with
mental faculties and emotions. All the mental functions are
achieved due to bio-chemicals secreted in brain. In this review we
are trying to identify bio-chemicals based on its physiological
functions retrospectively described under the function of Sadhaka
pitta.

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Table 1: Site and functions of Sadhaka pitta by different Acharya
Classical Textbook Reference
Sthana (Location)
Karma (Function)
Charaka Samhita
(Chakrapaani teeka on C.Su.12/11)5
Hridaya
Shaurya, Harsha, Moha, Bhaya, Krodha
Sushruta Samhita
(Dalhana teeka on Su. Su.21/10)6
Hridaya
Helps to achieve one’s manorath and purushartha (Chaturvarga prapti)
It removes the kapha and tama in hridaya and increases the satwa guna
and enables the Manas to perceive the things clearly.
Sushruta Samhita
(Dalhana teeka on Su.su.15/4)7
Hridaya
Ojakrita, Medha
Ashtanga Hridaya (Sarvangasundari teeka on
A.H.Su.12/13)8
Hridaya
To achieve the intended objects with Buddhi (intelligence) Medha
(discriminative ability) Abhimana (self-esteem)
Ashtanga sangraha9
Hridaya
Person feels enthusiastic in work related to Buddhi (intelligence) Medha
(discriminative ability) Abhimana (self-esteem), to achieve the
fulfillment of desire.
In Sashilekha teeka, Commentator Indu has mentioned buddhi is the
cause to achieve the Bahya abhipretartha in the form of memory.
Madhava Nidana
(Atanka darpana arshonidan)10
Hridaya
Responsible for Buddhi (intelligence) and Medha (discriminative ability)
Sharangadhara Samhita11
Hridaya
Responsible for Buddhi (intelligence) Medha (discriminative ability)
(Medha pragyankar).
Bhavprakash Nighantu12
Hridaya
Kaphatamo apanadanmo (pacify the excess kapha and tama)
Bhela Samhita13
To achieve Chaturvarga (Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha) by confirming
Shabda, Sparsha, Gandha artha, Kama deva-pitru-rishigana, substrate
of this Loka and other by its own Yukti.
Modern aspects
The site of Sadhaka pitta is hridaya. The function of sadhaka
pitta is to achieve the intended objects with Buddhi (intelligence)
Medha (discriminative ability) Abhimana (self-esteem). Sadhaka
pitta also helps to achieve one’s manorath and purushartha
(Chaturvarga prapti). Acharya Sushruta has mentioned the
appearance of hridaya (Heart) is similar to that of an inverted bud
of lotus14. The location of rasa is hridaya. Acharya Charaka has
mentioned Vyana vata makes rasa dhatu (blood) to get forcefully
ejected from the heart and circulated all over the body to perform
its functions.
The circulating Neuropeptides present in the blood act all over the
body accordingly. Vyana vata control autonomic functions of
heart in association with Prana vayu. Rate and rhythm of heart
change with emotion. Acharya Chakrapani has mentioned Mana
and atma is situated in hridaya and the knowledge of Sukha,
Dukha etc is achieved by atma in hridaya15. In modern science it
has been mentioned, emotions are developed by limbic system in
brain because function of mind (mana) is regulated by brain
(cortex). These emotions influence the heart. It is well known; all
pleasant or unpleasant emotions influence the heart. This is due
to the chemicals release in brain during emotions. In Samhitas all
the ancient acharyas have mentioned Siro roga and hridaya roga
separately. Acharya Charaka has mentioned trimarma as shiro
(head), hridaya (heart) and basti (bladder). Shiro is also termed
as uttamanaga. So, Acharyas had a good idea of these two organs
separately.
Buddhi is one of the functions of sadhaka pitta. Buddhi is
developed as a complex process of Chintya (thought), Vicharya
(consideration), uhya (hypothesis), dheya (attention) and
sankalpya (determination)16. In modern science a thought results
from a “pattern” of stimulation of the cerebral cortex, thalamus,
limbic system, and upper reticular formation of the brain stem. It
may be concluded that all these five processes of mana are
progressed by the simultaneous integration of cerebral cortex,
thalamus, limbic system, and upper reticular formation of the
brain stem. Buddhi cannot develop without uhapoha (hypothesis)
and vichara (consideration), which comes through smriti or past
experiences. Buddhi is of two types namely Kshanika and
nischyatmika17. Thoughts may be important or unimportant.
Important one is stored in the cortex for maximum period called
Nischayatmika buddhi. Unimportant one is stored for a short
period called kshanika buddhi.
Mana (Mind) is active but devoid of consciousness, while the
Atma (soul) is conscious but not active. Ichha (Desire), Dvesha
(envy), Sukha (happiness), Dukha (misery), Prayatna (effort),
Chetana (consciousness), Dhriti (stability), Buddhi (intellect),
Smriti (memory) and Ahankara (ego) are perceived by atma.
These signs are available in all living beings which proofs the
existence of atma18. All these functions are higher mental
functions of brain. To perceive this neurotransmitter and
neuropeptides are responsible and it does at molecular level. It is
responsible for communication between neurons of brain and
other parts of the body. As a result, sourya, harsha, utsaha,
buddhi, medha, abhimana occurs which is the function of
sadhaka pitta. By the help of buddhi, medha and abhimana all the
motor functions are performed to achieve the person’s desire.
Several limbic structures are concerned with affective nature of
sensory sensation either the sensations are pleasant or unpleasant.
Certain areas of limbic system satisfy the animal and makes
happy and others cause terror, pain, fear, and defense. The degree
of stimulation of these two also affects the behavior of animal.
Major reward center is present in lateral and venteromedial nuclei
of hypothalamus and less reward center is present in septum,
amygdale, certain area of thalamus, basal ganglia of limbic
system. Most potent punishment center is present in Central grey
area surrounding the aqueduct sylvius in the mesencephalon,
periventricular zone of hypothalamus and thalamus and less
potent punishment center is present in amygdala and
hippocampus19. The degree of stimulation of these oppositely
responding systems greatly affect the behavior of the animal.
Norepinephrine and serotonin system normally provide drive to
the limbic areas of the brain to increase a person’s sense of
wellbeing, and to create happiness, contentment, good appetite,
appropriate sex drive and psychomotor balance. It proves
pleasure and reward centers of the hypothalamus and surrounding
areas receive large number of nerve endings from the
norepinephrine and serotonin systems20.
The bulboreticular facilitatory area present in pons and
mesencephalon transmit facilitatory signal downward to the
spinal cord and upward direction first to thalamus, subcortical
area and cerebral cortex. The level of activity of excitatory area

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in the brain stem is determined by the number and type of sensory
signal that enter the brain from the periphery. The signals that
pass-through thalamus, subcortical area, cerebral cortex are
communicated by the neurotransmitter. It may be slowly acting
or rapidly acting transmitters. Action of hormone
/neurotransmitter depends upon the specific receptor present in
the target cell. The first action is to bind the specific receptor.
Cells that lack receptor for the hormone do not respond. There are
2000-100000 receptors present in every cell. Each receptor is
highly specific for single hormone/neurotransmitter21.
There are multiple neurohormonal systems present in brain.
Activation of each of the system plays its own role in controlling
different quality of brain function. Some of the important
neurohormonal systems are given below.
• Locus ceruleus and the norepinephrine system
• The substantia nigra and dopamine system
• The raphe nuclei and serotonin system
• The gigantocellular neurons of the reticular excitatory area and
acetylcholine system
There are two group of synaptic transmitters one is small
molecule rapidly acting transmitter other one is large molecule
slowly acting transmitter or neuropeptide. The small molecule
rapidly acting transmitter cause most acute response of the
nervous system like transmission of sensory signal to the brain
and of motor signal back to muscle. The neuropeptide causes
prolonged action like long term changes in number of neuronal
receptors, long-term opening or closure of certain ion channels
and even long term changes in number of synapses or sizes of
synapses22.
Small molecule rapidly acting transmitters
• Acetylcholine is secreted by neurons in many areas of the
nervous system specifically by the terminals of large
pyramidal cells from the motor cortex, several neurons in the
basal ganglia, the motor neurons that innervate the skeletal
muscle, preganglionic neurons of the autonomic nervous
system, the post ganglionic neurons of the parasympathetic
nervous system, some of the post ganglionic neuron of
sympathetic nervous system. It has an excitatory effect on
most of the organ however it has an inhibitory effect on heart
by the vagus nerve.
• Locus ceruleus is a small area located at the juncture between
pons and mesencephalon. Nerve fibre from this area spread
throughout brain and secretes norepinehrine. Generally,
norepinephrine excites the brain to increase its activity, but it
has inhibitory effects in a few brain areas because of
inhibitory receptors present at certain neuronal synapse. It
plays an important role in dreaming thus leading to REM
sleep. It sends nerve fibres to widespread areas of the brain to
help control over activity and mood of the mind such as
increasing level of wakefulness. Norepinephrine is also
secreted from most postganglionic neurons of the
sympathetic nervous system where it excites. Adrenal
medulla secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine in response
to sympathetic stimulation. The sympathetic action is also
called as fight or flight reaction.
• Neurons of substantia nigra send nerve endings to caudate
nucleus and putamen of cerebrum to secrete dopamine. They
also send their endings to hypothalamus and limbic system.
Dopamine is generally inhibitory transmitter in brain but in
some area it is excitatory.
• Glycine is secreted mainly at synapses in the spinal cord. It
acts as an inhibitory transmitter.
• GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is secreted by nerve
terminals in the spinal cord, cerebellum, basal ganglia, and
many areas of the cortex. GABA is inhibitory
neurotransmitter.
• Glutamate is secreted by the presynaptic terminals in many
of the sensory pathways entering the central nervous system,
as well as in many areas of the cerebral cortex. It probably
always causes excitation.
• Serotonin is secreted by nuclei that originate in the median
raphe of the brain stem and project to many brain and spinal
cord areas, especially to the dorsal horns of the spinal cord
and to the hypothalamus. Serotonin acts as an inhibitor of pain
pathways in the cord and has inhibitory action in the higher
regions of the nervous system is believed to help the control
of mood in a person, perhaps even to cause sleep. Acharya
Charaka has mentioned in human beings, Sukha (happiness),
Dukha (misery), Pushti (nourishment) and Karshya
(emaciation), Bala (strength) and Abala (weakness), Vrishata
(fertility) and Klibata (infertility), Gyana (knowledge) and
Agyana (ignorance), and Jivita (life) and Mrityu (death)
depend upon proper and improper sleep. Untimely, excessive
sleep and sleep deprivation take away both happiness and
longevity from a person. Similarly, proper sleep brings about
happiness and longevity in human beings just as real
knowledge brings about spiritual power in yogis. All these
emotional factors are obtained by prakrit and vaikrit sadhaka
pitta.
• Nitric oxide is especially secreted by nerve terminals in areas
of the brain responsible for long-term behavior and for
memory. Therefore, this transmitter system might in the
future explain some behavior and memory functions. Nitric
oxide is different from other small molecule transmitters in
its mechanism of formation in the presynaptic terminal and in
its actions on the postsynaptic neuron. It is not preformed and
stored in vesicles in the presynaptic terminal as are other
transmitters. Instead, it is synthesized almost instantly as
needed, and it then diffuses out of the presynaptic terminals
over a period of seconds rather than being released in
vesicular packets. Next, it diffuses into postsynaptic neurons
nearby. In the postsynaptic neuron, it usually does not greatly
alter the membrane potential but instead changes intracellular
metabolic functions that modify neuronal excitability for
seconds, minutes, or perhaps even longer23.
Neuropeptides
The neuropeptides are generally a thousand or more times as
potent as the small molecule transmitters. They often cause much
more prolonged actions. Some of these actions include prolonged
closure of calcium channels, prolonged changes in the metabolic
machinery of cells, prolonged changes in activation or
deactivation of specific genes in the cell nucleus, and/or
prolonged alterations in numbers of excitatory or inhibitory
receptors. These neuropeptides are also responsible for mental
functions.
Some of the neuropeptides are given below:
Hypothalamic releasing hormone
• Thyrotropin releasing hormone
• Luteinizing releasing hormone
• Somatostatin (Growth hormone inhibitory factor)
Pituitary peptides
• Adenocorticotropic hormone
• β endorphins

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• α melanocyte stimulating hormone
• Prolactin
• Luteinizing hormone
• Thyrotrophin
• Growth hormone
• Vasopressin
• Oxytocin
Peptides that act on gut and brain
• Leucine enkephalin
• Methionine enkephalin
• Substance p
• Gastrin
• Cholecystokinin
• Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide
• Nerve growth factor
• Brain derived neurotrophic factor
• Neurotensin
• Insulin
• Glucagon
From other tissue
• Angiotensin 2
• Bradykinin
• Carnosine
• Sleep peptides
• Calcitonin24
These neuropeptides mentioned above are helpful to achieve the
desire by performing both bodily and mental functions. The
norepinephrine and epinephrine secreted from adrenal gland,
neuropeptides are present in the blood and act all over the body.
These functions are possible after the ejection of blood from heart
with the help of Vyana vayu. As the functions of sadhaka pitta is
to achieve the desire. The desire is completed by performing the
motor actions. All the motor functions are performed by the help
of neuropeptide at molecular level, so the functions of
neuropeptides come under the function of sadhaka pitta.
Prana vayu, Sadhaka pitta and Vyana vayu
According to Acharya Charaka, Prana vayu is considered as the
best vayu among all vayu. Prana vata is located in Murdha and it
traverses along uras (thorax), and kantha (throat), it maintains the
proper functioning of Buddhi (intelligence/judgment), hridaya
(heart), indriya (senses) Chitta (mind). Acharya Vagbhatta
annotated hridaya as adhishthana of mana. Prana is situated in
the head and moves in throat and chest. It controls or maintains
the intellect, sense organ, heart/brain, arteries (blood vessel), and
functions of supporting, expectoration, sneezing, belching,
breathing and swallowing of food. Here hridaya is annotated as
adhishthana of buddhi Adhara bhutam25. Acharya Charaka has
explained the function of vata as Niyenta praneta cha manash and
samirane agni. It proves that Vata dosha controls the mana and
stimulate the agni26. Function of vata is utsaha (enthusiasm). All
sense of motivation depends upon sadhaka pitta and vata
especially Prana vayu.
Sadhaka pitta helps in development of unbiased buddhi only
when satva guna is dominant and kapha and tamo guna are in
recessive state. Sadhaka pitta removes the kapha and tama and
increases the satva guna and enables the Manas to perceive the
things clearly. It also enables the reception of Shabdha, Sparsha,
Gandha etc27. This helps to achieve a person’s own desire by
following Chaturvarga. Buddhi developed due to sadhaka pitta
helps in fulfillment of chaturvarga i.e., dharma, artha, Kama and
Moksha. Chaturvarga is achieved by doing some motor activities
in the direction of unbiased Buddhi. Vyana vata makes rasa dhatu
(blood) to get forcefully ejected from the heart and get circulated
all over the body to perform its functions. It controls both somatic
and autonomic functions of the body.
Without the cognitive functions, the person might not have the
intrinsic knowledge, without thinking for too long a time to
respond quickly and appropriately. This cognitive control of
motor activity determines subconsciously, and within seconds,
which patterns of movement will be used together to achieve a
complex goal that might itself last for many seconds. The
coordination of Prana vayu, sadhaka pitta and Vyana vayu can
be easily understand with a good example of this phenomenon
would be a person seen a lion, approach and then responding
instantaneously and automatically by-
• Turning away from the lion
• Beginning to run
• Even attempting to climb a tree28.
The person run away from the lion is due to cognitive functions
developed due to sadhaka pitta and Prana vayu and Vyana vayu
helps in run or climb a tree in order to protect his life. A thought
results from a pattern of stimulation, communication and
integration of cerebral cortex, thalamus, limbic system and upper
reticular formation of the brain system. This theory is called the
holistic theory of thoughts. The stimulated area of the limbic
system, thalamus and reticular formation are determined the
general nature of thought, giving it such qualities as pleasure,
displeasure, pain, comfort, crude modalities of sensation
localization to gross areas of the body and other general
characteristics. So, anatomical structures of CNS like limbic
system, thalamus, reticular formation may represent Prana vayu.
To achieve this neurotransmitter and neuropeptides are
responsible and it does at molecular level. It is responsible for
communication and integration between neurons of brain,
between anatomical structures like limbic system of the brain,
midbrain, cortex and spinal cord. So, neurotransmitter and
neuropeptide like acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin and
norepinephrine may represent the functions of sadhaka pitta. The
circulating Neuropeptides present in the blood act all over the
body with the help of Vyana vayu to achieve both autonomic and
somatic functions of the body. Autonomic control of Vyana vayu
controls the cardiac activity, cardiac output and peripheral
resistance. Somatic control of Vyana vayu controls the motor
activity. Sadhaka pitta operates in association with Prana vayu
and buddhi is developed. In general, buddhi regulates the
autonomic and somatic functions of Vyana vayu subconsciously
and consciously. This proves the basic theory of body’s control
system allow the functional system to operate in support of one
another.
Role of Sadhaka pitta in mental health
Acharya Charaka has mentioned in pandu roga, due to Krodha,
Kama, Chinta, Bhaya, Krodhahridaystha pitta is aggravated and
spread all over the body by vata dosha29. Sadhaka pitta helps us
to fulfill both our goals in life. Disturbed Prana vata and Sadhaka
pitta may lead to psychosomatic disturbances. When homeostatic
condition of Sadhaka pitta is disturbed due to aggravation of
Pitta, hyperactivity impatience and anger may be seen. When it
is low, the normal functions of energy transformation process,
emotions thoughts and feeling may be low. Imbalance of Sadhaka
pitta causes many disorders related to thought process,

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intelligence and discrimination power. The person would lose
motivation and would not be able to uptake any task or chase any
operation. Decrease in Sadhaka pitta would increase in kapha and
tama quality in brain. This leads to depression, lack of motivation,
excessive laziness and sleepiness. All activities of daily living
would slow down, and person would not be able achieve
anything.
In case of Alzheimer’s disease abnormalities of neurotransmitter
particularly impairment of cholinergic transmission has been
mentioned. As a result, patient is unable to retrieve information
acquired in the past. Hence patients suffer with gradual
impairment of memory usually in association with disorder of
other cortical functions. Anticholinesterases are prescribed to
improve cognitive functions because brain Ach levels are
markedly reduced30.
In Parkinson’s disease Reduced dopaminergic output from the
substantia nigra to the globus pallidus leads to reduced inhibitory
effects on the subthalamic nucleus, neurons which become more
active than usual in inhibiting activation of the cortex. This in turn
results in bradykinesia. Administration of the drug L-dopa to
patients usually ameliorates the symptoms especially rigidity and
akinesia31. Mental depression psychosis might be caused by
diminished formation of norepinephrine or serotonin or both.
Depressed patients experience symptoms of grief, unhappiness,
despair and misery. In addition, they also lose their appetite, sex
drive and have severe insomnia. Depressive patients can be
treated with drugs that increase the excitatory effects of
norepinephrine and serotonin at the nerve endings so that these
transmitters remain active for longer period after secretions32.
In all these psychosomatic cases there is either increase or
decrease in action of neurotransmitter and production of buddhi
and smriti is reduced. Either the patient is hyper excitable or
depressed. Disoriented mental functions are due to hypo or hyper
secretions of neurotransmitters or neuropeptides. So, the
functions of neurotransmitter and neuropeptide are similar to the
functions of sadhaka pitta.
DISCUSSION
All the metabolic and catabolic activities, biochemical reactions
and the process of energy exchange are due to pitta. Pitta doshas
are of five types namely pachaka, ranjaka, alochaka, bhrajaka,
and sadhaka pitta. The site of Sadhaka pitta is hridaya. Sadhaka
pitta (bio chemicals) plays important role in development of
buddhi and also helps to achieve the intended objects with Buddhi
(intelligence) Medha (discriminative ability) Abhimana (self
esteem). Sadhaka pitta also helps to achieve one’s manorath and
purushartha (Chaturvarga prapti). Acharya Vagbhatta has
mentioned the function of Prana vayu as “buddhi hridaya indriya
chitta dhrik”. Vyana vayu controls both somatic and autonomic
functions of the body. Sadhaka pitta operates in association with
Prana vayu and Vyana vayu to achieve a person’s desire. This
proves the basic theory of body’s control system allow the
functional system to operate in support of one another. All the
mental functions are achieved by bio-chemicals secreted in brain.
Buddhi is one of the functions of sadhaka pitta. Buddhi is
developed as a complex process of Chintya (thought), Vicharya
(consideration), uhya (hypothesis), dheya (attention) and
sankalpya (determination). In modern science a thought results
from a “pattern” of stimulation of the cerebral cortex, thalamus,
limbic system, and upper reticular formation of the brain stem.
All these functions are higher mental functions of brain. To
achieve this neurotransmitter and neuropeptides are responsible
and it does at molecular level. This represents the sadhaka pitta.
It helps in communication between neurons of brain, anatomical
structures of the brain between midbrain, cortex and spinal cord
and other parts of the body. As a result, Shaurya, Harsha, Utsaha,
Buddhi, Medha, Abhimana occurs this is the function of sadhaka
pitta. By the help of Buddhi, Medha and Abhimana all the motor
functions are performed to achieve the person’s desire.
Excess kapha and tamo guna in brain causes depression. They
also inactivate higher center of brain and induce excessive sleep.
This leads to slowing down all the activities. With this the
intelligence of person fails and not able to achieve his aspirations
and goals. Sadhaka pitta pacifies kapha and tamo guna and thus
activates the brain. The activated brain enables one to achieve his
dreams, goals, and aspirations. In the absence of Sadhaka pitta it
would be impossible for anyone to achieve their aspirations.
Prakrita sadhaka pitta enables a man to think better than his
predecessors, aspire and have better goals. In psychiatric cases
there is either increase or decrease in action of neurotransmitter
and imbalanced production of buddhi and smriti occur. Either the
patient is hyper excitable or depressed due to irregular secretions
of neurotransmitter and neuropeptide. From the above discussion,
we can conclude all the functions of neurotransmitters and
neuropeptide are similar to the functions of sadhaka pitta. On the
basis of functional understanding neurotransmitter and
neuropeptides may be represented as sadhaka pitta.
Inadequacies
Across all Ayurvedic textbooks, the following inadequacies are
found in relation to sadhaka pitta.
• All the acharya have mentioned the site of sadhaka pitta is
hridaya (Heart). Functions of sadhaka pitta are related to
mind and all the psychological functions are regulated by
neurotransmitters secreted in brain.
• On the basis of functions of sadhaka pitta it is more
appropriate to conclude the location of sadhaka pitta in Shira
in the place of hridaya.
• Role of sadhaka pitta is not mentioned in Hridroga and any
type of Manasa roga.
• Sadhaka pitta plays an important role in production of pandu
(anemia) disease. In modern literature anemia is not caused
by any type of hormone/ neurotransmitter disturbance which
are involved in production of Shaurya, Harsha, Utsaha,
Buddhi, Medha, Abhimana.
CONCLUSION
In this literary study we collected various data from the Ayurvedic
classics with the available commentaries, as well as Textbooks of
modern medical sciences, various articles for better
understanding of the concept of sadhaka pitta and its comparison
with contemporary science. Ayurveda is a science based on
functional understandings. In general pitta is drava (liquid) in
nature and involved in digestion, metabolism, biochemical
reactions, chemical messengers at every level in the human body.
Sadhaka pitta is situated in hridaya. In fact, functions of sadhaka
pitta seem to be functions of central nervous system and it is
associated with development of mental faculties and emotions.
Neurotransmitter and neurohormonal substances like
acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine are liquid
in nature and helps in communication between different
structures of CNS, may represent sadhaka pitta. From the above
discussion functions of sadhaka pitta may be correlated with the
functions of small molecules, rapidly acting transmitters and
slowly acting neurotransmitters or neuropeptides. There is a need
of further research to evaluate in detail of all other doshas. So,

Pritam'Moharana'and'Rakesh'Roushan'/'Int.'J.'Res.'Ayurveda'Pharm.'11'(6),'2020'
74
those students of BAMS can understand easily the basic concepts
of doshas.
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Cite this article as:
Pritam Moharana and Rakesh Roushan. Sadhaka Pitta of Ayurved
and its affiliates in Modern Perspective: A Review. Int. J. Res.
Ayurveda Pharm. 2020;11(6):69-74 http://dx.doi.org/10.7897/
2277-4343.1106187
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