This document presents a critical study of the anatomical structure of Pittadhara Kala in relation to Grahani Roga (irritable bowel disease) according to Ayurveda. It discusses Pittadhara Kala as the sixth layer that lines the small intestine and plays a role in digestion and nutrient absorption. The study aims to better understand the anatomy of Pittadhara Kala and its relationship to Grahani Roga by reviewing Ayurvedic literature and conducting a cadaver study. The methodology includes a literature review of the concepts of Kala, Grahani, and Grahani Roga from ancient Ayurvedic texts and modern sources, as well as a planned cadaver study

1. “A CRITICAL STUDY OF ANATOMICAL STRUCTURE OF PITTADHARA
KALA IN RELATION TO GRAHANI ROGA”
UTTRAKHAND AYURVEDA UNIVERSITY
RISHIKUL AYURVEDIC COLLEGE , UTTARAKHAND (HARIDWAR)
Presented By PG Scholar
Dr. Charul Saini
DEPARTMENT OF RACHANA SHARIR, RISHIKUL
CO-SUPERVISOR
Prof. (Dr.) SANJAY KUMAR
SINGH(UAU- RN/19/1032)
Deptt. Of Rog Nidan Evam Vikriti
Vigyan,Rishikul
CO-SUPERVISOR
Prof. SUMAN MISHRA
(UAU-SS/90/1007)
Sanskrit Samhita Vibhag
Rishikul
SUPERVISOR
Prof.(Dr.) MADHAVI GOSWAMI
M.D(Ayu.) Ph.D.(Ayu.)
(UAU-RS/19/1007)
P.G Deptt. Of Rachna Sharir Of
Rachana Sharir, Rishikul

2. INTRODUCTION
• Kala Sharir is unique concept of Ayurveda . Kala are described as limiting membrane in
between Dhatu (tissue) and it’s Ashaya (organ) correlated with fibrous, serous and mucous
membranes .
• Acharya Sushruta stated that, Kala are sheath like structure enveloped by Slesma or mucoid
material. Kala may be formed by Snayu, Jarayu and Slesma individually or sometimes it may be
formed by their mixture. They are seven in number .
• Pittadhara kala is sixth in number, present in between Amashaya and Pakwashaya that is
Grahani correlated as Small intestine. Pittadhara Kala is correlated with the lining membrane
of small intestine .
• It plays vital role in digestion and absorption of all nutritive substances like vitamin B12,
folate and iron which is the main source of development and maturation of RBCs.

3. •Grahani refers to both organ and disease. Grahani is situated between Amashaya and Pakwashya
region and is covered by Shashthi Pittadhara Kala.
•Physiologically, it holds the indigested food for the duration of its digestion and then propel
digested food towards the Pakwashaya.Thus Grahana, Dharana, Pachana and Shoshana become
the main function of Grahani.
•Prime function of Grahani is to hold undigested food until it is digested and then its absorption.
When there is vitiation of Grahani, absorption hampers hence leading to malabsorption of various
nutrients.
•This stage is known as Grahani Roga. With the progression of time if this situation is not corrected
it may surface with other clinical symptoms creating severe medical ailments, and landing in
development of Malabsorption Syndrome.

4. NEED FOR STUDY
• Kala is one of the basic structure that have been described in Ayurvedic literatures. Kala is a thin
membrane which lies in internal cavity Ashaya.
• Acharaya Dalhan stated that the Ashaya is the cavity which give Asharya to Dosha, Dhatu, and Mala
whereas Kala is thin memebrane which separate Dhatu from its Ashaya.
• The basic anatomical and functional knowledge of Kala is important to make a diagnosis at the right time
and also to know if the disease is at the level of Kala.
• So, this attempt of study is taken for better understanding of anatomy of Pittadhara Kala in relation to
Grahani Roga.

5. AIMS & OBJECTIVES
1. Detail study of Kala and Pittadhara Kala through ancient Ayurvedic literatures as well as modern
paralance.
2. To study the concept of Grahani with Ayurvedic and modern literatures.
3. To study the concept of Grahani Roga in Ayurvedic and modern literatures.
4. To study the anatomical structure of Pittadhara Kala in relation to Grahani Roga.
HYPOTHESIS
H0- There is no specific relation between anatomical structure of Pittadhara Kala and Grahani Roga.
H1- There is specific relation between anatomical structure of Pittadhara Kala and Grahani Roga.

6. PLAN OF STUDY
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
{AYURVEDIC AND MODERN REVIEW}
MATERIAL AND METHODS
{CONCEPTUAL STUDY AND CADAVERIC STUDY}
COMPILATION AND ESTABLISHING THE CORRELATION
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION

7. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
AYURVEDIC REVIEW
NATURE AND TYPES OF KALA
कल ाः खल्वपि सप्त भवपति ध त्व शय तिरमय ाद ाः||(Su.sha. 4/5)
1. म ांसधर कल
2. रक्तधर कल
3. मेदोधर कल
4. श्लेष्मधर कल
5. िुरीषधर कल
6. पित्तधर कल
7.शुक्रधर कल
Kala are seven in number. Acharya Sushruta has described Kala as inner most limiting
linings of Dhatu and Aayash .

8. षष्ठी पित्तधरा या चतुपविधमन्निानमामाशयात् प्रच्युतं िक्वाशयोिस्थितं धारयपत ||(Su.sha. 4/18)
अपशतं खापितं िीतं लीढं कोष्ठगतं नृणाम् |
तज्जीयिपत यिाकालं शोपषतं पित्ततेजसा ||(Su.sha. 4/19)
Pittadhara kala is on sixth number which is said to be lies in between Amashaya and
Pakwashaya i.e. Grahani, which is correlated as small intestine . The intake of Chaturviddha
Anna,propelled by Amashaya is digested and absorped by Grahani with the help of Pachakpitta.

9. LOCATION AND FUNCTION OF GRAHANI:
षष्ठी पित्तधरा नाम या कला िररकीपतिता |
िक्वामाशयमध्यथिा ग्रहणी सा प्रकीपतिता ||(Su.utt.40/169)
According to Acharya Sushruta, the sixth Kala described as Pittadhara Kala is situated
between Amashaya and Pakwashaya, and it is stated to be Grahani.
GRAHANI ROGA
NIRUKTI OF GRAHNI ROGA
अधस्तु पक्वमामं वा प्रवृत्तं ग्रहणीगदः| (ch.chi15/52)
Due to vitiation of Agni, digested or undigested food passes from body through anal region, it
is known as Grahani Roga

10. Samprapti chakra-
िुष्यत्यपनिः, स िुष्टोऽन्नं न तत् िचपत लघ्वपि|
अिच्यमानं शुक्तत्वं यात्यन्नं पवषरूिताम् ||(ch.chi15/44)
Nidana sewan
AgniDushti
Ama uttapati
Sthanasanshraya in Shashti pittadhara kala
Grahani Dushti Pakwaapakwa mala niraharana from adhobhaga
Badha- abadha mala
Grahani Roga

11. •Pittadhara Kala is the sixth Kala described by Acharya Sushruta. Pittadhara kala is present
between Amashaya and Pakwashaya i.e. Grahani which is correlated as first part of small
intestine.
• It is the part which is present in between stomach and large intestine having three parts i.e.
duodenum, ileum and jejunum.The intestinal wall has serous, muscular, sub mucous and
mucous layers.
• The mucosa of the small intestine is lined by a simple columnar epithelium which consists
primarily of absorptive cells i.e. enterocytes with scattered goblet cells and occasional
enteroendocrine cells.

12. •
• Absortive function : Presence of villi and microvilli in small intestine mucosa increases the
surface area of mucosa . This facilitates the absorptive function of intestine.
• The columnar epithelial cells forms circular folds and the whole surface is covered by filiform
or linguiform intestinal villi. The circular folds are large, crescentic folds of mucosa which
project into the intestinal lumen.
• These folds slow down the passage of contents and increase the absorptive surface. Intestinal
villi are highly vascular processes just visible by the naked eye and project from the entire
intestinal mucosa.

14. • Small intestine is the major site of digestion and absorption from where all nutritive
substances are absorbed like vitamin B12, folic acid, iron, cobalt, copper, manganese, calcium
and proteins.
• Structural abnormality in small intestine and gastric mucosa develops malabsorption
syndrome, crohn’s disease, tropical sprue.

15. MATERIALS & METHODS
• CONCEPTUAL STUDY-
This part will be discussed through the different classical books of Ayurveda, various other
classical Ayurvedic literature, commentaries and medical journals. Modern view will be also
discussed in detail.
• CADEVERIC STUDY-
The study of Kala will be performed on the cadavers available in the P.G department of
Rachana Sharir, Rishikul campus, Haridwar, Uttrakhand and through various workshop to be
attend on dissection on human body.

16. • DISCUSSION-
Discussion will be based on the detailed study of different classical Ayurvedic literatures
Ayurvedic researches, journals and modern text concerned along with cadaveric study.
• CONCLUSION-
Conclusion will be made on the basis of discussion.

17. REFERENCES
1.Susruta Samhita Hindi commentatary by Kaviraj Ambika Dutta Shastri,Chaukambha Sanskrit
Sansthan,Varansi 2016 Sharir Sthana 4/5, 38
2.Susruta Samhita Hindi commentatary by Kaviraj Ambika Dutta Shastri,Chaukambha Sanskrit
Sansthan,Varansi 2016 Sharir Sthana 4/18-19, 40
3.Sushruta , Uttartantra 40, Atisar Pratishedham, shloka 169, edited by Shastri Ambikadutta,
Sushruta Samhita part I, reprint edition, Varanasi, Chaukhamba Prakashan, 2005,
4.Charak , Chikitsashtana 15, Grahani dosha chikitsam, shloka 52, edited by Tripathi
Bramhanand, Charak Samhita part 2, revised edition , Varanasi, Chaukhamba surabharati
Prakashan, 2002, ,
5.Charak , Chikitsashtana 15, Grahani dosha chikitsam, shloka 44, edited by Tripathi
Bramhanand, Charak Samhita part 2, revised edition , Varanasi, Chaukhamba surabharati
Prakashan, 2002