Metrical Texts:—The vital humours (Vayu, Pittam and Kapham) maintain the integrity of the animated organism by creating, assimilating and diffusing strength in the same way as the moon, the sun, and the winds maintain the integrity of the terrestrial globe.*[1]
The Pittam:—Now it may be asked whether the Pittam is identical with the elemental fire, or is it something other than that? The question may be answered by stating that the Pittam is the same as fire. Since such symptoms, as a burning sensation, digestion (boiling, and all other characteristics of fire can never exhibit themselves in the human body without the intervention of Pittam. Pittam therefore is called internal fire.†[2]
Consequently, an enfeebled action of Pittam is remedied by the administration of drugs and substances which are akin to the elemental fire in their attributes, while an abnormal or excessive action (secretion) of Pittam is subdued by cooling measures as an over-kindled fire is subdued by moisture. There is no other fire (heat making factor) in the organism than Pittam.
- ↑ * The moon laves the earth and imparts to it the vitalising principle with her own ambrosial light. The sun draws off the moisture in virtue of his own attractive force, and the Vayu distributes the heal and moisture over its surface.
- ↑ † The analogy is based on the healing (and metabolic) actions of Pittam, and does not extend to its liquid secretion (bile). But since the former attributes permeate in its entirety, it is designated the Internal fire.
