EXPLORING THE ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS OF AGNIMANDYA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY BASED ON KARYA–KARANA SIDDHANTA

Introduction: Agni is regarded in Ayurveda as the fundamental principle governing digestion, metabolism, and tissue nourishment, thereby maintaining the equilibrium of Dosha, Dhatu, and Mala. Impairment of Agni results in Agnimandya, a pathological condition considered the initiating factor in the development of numerous diseases. Karya–Karana Siddhanta, the Ayurvedic doctrine of cause (Karana) and effect (Karya), provides the theoretical basis for understanding the association between various Nidana and the clinical manifestations of Agnimandya. This cross-sectional survey study to explores the etiological factors of Agnimandya and their statistical association with disease severity through the lens of Karya–Karana Siddhanta. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 100 patients diagnosed with Agnimandya. Data were collected using a validated research proforma designed to assess Agni status, the clinical manifestations of Agnimandya, and exposure to Aharaja, Viharaja, Manasika, and other Nidana. Result: Spearman's rank correlation demonstrated significant positive associations between several Nidana and Agnimandya severity. The Total Nidana Score was positively correlated with the Total Symptom Severity Score (ρ = 0.278, p < 0.01).