Ayurveda Principles »Tridoshas

Vata Dosha (Vatham)
Vata dosha is the primary dosha of Tridoshas, the three dynamic forces responsible for the physical and mental well being of humans and all living things.

Vata is composed mainly of Vayu (air) and Jal (water). Ayurveda says that Vata is the main dosha that controls other two doshas, Pitta and Kapha.

Vata assists in:
· Movement of body fluids
· Elimination of metabolic wastes
· Semen ejaculation
· Pushing of fetus out of mother’s body
· Giving brain impulses from external stimuli
· Helping body movements etc

Vata dominates the areas of intestines, ear, bones and skin.

Different factors that affect the balance of Kapha are:

· Stiffly controlling natural urges like urination, thirst, hunger, etc
· Staying awake later into the nights
· Imbalanced food habits
· Excess physical or mental exertion
· Severe hot or cold climate
· Consuming spicy food

Having a regular, healthy food habit, work-rest balance etc are the steps you can take to maintain the balance of Vata dosha.

Vata Prakriti or vata type
Vata is associated with the bhootas, vayu (air) and akash (space). vata controls all movements and respiration. Vata type persons are thin and bony, with dull, dry hair, nails and skin. Veins are prominent and hair is scanty. Thin neck, small eyes, thin lips etc mark a vata prakriti type person. narrow chest, small shoulders, hard calves, prominent knees, etc are also associated with vata prakriti persons. Restlessness, imagination, fantasy, etc are also associated with such persons. They have good artistic tastes, and are quick learners. They are nervous, fearful and hopeful at the same time. They show inconsistency in alertness.

Weak vata types have low energy levels, poor immunity, and are susceptible to diseases and chronic fatigue. Strong vata types are adaptable to different conditions and show quick recovery skills.

Vikriti – Anomalies in Body Constitution
Vikriti (or vikruti), according to Ayurveda is the deviation of Prakriti from its normal state. Prakriti is the constitution of body and mind that keeps them healthy. Vikruti in Ayurveda is a state of disease for body or mind or both. Vikriti occurs when tridoshas are not in equilibrium or a balanced state.

According to Ayurveda vikriti or deviation from normal body constitution is responsible for diseases. An Ayurvedic physician considers different elements of body constitution like the state of doshas, the principle type for the person, age, his/her physical capabilities (bala), the geographical location (desha) and the season and time (kala). In other words, an Ayurvedic physician can’t come to conclusions based exclusively on external symptoms.

Taking into consideration all the above elements will enable the physician to accurately suggest a curing method that will give complete results. If diagnosis is impaired, the results too will be faulty.

Thridoshas (Three Doshas or Doshangal)
According to Ayurveda, any physical or mental ailment is caused due to imbalance in any one or more of three dynamic forces called Tridoshas.

Tridoshas (three doshas) or three dynamic natural forces (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha in Sanskrit and Vatham, Pitham and Kapham in Malayalam) composed of the five principal elements of creation are responsible for the physical, physiological, and psychological well being of a person existing in a state of equilibrium.

These natural forces composed of the elements of nature (akash - space, bhumi - earth, jal - water, vayu -air and agni - fire) determine the cycle of growth, wellness, death and decay. Vata is combination of Vayu and Akash, Pitta is combination of Agni and Jal and Kapha is combination of Bhumi and Jal.

It is health, when the doshas are in harmony or balance, a state of equilibrium. Every single aspect of physical and mental characteristic of a person has explanations in the concept of tridoshas.

When the equilibrium or balance of any one of the doshas is affected, it affects the balance of other doshas too.

In persons too, the Doshas of a person change with time.

Ayurveda classifies people into three categories according to the dominance of a specific kapha in that person. Most persons have only one Dosha dominating; some have two Doshas and only in rare instances, all three Doshas of the tridosha dominate.

Pitta Prakriti or Pitta Type
Pitta prakriti is associated with Agni (fire). It is responsible for maintaining body temperature and digestion of food. Pitta prakriti persons have medium sized body with a good muscle tone. Skin is oily, hence susceptible to diseases like pimples, moles, acne, etc. Medium sized neck, medium eyes, pink nails, etc are symptoms of a pitta prakriti person. They generally have got a gift of jab, but are susceptible to irritability, anger and other negative emotions. Weak pitta types are susceptible to digestive problems, liver diseases and anemia. The strong pitta are assertive, and tolerant.