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Scott Gerson M.D., Ph.D. (Ayurveda)
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The Three Doshas
The Five Elements
Everything
in the universe is made up of combinations of the Five Elements (Pancha
Mahabhutas). This includes the human being which also acquires a soul or
spirit. These five elements are known as:
·
Space or
Akasha
·
Air or Vayu
·
Fire or
Tejas
·
Water or Apa
·
Earth or
Prithvi
These
five elements, it should be understood, derive from and are expressions of an
unmanifest and undifferentiated Creative Principle, which is One. These five
elements are to be understood in a material sense as well as a subtle sense. By
earth we are to understand not only the terrain of our planet or the iron in
our red blood cells and spleen, but also the quality of steadfastness of mind,
strength of one’s moral fiber, one’s slow and quiet undeterred advancement
towards a goal, and the resistance to the manifestations of others. By water we
mean to imply the cohesive aspects of reality which flows into and holds things
together, perfectly and simply witnessed in the ubiquitous H20 molecule. And the
other elements too were intended by the ancient vaidyas (physicians) to
communicate the essential universal principle inherent in a particular element.
By fire we mean the universal force in nature that produces heat and radiates
light; it is our passion to pursue despite obstacles and delays; it is what
burns away the cloak of ignorance (avidya) and allows the Truth to shine with
brilliance. Fire removes doubt from the mother-substance of human heart and
replaces it with joy. Air is that transparent, rarefied, kinetic force which
sets the universe in motion; it moves the blood through the vessels, wastes
from the body, thoughts through the mind; it moves the birds to warmer climates
in winter, it moves the planets around their suns. Space is the subtlest of all
elements which is everywhere and touches everything; in the mind it is the
vessel which receives all impressions, in the heart space accepts love; space
is receptivity and non-resistance to what is true.
Thus
these Five Subtle Elements (Pancha Mahabhutas) form the basis for all things
found in the material creation, from a grain of sand to the complex physiology
of every human being. Balancing these elements in just the right way for each
unique individual is the key to maintaining health and treating disease should
it arise, whether it be physical, mental, or spiritual.
The Tridosha
The five
elements can be seen to exist in the material universe at all scales both
organic and inorganic, from peas to planets. When they enter into the biology
of a living organism, man for example, they acquire a biological form. This
means that the five elements are coded into three biological forces which
govern all life processes. These three forces are known as the three doshas, or
simply thetridosha.. The tridosha regulates every physiological and
psychological process in the living organism. The interplay among them
determines the qualities and conditions of the individual. A harmonious state
of the three doshas creates balance and health; an imbalance, which might be an
excess (vrddhi) or deficiency (ksaya), manifests as a sign or symptom of
disease.
The three
doshas are known as Vata, Pitta , and Kapha.
You can
think of these three doshas as fundamental biological energies which regulate
all the life processes of an individual. And as we will discuss later, although
all individuals are made up of these same three energies, we all have them in
unique proportions. The doshas obtain their qualities by virtue of their
elemental composition as we can see in the simple diagram below.
Each of
the three doshas is composed of two elements as shown here:
Elements Composing The Tridosha
Vata
Space (Akasha)
Air (Vayu)
Space (Akasha)
Air (Vayu)
Pitta
Fire (Tejas)
Water (Apa)
Fire (Tejas)
Water (Apa)
Kapha
Water (Apa)
Earth (Prithvi)
Water (Apa)
Earth (Prithvi)
Thus, Vata is composed of space and air, Pitta of fire and water, and
Kapha of water and earth.. Vata dosha has the mobility and quickness of space
and air; Pitta dosha the metabolic qualities of fire and water; Kapha dosha the
stability and solidity of water and earth. Interestingly, the Sanskrit
entomology of the word dosha gives it the meaning of “blemish, that which
darkens”. This alerts us to the fact that when in balance these force are
life-supporting but when imbalanced they are the agents of disease and misery.
More Insights on The Tridosha
Doshas are of two varieties: saririka (bodily) and manasika
(psychological, of the mind). This is often a point of great confusion in
Ayurvedic circles. Let’s look at these two types of doshas more closely. The
saririka doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. They are what we mean when we use the term “tridosha”. They are material
in form, yet can manifest in aspects of mind as well. Generally, they are
intimately connected to physical activities. The manasika doshas are Rajas,
Tamas, and Sattva.. These are often referred to as the three gunas, or three
qualities, of the mind. Manasika doshas have reference only to the mind and
mental activities.
An intimate inter-relationship exists between these two types of doshas.
In fact, according to Charaka, derangements in one arena is always accompanied
by changes in the other (Charaka Samhita, Sarirasthana 4,35-36.).
However, greater importance is attributed to the tridosha (bodily
doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) as the primary causative agents of disease. For
every individual, each dosha has a unique quantity (pramana), quality (guna),
and action (karma) in the physiology. Equipoise of these three attributes with
respect to an individual engenders health. When this balance is disturbed
through indulgence in foods and habits which are similar in nature to a
specific dosha, this causes vriddhi--increase--in that dosha; food and habits
of a dissimilar nature to that dosha will likewise cause its kasaya, or
decrease. This is the Ayurvedic doctrine of “like increases like”.
Thus if you are cold and you drink iced water or eat ice cream, you will
become colder; similarly if you are hot and you consume cayenne peppers or
other pungent tastes, you will become hotter. Or if you are dry and you spend a
long period of time in a strong wind, you will lose more moisture due to
evaporation and become drier.
If these examples seem simple and common sense, then you have learned an
important feature of Ayurvedic wisdom: its always simple and intuitive.
Vata Dosha
The term
vata stems from a Sanskrit word "vaayu" which means “that which moves
things”; it is sometimes translated as wind. It is composed of the elements
space and air--the lightest and subtlest of the five elements. It is considered
in some ways to be the most influential of the three doshas because it is the
moving force behind the other two doshas, which are incapable of movement
without it. Vata dosha is responsible for all the somatic activities and
sensations. It is the intelligence which channels perceptions (temperature,
pressure, sweetness, lightening, violin music, etc.) through the appropriate
sensory organs, converts them into internal psychological events, and then
orchestrates the appropriate response via the organs of action. it is
responsible for all movements in the mind and body: the movement of air in and
out of the lungs, the flow of blood through the circulatory system, nutrients
through the alimentary tract, and thoughts through the mind. Vata promotes a
healthy balance between the thought and emotion and gives rise to creativity,
activity and clear comprehension.
Because,
among other functions, Vata regulates the nervous processes involved with
movement, thoughts, emotions, eating, drinking, elimination, and our general
functioning, its disturbance can often have far-reaching consequences.
Here is a
table which summarizes the manifestations of a balanced or unbalanced
(excessive) Vata dosha:
Effects of Vata Dosha
Effect of Balanced Vata |
Effect of Unbalanced (Excess)Vata |
Proper coordination of all body functions
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Body functions impaired or disorganized.
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Normal movements associated with eating, digestion,
and elimination
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Movements for eating, digestion, and elimination
disturbed (bloating, constipation, gas)
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Mental activity controlled and precise
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Mental agitation, confusion; impaired memory
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Control of the organs of perception and the organs
of action
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Perception and action are inappropriate; senses are
dulled; responses untimely
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Stimulation of
digestive juices
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Deficiency of the digestive juices
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Desire to lead an active life; vitality, curiosity
and natural interest
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Loss of energy and joy for life
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Normal drying of occasional mucous discharges
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Persistent bodily
discharges
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Normal
respiratory function
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Shortness of breath, dry cough, disturbance in
respiratory movements
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Normal sleep
pattern
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Insomnia, light or interrupted sleep
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Excellent energy
level
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Non-specific fatigue, anxiety, worry,
cold-intolerance, depletion of Life Force
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Pitta Dosha
The term pitta comes from the Sanskrit word pinj meaning “to shine”
(according to Sir Monier-Williams its exact entomology is a mystery). It
carries the meaning of “that which digests” and is associated with the idea of
being yellow-tinged or bilious. In its widest sense, Paittika digestive
function includes all chemical and metabolic transformations in the body as
well as processes which promote heat production (i.e. conversion of iodine to
triiodotyrosine in the thyroid gland). Pitta also governs our ability to digest
ideas and impressions and to therefore perceive the true nature of reality. It
stimulates the intellect and creates enthusiasm and determination.
Pitta is often regarded as the “fire” within the body. Think of it as
the energy stored in the chemical bonds of all the organic substances which
make us up: its encoded in our hormones, enzymes, organic acids, and
neurotransmitters. Charaka Samhita, an ancient Ayurvedic text, teaches that
pitta functions in digestion, heat production, providing color to the blood,
vision, and skin luster.
Here is a table which summarizes the manifestations of a balanced or
unbalanced (excessive) Pitta dosha:
Effects of Pitta Dosha
Effect of Balanced Pitta |
Effect of Unbalanced (Excess)Pitta |
Strong and
complete digestion
|
Incomplete digestion; poor differentiation between
nutrients and wastes
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Normal heat and thirst mechanisms
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Irregular body temperature, disturbed perspiration,
unregulated fluid intake
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Excellent vision
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Impaired vision
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Good complexion; healthy facial tone and coloration
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Variable, blotchy skin color, inflamed; unhealthy
appearance
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Hair lustrous and usually slightly wavy
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Irritable,
anxious, driven, obsessed
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Courageous,
cheerful, focused
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Loss of energy and joy for life
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Stimulated, open
intellect
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Dullness of
reasoning faculty
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Steadfast concentration on the truth; disciplined,
responsible
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Spiritually
impoverished
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Efficient
assimilation of foods
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Heartburn, peptic ulcer, irritable bowels,
hemorrhoids, diarrhea, alcoholism
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Kapha Dosha
The term
kapha derives from the Sanskrit word "shlish" which means “that which
holds things together; to embrace; coherent”. In fact, one of the other
designations for kapha appearing in some of the older literature is shleshma..
It is the force which provides structure to everything from an individual atom
or cell to the sturdy musculoskeletal frame. It gives strength, stability, and
endurance--both physical and psychological--and promotes human emotions and
capacities such as love, compassion, empathy, understanding, forgiveness,
loyalty and patience. One very important function of Kapha dosha in the human
body is that it governs immunity and resistance against disease; it’s energy
promotes self-healing and the ongoing processes of self-repairs of which we are
largely unaware. Where Vata and Pitta effects become active in the body, Kapha
acts to limit and control these two forces and prevent their excessive
activity. The two mahabhutas which compose Kapha are water and earth. Together,
these two prototypical elements form the fundamental protoplasm of life. Kapha
imparts mind-body-spirit stability and resilience. It is the anabolic force in
the body which governs the formation of neuropeptides, stomach linings, and all
new cells and tissues of the body which are constantly being destroyed and
re-created.
Here is a
table which summarizes the manifestations of balanced and unbalanced (excessive)
kapha dosha:
Effects of Kapha Dosha
Effect of Balanced Kapha |
Effect of Unbalanced (Excess)Kapha |
Excellent nutritional status; firm musculature,
strong bones
|
Poor nutritional status, flabby, fatigued
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Adequate moisture and lubrication throughout the
body
|
Dry; decreased mucous and saliva
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Well-knit joints
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Loose joints, prone to sprains
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Stable, compact, and strong physique
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Soft and weakened physique; obese
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Sexual potency,
strong immunity
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Sexual impotency, sedentary, diminished immunity
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Calm, forgiving,
understanding, patient
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Intolerant,
insecure, jealous, rude
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Strong digestion,
regular appetite
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Slow digestion,
appetite unregulated
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Physiological amounts of respiratory moisture
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Excess mucous
production
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The whole article : Basic principles of Ayurveda
