As each country has a governing system, similarly our body also has three very powerful caretakers called Doshas – namely Vata, Pitta and Kapha. They get the name ‘Dosha’ because they have the ability to destroy the whole system when in vitiated state. Ayurveda says that the health of an individual is maintained when these Doshas are kept in natural state at their natural places.
How many Doshas are present?
As the name suggests, there are majorly three doshas. However, for easier understanding of their actions they have been further sub-divided into five types each i.e. five kinds of Vata Dosha, five types of Pitta and five types of Kapha Dosha. Some authors in Ayurveda, like Sushruta, also considers Rakta as the fourth Dosha. This can be understood because Sushruta Samhita mainly deals in surgical aspect and with that perspective, Rakta becomes one of the prominent factors. However, there is no controversy in the fact that Doshas are three in number, hence they are called as Tridoshas.
Where are these Doshas present in the body?
Though the Doshas keep moving throughout the body functioning different metabolisms, they do have designated places in the human body. Vata is usually situated below the navel region (extending till the toes), Pitta is situated in the abdomen, and Kapha is situated on the chest and head.
What actions do Dosha do?
These Doshas work together in tune with each other to ensure that all the metabolisms in the body happen smoothly. Individually, Vata I s responsible for breathing, doing any action/work; excretion of feces, urine, sweat, feeling of thirst, hunger, burp, sleep; proper formation of tissues and cells. Pitta Dosha is responsible for digestion, heat, vision, thirst, hunger, taste, glow of face, intelligence, bravery, softness of the body. Kapha is responsible for stability, unctuousness, strong bondage of the joints in the body.
What happens in vitiated state?
In the vitiated/hampered state of the Doshas, they hamper the body functions and cause diseases. Individually, when Vata Dosha is hampered, it leads to blackish discoloration, weight loss, desire for warmth, tremors, abdominal distension, constipation, loss of strength, reduced sleep, weakened sense organs, irrelevant talks, giddiness. Pitta vitiation can be identified by yellowish discoloration of eyes, urine, feces and skin, excessive thirst, hunger, burning sensations in the body and reduced sleep. Kapha dosha when hampered causes reduced appetite, fatigue, excessive salivation, lethargy, heaviness of the body, white discolorations, cold touch, loosened body, asthmatic conditions, cough, excessive sleep.
Though these are generalized vitiated states of the doshas, it has to be understood that they can occur in combinations and differ from person to person.
How to ensure they are in normal condition?Ayurveda says that in order to maintain health and ensure doshas are regulated, Trayopastambha must be followed i.e proper food, sleep and routine should be performed daily. Healthy eating habits, sufficient sleep and following the daily routine as told in Ayurveda helps an individual to ensure that these Doshas are kept in balanced state and no harm comes.
