Vata, Pitta and Kapha

What is Vata, Pitta and Kapha?

Vata, Pitta and Kapha are the three doshas known in the body. If these defects get distorted, they harm the body and become the cause of death. If these Vata, Pitta and Kapha remain normally in balance, then they nourish the body by running all the functions of the body. Although these Vata, Pitta and Kapha live in all the parts of the body, but especially the Vata below the navel. In the lower part, Pitta resides between the navel and the heart, and Kapha resides in the part above the heart.

Presence of Vata, Pitta and Kapha in Life span

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At the end of life i.e. in old age, there is an outbreak of Vayu (Vata). There is an effect of Pitta in youth. There is an effect of Kapha in childhood. Similarly, the effect of Kapha occurs in the first half of the day i.e. in the morning. There is an influence of Pitta in the middle of the day. At the end of the day there is the influence of Vata. It is affected by Kapha in the morning, Pitta in the afternoon and Vata (air) in the evening.

Analysis: When a person is in childhood, Kapha predominates. Milk is the main food in childhood. The child does not have to move around much. There is no worry of any kind in childhood. Therefore, more Kapha is produced with astringent and cold properties in the body.

During youth, there is more formation of metals (Dhatu) in the body and also there is more formation of blood. Pitta plays the biggest role in producing blood. There is more physical exercise in youth. Due to this reason hunger also increases. In such a situation there is excess Pitta. It is very important for Pitta to increase during youth. If Pitta does not increase, there will be lack of blood in the body and the metals (Dhatu) that strengthen the body will not be produced. The qualities of Pitta are:- Pungent, hot.

The body starts decaying in old age. All metals (Dhatu) get reduced in the body. Dryness increases in the body. In such a situation, the influence of air (Vata) increases in the body. The properties of air are roughness and speed.

Presence of Vata, Pitta and Kapha in Seasons / Time

According to the time division, there is more cold or winter in the first half of the day. Due to this there is some heaviness in the body. Due to this, Kapha increases. The sun’s rays become very strong in the second half of the day and in the middle of the day. The heat increases. At this time Pitta increases. Therefore, Pitta is stronger in the second half of the day and in the middle of the day. The effect of Vata increases due to the weakening of the sun rays in the third part of the day and in the evening. Similarly, Kapha increases in the first quarter of the night. Vata (air) increases in the second half of the night. Since cold air also flows in the atmosphere during the third or last hour of the night, hence when the body comes in contact with this air, the air in the body also increases.

Presence of Vata, Pitta and Kapha while Eating and Drinking

Similarly, there is a good combination of Vata, Pitta and Kapha at the time of eating and drinking. The amount of Kapha in the body increases while eating food. When the process of digestion of food begins after eating, Pitta predominates at that time. Air predominates in food after digestion. Food reaches the stomach along with Kapha. The saliva produced in the mouth is alkaline. The secretion that occurs in the stomach is acidic. Therefore, while eating food, saliva mixes with the food and reaches the stomach, where it contains acid. Food becomes sweet (soft) due to the combination of acid and alkali. Due to the sweetness (softness) of food, Kapha in the stomach increases. When food moves through the stomach, the action of Pitta begins. Due to the increase of this Pitta, fire gets ignited, which burns the food and turns it into juice (Ras). Only after the food turns into juice (ras), meat (muscle), marrow, blood, semen, feces, urine etc. are formed from it and at this stage there is abundance of air. Due to this air feces and urine come out of the body. In this way, Vata, Pitta and Kapha continue to increase naturally in the body every day. This natural growth protects the body. The increase of Vata, Pitta and Kapha that occurs in this natural way does not create any hindrance in the body, but rather helps in the body’s functions. On the contrary, when Vata, Pitta and Kapha increase due to wrong eating habits, then the body gets harmed and diseases occur.

If there is predominance of vata etc. doshas in the body then gastric fire gets affected. If there is anomalous movement of air, the digestion process sometimes becomes regular and sometimes irregular. Due to its pungent properties, Pitta intensifies the fire and digests the eaten food prematurely. Kapha, due to its soft quality, softens Agni and is not able to properly digest the food eaten in proper quantity in regular time. If Vata, Pitta and Kapha are present in equal quantity then the food eaten in proper quantity gets digested in the prescribed time.

Increase of Vata affects the rectum. Cruelty increases in the anus. Due to this, bowel movement gets delayed. The rectum becomes soft due to an increase in Pitta. This happens in the rectum due to an increase in Kapha. If Vata and Pitta Kapha are equal, then the rectum and anus are in moderate stages.

Analysis: If a person is of Vata nature or has increased influence of Vayu in his stomach, then his koshtha will be cruel. That means that person will have delayed defecation. This is also called constipation. Medicine is required to cure it. A medicine which reduces Vata and increases Pitta. As the Pitta increases, the stool becomes soft. If the stool becomes soft then defecation becomes easy. Milk and Triphala powder are very good medicines to ease bowel movements. It is easiest to pass stools only when Vata, Pitta and Kapha are equal or even.

Impact of Vata, Pitta and Kapha on body

The nature of the child is formed according to the abundance of defects in semen and Aav at the time of conception and in the beginning of birth. The best nature is considered to be: People who do not have Vayu nature, have Pitta nature and have Kapha nature are considered best. Human natures are also formed by combining two natures. Like Vata and Pitta nature is formed by mixing Vata and Pitta. Similarly, Vatakphaj nature is formed by mixing Vata and Kapha. Pitta-Kapha nature is formed by mixing Pitta and Kapha. The best natured people are those in whose body Vata, Pitta and Kapha are equal.

Analysis: In Ayurveda, balance among the three doshas is considered the basis of being healthy. That is, the one who has equality of all the three doshas Vata, Pitta and Kapha is healthy. By combining these three doshas, 7 other natures are formed. These other 7 natures cause more diseases. One who has Vata nature since childhood should avoid such food and drink which increases Vayu. Similarly, one who has Pitta nature since childhood should avoid food and drink which increases Pitta. If someone has had Kapha nature since childhood, then he should avoid food and drink which promotes Kapha. A person of Vata nature should avoid a dry environment and cold places. A person of Pitta nature should avoid eating and drinking hot food items. People with Kapha nature should avoid eating heavy and greasy items.

Air is not actually cold. But when air combines with cold liquids it becomes cool. Just like after snow falls on the mountains, the wind blowing from there becomes cool. Similarly, if there is a hot environment or there is more sunlight then the air gets heated and moves. That is why in winter the air always blows cold and in summer the air always blows hot. Air does not have its own cold and hot properties. The air with which it comes in direct contact acquires the same properties. If a person lives in a cold place then air (Vata) increases. Similarly, if a person consumes cold liquids, the wind increases. Sitting in strong air causes depletion of metals (Dhatu) in the body, which causes dryness in the body. The body also becomes salty due to the effect of air. Air is so tiny that it can enter even the smallest of spaces. Air is mobile, hence it never remains stable.

Properties of Pitta – This is astringent, pungent, usna (hot), small, vast (smells like a dead body before burning), sar (flowing), drava (thin) like Pitta.

Properties of Kapha – Snigdha (greasy), cool, gurumand (short or short-lasting), slakshna (smooth with saltiness), mritsna (smelling like soil) and stable.

Analysis: Fire and water predominate in the formation of Pitta. That is why Pitta is considered inflammable. Earth and water predominate in the formation of Kapha. Therefore, all the qualities of earth, water, fire etc. come under these defects. Similarly, air has predominance in the formation of vata.

Types of Metals (Dhatu)

Types of metals (Dhatu) – There are seven metals (Dhatu) – juice (lymph fluid), blood, flesh (muscle), fat, bone marrow, bone, semen etc. All these seven metals (Dhatu) are present in the body. These seven metals (Dhatu) are contaminated by the doshas like Vata, Pitta and Kapha etc. Stool, urine and sweat (sweda) all three pollute the body. That is why they are called feces. They are also contaminated by all the three doshas, hence they are also called Dushya (which is polluted).

Analysis: The basic components of the body are these three doshas, metals (Dhatu) and feces (sweat, urine, feces). In Ayurveda, all three doshas, seven metals (Dhatu) and three feces are considered important. If there is imbalance or distortion in any one of these, it becomes difficult to remain healthy. This mixture of seven metals (Dhatu) and three impurities is called Dushya (which is polluted). Vata, Pitta, Kapha are the three doshas that pollute. Faeces are produced only by proper digestion of seven metals (Dhatu). These metals are the originators and main sources of feces. The job of the feces is to remove the contaminants present in all metals (Dhatu). If these feces are not eliminated from the body then these feces become very harmful and destroy the body.

These doshas, metals and impurities increase with similar substances, qualities and karma in the absence of any restrictive reason. On the other hand, the negative substances, qualities and karma cause harm to these doshas, metals and impurities.

Analysis: They are increased by similar kinds of doshas, impurities and metals. On the other hand, opposite or unusual objects reduce doshas, metals and impurities. For example, the quality of air is rough (dry), cold, short. In such a situation, if substances of dry, cold etc. properties are given to the body, then the incidence of Vayu will increase in the body. The action of Vayu is to move, hence if a person walks more then Vayu will increase in the body. Similarly, if substances with properties opposite to those of wind are used, like oil etc., then the wrath of wind is reduced. Similarly, if the body is made stable, that is, one sits quietly, then the influence of wind in the body gets reduced. Whatever substances are contrary to the properties of air, they calm the air. For example, wheat calms the wind, but millet increases the wind. Because the quality of millet is dry which is similar to air. Therefore, objects having similar qualities and actions lead to increase in Vayu and objects having opposite qualities and actions cause reduction in Vayu. Any kind of bitter juice (bitter juice like bitter gourd juice etc.) increases Vata.

Types of Ras (Tastes)

There are 6 types of Ras (Tastes). There are six types of ras (tastes): Madhur (sweet), Acid (sour), Lavana (salty), Tikta (pungent), Ushna (bitter or bitter) and Kashaya.

Analysis: Whatever liquid or object exists, it has 6 Rasas. All substances (objects) originate from the five great elements. Panch Mahabhutas means earth, water, sky, air and fire. Madhur (sweet) Ras originates from earth and water. This ras (taste)  provides most of the nutrition to the body. If there is no earth and water, nothing can arise. Sweet ras (taste) contributes the most to the nutrition and growth of the body. Air, fire and sky also contribute to the growth and nutrition of the body. Except sweet ras (taste), all other ras (tastes) are dominated by air, fire and sky. Air and fire are considered absorbent and space is considered void, hence complete growth of the body is not possible with air, fire and space. Earth and water elements are very necessary for the complete development of the body. But there is movement in the body through air, due to which the ras (tastes) are exploited. Digestion takes place in the body through fire. Diffusion takes place in the body through porous sources – digestive fluids. For the origin of any seed, first of all earth and water elements are required. Then the element of sky is needed. After that, air element is required and finally a fire element. Therefore, all the ras (tastes) made from these five great elements are very important.

Madhur (sweet), acid (sour) and salty, these three ras reduce the defect of Vata (air). Pungent (Tikta), Katu (Bitter) and hot ras pacify Kapha dosha. Astringent, bitter and sweet ras calm down Pitta. On the contrary, bitter, hot and astringent ras increase Vayu (Vata). Sweets, acids and salts increase Kapha. Acid, salt, and heat (bitter) increase Pitta.

There are some substances which suppress the doshas. There are some substances which increase the effect of doshas. There are some substances which maintain the health of the body. By nature some substances are beneficial and some harmful. But all substances cause benefit or harm according to the nature of humans. A substance may be beneficial to a person according to his nature, but the same substance may be harmful to someone else.

There are two types of semen – cold and hot. The medium through which all fluids function is called semen. All substances originate from Panchmahabhuta. In Panchmahabhoota, water is cold and fire is hot. Earth, sky and air are neither cold nor hot. When there is excess of water in the earth, sky and air, they become cold. And when there is excess of fire in them, they become hot.

Similarly, semen is also of two types: Ushna (hot) and Shital (cold). The semen which has predominance of water is cold semen and the semen which has predominance of heat is hot semen.

Vipak (juice formed after purification by gastric fire) of liquids is of three types: sweet, acid and bitter.

Analysis: The juice that is formed when liquids are purified by the digestive fire is called Vipaka. There are 6 Rasas in liquids. The vipaka of sweet and salty juices is sweet. The Vipaka of acidic juice is also acid. The Vipaka of bitter, pungent and astringent is bitter.

Importance of Kaal, Artha and Karma 

Time (rain, winter, summer), Artha (word, touch, form, taste, smell), Karma (word, movement, input, joy, sacrifice) are the reasons for health. On the contrary, imbalance of time, meaning and karma is the cause of disease.

Analysis: Imbalance of Kaal, Artha, Karma means having too little or too much. Like during periods – too much rainfall or too little rainfall. Similarly, there may be too much or no summer. Sometimes there is heavy rain and suddenly the sun comes out very brightly and then there is heavy rain. All these are examples of time imbalance. The subject matter of sense organs is taken from Artha. In these, the subject word is the sense of ear. The combination of very low (inferior) words with the sense of ear is Heen Yoga. Because it takes more effort on the ears to listen to very inferior words. Hearing unpleasant words from false (mithya) ears like – your son has died. There has been a theft in your house. This is called false (Mithya) yoga. Similarly, there is Ati Yoga. Like firing a gun near the ears, it can burst the eardrums. This is an example of excess. Examples of Heen, Mithya and Ati Yoga for touch – When extremely cold or hot liquids come in contact with the skin, at the time when hot liquids touch, there is Ati Yoga of Ushna (hot) and Heen Yoga of cold. If a person comes after walking in summer and takes a bath with cold water, then it is bad for the skin. Similarly, when different types of dirty substances come in contact with the skin, false (mithya) yoga occurs.

Impact of different combination

Examples of different combinations for form – Eyes do the work of seeing form with the combination of light. If there is no light, then seeing or reading with eyes is done at that time, then it is considered inferior yoga. Seeing horrible or unpleasant events with the eyes is called Mithya Yoga. Looking at the Sun or seeing it in excessive light is called Ati Yoga.

For ras (tastes) – If any one ras is consumed in excess quantity then it leads to Atiyoga. And if ras is consumed in very small quantities then it is called Heen Yoga. Eating rotten food or fruits or eating unhealthy food is called Mithya Yoga.

For smell – Smelling very strong smells like musk, ammonia gas etc. is Atioga. Not smelling fragrant things is inferior yoga. Smelling unpleasant odors is false yoga. Similarly, it can be decided about all the senses. Taking it in excess is Atiyoga, taking it in minimum quantity is Heenayoga and combining it not in an interesting manner is Mithyayoga.

Karma-senses are also 5. His subject is word of mouth. Speaking in a loud voice is Atiyoga, not speaking immediately is inferior Yoga and speaking unpleasantly is Mithyayoga. Working too much with your hands is called Atiyoga, not working at all is called Heenayoga and doing inappropriate work is called Mithyayoga. The function of locomotion is of the legs. Walking too much is called Ati Yoga, not walking at all is called Hina Yoga and walking in the wrong way is called Mithya Yoga. Excessive passing of stool is Atiyayoga, not passing stool is Hina Yoga, passing stool in the wrong way is Mithyayoga. All types of inferior, false and extreme yogas are the causes of diseases. On the other hand, if everything is in harmony then the body will be in a healthy state. Odd number of doshas is disease and even number of doshas is health.

Conclusion

In this article, I have discussed the tri doshas of Ayurveda.  Human health and diseases depend on these doshas. If they are under the required levels, the body will be healthy. If they get imbalanced the body will not remain healthy.  I have explained what factors can affect these three doshas. Keep them under limits to stay healthy.