“DOOSHAYANTI ITI DOSHAAHA” {Those which have a tendency to contaminate or to produce a disturbance are called Dosha’s}
Seeing this definition we can get a feel that we are created and governed by the components which are by nature harmful or we are created and monitored by bad elements or our enemies themselves. This is a tricky concept. God has created us using the materials which are basically harmful and can destroy us. God has created us by planting the Dosha’s in us which basically tend to destroy. But their memory has been changed. They have been implanted with a false memory wherein the Dosha’s do all the normal functions and creative activities. But we alter this mechanism and disturb the Dosha’s to such an extent that they start remembering that they need to destroy something. Our defective life style, bad food choices, Emotional conflicts, stress of life, environmental and geographic variations, unethical way of living, lowered morals of life….all contribute towards altering the mechanism of Dosha’s.
These disturbed Dosha’s create havoc in our body and mind disturbing and destroying anything which come in their way. The doshas fail in their duties because they are now identifying the tissues of the body as their enemies. Eg: When we feel hungry our system demands food. If we keep working neglecting the hunger, the gut will learn to tolerate as the time goes on. Thus we may land up with sever digestive disturbances leading to need of a doctor to correct our digestion and appetite which actually should have been a natural phenomenon. On the other side the pitta generated during appetite will satisfy itself by feeding on the tissues of the stomach. This will lead to gastritis, ulcers in stomach etc. Here we have disturbed the natural functioning of Kledaka Kapha Samana Vayu and Pachaka Pitta..which turn around and attack our system.
This concept of Dosha was the earliest explanation of Auto-immune disorders where in our own immune system which is meant to protect us will start destroying us. This happens because the immune system fails in discriminating between self and non self. This loss of intelligence of the protective system leads to destructive process. We thus have a lot of disorders encountered in many people wherein no treatment gives a good solution, though the best doctors and best medications have intervened along a pretty long period of time. The disease process starts when aggravated Doshas attack weaker tissues and produce damage. If proper intervention is done at proper time the damage may be reversed. Any delay in approach may lead to an irreversible damage.
As already mentioned, Dosha’s are the functional components of our body. They determine our physical composition or constitution i.e PRAKRITI. Our Prakriti gets determined when we are conceived in our mother’s womb and does not change till our last breath. We have all the dosha’s operating in us but we are predominant by any one, following law of dominance. Thus we are either VATA predominant or PITTA predominant or KAPHA predominant. Thus we are either known as Vata pradhana Prakriti or Pitta Pradhana Prakriti or Kapha Pradhana Prakriti.
‘ Each of us are born with some or the other physical and mental peculiarities which will remain with us throughout the life. Such features which are acquired by birth are called Prakriti. Prakriti is defined as “Group of charecters inherited by an individual from the Shukra(sperm) and Shonita(ovum) of the parents depending upon the predominance of Doshas prevailing at the time of sexual intercourse”
Factors which influence individuals Prakriti:
- Shukra Shonita Prakriti: Charecters inherited from Shukra(sperm of father) and Shonita(ovum of mother)
- Kala Garbhasaya Prakriti: Charecters formed during the intra-uterine life. This may be due to 1) Kala- Dosha predominance during Dharana kala of Garbha(i.e during pregnancy) 2) Garbhashaya- The condition of the Uterus during pregnancy.
- Maatru Aahara Vihara Prakriti: The diet and behavior of the mother during pregnancy. If the desires of the pregnant woman are not fulfilled, the child will develop untoward characters right from the birth onwards
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Mahabhoota Vikara Prakriti: The Mahabhootas which are predominantly present during the pregnancy will give rise to their respective prakritis. Eg: If Prithwi and Jala Bhootas are predominant in the parents at the time of their union in coitus, and during pregnancy in the mother – a KAPHA prakriti child is likely to be born. If Vayu and Aakasha Mahabhootas are dominating a VATA Prakriti child will be born and if Agni and Jala Bhootas are on a high, a PITTA prakriti child will be born.
- Jaati Prasakta Prakriti: Racial Peculiarities
- Kula Prasakta Prakriti: Familial Peculiarities
- Dosha Anupaatinee Prakriti: Natural variation of Doshas
- Vayo Anupaatini Prakriti: Natural changes according to age. Though the entire Prakriti is not changed, the age will bring about some natural changes. An old person originally belonging to Kapha Prakriti will look like a Vata Prakriti person due to the predominance of Vata in the old age.
Kapha Prakriti is known as Pravara Prakriti or the best constitution. Pitta Prakriti is known as Madhyama Prakriti or moderate constitution and Vata Prakriti is called Avara or Heena Prakriti i.e Prakriti of a lower quality…in comparison.
KAPHA DOSHA: We need a good cementing between the stone or bricks so as to have a good construction of a building which is not subjected to easy destruction or collapse. Similarly if we consider that our body is a house we need a good cementing substance to hold our cells together in integration throughout our life. This cementing is provided by KAPHA. The Prithvi(Earth/mud) and Jala(water) combine to form this cementing substance called Kapha. Its capacity to integrate the body substances determines our health, strength, energy, working capacity and immunity. Immaterial of the Prakriti…Kapha is predominantly active during the developmental phase. Right from our birth we grow consistently wrt height and weight until the process takes a halt at a particular age beyond which we don’t grow. This phase is ruled by Kapha.
Kapha is mainly located in the upper part of the body. It is predominant early in the morning. It dominates the first part of digestion wherein it integrates the food into a bolus.
It is of 5 sub types. The central government of Kapha is located in the Chest.
The tissues belonging to Kapha are Rasa, Mamsa, Meda,Majja, Shukra and Pureesha and Mootra.
Character features of a Kapha Prakriti Person:
- Smooth and Glistening body.
- Smooth and fine body parts.
- Attractive, tender and charming skin, organs and musculature.
- Will have abundant semen, sexual power and number of children.
- Will have strong, stirdy and steady organs and muscles.
- Well formed and fully developed organs and muscles.
- Slow and steady in their eating and behavior.
- Do not take hasty steps in their works and will not get disheartened or perverted when the things do not go in their way.
- Their start, progression and finish of any work is slow, stable and perfect.
- Firm and strong in their movements.
- Controlled hunger, sweat and Doshas.
- Nicely integrated, strong joints and ligaments.
- Lustrous and attractive eyes and face.
- Charmful and pleasant colour and complexion.
- Melodious voice.
- Blessed with best wealth, education, vitality, immunity and longevity and they will be of peaceful nature.
PITTA DOSHA: Pitta is formed by the combination of Fire and Water components. It is an element which takes an active part in the metabolism and does all the work of the fire. It is said that the fire is present in the body in the form of fire. Feeling of hunger, digestion of food, its assimilation, absorption, transformation of food into heat and energy required for life process are all under the control of Pitta.
Agni or Fire: It is in the body in the form of Pitta. Agni is present at various levels and is of 13 types.
Jataragni or belly fire: It is located in the gut in the form of Pachaka Pitta. It is responsible to carry on the smooth functioning of core metabolism. The initial part of digestion takes place with the active involvement of Jataragni. This can be compared to the action of enzymes and acids over the food in the gut. Once the food is digested properly by this agni, the food is converted into Aahara rasa or chyle i.e the first nutritional component of digestion in gut. This is the central government of Agni and Pitta and all other Agni’s are controlled from here. Excessive or diminished functions here will create a similar impact on the other agni’s aswell.
Bhootagni: They are the Agni’s present in the 5 basic elements. They further act upon the circulating Aahara Rasa(Nutritional fluid) and selectively take up the components required for their nutrition and enrichment. Thus the Mahabhootas are nourished. They are of 5 types.
Dhatwagni’s: The fire component present in the tissues, taking part in the tissue metabolism are called Dhatwagni’s. They are of 7 types. They selectively take the nutrition reaching them through the circulating nutritional fluid and nourish themselves. At the end of the cellular metabolism heat and energy is produced which is essential for day to day activities and energy. A pathological increase in tissue fire can lead to destruction of tissues and a diminished tissue fire causes increase of tissues as the weakened fire cannot convert the nutrition into energy and there is a subsequent accumulation of metabolites. The unconverted or intermediate products thus formed are called endotoxin’s or cellular poisons. The activities of Dhatwagni’s are monitored by the normalcy of Jataragni and are inter dependant.
These pathological manifestations of Agni i.e increase or decrease of Agni leading to metabolic and nutritional errors and disorders reflect the disturbance of Pitta.
It is further said “Sarvepi Rogaaha Mande Agnou” i.e Almost all the diseases and disorders we suffer during our life time are mostly caused as an effect of defective functioning of Agni unless proved otherwise. Thus the status of the fire and the Pitta within defines our well being.
Immaterial of our Prakriti the Pitta predominates during the mid phase of our life i.e during teens and middle age. That is why we are very active like fire during this phase. We are more demanding, possessive about various things and exhibit many emotions. Our energy levels peak up and also our determination to do and achieve things. Pitta is predominant in the middle part of our body wherein we have our setup of digestive system…the hot zone. Pitta predominates in the noon and during the second part of digestion and helps in breaking the food components and digesting them so as to convert them into nutritional fluid.
Pitta too is of 5 types.
- Pachaka Pitta located in the intestines is the central government of Pitta. All the subtypes are governed and monitored from this point. This pitta helps in reception, bifurcation, digestion and assimilation of the food.
- Ranjaka Pitta is located in the Liver, stomach and spleen. They are helpful in the formation and maturation of blood.
- Saadhaka Pitta is located in the Heart and Brain. It helps in control of emotions and thoughts. It is also responsible for our determination, concentration, memory, courage, decision taking capacity etc.
- Bhrajaka Pitta is located in the skin and contributes towards the color and complexion.
- Aalochaka Pitta is located in Eyes and helps in normal vision. Blood and Sweat are the components wherein Pitta is adequately present and works in concurrence.
Character features of a Pitta Prakriti Person:
- They are of moderate built.
- Cannot withstand heat, over anxious and delicate.
- Frequently suffer from small boils, discolouration, skin eruptions etc.
- Will have excessive hunger and thirst.
- Will get old age symptoms like wrinkles on skin, grey hair at an early age and also baldness.
- Have tender, soft and copper colored hair, copper colored nails and moustache.
- Brave and aggressive mentally.
- Physically weak.
- Have voracious hunger, gluttonous eaters and will eat continuously throughout the day.
- Cannot withstand any strain.
- Have loose and soft musculature with loose joints.
- Will be suffering from excessive and watery perspiration, urine, stools and secretions.
- Will emit offensive odour from their axillae, face, groins, and other joints.
- Very less Shukra and sexual power.
- Moderate strength, longeivity, wealth, knowledge, wisdom.
VATA DOSHA: Vata is formed by the combination of Vayu and Aakasha(WIND AND SPACE) Mahabhootas. It is said to be the master of the orchestra of the life and governs all the life activities. It is the formulation which runs the machinery of l;ife. Nothing in the body can move about or function without the motivation, influence or permission from the principal of the body classroom i.e VAYU or VATA. It also controls the mental activities and those functions related to sense organs. A push from the Vayu initiates all the processes. Walking, sitting, running, blinking eyes, talking, swallowing food, sleeping, getting up naturally in the morning etc all the activities are possible only after the motivation caused by Vata. The functions of all the tissues and organs like circulation, breathing, digestion, discharge of stools, urine, semen etc are under the control of Vata.
Immaterial of our Prakriti, Vata predominates in the old age or terminal part of life wherein the constructive functions are dominated by destructive functions leading to loss of tissues, strength and energy. The mental functions too naturally regress. Vata is predominant towards evening, at the end part of digestion wherein the final absorption of fluids and salts and excretion of stools take place and in the lower portion of the body.
Vata is also of 5 types.
- Prana Vayu is located in the Head, the place of brain and sense organs. This location is the central government of Vata, from where the other Vayu’s are monitored and controlled
The sensory and motor functions of the nervous system are contributory to this vayu in association with Vyana Vayu. The higher functions like memory, concentration. Judgement, etc are monitored by Prana along with the help of Sadhaka Pitta and Tarpaka Kapha.
- Vyana Vayu circulates all over the body and is responsible for uniform distribution of nutrients, nerve impulses, oxygen and blood to the periphery and also to bring back the blood to the heart.
- Udana Vayu is located in the Chest and works in concurrence with Avalambaka Kapha and Sadhaka Pitta. Speech, Efforts, Energy, Strength and immunity, Colour and complexion, Memory etc are governed by Udana.
- Samana Vayu is located in the Gut and works in concurrence with Pachaka Pitta. It monitors all the digestive functions carried by Jataragni.
- Apana Vayu is located in the lower portion of the body and carries out the functions of excretion, ejaculation, movements of the lower limbs in walking, conception, delivery, menstruation etc.
Vayu is predominantly located in the bones and related soft tissues.
Character features of a Vata Prakriti person:
- Thin built.
- Dry and emaciated.
- Voice will be rough and dull with obstructed and shivering tone.
- Pathetic appearance.
- Will not get proper sleep.
- Their actions, eating and movements will be weak and unsteady.
- Their joints, eyes, eye brows, jaws, lips, tongue, head, scapular region, hands and feet will be unsteady and shaking.
- Over talkative.
- Blood vessels and ligaments look on surface and prominent and bulged.
- Actions will be hasty and ill organized.
- Will get perturbed even by slightest obstruction or disturbance.
- Cannot withstand cold. Will suffer from chills, rigors and rigidity on exposure to cold.
- Will have brittle and coarse hairs, moustache, skin, nails, teeth, face, hands and feet.
- Will have cracked and scaly skin.a Joints will make sounds while walking.
- They will have poor strength, life span, progeny, amenities and wealth.
Dwandwa Prakriti: The prakriti may be a combination of features belonging to 2 doshas. Such cases are called Dual constitutions or Dwandwa Prakriti. Eg: If a person has few features of Pitta and few of Kapha, with predominance of qualities and features of Pitta we call him Pitta-Kapha Prakriti.
-Sama Prakriti: If all the 3 Dosha’s are present in equal proportions in the constitution, we call it as Sama Prakriti…which indicates a perfect health. Such constitutions are not found.
