Body Doshas
The balancing of dhatus alone will not work to maintain the equilibrium of dhatus. Balancing of doshas (vata, pitta, kapha) of the body and two qualities of the mind (rajas and tamas) is also necessary.
Vata is the most powerful and most impact-ridden among the three. It has capacity to remain in perturbed and unperturbed state and that too within and outside the body. It acquires various characteristics such as cold, light, clear, rainy, subtle and moving. Its five forms – prana, udana, samana, vyana, apana – are apt to change of location or direction. Vata does multiple unctions. Supports body parts and organs, causes up and down movements, regulates formation and integration of the constituents of the body, directs the mind, mediates the function of sense organs, stimulates touch and sound, powers speed, rouse up digestive power, causes joy, dries up doshas, cuts gross and fine channels of the body, guards lifespan, shapes the fetus, expels excreta; and many more.
Perturbed vata weakens or undermines longevity, well-being and strength, subdues sense organs, disturbs the mind, generates fear, sorrow, delusion and delirium, maims or kills fetus, snuff out vital breath and many more.
The functions of Vata within the body reflected in the universe as well. Unperturbed vata do manifold functions outside the body. Supports earth, ignites fire, generates clouds and rainfall, regulates the movement of sun, moon, stars and other celestial bodies, creates streams, divides the seasons, germinates flowers and fruits, enhances potency of seeds and plant-growth, dries up moisture and plays a vital role in all the natural reactions. Perturbed vata (vata is also known as air) causes havocs such as blowing up mountains, high tides, flooding, earthquake, thunder, uprooting of trees, sufferings to living creatures, crops’ failure, positives turn negatives, appearance and disappearance of creatures, happiness, misery, death and many more things.
A foolproof understanding of vata in both its forms, perturbed and unperturbed, to the physician is a vital tool to prevent, manage or counter many eventuality, Charaka asserted.
Role of Pitta which has fire is confined to stabilization or de-stabilization of the equilibrium of doshas of both the natures, perturbed or unperturbed. Perturbed pitta causes indigestion, anger, fear, abnormal heat, unnatural colour, delusion and the like.
Kapha which contains water causes both good and bad effects such as building and demolishing, firmness and un-firmness, zeal and lethargy, knowledge and ignorance, strength and weakness.
