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Vata Pitta and Kapha

This universe is run by three types of forces namely kinetic force, potential force and the force acting as stimulant for either of these. These forces are represented in our body in the form of three Doshas. ‘Doshas’ here means the forces those can disturb the body when these are not in balance. These three Doshas are named as Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These three represent the whole metabolism going on in the body.

Kinetic force has the ability to bring about the changes in the subject matter where ever it is applied. This force is represented in our body by Vata. Etymologically ‘Vata’ means “that which moves things.” In the absence of Vata other two forces are considered to be lame, incapable to bring about any change. It also governs our sensory and mental balance and orientation, and promotes mental adaptability and comprehension.

Potential force in our body is Kapha. Etymologically Kapha means “that which holds things together.” It provides substance and gives support, and makes up the bulk of our body tissues. It also provides emotional support in life and governs such positive emotional traits as love compassion, modesty, patience, and forgiveness. In brief it is the on going anabolic process in our body.

The stimulant for kinetic or potential force to be working is Pitta. Etymologically it means “that which digest things.” It is responsible for all chemical and metabolic transformations in the body. It also governs our mental digestion, our capacity to perceive reality and understand things as they are. Thus we can say Pitta represents the catabolic process going on in the body. How Dosha evolves

Ayurveda considers each and every thing of this universe to be composed of five great elements (Panchmahabhootas). Same applies for Tridoshas besides this these have some elements in higher proportion than others and these are considered to be made of those elements in higher proportion.

Vata is composed of element air and ether. One of them is the working force and another provides the space for that force to be functional. But when there is less working force and space is greater, the change will hard to notice. While greater force in less space will result in destruction. So Vata is that force which maintains the equilibrium between air and ether element.

Pitta is considered to be composed of water and fire elements. But it is not possible for water and fire to exist together. One with higher potential will exist and other will vanish. Here Pitta comes in action. It is the force that makes water and fire to reside together. It is just like hot water or acids present in stomach as these are nothing more than fire in water.

Kapha consists of element water and earth. But practically these two can never mix with one another. Earth will sediment leaving the water clear. The force namely Kapha compels these two to stay together.

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Characteristics of Doshas
Vata Pitta Kapha
Dry Oily Oily
Cold Hot Cold
Light Light Heavy
Irregular Intense Stable
Mobile Fluid Viscous
Rarified Mal odorous Dense
Rough Liquid Smoth

Above table depicts that these Doshas share some characteristics with one another and differ in some. It is also clear that dryness is the characteristic feature of Vata heat that of Pitta and heaviness, that of Kapha.

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Doshas effecting body
Vata Pitta Kapha
Body stature Not normal, either giant or small Moderate Heavy with well built
Weight Fluctuates, easy to reduce and gain weight Moderate weight High weight and can’t reduce weight if gains once
Appetite Fluctuates, not a regular pattern “Always hungry” Low appetite
Digestion Slow and irregular Good and regular Weak and slow
Metabolism Catabolic when aggravated but anabolic when it is less in percentage Catabolic, produces energy by consuming foods Anabolic, tendency to store the food
Stool and urine Constipated, hard stools with less urine Normal but burning sensation in urine and stool Normal flow
Skin Dry, rough and reddish-black skin Smooth, reddish and glowing Smooth, whitish and cold
Hair Curly-dry, easy to break and scanty of hairs Shining good hairs but prone to early graying and baldness Curly-smooth, shining and strong hairs
Memory Grasps quickly and forgets easily Quick memory Grasps slowly but never forgets
Intelligence Forgetfulness hampers it, when it is for quick response it is good!! Sharp Good
Concentration Can’t stay at one place for long Sharp and specific Excellent
Sleep Irregular and disturbed sleep Sleeps for few hours is enough Heavy sleepers, none can disturb
Dreams Cloud, air and sky are common, excessive dreams Fiery dreams Rare dreams
Joints Knotty joints with sounds from early age Smooth and hot joints Good shaped, rounded joints
Sweating Sweats hardly and rarely Can sweat anywhere in any season Sweats rarely but when it occurs it is more always
Socio-economic behavior Impulsive and irregular Good, known as social animals, Cool, calm but hardly allows anyone to peep into their life
Anger Fluctuating Shoots up suddenly Rarest
Effective age Effects in old age Adolescence and young age is ruled by Pitta Early age …childhood
System governed by- Nervous and musculoskeletal system Digestive system and skin Immune system and respiratory system

These are few traits governed by Doshas. Every one of us has these traits, in different ratios, few of Vata, few of Pitta and Kapha. These three Doshas interplays with each other and make our bodies lively and working. In a body these all three will be there. One Dosha alone can’t do all. So it is important to know about the percentage of each Dosha inside body and how to control these. For this you should know your Prakruti!!

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Dance of Doshas: Bio-Rhythm
Vata – Old age, last 1/3 rd of day and night and last period of digestion of our foods

Pitta – Middle age, mid of the day and night and just in the middle of our food

Kapha – Starting age, first 1/3 rd of the day and night and just in the start of the digestion of food

Name of the Dosha Accumulation Vitiation Pacification
Vata Summer Rains Autumn
Pitta Rains Autumn Early winter
Kapha Late Winter Spring Summer

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Keep your Doshas in harmony for health
Doshas can upset the whole internal system of the body by faulty food and lifestyle. But beside this these are not bad only. These are important for the better health also. Need is to select the best for your body without disturbing these Doshas. Food and lifestyle are two things, to which we all are exposed at maximum. So these should be cared properly. Doshas are of dual nature, on one side, these are Heroes, deciding all good for the body o the same of these are hurt repetitively, these Heroes change into villains. So maintain your Doshas by following ways-
  • Eating and living in accordance to your Doshas, without upsetting these. This one can do after knowing one’s Prakruti and under guidance of a good Ayurvedic physician
  • By selecting best herbs to nourish the body.
  • Through regular detoxification of body.
  • Performing right kind of Yoga, Pranayam.
  • Selection of best Rasyanas for you.
  • By knowing status of Doshas in your body on different occasions, for this you can consult us, we provide, free online consultation.
Enjoy Health
 
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