« Reply #9 on: March 07, 2012, 02:32:36 PM »
Language of the Doshas
The Physical, psychic and cosmic language of the body is created from the circadian rhythm
of the universe set in motion some billions of years ago when the five great elements were
born. Space, air, fire, water and earth, the first material for life, are the basis of the Vedic
sciences. In Ayurveda human physiology and anatomy is rooted in bodily humors (doshas)
tissues (dhatus) and wastes (malas). These three principles support all of life and are more
than the physical substance of our anatomy.
Doshas are three in number called Tridoshas (tri meaning three and doshas being the basic
physical energies/humors) . They are the primary and essential factors of the human body
that govern our entire physical structure and function. Derived from the Panchmahabhutas
(five elements), each dosha – which like the elements cannot be detected with our senses
but their qualities can be. They are the combination of any two of the five bhutas (five
elements) with the predominance of one. Called Vata, Pitta and Kapha in Sanskrit, these
three are responsible for all the physiological and psychological processes within the body
and mind – dynamic forces that determine growth and decay. Every physical characteristic,
mental capacity and the emotional tendency of a human being can therefore be explained in
terms of the tridoshas.
When existing in the body of all living organisms, the five elements congregate in a certain
pattern and are known in Sanskrit as doshas, the literal meaning of which is, “that which is
quick to go out of balance.” Doshas imply that the human system maintains a delicate
balance, its dynamic elemental composition always being on the verge of disorder.
The doshas are a classic example of energy and matter in dynamic accord. All matter born
from energy remains intricately woven within its core nature of energy. In a state of balance or
equilibrium, doshas are considered an energy force in that we cannot visibly detect them as
they move through and support bodily function.
For example most of the physical phenomena ascribed to the nervous system by modern
physiology for example, can be identified with Vata. Just as the entire chemical process
operating in the human body can be attributed to Pitta, including enzymes, hormones and the
complete nutritional system. And the activities of the skeletal and the anabolic system,
actually the entire physical volume of an organism, can be considered as Kapha.
In a state of imbalance or disequilibrium the doshas become visible as excessive mucus, bile,
flatus, and physical matter. When these early signs of disorder are ignored, imbalances can
quickly become full-blown diseases.
In this unique system of explaining health, air and space—both ethereal elements – form one
of the three doshas called Vata. Here air exercises its power of mobility only when space is
available.
The elements fire and water form a second dosha called Pitta. Here the bodily water protects
the heat of the body from burning through. An example of bodily fire is the acid in our
stomachs, which, if leaked from the stomach, is capable of burning the organism with the
force of a raging fire. Water is the buffering force that contains the body’s fires.
The elements water and earth combine to form the third dosha called Kapha. Because of
their mutual density, water gives earth its fluidity. Without water, earth would become
stagnated and inert. Thus, the Kapha dosha enables a certain fluidity in the body without
depriving it of its solid support. Thus the three doshas co-exist in all living organisms.
It is important to realize that these three are forces and not substances. Kapha is not mucus;
it is the force that causes mucus to arise. Similarly pitta is not bile; but that which causes bile
to be produced. And they are called doshas – literally meaning `faults’ or `out of whack’- as
they indicate the fault lines along which the system can become imbalanced.
It is equally important to understand that the three doshas within any person keep changing
constantly due to their doshic qualities, the specific lifestyle and environment of the person, time and the season. Remember that these three are not separate energies but different aspects of the same energy, present together in an infinite variety of combination .The degree to which each dosha exists within a person determines the individual’s constitution, commonly referred to as body type (prakriti , which will be mentioned in the forthcoming pages).
Each dosha thus shares a quality with another (although there remain slight differences in the
nature of shared quality). Also, each has an inherent ability to regulate and balance itself,
which comes from the opposite qualities that arise from the doshas constituent (basic)
elements.
When the doshas are in balance i.e. in a state of equilibrium, we remain healthy. As
Charaka, the great ayurvedic sage, explained: "Vata, pitta and kapha maintain the integrity
of the living human organism in their normal state and combine so as to make the man a
complete being with his indriyas (sense organs) possessed of strength, good complexion
and assured of longevity."
It is only when that there is imbalance within these three doshas that disease is caused. And
since it is the strongest dosha in the constitution that usually has the greatest tendency to
increase, one is most susceptible to illnesses associated with an increase of the same.
Eash dosha also has a primary function in the body. Vata is the moving force, Pitta is the force
of assimilation, and Kapha is the force of stability.
Vata, the most dominant of the doshas, governs bodily movement, the nervous system, and
the life force. Without Vata’s mobility in the body, Pitta and Kapha would be rendered lame.
Pitta governs enzymatic and hormonal activities, and is responsible for digestion,pigmentation, body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sight. Further, Pitta acts as a balancing force for Vata and Kapha.
Kapha governs the body’s structure and stability. It Imbricates joints, provides moisture to the
skin, heals wounds, and regulates Vata and Pitta. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha pervade the entire
body, but their primary domains are in the lower, middle, and upper body, respectively. Kapha
rules the (UPPER) head, neck, thorax, chest, and upper portion of the stomach, fat tissues,
and the joints. Pitta pervades the (MIDDLE) chest, umbilical area, stomach, small intestines,
sweat and lymph glands, and the blood. Vata dominates the (LOWER) body, pelvic region,
colon, bladder, urinary tract, thighs, legs, arms, bones, and nervous system.
Apart form its main site; each dosha has four secondary sites located in different areas of the
body. Thus each dosha then has five sites considered to be its centres of operation, which
include the various outreach systems because of which the entire body functions. The doshas
interact continuously with the external elements to replenish their energy within the body.
Each of the three doshas’ five sites has a specific responsibility towards the maintenance of
the organism.
« Last Edit: March 07, 2012, 02:40:04 PM by MysteRy »
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