TRIDOSHA (CONCEPT OF PHYSIOLOGICAL GROUPS)
वायुः पित्तं कफश्चेति त्रयो दोष समासतः। अ.स. सू. 1st Chapter Quotation.
The Tridosha is the concept that represents the physiological processes of the body. It is the most simplified way to understand and classify all the physiological events that happen within our body. The concept is the base for the system of Ayurveda as the treatment principles and understanding is completely dependent on this concept itself. The physiological process is grossly divided into transportation, Metabolism and Protection. The same is represented by VATA, PITTA and KAPHA. As the three are representation of physiological processes within the body, its proper understanding needs a deeper insight into it. In fact, it is most fundamental concept for the understanding and application of the science logically too. Hence, we have tried our level best to give a all round explanation of the concept for a betterment of the science itself. A short animated video is also attached for those who need an audio-visual representation. Hope it is helpful to all
TRIDOSHA THEORY IN GENERAL
Every body is made up of complex structures which are composed of cells. But each cell is a complex structure on its own. It is composed of a cell wall that gives protection and stability. Further it has hormones, components like mitochondria, golgi bodies, cytoplasm which play a very vital role in metabolism. Finally there is a large amount of movements within the endoplasmic reticulum, cytoplasam, etc which is facilitated by different components like mRNA, tRNA, etc. Here too there are three major processes namely –
- Protection & Stability;
- Metabolism & Biochemical changes
- Transportation & Messaging
These are nothing but the Tridosha namely Vata (Transport & Messaging), Pitta (Metabolism & Biochemical changes) and Kapha (Protection & Stability). This is not only with one cell but even between the cells, tissues, organs and systems of the body too. The cummulative effect of the components within and outside the cell leads to a much larger effect which is generally observed by us. Hence interpreting Tridosha as Nervous system, Pitta as Gastric juices or hormones and Kapha as Mucous gives a wrong understanding of the total concept itself.
DETAILS OF TRIDOSHA CONCEPT
The concept of Tridosha is the basic one and forms the foundation of the whole Ayurvedic science. The theory is consisting of 3 principles namely the Vata, Pitta & Kapha. The changes in their dominance and equilibrium will lead to different disease conditions or maintain the homeostasis leading to a healthy condition of the body. The concept of Tridosha is basically derived from the concept of Panchamahabhuta. Accordingly, the five Mahabhutas are Prithvi, Ap, Teja, Vayu and Akasha. These five fundamental elements form every aspect of the Universe including the cell, human body, etc that are either living or non-living in nature. But among the five the most influential ones that have a great contribution to render changes are Vayu, Agni and Jala Mahabhutas. Hence, these three were taken as the 3 Doshas namely Vata, Pitta and Kapha, with the remaining two Mahabhutas added to Vata and Kapha Dosha respectively in order. Thus the total matrix of the Dosha v/s Mahabhuta is –
- Vata Dosha – Vayu + Akasha Mahabhuta;
- Pitta Dosha – Agni only;
- Kapha Dosha – Jala + Prithvi Mahabhuta;
The properties of these Doshas are formulated based on the properties of the Mahabhuta resulting which Vata Dosha is said to have Ruksha (Dry), Laghu (Light), Sheeta (Cold), Khara (Rough), Sukshma (Minute) and Chala (Mobile); Pitta Dosha has Sneha (Moist), Teekshna (Penetrative), Ushna (Hot), Laghu (Light), Visragandha (Fleshy odour), Sara (Mobile) and Drava (Fluid); Kapha Dosha has Snigdha (Moist), Sheeta (Cold), Guru (Heavy), Manda (Sluggish), Shlakshna (Smooth), Mritsna (Soft) and Sthira (Stable). The three Dosha undergo the variations giving rise to changes physiologically. The changes are dependent on the diurnal and also seasonal variations. The Biorhythm of the individual is nothing but the diurnal variation that the Doshas undergo in the body which is affected to the physiological functioning. When the Doshas are in normalcy or in a state of homeostasis, the individual is healthy. But when it looses the condition of homeostasis, the individual will be suffering from disease.
INTERPRETATION & APPLICATION OF THE THREE DOSHA THEORY
Owing to the Principle of Tridosha and its importance, the present section has tried to explain its interpretation and application into the different parts of Ayurveda. For this to be possible, Tridosha has to be interpreted in a very suitable manner so as to understand its presence and application effectively. Many interpretations have been tried by different scholars giving them the feel of the presence out of which the most common one is Vata as Neurological impulses, Pitta as digestive juices and Kapha as mucous. Even though the basic idea is commendable and do give a basic identity to the Tridosha, the reality shows that it envisages larger amount of functionality rather than restricted to a particular system. So let us understand the three in detail along with relevant application. Hence instead of correlating to certain components of the body, it is better to be considered as name of the group that has similar functionalities. As a result we can divide the whole physiological functionality into three namely a group that initiates activities, a group that brings out a change by the process of destroying and creating new aspects and lastly the one that preserves and protects the various parts of the body through building and repair. These functional groups can be equated to Vata, Pitta and Kapha respectively. The details are as below –
VATA
The term वात VATA is explained as that factor that has the ability to move by itself and also aid in the movement of other components of the body. It refers to all the movements in the body which may be grossly observed as movement of blood, pumping of heart, etc to those that are inside the cells like the cytoplasmic movement, components into the nucleus and out, etc. The whole is again subdivided into 5 namely प्राण (Factors that help in the movements for sustenance of life), उदान (Factors that help in the movements & messaging for the sustenance of the components & organs present in the upper 1/3rd of body above abdomen), समान (Factors that help in the movements & messaging for the sustenance of the components & organs present in the middle 1/3rd of body namely abdomen), व्यान (Factors that involved in all the movements & messaging all over the body other than those attributed to the other types especially between and within the components) & अपान (Factors that help in the movements & messaging for the sustenance of the components & organs present in the lower 1/3rd of body namely pelvis and lower parts). The five either collectively or individually are responsible for the complete functioning of the body. Any discrepancy in their functions will be harmful to the body leading to disease.
PITTA
The term पित्त PITTA is explained as that factor that has the ability to change or modify through the metabolic processing. It thus includes all the components of the body that performs this function like the enzymes, juices, hormones, etc that have the ability to metabolise and bring the changes. These changes when they are useful to the body, lead to development but when they are not then they cause diseases. Just like the earlier Dosha, even this is subdivided into 5 namely पाचक (Factor that performs the metabolic activity of food and nutrients in the digestive system and all other parts of the body), रञ्जक (Factors that results in the colouring of various parts of the body except the skin), भ्राजक (Factor that is having the functionality of providing the skin colour in particular), सादक () and आलोचक (). The five either collectively or individually are responsible in bringing out the various functions and its related effects attributed to the Pitta Dosha
KAPHA
The term कफ KAPHA is
The video representation of the concept is presented in the video attached below: