"Vata, Pitta and Kapha are the three doshas, in brief; they destroy and support the body when they are abnormal and normal respectively". Vagbhata, in Ashtanga Hrdayam.
Tri Doshas
Tri Doshas means three humors, they are three responsible energies for the bodily functions. Each dosha has three states, the balanced state where they are able to smoothly carry out their functions, bringing perfect health to the body, mind and soul. The aggravated state where one, two or the three doshas are increased in the body, over using their functions, therefore bringing different imbalances and diseases. And the diminished state where the functions are not being carry out completely, which also brings imbalances and diseases. Because of this reason health comes only when the three doshas are balanced, not allowing any disease to develop in the body or mind.
Through the understanding of how Mahabhuta (great element) is related with every dosha and what dosha may be aggravated in our body, we are ready to comprehend what elements in the can help us to improve or make worse the balance of the doshas and achieve perfect health. To make it simple, if we have a Pitta (fire) aggravation and we eat red hot spicy food, we will greatly aggravate that dosha, bringing diseases like high blood pressure, inflammations and rashes. If Pitta is aggravated in our body and we want to be kind with ourselves, we will avoid spicy food, alcohol, fermented food and include more salads and fruits in our diet.
Tri Doshas and Panchamahabhutas
As Vagbhata explains, Vata, Pitta and Kapha are the three doshas and they are intimately related with the Panchamahabhutas.
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Vata
Vata is related with the elements of Akash (ether) and Vayu (air), therefore Vata has the qualities of these elements. The air is always flowing, moving, changing. Therefore, someone with a predominance of Vata in the functions of his/her body or mind is usually full of enthusiasm, using not only words to communicate, but also the body, specially hands. The emotions of Vata are always changing, unsteady: one moment this person will be very motivated about learning a new subject, but suddenly he/she will change his/her mind and this person will decide to study a completely different thing. The main function of Vata in the body is the movement. Breathing, swallowing food, sneezing, transport nutrients all around the body and even the elimination of bodily wastes are functions that Vata take care of. |
Pitta
Pitta is related with Agni (fire), this element is subtle and hot. In the same way, people with a predominance of Pitta in their body and mind usually has a pinkish skin, tends to easily sweat with the least spicy food and also is prone to get angry. The best word to describe Pitta mentally is sharp, which means high intelligence, quick answers and focused eyes. The main function of Pitta in the body is digestion. This is why people with predominance of Pitta devour their dishes before the others and then start eating their neighbour’s food in a restaurant. |
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Kapha Kapha is related with Jala (water) and Prithvi (earth). Jala is liquid and Prithvi is solid. So, what happens if we mix water and earth? We get mud! This is the consistency that Kapha has. It has a big inertia, once someone with Kapha predominance is sat on the couch we will need a huge amount of energy to stand him/her up. All the doshas have incredible benefits with regular exercise, but people with predominance of Kapha more than anybody needs it to transform that inertia into action. The main function of Kapha in the body is stability (function that is also found in mud, even houses can be made out of it). As a virtue, people with Kapha predominance more than any other has a big tolerance to get stressed. Kapha predominant people is able to keep the mind cool and calm while Pitta predominant people is getting angry and Vata predominant people is anxious in a difficult situation. |
The following image can help you to keep in mind the relation between the Tri Doshas and the Panchamahabhutas
Panchamahabhutas
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