Just like one needs to learn various programming languages before learning coding, one needs to know about the three doshas whilst understanding Ayurveda.
So, before diving into Ayurveda, it’s crucial to understand the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These doshas govern both physical and mental processes in our body. The term “dosha” means something that can spoil or become imbalanced. When one dosha becomes vitiated, it can disrupt other doshas and negatively impact various parts of the body.
To grasp how imbalances occur, we must first understand doshas in their balanced state. Just like observing someone in their natural environment helps predict how they will react under stress, knowing the normal state of doshas allows us to better comprehend their imbalance.
Everything in our body is a mirror image of the universe. Vata dosha is like Parana, i.e the life-giving force present outside, Pitta is like Agni or fire and Kapha is like Soma or the moon.
The Three Doshas
Vata dosha: is like the engine that controls the machine we call our body. It is what holds our body together and helps it function constantly. All of our movements, speech, hearing, and sense of touch depend on it. Additionally, it plays a role in both controlling and stimulating our mind. Its characteristics include being dry, light, rough, cold, minute, and mobile. It is through these attributes that Vata dosha carries out its tasks.
Pitta Dosha: it is like the representation of the Sun or fire in our body. Its main qualities are hot, sharp, oily, and light, and it spreads quickly. Pitta aids in the digestion of food and helps regulate body temperature, hunger, and thirst. It also contributes to vision, intelligence, and a better complexion for our skin, among other functions.
Kapha Dosha : Kapha is similar to the moon and has qualities like coldness, oiliness, heaviness, stickiness, stability, and slowness. It provides structure and lubrication to the body, keeps joints stable, and promotes emotional calmness and humility.
Doshas naturally fluctuate throughout the day and night, as well as during different phases of digestion. They also change with the seasons. Additionally, a person’s dominant dosha at birth (prakriti) influences their physical and mental characteristics. Some individuals may have a combination of two or all three doshas in varying degrees.
Doshas don’t exist in fixed amounts in the body; they remain in equilibrium with one another. This balance is unique for each person, depending on their prakriti. However, when a dosha increases due to lifestyle, diet, or external factors, it can lead to various health issues.
For example, joint pain caused by increased dryness indicates an aggravated Vata dosha, which can be alleviated with oil application. Excessive heat in the body (increased Pitta) can result in boils or ulcers. Consuming too many sweet or heavy foods can lead to weight gain due to an imbalance in Kapha.
Besides these too, doshas have various aspects about them, this is just a gist of it. The increase, decrease or distortion of these doshas result in our ill- health and eventually manifestation of diseases. So, having a balanced state of doshas is essential for health and longevity.