The Tridoshas or 3 Bio-Energies

The Tridoshas or three Bio-Energies are the primary and essential genetic factors of the human body that govern our entire physical structure and function of the body. These three energies are responsible for all the physiological and psychological processes within the body and mind – dynamic forces that determine growth and decay. These bio-energies are derived from the Panchmahabhutas. When two elements combine together they form a energy called dosha – which like the elements cannot be detected with our senses.

These bio-energies are as follow:

1. Vata The energy symbolized by Air.

2. Pitta The energy symbolized by Fire.

3. Kapha The energy symbolized by Water and Earth.

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.

It is important to realise 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 the doshic qualities of specific lifestyle and environment, such as time and season. And that these three are not separate energies but different aspects of the same energy, present together in an infinite variety of combinations, wherein their qualities overlap and interrelate.

Dosha sub type & their features.

Each of the three doshas have sub-classification and their respective features are as indicated below :

Vata Doshas

(1) Doshas Site Normal function Ailments caused by its vitiation
(2) Prana Heart Breathing &swallowing of food. Hiccups, Bronchitis, Asthma
(3) Udana Throat Speech and voice Various diseases of eye& ENT.
(4) Samana Stomach Digestion, assimilation. Indigestion, Defective assimilation.
(5) Apana Colon Excretion Diseases pelvic organs, Diabetes
(6) Vyana Whole body Circulation of blood Impairment of circulation.

Pitta Doshas

(1) Doshas Site Normal function Ailments caused by its vitiation
(2) Pachaka Stomach Digestion Indigestion, Anorexia
(3) Ranjaka Liver & spleen Blood Function Anemia, Jaundice Hepatitis
(4) Sadhaka Heart Memory & mental functions. Psychic disturbances
(5) Alochaka Eyes Vision Impairment of vision
(6) Bhrajaka Skin Complexion of the skin Skin diseases.

Kapha Doshas

(1) Doshas Site Normal function Ailments caused by its vitiation
(2) Kledaka Stomach Digestion. Impairment of digestion
(3) Avalambaka Heart Energy in limbs Laziness
(4) Bodhaka Tongue Perception of taste. Impairment of digestion
(5) Tarpaka Brain Nourishment nervous system Loss of memory
(6) Shlesshaka Joints Lubrication of joints Impairment of function of joints.

The quality and the relative balance of these Doshas or energies determine health and disease. When these energies act harmoniously, the functions of digestion, absorption and elimination create health and imbalance between Vata, Pitta and Kapha in simply understood as disease.

Depending upon the relative predominance of the three pathophysiological factors (dosha) the psychosomatic constitution of an individual may be divided into seven categories namely vata, pitta, kapha, vata-pitta, vata-kapha, pitta-kapha and samdosha. The constitutional determination provides insight into the deeper workings of an individual. With this it is possible to become aware of the foods, spices, herbal medicines, emotions, thoughts, climates, colors, life-styles and so on that tend to either balance or unbalance a particular individual and to either improve or aggravate various types of illness. The constitution is considered to determine the susceptibility to different diseases, their progress, pattern, possible complications and the over all prognosis. It determines the individual’s response to a particular therapy.

A disease will manifest in different constitutions in different ways. An individual with a predominantly Vata constitution will experience symptoms that are different than those for Pitta or Kapha, even though they all have been diagnosed with the same disease. Constitutional treatment of the individual is a priority since the constitution is fundamental to health and illness.

Compare the Tridosha Body Mind Type and Evaluate yourself what type of dosha do you have