Human Body - From the viewpoint of Ayurveda (Part III)

Human Body - From the viewpoint of Ayurveda (Part III)

 

Visargadanvikshepe somsuryanila yatha |

Dharyanti jagddeham kaphapitta nilastatatha || Sushrut ||

 

Visarg ( giving strength ), Aadan ( taking away of strength ), Vikshepa ( movement ) , behind these three things, there are three strengths in the nature, Chandra, Surya and Vayu (moon, sun and wind ). While thinking about the body, this work is done by kapha, pitta and vat. This is stated in Ayurveda.

 

These three principles ( doshas -kapha, vat and pitta ) do the disintegration and integration of the components in the body. The medium of these three doshas is responsible for these disintegration and integration actions. As these three doshas are endowed with their characteristics, they are termed as dravya ( liquid ). The ayurvedic doctors too have different opinions about these tridoshas. There was a conference on tridosha in 1935 at Hindu Vishwavidyalaya at Kashi. There was discussion amongst renowned pandits and the following conclusions were drawn regarding tridoshas. The strengths cannot stay independently, and need support of liquids, hence vat, kapha and pitta are not strengths but liquids. But according to their locations, they are gross at some places and subtle at others ( cannot be seen). They are exhibited through actions at such places.

 

Kapha is a white colored substance, which is cold, heavy, slow, sticky and glossy type. Even if it is subtle or gross, it has these qualities. As per ayurveda, kapha amounts to six palm full. That means it can be in liquid form too. Even if the oily part of the kapha is demonstrated through the organs, its other characteristics are according to its functions.

 

Pitta is hot, sharp, a little bit of expansive property, with particular smell or strong smell. Even if these are demonstrated through organs, other characteristics are as per functions. Pitta is five palmfuls. This also is a liquid substance.

 

Vat is dry, less cold as compared with kapha, tiny and movable. This substance is of moving nature and not related to body organs. This is at some places gross and at most of the places subtle. It is called as Avyaktovyaktakarma " that is even if it is not expressed on its own, it is expressed through actions.