Concept of dhatus 1

A dhatu can be considered an ''anatomical classification of the human body'',  ¨that which supports the body´´

Dhatus are seven basic supporting structures of the human body formed by food. Our bodily tissues are continuously formed, destroyed and reformed in the body, using materials derived from the food and drinks we take in. When all the stages of digestion are functioning properly, and our digestive fire (agni) is balanced, we are able to build the tissues that make up the structure of our body and which support and maintain us.

The dhatus consist of Rasa (which can be considered a vital fluid resembling plasma), Rakhta (blood), Mansa (muscle), Meda (adipose tissue), Asthi (bone and cartilage), Majja (bone marrow, the fatty part), and Shukra (reproductive tissue, ovaries, eggs, semen). These dhatus must not be considered to correspond completely with plasma, blood etc., but should be considered on their own terms.

Dhatu are formed by aharasa, the substance first created after food has been metabolised. Ahar literally means food or ´intake´. Food or ´intake´ is metabolized by ´agni´, ´fire´, an Ayurvedic concept which I will consider in detail in another post. First, food is metabolised by Jatharagni (literally the ´fire´ in the stomach which breaks down raw materials into rasa), and second, by the five Bhootagni in the liver (ie the ´fires´ of ether, air, fire, water and earth which metabolise the corresponding property of foodstuffs). Finally, each dhatu has its own corresponding dhatvagni (therefore 7 dhatvagni) which sorts the previous dhatu´s apportation into useful nutrition for its own dhatu and mala (waste) to be expelled.

These seven major dhatu form sequentially, each building on the one that came before it, (although in principal each dhatu may also able to take what it needs from circulating rasadhatu). In other words the dhatu are nourished in two ways. The first way, the principle of overflow, suggests that aharasa must be of sufficient quantity and quality to satisfy the requirements of circulating plasma before the subsequent dhatu, raktadhatu can be nourished. Then raktadhatu must be well nourished, in order for mamsadhatu to form properly. We can imagine the classic image of abundance of the pyramid of champagne glasses, where the champagne overflows from the top glass into the second, third and subsequent layers. All layers depend on the previous one to be filled to capacity and overflow.

However we must remember that this process is ongoing as the body continues to ingest food and use it to make aharasa, allowing all cellular processes to take place. Rasa is in each cell, as is ´agni´. Each dhatu is made up of innumerable paramanu (cells) which both receive nutrients and expel waste. Sukshma strota are tiny pathways throughout the body (for example leading to the pores of the skin)  

How does this work exactly? Each dhatu generates ' prasada' , literally food or nutrition which forms the subsequent dhatu. Each is produced sequentially, one after another, so if there is a breakdown early on in the process of tissue formation, then it affects all other tissues in the body.  Because our vitality, immunity and strength (ojus, the essence of nourishment, or what is left when aharasa has been absorbed by lesser dhatu and all wastes have been removed) is only produced at the end of the cycle, it is essential for our overall health that the tissue formation process is functioning properly. You may also note that the reproductive system is the last tissue system to be nourished, so when someone is having problems conceiving, ultimately, an improper digestive system or lack of proper nourishment may be the root of the problem.

Ahar forms Aharasa, the raw material of nutrition and preliminary Rasadhatu within a day or two. Raktadhatu takes betwen 7 and 10 days to form, Mamsadhatu between 14 and 20 days, Medadhatu 5 to 7 days, Asthidhatu 7-10 days, Majjadhatu 7-0 days and Shukradhatu between 30 and 72 days. Marma, Asthi , Sandhi (the latter ´joints´) being the deepest tissues, take longer to be nourished. Note the order of the depth of the tissues. If you scratch the skin, first simple fluid is seen, then later blood. If you were to penetrate further into the body you would pass through fat and muscle to the tendons and bones. At the deepest levels we find bone marrow and reproductive tissue.

If rasadhatu is malnourished you will see the consequences quickly, in terms of dehydration, skin, eye and tongue dryness, weakness, dizziness etc. If shukradhatu is affected it will take much longer. For example skin will dry out in a matter of hours due to a lack of fluids, but amenhorrea tends to occur after months of extreme malnutrition, eating disorders etc.

Medadhatu circulates as fat globules in aharasa and has a unique blocking quality, tending to block the strota, causing later malnutrition as nutrients cannot get through to support deeper tissues. It can be seen as cholesterol in the blood, yellow motes in the eyes, fatty liver, etc and explains why someone can appear well nourished, overweight or obese but when nutritional levels are checked they are in fact malnourished. When medavahastrota is blocked by ama we tend to see overweight, alongside badly nourished dhatu, so feelings of heaviness, tiredness, lack of appetite and energy, and cravings are common.

Types of Kapha

             

 

 ´Kapha gives stability, lubrication, holding together of the joints and such qualities as patience.´Ashtanga Hridaya XI. 1-3 

1Tarpak kapha

Tarpak kapha is found in the head, brain, spinal cord and the sensory organs. It provides strength to the sensory system. It can be compared with cerebro-spinal fluid and its function is to nourish and protect the brain. It also acts as a shock absorber, cushioning the brain against external stressors.

2 Bodhak kapha

Bodhak kapha is located in the mouth and tongue as a liquid which allows us to taste our food properly. It allows us to perceive different tastes, as we can only taste that which is soluble (completely dry food could not be tasted by a dry mouth). Bodhak kapha as saliva is involved in the first stage of digestion, as chewing reduces food to small pieces with a greater surface area and amylase helps to break down carbohydrates in the mouth. Bodhak Kapha lubricates the mouth and other sensory openings in the head.

3 Kledak kapha

Kledak kapha appears the secretions of the mucous cells lining the stomach, and protects it from stomach acid. It can be damaged by painkillers, smoking, alcohol, spicy food, but is self –repairing. It is responsible for the moistening and liquefaction of food and digestion.

4.Shleshak kapha

Shleshak Kapha provides nourishment and lubrication to the joints (it can be compared with the synovial fluid). It is responsible for holding the joints together.

5 Avalambak kapha

Avalambak Kapha is found in the chest region as a kind of liquid that provides support to the circulation of the blood. Rasa (first digested material) provides strength to the lungs, protects the chest region and supports other Kapha functions in the body. Avalambak Kapha is found as fluid linings of heart, lungs and chest.

Normal functions

Kapha maintains strength and structural integrity, immunity, stamina and protection. It governs all anabolic processes, creates healthy structures, and is responsible for the proper formation of strong tissues and quality physical mass. It supports immunity, allowing the body to withstand external stressors, such as disease, parasites, viral and bacterial infections, as well as a less than optimum lifestyle or diet. It promotes stamina, the longstanding ability of the body to carry out the necessary functions year in year out, as well as performing marathon feats at work and home without flagging. It promotes wound healing. Kapha is responsible for the protection of all major organs (which it also confines to their specific locations). It maintains fluid levels in the body and acts as a shock absorber. It governs fertility and reproduction. which are compromised when Kapha is low.

Normal mental functions

Kapha governs feelings of contentment, satisfaction, forgiveness, kindness, love, loyalty, values family and tradition, peacefulness, calm, and, through nourishing the mind, gives emotional and intellectual stability. Zeal, memory and knowledge are also positive mental functions of Kapha.

Abnormal functioning

Obesity, heaviness, high cholesterol, diabetes, mucous, lack of appetite/cravings, low digestive power, sinuses, chest infections, eye gunk, lethargy, oedema, swellings, itching. accumulation, congestion, any kind of fluid imbalance, phlegm or congestion.

Abnormal mental functioning

Lack of interest in life, people and events, lack of motivation and drive, unwillingness, indifference to others, especially those outside the immediate family, area or culture. Lack of universal love. Apathy, depression and laziness may be seen. Possessiveness, smothering, clinging, or greed may also be signs of improper Kapha functioning, ie the right relationship with other people, things or food is disturbed.

Types of Pitta dosha

1 Sadhak pitta

Sadhak pItta is found in the brain and heart. It governs well being, concentration, trust, courage, daring, initiative, desires, creative originality and self-belief. It provides strength to the heart, increase of intellect/discrimination, intelligence, rational thought and pride (in the sense of healthy self-esteem and dignity). When Sadhak pitta is functioning properly it is said that a person is easily able to achieve the four purushártha, that is,´objects of human pursuit´ - dharma (duty), artha (financial status), káma (desires) and moksha (liberation from the wheel of life and death).

Ayurveda itself, by preserving and healing the body, mind and spirit, exists to enable us to pursue these worthy goals of our precious human lives. Where else do we live? From where do we act?  ´The body is the greatest dharma´ means that we inevitably experience this life, with its pleasures, pains and challenges, while incarnated in a physical body, thus we can see the vital importance of Sadhak Pitta. When the intellect is clouded, when courage and/or self belief are in short supply and when self- esteem is low, we lack the mental and emotional resources to fulfill our purushártha.

2 Alochak pitta

Alochak pitta is located in the eyes and governs vision. It can be compared with rhodopsin and iodopsin. rods and cones, although this is not an exact correlation and we must remember that pitta should rather be considered an energetic function. Alochak pitta interprets the visual stimuli of light and colour, converting electrical impulses into vision that can be understood and read by the brain. It processes and assimilates information. It has been argued that Alochak pitta governs internal as well as external vision, ie the Third eye or pineal gland but this question is moot.

3 Pachak pitta

Pachak Pitta is located in the stomach, duodenum and small intestine.  It is responsible for the digestion of food through metabolic activity into nutritional gastric juices, that is ,all the enzymatic and pancreatic juices. Pachak pitta is responaible for the formation of other types of pitta in the body and is therefore of the utmost importance.

4 Bhrajak pitta-

Bhrajak Pitta is found in skin tissue. One of its functions is to absorb whatever may be applied to skin through the pores, including the herb infused oils and ointments that need to reach deeper tissues. It also provides glow, aura, and brightness of the skin. It regulates skin and body temperature within defined parameters through sweating.

5 Ranjak pitta

Ranjak pitta is found in the liver, another seat of pitta. It converts rasa (first digested product) into rakta (blood). yakrit (liver), pliha (spleen), amashaya (stomach) and hridya (heart). forming blood cells. Ranjak pitta determines the colour of twak (skin), kesh (hairs) and netra (eyes). Ranjak pitta in the small intestines imparts color to urine and stools, which are importat to diagnosis in astavidha pariksha, the eightfold examination.

Normal functions of pitta

Normal digestion of food, metabolism and elimination, normal formation of blood, maintenance of temperature, sweating function, shine and glow of skin, proper vision, ie converting images accurately.

Normal mental functions

Enthusiasm, self-confidence, courage, happiness, emotional balance, self expression, bravery, feelings of well-being, happiness and courage, confidence, integrity, endorphins, love of life, decisiveness.

Abnormal functioning

Burning sensation, infections, external or internal inflammation, disturbed digestion, hyper-acidity, gastric acid reflux disorder, piles, any bleeding disorders, ulcers, herpes, diarrhoea, anger, burnout, disturbed sleep, disturbed vision, hepatitis, jaundice, acne, pimples, irritation, urinary tract infections, gallbladder problems, red burning eyes, pancreatitis, excessive hunger or thirst, discolouration of skin, or waste products, reduced or excessive production of hormones and enzymes is also seen.

Ultimately the very production of pitta dosha is affected and the body may become cold and dry.

Abnormal mental functioning

Anger, overconfidence, violence, extremism, jealousy, competition, irritation, feelings of hatred, aggression or the reverse, loss of self-confidence, self esteem and drive..

What aggravates Pitta?

Pitta is aggravated by smoking, citrus fruits, alcohol, coffee, chocolate, hot and pungent spices, mustard oil, burning, stimulants, fighting, sun, central heating, mental tensions, austerities, and whatever is hot in nature. Strong emotions, such as anger, feelings of competition, pride, envy, revenge, also aggravate pitta, so we can see anger and other ´hot´ emotions as both cause and consequence of deranged pitta dosha.

What soothes Pitta?

Cooling treatments, such as takradhara, shiroabhyangam with cooling, oil spending times near bodies of water, such as lakes or reservoirs, waterfalls, time in nature, sleeping on rooftops, eating foods whose nature is cooling, sweet, bitter and astringent tastes, such as fruit, green leaves or tea, or tridoshic, such as ghee and lavana, spending time with loved ones and friends in a relaxing, non-competitive atmosphere, the practice of cooling pranayama breathing techniques or hatha yoga (not ashtanga) , gentle exercise and meditation.

Five types of Vata

Vata dosha is light, dry, hard, cold, mobile, rough, flowing, subtle (it can penetrate every aspect of the body) and clear. Vata is best understood in terms of its sub-doshas, which determine direction of movement and govern specific actions in the body. Remember that Vata dosha is formed of air and ether and is naturally associated with breath, lumens, spaces and air or gas in the body.

Prana Vata

Prana Vata is situated in the head and chest region covering the lungs, the whole respiratory system, esophagus and heart, tongue, mouth and nose.

It is responsible for respiration and heart-rate and thoughts. It helps food to reach the stomach, gives strength to the heart and enables spitting, belching, and respiration (inhalation). It determines the type of experiences or influences we attract and draw into the body. It is considered upward moving.

Udana Vata

Udana Vata  is situated near the umbilicus, diaphragm, chest region and throat. It is responsible for moving air out of the body, exhalation. It enables proper speaking and singing ability. It is also responsible for strength and feelings of patience in the body and for increasing memory function.

Samana Vata

It is situated in stomach, the small intestines and the upper abdomen. It helps in digestion through the secretion of digestive enzymes. It also creates the feeling of hunger and thus the impulse to eat. It carries nutrients into the circulatory system and represents the quality of absorption. It helps in the separation of wastes from useful nutrients and in the formation of semen.

Vyana Vata

It nourishes the whole body and is found throughout the body. It has three movements, urdharv gaman (upwards), adho gaman (downwards), and tiryak gaman (lateral movements) in the body.  Vyana vayu controls all voluntary actions, deliberate movements, the contraction and expansion of the heart muscles and other muscles and promotes the circulation and nourishment of the body. It also governs sweating, yawning and the sensation of touch.

Apana Vata

It is situated in pakwashaya (intestines), vrishan (testis), vasti (bladder), shishin (penis), nabhi (umblicus), kati pardesh (pelvis), guda (anus) and creates the urge to expel wastes out of the body. Its movement is downward, involving lower body functions, such as urination, excretion, menstruation, passing gas, giving birth, and the ejaculation of sperm.

Normal functions of Vata dosha

Normal heart-rate and breathing, normal thinking capacity, interest in life, creativity, imagination, normal speech, normal digestive movements, normal appetite, circulation and activity of motor organs, normal evacuation of waste products, proper menstruation, normal ejaculation.

Lack of proper functioning/Aggravation

Heart-rate problems, breathing difficulties, asthma, stammering, autism, gas, bloating, disturbed digestion, lack of appetite, varicose veins, circulation problems, cramps, cold hands and feet, menstrual disorders, ejaculation, constipation, lower back pain, lumbago, dryness, cracking or painful joints, cracked heels, breaking nails, stress, anxiety, fear, insomnia, memory loss, Alzheimer's, weight-loss, paralysis, Muscular Dystrophy, arthritis, and all forms of physical and mental degeneration.

Concept of Tridosha Part 2

We have established that dosha are not physiological or personality types at all, but rather functions in nature and in the body, made up of the five universal properties.. All these functions are indispensable and interrelated and any attempt to separate them out is necessarily a simplification. We must remember that these functions are taking place in every cell in the body at every moment. When they cease to work in harmony, illness develops and if one of them were to stop working we would die.

Main functions of sharir dosha (Vata, Pitta, Kapha)

Vata dosha (made of akasha, vayu) determines movement, communication and knowledge. Who or what is it that communicates and reacts? The brain and central nervous system.

Pitta dosha (made of tejas) controls metabolism and transformation. What is it that metabolizes? Enzymes,  gastric juices and whatever catabolizes in the body.

Kapha dosha (ap, prithvi) creates stability and cohesion. What nourishes? Nutrition, food, anabolic processes.

Vata is the source of voluntary and involuntary movement, internal and external triggers of knowledge, stimulus, reaction, brain impulses, messages to the body to react, receptiveness to the world. When aggravated, Vata is responsible for degeneration, and pain.

Pitta has to turn anything which is different to the body either into the body itself or has to turn it out of the body – ie it digests and transforms it so that it can be absorbed or changes it in order to expel it as waste. Transformation, metabolism, expulsion, the assimilation into plasma and tissues, all of these are Pitta functions. When aggravated, Pitta creates inflammation and excessive heat and related disorders.

Kapha creates the physical structure of the body, stability, the power of repair and healing, nourishment, immunity, and strength. It slows down the degeneration of the body, and is the end result of nutrition, forming and reforming all the tissues of the body. When intake is good and Vata and Pitta work properly good kapha is created, giving immunity and strength. When Kapha is aggravated, the result is congestion. Bad kapha results in poor quality and toxic tissues. If the end result of optimum Kapha is ´ojas´ (the concentrated, refined and high quality nourishment/immunity remaining when all tissues have been formed and wastes expelled) the end result of ´bad´ kapha is ´ama´(a kind of toxic sludge found in tissues, pathways and organs of the body and mind)

VATA

Main seats of Vata

brain and central nervous system           messages, knowledge

colon, large intestine                             nervous, dry, movement down

skin                                                     receives information, knowledge

lower back                                           nerves, movement of legs

joints                                                   articulation, movement

pelvis                                                   stability, weight transformation

1 Here you can see functions of Vata more clearly

2 Here is where when accumulated, or aggravated you can first see the effects.

Physical properties

dryness       ruksha

coldness     sheeta

light            laghu

rough          khara

penetrative tikshna

active          tiksna

WhenVata is aggravated, these are the qualities that increase.

Normal functions

Normal heartrate and breathing, normal speech, normal digestive movements, normal appetite, circulation and activity of motor organs, normal evacuation of waste products, menstruation, ejaculation.

Normal mental functions

Normal thinking capacity, interest in life, creativity, imagination

Abnormal functioning

Heartrate problems, breathing difficulties, asthma, stammering, autism, gas, bloating, disturbed digestion, lack of appetite, varicose veins, circulation problems, cramps, cold hands and feet, menstrual disorders, premature or delayed ejaculation, constipation, lower back pain, cracking joints, cracked heels, dryness in the body, breaking nails, insomnia, memory loss, Alzheimer's , weight-loss, paralysis, muscular dystrophy, arthritis, and any kind of degeneration

Abnormal mental functioning

Stress, anxiety, fear, accelerated thinking, circular thinking, losing touch with reality, recklessness, panic.

PITTA

Seats of pitta

small intestine                           digestion

skin                                           protection, temperature of body, shine and glow

eyes                                          converts images

blood                                        transformation

liver and spleen                         makes and destroys red blood cells, general properties of pitta

brain and heart                          courage, happiness

1. These are where you see the function most clearly

2. These are where you first see the effects of accumulation or aggravation

Physical properties

hot                                            ushna

moist                                         ardra

Penetrative                                tikshna

Liquid                                       drava

Flowing                                     sara

bitter when healthy, acid when unhealthy 

green when healthy, yellow when unhealthy

bad smell generally

active

sharp

Normal functions

Normal digestion of food, metabolism and elimination, normal formation of blood, proper maintenance of temperature, appropriate sweating function, shine and glow of skin and eyes, proper vision, ie converting images accurately.

Normal mental functions

Enthusiasm, confidence, courage, happiness, valour, bravery, well-being, leadership, initiative, endorphins

Abnormal functioning

Burning, infections, inflammations, disturbed digestion, hyper-acidity, acid reflux, piles, bleeding disorders, ulcers, herpes, diarrhoea, burnout, hepatitis, jaundice, acne, pimples, irritation, UTIs, gallbladder problems, red burning eyes, pancreatitis

Abnormal mental functioning

Anger, over-confidence, arrrogance, hatred, extremism, jealousy, competition, aggression, rigid thinking .

What aggravates pitta? Strife, smoking, citrus fruits, alcohol, coffee, chocolate, lemon, spices, mustard oil, burning, stimulants, sunshine, sauna, whatever is hot in nature

KAPHA

Seats of kapha

brain                     cerebral fluid, shockabsorber

tongue                  saliva, taste functions

sinuses                  humidifies air, isulates sensitive structures

chest region          fluid linings of heart and lungs

stomach                mucous cells

joints                    synovial  fluid

1. These are where we can see the functions clearly

2. These are where kapha accumulates first and where we first see ay aggravation.

Physical properties

clear liquid fluids      vishada when healthy

slimy fluids               pichila when unhealthy

sweet when healthy, salty when unhealthy   madhura/lavana

transparent when healthy, whitish, yellowish, greenish when unhealthy (see above)

heavy                       guru

sluggish                    manda     

cold                         sheeta

damp, moist            drava

snighda                    unctuous

heavy                       guru

sweet                       madhura

Foods that build kapha are oils, milk, butter, ghee, cream, rice, meat, avocado, olives, rabbit, nourishing, porridge, dates, cashews, almonds, raisons.

Normal functions

Kapha maintains strength, immunity, stamina, structure, nourishing formation of dhatus, healthy tissues and bones, helps in tasting sensation, protection of all major organs, reproduction, structural integrity, confines organs to specific locations, fluid balance, potential energy, immunity.

Normal mental functions

Contenment, satisfaction, forgiveness, kindness,  love, peacefulness, calm, emotional and intellectual stability

Abnormal functioning

Obesity, heaviness, laziness, apathy, high cholesterol, diabetes, mucous, phegm, lack of appetite/cravings, low digestive power, sinuses, chest infections, eye gunk, lethargy, oedema, swellings, lack of interest. accumulation, congestion,

Abnormal mental functioning

Lack of interest in anything, complacency, closed-mindedness, indifference to others, possessiveness, clinging, greed, laziness.

In myh next post I will explain the main types of Tridosha and their principal functions,

Concept of Tridosha, ´three doshas´ Part 1

Definition of dosha

In Sanskrit, dosha means ´fault´, ´disease´. It has been defined as “doosyati iti doshah.” The literal meaning of this is “that which contaminates is called dosha.”  

The term ´dosha´ comes from the Sanskrit root ''anything which gets disturbed from causative factors'', ''factors which can be disturbed or which can disturb each other''. So doshas may be considered the agents which cause imbalance in the body as well as experience it, even while they are absolutely essential to life. The doshas were originally so called only when disturbed. When balanced, they were called 'dhatu', tissues.

Tridosha

Observation of nature, seasons, times of day, sun and moon, animal behavior, the effect of certain foods and of foods grown in certain climates, of optimal health and of illnesses and recuperation, of youth, middle age and old age, of rejuvenation and longevity demonstrates the validity of the Tridosha concept. We clearly see that the movement of the earth in relation to the sun during the course of the day and the year affects light and dark, temperature, climate, physical strength, feelings of energy or tiredness, and appetite. We are constantly influenced by time, place and our own daily decisions and habits in terms of sleep, food and physical and mental hygiene.

According to Ayurveda there are three factors, energies or humours (made, naturally, from the same five properties which make up the universe) which form and drive the workings of the universe: Vata (formed of ether and air) Pitta (formed of fire, and to a lesser degree, water, and Kapha (formed of water and earth properties). Note that the factors which can be disturbed are the unstable properties of air, fire and water, ie Vata, Pita and Kapha, whereas space and earth are considered to remain stable.  We must remember that the doshas are not air, fire or water themselves, but rather represent the qualities associated with them.

The concept of 10 pairs of opposing qualities (gunas) comes into play here. What are the intrinsic qualities of ether, air, fire, water  ad earth? Are those qualities inherent and indivisible? Can they exist independently?  We can´t properly understand the qualities associated with the five properties (and therefore the doshas themselves and how to balance them) if we don´t understand the concept of gunas.

heavy                           light

slow, sluggish,dull        quick, penetrating, sharp, active

cold                             hot

unctuous, oily              dry

smooth                        rough

solid                            liquid

soft, mild                     hard    

stable, static                mobile, moving

tiny, subtle                   gross

translucent, clear         cloudy

Note, for example that the opposite of ´dry´ is not ´wet´, but ´unctuous´. Therefore the dryness associated with Vata dosha is not necessarily the dryness of the desert, or of dehydration, ie a lack of water. It is rather a lack of juice, unction, lubrication or oil. Dried out Vata skin is not soothed by bathing, but by oiling, just as a creaking door hinge needs not hydration but lubrication!

We should also bear in mind that while these qualities have a physical dimension, they also have a non physical, mental, emotional or subtle dimension. The light and quick qualities associated with Vata dosha, for example, work on the level of swift communication, understanding or speed of light creative ideas. In Vedic cosmology, ´Vayu´ (the ´blower´ of  Vata) is the Lord of the Winds and his steed is a gazelle.

As these paired qualities describe our perceptual experience of the physical world, it is along these continuums that we find therapeutic balance. Excessive cold is balanced by heat, as excessive lightness is balanced by weight.

As they form part of an energetic system, these qualities exist both ´inside´ our bodies, minds and spirits as well as ´outside´ them. The doshas are responsible for three specific areas of functioning. However while they have specific sites in the body (certain organs for example) where one rather than another dosha predominates, they exist in all parts of the body down to the individual cell and their functions are carried out on the cellular level. They are inter-related throughout the body and cannot function properly in isolation from each other. 

As Vata, Pitta and Kapha are the energies within the body responsible for structure and function (anatomy and physiology), and ´as above, so below´, we can consider Vata, Pitta and Kapha as organizing principles in general, that is in the external world of matter, and in the subtle world of mind, spirit and soul. Vata, Pitta and Kapha are not so much physiological ´types´ as related energies which move the world and everything and everyone in it.

Vata

The word Vata derives from the Sanskrit root ´Vah´ which means to carry, to move. Vata dominates the central nervous system, reaching every part of the body and brain. In fact the sub functions of Vata are related to ´prana,´ that is ´breath´. And ´winds´ are the impulses travelling through the body at speed of light, as well as the wind we can see moving grass, trees, or sand.

Gunas

Rough, quick, light, cold, dry, clear, subtle.

Pitta

The word Pitta comes from the root ´Tap´, to heat, to undergo austerities and is connected to the body´s metabolism, digestion and transformation, i.e. processes which involve changes of state brought about by heat. Just as the course of the sun determines the growth or transformation of nature, heat alters the nature and digestibility of food. In fact transformational processes never stop happening in every cell of our body.

Gunas

Intense, hot, oily, liquid, sharp, mobile

Kapha

The word Kapha is derived from the root ´Ka´ meaning water and ´pha´ which means to flourish. Kapha comprises the physical mass and structure of the body, its tissues and organs, and is responsible for lubrication and cohesion in the body. Just as dry powdery flour needs water to become a mass, our body needs lubrication to become a unified, cohesive structure. Lubrication is also necessary to keep the brain balanced in the skull, and our joints from wearing away.

Gunas
Stable, static, heavy, cool, soft, moist, cloudy, dense.

Five properties - as above, so below

 Yat pindam Tat Brahmandam (As the body is, so is the universe/creation)

The human body is the microcosm of the universe, made of five substances, ie the properties of akash (space), vayu (air), tejas or agni (fire), jala (water) and prithvi (earth).

Akash has the loosest bonds and the most space between molecules. Prithvi has mass, is tangible, dense matter, but we must remember that all properties are present in all cells and everything that exists. Cells consist of space, chemicals, processes of transformation and matter.

According to Vaisesika, like increases like, opposites decrease and we can only absorb what is like us. While nothing that exists in nature can be completely alien to us, food which is more similar to us, eg meat, proteins and fats, is better absorbed. Vegetables don't help us grow so much or build so much muscle, though they can replace what is lost and give energy (carbohydrates) fibre and micronutrients.

The Charaka concept is that ''there is nothing in this world which is not medicine'' so everything is useful when used at the right time. In diarrhoea, for example, liquids are lost, so must be replaced, ie whatever is lacking must be built up. When one is overheated, cooling foods must be used to reduce the excess.

Coca cola is considered to be made of air and ether (therefore a ´vayu´ food) and  affects bones and teeth badly by leaching calcium and other minerals from them. It could not be considered suitable from a nutritional point of view, but even coca cola could save a life in the case of dehydration. Although not optimum nutrition, in the absence of good food even processed food may be better than nothing, at least giving enough energy to allow the body to function.

Food is categorised as having the same five properties.

Akasha (ether) is present in all the spaces and lumens in our bodies, mouths, noses, the digestive tract, hollow organs (i.e., lungs, bladder and stomach) and the respiratory tract. You can't see it, only through it, ie it's what there is between denser matter, though it does usually contain a mixture of chemicals in the form of gases. It has the most air between molecules and a quality of nothingness.

Psychologically, ether represents expansiveness and freedom but is also associated with isolation, emptiness and fear. It is subtle, light and helps mobility (sukshma, laghu, sara)

Vayu (air) represents movement and communication in the body. Heartbeats, the movement of blood in our veins, breathing, blinking,the  movement of enzymes and hormones, the digestion of food, etc. all require air. Air has a lot of space between molecules.

Psychologically, air is the flow of our thoughts and desires (messages, communication) but is also associated with anxiety, nervousness and fear. Air is subtle, mobile and light, penetrative, active (sukshma, sara, laghu and tikshna)

Agni (fire) represents heat and movement and is responsible for metabolism and body temperature. This means digestion of food as well as information, sensory experiences and emotions. Fire is present in our digestive tracts as hydrochloric acid, agnis, the function of our brains where information is processed and is present in our eyes where we perceive light. Visible fire, has hydrogen like property, heat, for example sun is made of hydrogen.

Psychologically, fire is the light of intelligence but is also anger, hatred, criticism and competitiveness. Fire is hot, sharp and spreading (ushna, tikshna, sara-chala)

Jala (water) is present in all liquids in the body. Blood, mucous, perspiration, saliva, plasma and other secretions are mostly made of the water element. The fire element is also present (as hydrogen). Water is cool, heavy, liquid (shita, guru, drava)and it is also cohesive, ie it is what joins matter together, and it has strong bonds. Waterdrops naturally run together and it is difficult to separate water into droplets for example.

Psychologically, water is love and compassion but is also slow and lethargic.

Prithvi (earth) is what makes our bones and muscles strong, giving them stability and solidity. The minerals in our bodies are made of the earth element.  Earth has the least space between molecules, ie it is the most dense and its bonds are stronger and harder to break.

Psychologically, earth is support and grounding but is also greed, attachment and stubbornness. Earth is heavy, stable, dense and hard (guru, sthira, sandra, kathina) Compared to ether and air, it is gross (sthoola).

Akash (ether) and Prithvi (earth) are unchanging, whereas Vayu, Agni and Jal are unstable. This is crucial to our understanding of what ´doshas´ are (literally ´that which goes out of balance´)

It should be remembered that in talking about panchabhutas, we are talking about the properties of the physical universe (prakriti, matter) which forms, transforms and dissolves. However mind and soul, along with time and direction, do not consist of panchabhutas, but of purusha, ie the indestructible and the eternal. Together the nine gunas, mind, soul, time, direction, ether, air, fire, water and earth make up everything in the universe.