Everything in this universe, including the human body is composed of following five basics elements (Panchmahabhutas):
- PRITHVI - Earth
- JALA - Water
- AGNI - Fire
- VAYU - Air
- AKASH - Space
These five elements are the basics constituents of everything on Earth. In the human body, space is present where there is an empty, hollow area (nostrils, mouth, ears, throat, lungs, stomach). Air provides movement - such as in the joints, intestine or heart. Fire is present in all metabolic activity; and water in all fluids such as plasma, blood, lymph and saliva. Earth is represented in any solid, heavy part of the body like fat muscles, bones, skin and nails.
In humans, the five elements combine to produce three primary life forces, or "biological humors". The Ayurvedic term for these forces is Dosha. Because there are three of them, they are referred to as the tridosha (‘tri’ meaning three), Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Like any other object each dosha is also made of the five elements. However they have predominance of one or more elements as described below:
Vata - Air and Space
Pitta - Fire
Kapha - Water and Earth.
The doshas can be understood from their qualities and actions in the body. For example, people with a Vata dosha display characteristics and qualities related to the space and air elements - active, restless, mobile. Those with a Kapha dosha (earth and water) are usually very solid, stable and slow. Pitta dosha (fire) people have fiery temperament, strong appetite etc.
The Tridosha theory is a basics principle of Ayurveda. All humans have the three doshas, although there is always a predominance of one or more dosha. This predominance of dosha and their unique proportion, in a person, is responsible for her or his unique nature. This unique nature of an individual is called prakriti or constitution. Knowing the constitution assists both in preventing as well as curing diseases.
Each of the dosha has its own distinct quality, quantity and functions. Doshas in balance are the way towards health, happiness and well-being. But doshas keep getting imbalanced. Dosha imbalance has negative effect on emotions too.
This imbalance is of 2 types - Natural and Unnatural.
1. Natural Imbalance - occurs during particular seasons, time of the day and with age. But this imbalance is harmless.
2. Unnatural Imbalance - inappropriate diet, life-style, trauma, viruses, bacteria cause unnatural imbalances.
Features of :
| Vata Balance ↓ |
Vata ImBalance ↓ |
| Pitta Balance |
Pitta Imbalance |
| Kapha Balance |
Kapha Imbalance |