What is ‘Ayurveda” (आयुर्वेद) ?
Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine that is indigenous to and widely practiced in India. The word ayurveda is the Sanskrit term meaning “science of life”. Ayu means “life” or “daily living” and veda means “knowing “. Ayurveda was first recorded in the vedas; the world’s oldest extant literary. This healing system has been practiced in daily life in India for more than 5,000 years.
According to Charaka,
Ayurveda conveys the knowledge about happiness and unhappiness, a good and bad life and which contributes to these four aspects.
Dharma (the right way of living)
Artha (material wealth)
Moksha (Enlightenment)
Kama (Sensory pleasure)
There are four aspects of the body that need to be kept in balance in order to maintain good health—these are the doshas, the dhatus, malas, and agni.
Let us understand first what are doshas?
The word Dosha in Sanskrit translates to the English word ‘fault’, meaning a shortage or point of weakness where you might go out of balance. But the reality may sound different. According to Rishi Charaka and Rishi Sushruta samhita, our bodies composed of these doshas the appropriate quality and quantity present in our body. The shape of our body, thinking, nature all depend on the basis of it. If these energies get imbalanced then our overall tissues get disturbed and will lead to diseases. By knowing your dominant Dosha and constitution, you can more easily identify where and when you fall out of balance. You can also quickly and effectively bring back balance by including Dosha balancing foods in your diet, exercising and performing recommended activities.
वायु पिततं कफशचेति त्रयो दोषा: समास्त: ॥ विकृता विकृतादेहं घ्नन्ति ते वर्त्तयन्ति चा ।
The balance of these doshas is what you call “health” and any dis-balance of these doshas leads to “disease”.
The relation between the 5 elements and the Human body:
The five basic elements (पंचमहाभूत:) - SPACE, AIR, FIRE, WATER AND EARTH., manifest in the body as three basic principles or humors, these 5 elements are expressed as three types of doshas in the human body known as Tridosha. The combination of these five elements makes up the Prakriti or constitution. These elements represents some properties like;
Air (वायु:) :- Represents instability and movement.
Within the human body, Air manifests within the larger movements of the muscles, the pulsations of the heart, the enlargement and contraction of the lungs and the movements of the stomach wall and intestine. Beneath a microscope, even single cells could also be seen to move. Response to a stimulus is the movement of afferent - efferent nerve impulses, which are sensory and motor movements. The complete movements of the central system are ruled by bodily Air.
Ether/ Space (आकाश:) - Represents instability and movement
The rishis perceived that ether is the initial element that appeared in the universe during cosmic vibrations, which further created air, fire, water and earth. Man is a microcosm of nature and so the five basic elements present in all matter also exist within each individual. In the flesh, there are several areas which are manifestations of the Ether element. There are, for example, the spaces in the mouth, nose, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, abdomen, thorax, capillaries, lymphatics, tissues and cells.
Fire (अग्नि:) - Represents heat and warmth
The source of Fire and light in the solar system is the sun. In the human body, the source of Fire is the metabolism. Fire works in the digestive system. Fire manifests itself as intelligence in the gray matter of the brain cells. Fire also activates the retina which perceives light. Thus, body temperature, digestion, the thinking processes and vision are all functions of bodily Fire. All metabolism and enzyme systems are controlled by this element.
Water (आप:)- Denotes fluidity
It Manifests in the secretions of the digestive juices and the salivary glands, in the mucus membranes and in plasma and cytoplasm. Water is absolutely vital for every animal, the functioning of the tissues, organs and various bodily systems. For example, dehydration resulting from diarrhea and vomiting must be treated immediately to protect the patient's life. Because this element is so vital, bodily Water is called the Water of Life.
Earth (भूमि:) :- represents properties of mass and inertia.
Life is possible on this planet because Earth hold all living and nonliving substances to its solid surface. In the body, the solid structures bones, cartilage, nails, 38 muscles, tendons, skin and hair- are derived from Earth.
Everything which manifests in this world is said to have these elements and their properties in various proportions. Human body is also composed of these pancha-bhutas which constantly interact with each other to perform functions. With different combinations of these elements we have different characteristics of Mind, Body and soul.
How many Doshas are there ?
There are 3 doshas according to Ayurveda. We are born with all the three doshas but they come together differently in each one of us. It is a unique combination that makes us who we are. Basically, every person has one primary form of dosha that makes up his or her constitution.
Vata -Correspondence with SPACE + AIR
The bodily air principal Vata is manifested by Space
( ether) and Air elements.
Pitta - Correspondence with FIRE + WATER
The Fire and Water elements manifest together in the body as the fire principle called pitta.
Kapha -Correspondence with EARTH + WATER
The Earth and Water element manifest as the bodily water humor known as kapha.
The earth element contributed by solid food that we consume interacts with water element in the body, which we consume. They both interact to form Kapha.
The collective functioning of the Tridhoshas:
These three doshas - vata, pitta, kapha; govern all the biological, psychological and physiopathological functions of the body, mind and consciousness. They act as basic constituents and protective barriers for the body units normal physiological condition; when out of balance, they contribute to disease processes. The combination of elements present at birth remains constant. However, the combination of elements that controls the continuous physiopathological changes in the body alters in response to changes in the environment.
Throughout life, there is a ceaseless interaction between the internal and external environment. The external environment comprises the cosmic forces (macrocosm), while the internal forces (microcosm) are governed by the principles of vata-pitta- kapha. A basic principle of healing in Ayurveda holds that one may create balance in the internal forces working in the individual by altering diet and habits of living to counteract changes in his external environment. The tridosha are the foundation of the psychological existence of man.
The tridosha are responsible for:
The arising of natural urges and for individual preferences in foods: their flavors, temperatures and so on.
They govern the creation, maintenance and destruction of bodily tissue, and the elimination of waste products from the body.
They are also responsible for psychological phenomena, including such emotions as fear, anger and greed; and for the highest order of human emotions such understanding, compassion and love.
Why is it important to understand your doshas?
Understanding of your doshas;
Allows you to have your proper diet plan, skin-care routine and exercises which are suitable for your body.
Depending on your body constitution, you can easily access the variety of food products which are beneficial and effective for your body building and balance.
This results in a healthy, energetic and fit body and may alter the unwanted reactions and also prevents various diseases.
Also knowing your skin type, for eg- Vata people have light, dry, rough and cold skin which help us to have an access to a specific skincare routine which suits you according to your skin type, without even trying the products.
Knowing your body type, will help you customize exercises which will result quickly.
Helps in understanding Emotional behavior and response.
Since the doshas correspond to 5 five elements, a body’s nature is dependent on the same.
Vata dosha which is a combination of Air+ space, shows personalities like “Changeable like wind, or restless like wind which means you are unstable, worried, anxious. On the other hand, If the fire element rises - anger, irritability, yelling, fiery behavior takes place.
If you come to know which body you are, then it will be easier to take control of your own mind and maintain balance between 5 elements.
Helps in Financial stability
Doshas plays an important role in financial stability of a person. For example, People who have a high concentration of vata dosha, they are more likely to come and go with money. Just like air it vanishes, they don’t intend to focus on long term goals.
Knowing dosha may help you to stabilize and control your finances.
Helps in understanding your interests, dreams or activities you want to do in free time
You may have noticed that every person’s perspective, opinions are different, that's what their Vikruti is different. Some people love travelling, some do not. Your interest depends on your doshas.
Knowing your interest will lead you to achieve your success and you may get a stress relieved life. Like Vata energies will appreciate fireside chats and tree-studded hikes while Pitta types will likely prefer social gatherings and ocean dips. Those with strong Kapha tendencies may benefit from motivational and movement-based activities.
Now you may have a question about "how to know your doshas?" and "how to understand your body?". Yes, the composition of doshas in the human body depends on Physical constitution and Mental constitution. Each dosha has a unique and different composition and that's the reason every person is unique and different. The most beautiful and important benefit of knowing your body dosha is it helps you accept yourself, your, body and your uniqueness.
REFERENCES:
Book- Ashtanga Hridayam.
Book- Ayurveda (The Science of Sell-Healing by Ih:Vasant Lad)
Quite informative