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Home > Complementary Medicine > Ayurveda > Concepts |
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| Concepts |
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Vaidya Vilas Nanal
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In Ayurveda, body, mind and consciousness in work together
in maintaining balance. They are simply viewed as different facets of
one’s being. To learn how to balance the body, mind and consciousness
requires an understanding of how Vata, Pitta and Kapha work together.
According to Ayurvedic philosophy the entire cosmos is an interplay
of the energies of the five great elements—Space (ether), Air, Fire,
Water and Earth. Vata, Pitta and Kapha are combinations and permutations
of these five elements that manifest as patterns present in all creation.
In the physical body, Vata is the subtle energy of movement, Pitta the
energy of digestion and metabolism, and Kapha the energy that forms
the body’s structure.
These five elements are the basis of life and everything can be explained in terms of these five. For example, the bulky and solid parts are composed of Prithvi, the digestive enzymes or any source of heat is Agni, the hollow and empty parts are Aakash. Ayurveda states that the body is composed of three main substances:
Dhatus are basic tissues which maintain and nourish the body. They are formed from the nutritional juices of our food. Proper amount and functioning of each Dhatu is very important for good health. Malas (pronounced as 'ma-laas') are wastes produced as a result of various metabolic activities in the body. Proper elimination of malas is essential as their accumulation can lead to several diseases. All these factors are inter-related and directly or indirectly help in maintaining the equilibrium of the tridoshas.
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Ayurveda
identifies three basic types of energy or functional principles
that are present in everyone and everything. These are the three
Doshas namely Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These principles can be related
to the basic biology of the body. These Doshas decide the Constitution
(Prakruti) of a person. Living beings require energy for all body
functions be it metabolism or regeneration. Vata is the energy of
movement, Pitta is the energy of digestion or metabolism and Kapha,
the energy of lubrication and structure. All people have the qualities
of Vata, Pitta and Kapha, but one is usually primary, one
secondary and the third is usually least prominent. The cause of
disease in Ayurveda is viewed as a lack of proper cellular function
due to an excess or deficiency of Vata, Pitta or Kapha. Disease
can also be caused by the presence of toxins known as Ama.
