Understanding the Tridosha Siddantha of Ayurveda

By Dr Jayagovinda Ukkinadka

Body Physiology

• Ayurveda is the first known medical science which developed as evidence based medical science in the present era. Ayurveda put forth the Trodosha siddantha to explain the body physiology.

Universe & Body/ Big & Small

• Our ancients keenly observed the universe and tried to apply the same in our body. Our saints strongly believed that whatever process happens in the universe also happens in the body, whatever causes destruction in universe, the same factors in subtle form causes destruction in the body and there is an intimate relation between body and universe.

Mantra Chikitsa

• During and before 500-300 BC most of the people were following Manthra Chikitsa or the magic medicines as the main treatment methods. Many scientists of that period were against such Manthra chikitsa and started to evolve a new evidence based medical science and with the help of Vedas they tried to understand the physiological aspects of Universe and started to apply the same to human body.

Mantra chikitsa is a quackery for somatic diseases

• Ayurveda nowhere agrees Manthra chikitsa or Magic remedy for diseases related with body and called such vaidyas as kuvaidyas or quacks.

Ayurveda- A most ancient modern science

• Ayurveda strongly suggests to study the human anatomy, physiology (Tridosha siddanta and related subject in Ayurveda) of human body and to understand diseases, cause, patho physiology, prodromal symptoms, clinical symptoms, treatment principles, treatments, prognosis of the disease and diet and regimen and also pharmacology in detail. One who practices without the theoretical and practical knowledge of all these are called as quacks.

But the general public just Belive Ayurveda similar to spiritual belief

• But the general public believe that Ayuveda is a just shastra like other spiritual shastras, which treats many patients on the basis of just belief, which is really a wrong belief among the public.

Function of Vata in Universe-In normal state

Function of Vata in Universe-In abnormal state

Then what is Vata in Universe

Points to be noted are• Dharaneem Dharanam- Holds earth in its orbit• Aditya chandra Nakshathra grahaganaanam

santhana gatividhanam- Regulates the movement of Sun, Stars, Moon, Planet etc in the space

• In earth Vata is the cause for formation of clouds, rain, producing flowers and fruits, demarcation of season, division of dhathus, giving weight and shape to the dhathus.

…Then what is Vata in Universe

• Strengthening of seeds, growth of plants, normal transformation (avaikarika vikaraschethi)

The Vikara of Vata in Universe produces bhavanaam cha abhaavakaranam, chaturyugaanthakaraanaam, megha sooryanilaanaam visargaha.

In earth produces all natural calamities and death of creatures.

Vata is Electromagnetic Power- How?

• In Universe the core of the Universe holds all galaxies in its orbit. The galaxies holds the Stars within them in its orbit. The stars hold their planet, and planet holds their satellites in their orbit. The force which holds all these is the power of Central core by means of Electro magnetic power. The present science believe that all these happened at the time of BIGBANG.

• Even in Vedas we can see the similar explanation, but with better interpretation.

Universe with Galaxies

Paramatma-CORE-GALXIES-STARS-PLANETS-SATALITES

Milky way- Our galaxy

We can feel the Vata of Earth by the Gravity

• Yes Earth has the Gravity just because of Vata, explained as Dhathumana samshtana Vyakthihi.

• Deviation of earth by 23 degree is also influenced by the same gravitational or electromagnetic power, which is the cause for different season etc as explained in the function of Vata.

What is Vata in Body

Function of Vata in Body• Vayusthathra yantradharaha- holds the whole

body- organs and systems. • Initiates and controls all sensory and motor

functions.• Gives a form and shape to dhatus and body.• Controls AGNI, Absorbs Doshas, cause for

excretion of wastes – malas.• Makes minute and gross vessels, shapes the

foetus and maintain life span

Abnormality in Vata leads to

• Causes various disorders and thereby affects strength, destroys, deforms or detains embryo for long.

• Produces fear grief, confusion, anxiety and delerium etc.

• Can also lead in to death of an individual.

Prana Vayu

Prana Vayu- Parasympathetic action of Vagal wing + PNS motor functions

• Which regulates respiration a Autonomic function.

• Swallowing, belching etc which is related with PNS- motor functions related with cranial nerves.

Udana Vayu

Udana Vayu- Cranial N Motor Function of PNS & also Higher functions

• Vakpravrithi- Function related with 9th 11th and 12th cranial Nerve.

Samana Vayu

Samana Vayu- Enteric N System or Second brain + Parasympathetic NS

• Samano Agni samipasthaha and controls digestion- That is Enteric NS- millions of Neurons in the gut which are the real autonomic NS in the body of which the function is very similar to that of Parasympathetic NS

• Doshambu Vahini srotamsi- Again a parasympathetic function of the Autonomic NS, which controls the peripheral circulation and peripheral requirements.

Vyana Vayu

Vyana Vayu- As told by Susrutha

Vyana Vayu- Sympathetic NS + cause for motorfunctions of PNS

• Vyana vayu which has its effect all over the body, cause for the body movement and also controls the gathi, that is sudden reflex actions- which is controlled by Sympathetic NS

• Also responsible for Blood circulation- here sympathetic NS is also responsible for central circulation by stimulation SA Node and then heart.

Apana Vayu

Apana Vayu- Sacral branch of Parasympathetic NS

• The sacral branch of Parasympathetic NS (other part is cranial which comes under Samana Vayu) which controls erection, passage of bowel, urine etc. where the explanation is the same for Apana Vayu in Ayurvreda Texts.

Vata involves functions of N system

• Hence if we see the functions of different Vata in Body, it is mainly the functions of CNS and PNS.

What is Pitta then

Pitta- In universe

• In universe- Not clearly explained in Ayurvedic texts- But Pitta is the fire or fuel for the Vata to function. This fuel can burn everything, can destroy anything and in universe provides fuel for Vata to function.

• For eg: In Earth the gravitational power is Vata, boiling LAVA is Pitta and the outer rock and mud cover is Kapha. The boiling lava also decides the strenght of the gravitational power.

Pitta in our Body

• All exocrine and endocrine function represents Pitta including the exocrine digestive secretions.

• All digestive functions are regulated by Vata, that is by CNS and Second brain (Enteric nervous system).

• Any exocrine or endocrine function is regulated by Vata- SAMEERANO AGNEH.

What is Kapha then?

Kapha in Universe

• Effect of Vata and Pitta is Kapha• Sun is very hot, comparitively earth is cold and

much colder is Moon.• Gravity and LAVA – Vata and Pitta• Outer layer of rock and mud which manifested

after trillions of year because of coldness or diminished effect of LAVA and Gravity is Kapha. That means effect of Vata and Pitta if aggravates Karshya and if diminishes then Dardhyatha

Kapha is the effect of Vata and Pitta in the body

• Functions of Nervous system, that of exocrine and endocrine system when in balance with proper food gives dardhyatha, otherwise gives rise to krishatva inspite of balanced food. This state is called as Kapha- vriddi or kshaya.

• Whatever food we take our body functions are mainly dependent on functions of nervous system, exocrine and endocrine function regardless of food.

• And also many types of foods and medicines influence on nervous system, metabolic system and nutrition are the foods influencing on Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Trodosha along with Atman are the pillars of Body

• That is why Tridosha along with Atman is the main four pillars of our Body.

• That is why our anciets explained Vata-Pitta-Kapha, not Pitta-vata-kapha or Vata-Kapha-Pitta.