People are so different from each other in nature, body type, preferences, strength, weaknesses etc. Has this thought ever crossed your mind? Whether you are a businessman or employed in an organization, you meet many people in a day. Their natures, perspectives, thinking ability, energy levels, eating habits, preferences everything is different. Even your family members are quite different in nature. One prefers to eat spicy food while the other prefers salad. One is cool, calm and composed while the other is short tempered. One is go getter and energetic while the other is laid back. Every idiosyncratic mannerism and preference is a signature of individual personality. Ayurveda doctors attribute these differences to ‘Doshas’.
What are 'Doshas'?
As per Ayurveda these idiosyncratic characteristics can be attributed to ‘Doshas’. Doshas are biological energies made up of five elements Water, Air, Space, Fire, Earth. Human body is made up of these five elements as well. A person is considered healthy, happy, composed with a sharp brain and intellect when these doshas are in balance.
Types of Doshas
There are 3 types of Doshas:
- Vata (Space and Air)
- Pitta (Fire and Water)
- Kapha (Earth and water)
Vata Dosha:- Vata dosha shows characteristics of elements space and air. They are quick thinkers and tend to move fast. Like wind, when uncontrolled negative qualities overcome positive qualities. Vata constitution rules communication, quick thought process and creative zeal.
Pitta Dosha:- Biologically, pitta governs small intestine, spleen, stomach, liver etc. As you can understand it is related to digestion. It automatically rules enzymes, acids and hormones. Psychologically, it rules perception, joy, anger, jealousy etc. Like Vata, uncontrolled pitta can make a person behave rash and egoistical. It is due to the fiery element of pitta.
Kapha Dosha:- Kapha Individual will demonstrate qualities of Earth and Water. Biologically it rules fluids of the body and psychologically it rules patience, tolerance, compassion etc. Like catastrophic flood, unruly water in body is dangerous. It can make a person lazy, depressed like too much of moist or dampness left in the air after a heavy rainfall.
As aforesaid, a person who has all these three doshas in balanced state is considered perfectly in balance. In every person, one dosha is dominant while secondary dosha influences the person. Lifestyle, eating patterns, sleeping patterns are responded to by body and mind. When a person start living or doing that doesn’t suit his body, mind and body respond. Ayurveda doctors confirm that going against the natural way of a constitution is known as Vikruti.
Three state of doshas according to ayurveda doctors
- Balanced
- Increased
- Decreased
While balanced state refers to the state when all the elements are in equilibrium, imbalanced state can be of 2 types. When a dosha increases more than it is required for the equilibrium state, it is called increased or aggravated state. When a dosha decreases and reduces to the level which is less for equilibrium state, it is called depleted state.
Ayurveda doctors say that since Ayurveda looks at each case on its own merit, ayurvedic treatment to cure imbalances of doshas is given accordingly. Unlike any other treatment, ayurvedic treatmentdoesn’t believe in one size fits all.
