Learning the inherent Qualities (Gunas) and Characteristics (Lakshana) of each Vata, Pitta and Kapha provides a good framework to grasp an understanding of the nature of these doshas, or bio-energies.
Learning or perhaps memorising those the classical texts (sastras) mentioned provides more expertise as these are authoritative and pure teachings.
Some of these translations don’t do the sanskrit words justice. It is wise to learn the sanskrit since sanskrit is the sound that nature makes when intending form, function or phenomena. These “sounds” are expressing the quality or function of the dosha. These words are onomatopoetic, not symbolic.
Gunas (Qualities)
VATA: AKASHA (SPACE) AND VAYU (AIR) ELEMENTS
- Ruksha – dry.
- Laghu – light.
- Shita – cold (and dry).
- Kara – rough. With dryness.
- Suksma – subtle.
- Chala – (constant) movement. Like a snake or ant.
- Sara – lubricated movement (Caraka).
- Vishada – dry slippery like the touch of a reptile. (Caraka). e.g. Kapikachu (Mucuna prurita) before touching it is vishada.
PITTA: TEJAS (FIRE) AND APA (WATER) ELEMENTS
- Sasneha – little less unctuousness. Hot due to paka (digestion) in transformation process. Feels like the wick of a ghee lamp.
- Tiksha – sharp.
- Usna – hot. e.g. aggressive and angry voice and chilli on tongue is sharp and hot (Tiksnonam).
- Laghu – light.
- Visram – foul, fermented, strong. (not part of 20 gunas).
- Sara – slippery, like banana peel.
- Drava – liquid.
- Amla – sour (Caraka)
- Katu – pungent (Caraka)
KAPHA: PRTHVI (EARTH) AND APA (WATER) ELEMENTS
- Snigdha – unctuousness.
- Shita – cold.
- Guru – heavy – stable movement, solid.
- Manda – dull, slow.
- Slakshna – smooth (like ice-cream).
- Mrtsnah – greasy. Magnetic attraction. Binding. (not in 20 gunas, not even 41 gunas).
- Sthira – stable.
- Hema – very cold. With water quality (Susruta).
- Madhura – Sweet. (caraka) Pleasantness. Ojas.
- Mrdhu – soft. (Caraka).
Characteristics Of Healthy Doshas
GENERAL FUNCTIONS OF PITTA
GENERAL FUNCTIONS OF KAPHA
Vrdhini Lakshana (Characteristics of Increased Doshas)
VATA VRDHINI LAKSHANA (CHARACTERISTICS OF INCREASED VATA)
- Kasha – emaciation.
- Karsnya – darkness.
- Usnakamatva – Liking the hot.
- Kampa – tremors.
- Ānāha – distention and disturbing in intestines.
- Śakrt (fecal matter) grahān (catch) – a type of constipation.
- Bala bhramsha – energy. Bhramsha = moves out of its place.
- Nidra bhramsha.
- Indriya brahmsha.
- Pralapa – excessive talking. Whatever comes you will say. Unnecessary.
- Brahma – delusions/illusions.
- Dinata – Timid. Lowliness (low in status). Begging/contrast. Like a king who has to beg.
Credits:
Slohkas chanted by Vaidya A.V. Raju
PITTA VRDHINI LAKSHANA (CHARACTERISTICS OF INCREASED PITTA)
Peeta vinmutra netra tvak.
- Peeta – yellow.
- Vit – (yellow) fecal matter.
- Mutra – (yellow) urine.
- Netra – (yellow) eyes.
- Tvak – (yellow) skin.
- Kshut – hunger.
- Trt – thirst.
- Daha – burning sensation.
- AlpaNidraha – Less sleep, insomnia – easy to get to sleep but wake up early, sleep disturbed with emotions.
KAPHA VRDHINI LAKSHANA (CHARACTERISTICS OF INCREASED KAPHA)
- Slesma Agni sadanam – displace of agni.
- Praseka – excess saliva.
- Alasya – lazy.
- Gauravam – heaviness.
- Shvaitya – pale skin, white.
- Shaitya – coldness.
- Shlathangatva – unstable like jelly. Like a baby walking.
- Swasa – dyspnoea.
- Kasa – cough.
- Atinidrata – excess sleeping.
LEARN MORE BY LEARNING THE SUB-DOSHAS
References:
- Slohkas chanted by Vaidya A.V. Raju. Slohkas from Astanga Hrdayam.
- General functions of doshas – Susruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Ch 15
- Dosha Lakshana – Caraka Samhita, Ch. 18,(49-51) and Astanga Hrdaya.
- Gunas of each dosha – Astanga Hrdayam of Vaghbata – Sutra Sthana.
- Dosha Vrdhi – Astanga Hrdaya, S.S. Ch. 11,(6-15) / Astanga Samgraha Ch. 19: Knowledge of Dosas.
- Watercolour paintings (copyright) by Dylan Smith.
