Ayurveda: Understanding Vata dosha

Vata Pitta Kapha are 3 pillars of the body which should be kept in balance for a healthy life. In balanced state they carry out vital functions of the body, but when vitiated acts as the main cause of disease. Every disease in body is because of vitiated Tridosha ,but life itself is sustained by Tridosha as well. So Tridosha are in Love – Hate relationship with our body based on how we treat them.

Among tridosha Pitta and Kapha has structural characteristics, but Vata is devoid of any structure or form. Yet Vata is most powerful among all. Pitta and Kapha are nothing without Vata. Texts says, Pitta and Kapha are lame, and they moves to wherever Vata carries. Good balance of Vata can keep other 2 doshas sane. So know Vata first.

Relation with Panchamahabhuta

Every tangible in this universe is made out of Panchamahabhuta ( Air, Ether, Water, Fire and Earth). Vata in the universe is Vayu( air) , but in body 5 mahabhoota is concised into 3 doshas. Hence Vata in the body is combination of Air and Ether.

Why is it necessary to know Panchamahabhoota tatva of Vata?

We humans, being part of nature, are no extraordinary by any means. Any food particles which has higher levels of Vata and Ether mahabhoota in them increases Vata in the body. This is the rule. Any substances or activities which increases these Mahabhoota in body are called Vatala( those increases Vata).

Because Ayurveda always keeps check on basic rule: सामान्यं वृद्धिकारकम्, ह्रासहेतुर्विशेषश्च ॥ ( Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana-1st chapter)
Meaning: Anything which has similar properties when comes together, they add on. Opposite qualities nullifies each other.

Vata inside and Vata outside:

Beauty of Ayurveda is, it relates human body to nature. Theory of Loka- Purusha Samyata( similarities between person and nature) states “that which is present outside the body in this universe is present inside as well”. So lets know what Vayu ( Air) and Akasha(Ether ) outside the body does in normal and disturbed condition so that it will help us to know inner Vata ,the better way.

Normal Universal Vata does:

  • Vayu and Akasha in the universe
  • Holds Earth in position
  • Movements of all celestial bodies
  • Ignites the fire
  • Formation of clouds and raining
  • Flowing of river and streams
  • Blooming of flowers
  • Breaking and shaping of stones and mountains
  • Division of seasons
  • Sprouting of seeds and their growth
  • Drying up of water/ moisture

Abnormal Universal Vata does:

  • Sliding of mountains
  • Tornado
  • Tsunami and Cyclones
  • Flooding
  • Earthquake
  • Season crisis( Raining at inappropriate times etc)

So imagine this is what vitiated Vata does to our inner universe called body.

Functions of body Vata:

  • Vata is the engine which runs the machine called body
  • It Initiates all activities
  • Controls mind as well as gears up mind when necessary
  • Initiates Functioning of all Sense organs and perception of senses especially hearing and touch.
  • Formation of body tissues and shaping them
  • Initiator of Speech
  • Happiness and enthusiasm
  • Ignites the digestive fire
  • Dries up excess fluids in body
  • Expulsion of waste
  • Formation of minute channels all over body like artery veins etc
  • Proper Formation of foetal body parts in womb
  • Reason for long life

Vitiated body Vata:

Vitiated body Vata acts as destructor of happiness, strength, aura, lifespan, sense organs, fetus( can also cause various birth defects).
Induces fear, inappropriate speech, absence of mind, depression.

Main seats of body Vata:

Vata in body has a route to travel and there by it travels all over body. But there are certain areas which are powerhouses of Vata where Vata’s presence can bring vital functions of that region. They are

  • Large intestine(Pakvashaya)
  • Waist region(Kati)
  • Thigh(Sakthi)
  • Ears(Shrotra)
  • Bones (Asthi)
  • Skin(Sparshana)

Out of these Large intestines are considered most important and the treatment of Vata diseases also concentrates on this area. Hence treatment Basti comes in to action where medicated decoctions or oils are inserted through anal route.

Properties of Vata:

  • Dry(Ruksha)
  • Light (Laghu)
  • Cold(Sheeta)
  • Rough(Khara)
  • Can enter minute channels(Sukshma)
  • Mobile(Chala)
  • Clear(Vishada)

Those food material with similar properties or regimen which tend to increase these properties in body increases Vata. For Example food items like Papads, Green gram, Cold drinks, Peas, Potatoes tend to increase Vata.
Regimens include- Excess walking , running , travelling, talking etc.

And those with opposite qualities decreases Vata. So the properties which decrease Vata includes

  • Unctuous(Snigdha)
  • Heavy(Guru)
  • Hot(Ushna)
  • Smooth(Shlakshna)
  • Soft(Mridu)
  • Slimy(Picchila)
  • Dense(Ghana)

It includes food items like
Good fats like milk oil ghee, food and drinks which are hot, black gram, meat tend to decrease Vata.
Regimen include- Rest, Sleep, Massage. Hot water bath.

Out of these both food items which increase or decrease are essential for body. Keeping it in balance is most crucial.

Types of Vata:

Even though Vata in body is one – it can be divided into 5 based on their location, movement and functions. They are:

  • Prana
  • Udana
  • Samana
  • Vyana
  • Apana

Signs of increased Vata:

  • Emaciation/loss of weight (Karshya)
  • Blackish /greyish discolouration (Karshnya)
  • Feel good on warmth (Ushna kamithva)
  • Tremors (Kampa)
  • Abdominal distension (Anaha)
  • Constipation (Shakritgraha)

2 main reason for aggravation of Vata:

Dhatukshaya: Destruction of body tissues so that there will be more space for Vata.

Margavarana: Obstruction to the pathway of Vata. This created turbulence in the pathways of Vata , so that it starts to move in a wrong direction and creates pathologies.

Vata disorders can be so simple so that you can manage it by yourselves if it is of short duration and mild. Examples can be:

  • Abdominal distension
  • Mild body ache
  • Acute Constipation

But same Vata can also cause severe disorders like Hemiplegia, Motor neuron disorders, Facial paralysis etc. where intervention of doctor is needed.

But indeed know about the methods for pacifying aggravated Vata so that we manage certain mild conditions at home in simple yet scientific ways of Ayurveda.
They are

  • Abhyanga- Oil massage
  • Swedana- Sudation/Sweating therapy by warm water bath
  • Intake of good fats( ghee, unrefined oils)
  • Warm foods
  • Intake of food rich in sweet, sour and salt taste
  • Good nourishing foods like warm vegetable soup, meat soup etc)

Which fat is best for controlling Vata?

Taila/ oil is considered best for controlling Vata when used internally and externally.
But for intake, the quality of oil has gone for toss in present time because of multiple levels refining with various chemicals. So make sure you use unrefined cold pressed or virgin oil.
For Abhyanga or body massage we can use just Sesame oil or Coconut oil. However sesame oil has extra ordinary Vata relieving properties, hence considered best among all oil according to Ayurveda for both internal and external use.

Vata can be a boon or curse.Vata is something we respire and swear by, but Vata can get fatal too just the way it is in nature. These are certain basics of Vata dosha which helps us to understand our body in terms of rules of nature.

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