Vaata Dosha

"Air is everywhere" In childhood I still remember, my mother used to teach me “Air is everywhere”. It was just a short sentence then but now as a practitioner of Ayurveda, I understand the deeper actual meaning as illustrated in this exhaustive Indian system of Medicine. Air or Vayu or Vata not only present in the atmosphere but also in our body. “Vayuhu tantra yantra dharaha pravartakaha cheshtanam….” Charaka Acharya. Vayu holds the mechanism of running a machine called body, for each and every movement that we make. Vayu not only does the mechanical job, it is “Niyanta praneta cha manasaha”, i.e., it also controls the mind and makes it think (Functions of Brain & nervous system). Hence Vayu handles both mechanical and intellectual aspects of our body. It is also called as Vata dosha, one among the Tridosha. Other two being Pitta and Kapha.

“Pittam pangu Kapham pangu pangavo maladhatavaha |

Vayuna yatra niyante tatra gacchanti meghavat ||” Acharya Sharangdhara

Meaning, Pitta, Kapha, Dhatus & Malas do not have their legs or they cannot move on their own, but they go wherever Vata takes them just like clouds in the sky. These important attributes of Vata or Vayu urged the Ayurvedic Philosophers to consider it as God and suggested it be worshiped. In other words they probably meant that worshiping Vayu is nothing but taking care of our health. Vayu/Vata causes disturbances in the body when it is not in its normal state. It causes many ailments when it vitiated. This is the reason why Vata is called Dosha even after having such Godly characters.

It causes a wide spectrum of diseases from Peenasa (Common cold) to Sanyasa (Coma). To make it simple, taking the example of wrong food habits, they cause imbalance in Vata which in turn imbalances the metabolism and other functions in the body. Vata mainly causes diseases by two ways. One by

- Dhatu kshaya (Malnourishment)

- Marga avarana (Channel blockage)

Vata has the properties like Laghu (light), Ruksh (Dry), Sheeta (Cold), etc. which are opposite to properties of Pitta and Kapha. Pitta and Kapha doshas nourish body and maintain the health. When Vata is increased Pitta and Kapha decreases causing mal nourishment to the body tissues. Dhatus are nothing but body tissues which hold the body. (They are 7 in no. Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa, Meda, Asthi, Majja & Shukra). When Vata increases they do not get nourishment and also they do not nourish the successive Dhatus. This is called as Dhatu Kshaya, which in turn causes number of diseases.

Example: Rajayakshma (Tuberculosis) – Caused by Dhatu kshya which decreases the body’s immunity in turn causing severe infection.

Marga Avarana is caused when the increased Vata dosha combines with other doshas, Dhatus & Malas in different permutations and combinations. Vata vitiates the normal functioning of the factor with which it is combined and also imbalances the functions of the site where they are combined. It is a very serious condition where we need to balance Vata, repair the other doshas & dhatus and also correct the normal function of organ particular.

Example: Pakshghata (Hemiplegia) – Increase Vata vitiates Rakta, which forms the blood clot. The clot moves to brain and lodges in smaller vessels and blocks the way. This affects the function of brain causing Hemiplegia.

The two examples given above are serious conditions. But the same Dhatu Kshaya and Marga Avarana happen in lesser percentages which can cause common diseases like, Peenasa(Common cold), Adhmana (Abdominal distension), Vibandha(Constipation), Sandhi shula(Joint pains), Shira shula(Head ache), Klama(Fatigue), etc. This is where everybody needs to understand the importance of Vata and its maintainance in our day to day life.

Ayurveda strongly recommends “food itself is medicine”. Hence maintaining Vata and balancing Tridoshas in our body is certainly possible by knowing what & how much we eat apart from what work we do on day to day basis. Some easy and important tips to be followed to maintaining Vata and keep ourselves healthy:

• Wholesome food should be consumed with Dal, Vegetables and Buttermilk: This Supplies Carbohydrates, Proteins, Vitamins, Minerals 7 Fibers to the body. South Indian food habit is best example for a wholesome diet.

• Food should be consumed in proper timings and as soon as you get hungry. Long gaps between food causes increase in Vata.

• Ghee, Milk, Butter, Well cooked meat in little quantity help to combat Vata very effectively.

• Drinking Tea and Coffee frequently and with empty stomach causes increase in Vata and it should be avoided.

• Whenever we are exposed to air or strong wind, we should cover ourselves. Like keeping cotton in ear and covering our head with a cap while riding bike.

• Having Oil massage all over body at least once in a week decreases Vata and maintains health and Beauty of the body and hair.

• Acharyas give importance to Sadachara, i.e., following good practices. Like being Cheerful and Calm. Respecting elders, Being friendly with others, Less speech with smile, performing Prayers and Dhyana, etc. These help in decreasing Vata & maintaining body’s equilibrium.

Simply put Vata controls most functions of the body and we in turn need to control it in deed. This relation between body mind and Vata makes us to wonder how God has created us with so many systems, functions & characters. As our acharyas say we must and should worship God, worship Vayu, worship ourselves.

“Buddhir Balam Yasho Dhairyam Nirbhayatwam Arogata |Ajadyam Vakpatutwam cha Hanumat smaranat bhavet ||” By remembering Hanuman (called as God of Prana or Vayu), we can achieve Intellect, Strength, Success, Bravery, Fearlessness, Health, Youth & good Speech.

About the Author

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Dr. Sphurti is a Technical Manager / Advisor at Nisargalaya, Bangalore. She is a practioner of Ayurvedic Medicine System. With a Degree (BAMS) and a specialization in Rasa Shastra (M.D) and a considerable experience with Panchakarma treatment, she handles varied cases of general consultation and geriatrics.

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