Tridosha Siddantha of Ayruveda is a VEDIC concept. Though difficult to understand, after sixteen years of Ayurveda practice I tried my best to make the concept simple and easy to understand. It seems that the original literatures used to develop Tridosha concept is not available today. Charaka who is well known for the general medicine and clear treatment principles is the one who clearly explained the Tridosha siddantha with respect to body and Universe. Charaka and Susrutha samhithas are the available most ancient literatures of Ayurveda. One can think of Tridosha concept from different angle, hence any explanation to the concept of Tridosha Concept many times become controversial. We were taught Vata as air, Pitta as Bile or fire, and Kapha as Phlegm in our colleges which really are just literary meanings and at some point one can compare the functions of these with air, fire or bile and phlegm. Other than that there is no direct relation between the literary meanings and the concept. Here this is my effort to explore the concept of Tridosha from one angle which I consider as most scientific.

1. Understanding the Tridosha
Siddantha of Ayurveda
By
Dr Jayagovinda Ukkinadka

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Function of Vata in Universe-In normal
state

9. Function of Vata in Universe-In
abnormal state

10. 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.

11. …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.

12. 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.

13. Universe with Galaxies

14. Paramatma-CORE-GALXIES-STARS-PLANETS-
SATALITES

15. Milky way- Our galaxy

17. 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.

18. What is Vata in Body

19. 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

20. 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.

21. Prana Vayu

22. 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.

23. Udana Vayu

24. Udana Vayu- Cranial N Motor Function
of PNS & also Higher functions
• Vakpravrithi- Function related with 9th 11th
and 12th cranial Nerve.

25. Samana Vayu

26. 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.

27. Vyana Vayu

28. Vyana Vayu- As told by Susrutha

29. 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.

30. Apana Vayu

31. 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.

32. 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.

33. What is Pitta then

34. 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.

35. 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.

36. What is Kapha then?

37. 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

38. 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.

39. 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.