Introduction To VATA (AYURVEDA)


Body is supported by the three dosas also called sakthirupa dravyas- Vata, Pitta & Kapha- situated predominantly in the lower, middle and upper portions, respectively, just like a house is supported firmly by 3 pillars. Since the dosas maintain the firmness of the body they are called as pillars. They are called as dhathus because they support the body; as malas because they pollute the body and also because they are the waste products of the food. They are called as dosas because of their tendency of polluting others.

The Importance of Vata Among Thridosas
Vata is the most important among Thridosas because Pitta, Kapha, all the dathus and malas are Pangu ie, are like a lame animal and as and how the vata carries them to different places, they move accordingly like cloud, that is carried away to different places by the wind…………………..(1)
The vayu through its vikshepana kriya ie,,driving and motivating force revolves all the planets in a systematized manner. In the same way the sareera vayu through its vitkshepana kriya motivates and organizes all the dhathus, malas and structures…(2)

Definitions Of Vata

a) The root va means gamana=movement
& gandhana=pressure
b) that which waves or moves about is called as vayu

The term va means to move, to enthuse, to make known and to become aware of, induction, effort and to enlighten. The synonyms of vata- vayu, anila, pavana, marutha. It is seen from Caraka samhitha that the sareera vata is Asanghata (incorporeal) and anavasthitha (unstable).


Vata is formed out of (born from the combination of) vayu and akasa bhuta
Qualities of Vata
Ruksa(dryness),laghu(lightness),sita(coldness),khara(roughness),suksma(minuteness)and cala(movement) are the qualities of vata………………………….(5)
Seat of Vata


Though present all over the body, dosas are predominantly found in the regions-below, in between and above-respectively of the area bound by the heart and the umbilicus.

Pakwasaya(large intestine), waist, thigh, ear, bone and the organ of touch(skin) are the seats of vata, especially, so the pakvadhana(large intestine)…………………….(6)

Functions of Normal Vata
Vata sustains the body with expiration, inspiration, enthusiasm, movement of the various parts, keenness of sense perceptions, initiation of the natural urges (such as that of urine, faeces) and many other functions

Vata vridhi karana
Vata gets aggravated from consuming food which are bitter, salt and astringent in taste, of less quantity, dry (moisture less, fatless) taking food long after usual time, suppression and premature initiation of the urges (of urine, faeces, flatus, etc), keeping awake at nights, speaking in high pitch for a long time, effect of therapies(emesis, purgation, etc) in excess(more than the required degree); (sudden) fear, grief and worry, excess of physical activities and sexual intercourse during summer, terminal part of the day; night and food

Vridha vata karma
Vata undergoing vridhi troubles the body by producing emaciation, blackish discoloration, (unwanted) movement of the body, tremors, desire for heat (hot comforts), loss of consciousness and sleep, decrease of strength and capacity of sensory organs, pains in the bones, decrease of bone marrow, obstruction to the movement of faeces, flatulence (distension of the abdomen by accumulation of gas), gurgling noise inside it, delusion, timidity, fear, grief, delirium and such other ailments