ByRadhika Iyer Talati
May 5, 2021 (IANSlife) The concept of the ‘Panchamahabhootas’ is the basic building block to understanding Ayurveda, one of the oldest forms of holistic treatments. Ayurveda believes that everything in this ‘brahmand’ or universe, is made up of 5 basic elements, namely: Prithvi (earth), Jal (water), Vayu (air), Agni (fire), and Aakash (ether or space). These five elements, present in varying proportions, constitute the human body.
Ayurveda recognises the mind, the body, and its spirit as interdependent constituents that make up the human body. It divides all people into possessing one amongst these three broad categories of Dosha- Vata (ether/air), Pitta (fire), and Kapha (water/earth). Following the theories of Ayurveda, we all have one dominant dosha- a type of bodily humour. An individual’s unique ratio of Kapha, Vata, and Pitta is said to define their Ayurvedic constitution- their personal roadmap to achieve optimal health, and when out of balance, the cause of several diseases.
This theory of the ‘Tridosha’ is the substance of all diagnostic treatments in Ayurveda. Vata binds Akasha and Vayu and ensures unhindered body movement. Breathing and excretion, food absorption and cell growth and regeneration; muscle movement, and balance- all of this is governed by the Vata Dosha. Pitta binds Agni and Jal and is the principal regulator of body alkalinity. It is primarily responsible for generating vision, colour, and warmth in the body. Kapha on the other hand is the energy that binds Prithvi and Jal. It is the force that maintains homeostasis, constitutes the structural framework in our body even while forming several protective coverings of different organs.
Ayurveda enlists a total of 8 Prakritis based on the knowledge that there is no ‘one size fits all' approach in health. Each individual has his/her own dominant dosha or a combination of two or three of these elemental forces. In Ayurveda, this divergence from Prakruti, Vikruti, is the cause of all diseases. Keeping a check on your specific tridosha can help prevent and also treat these diseases. You can treat these individual doshas as follows:
Ayurveda and Yoga in unison can help one achieve a healthy lifestyle- free of most common diseases. Trying to understand your unique Dosha, and accepting Ayurveda as a way of life can change your life. Well, after all, isn’t a healthy mind and body our ultimate goal after all?
(Radhika Iyer Talati is an entrepreneur & Founder of Beauty by Anahata, Yogini, & Philanthropist)
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