It is true that this word means "wind" literally. But more important is the root va, movement. To
quote the Charaka Samhita: "Vata is the source of both structure and function [of the body]. It is that
which is represented by the five forms [of the bodily currents]: prana, udana, samana, vyana, and
apana. It is the initiator of the upward and downward flow [of all internal processes such as
circulation, metabolism, etc.]; the controller and guiding force of consciousness; the stimulant of the
synthesis; the storage battery of speech; the cause of feelings and perception; the origin of
excitement and stimulation; it fans the gastric fire, dries out harmful phlegm; expels excrements; is
purifier of the coarse and the fine channels of the body; the creator of the fetal form; the principle of
life preservation. All these are the normal functions of vata in our body" (Char. Sam. 1. 12:8).
Disturbance of any one of these functions leads to illness and susceptibility to infection.
Some of the illnesses due to the influence of vata are: rheumatism, dislocations, lameness, cramps,
stitfness of limbs, peristaltic irregularities, trembling, emotional and depressive states, everything
related to tension, relaxation, expansion and contraction, circulation and metabolism, crookedness
and distortion of limbs, abdominal diseases, menstrual irregularities, sterility, hallucinations, and
convulsions.
Pitta
This can be translated as "gall," but here it implies rather that which is also expressed by the word
gall: temperament. But this again only in a limited sense. The Charaka Samhita derives this word
from the root tap, "to heat," and this brings us closer to the meaning. We quote: "It is only the fire
which in pitta brings on good and bad results, according to the normal or abnormal condition [of the
organs]. The results are digestion and indigestion, power of perception and its loss, normal and
abnormal body temperatures, healthy and unhealthy look, temerity, fear [nerves], anger and joy
[moods], confusion and clarity, and other such contrasting pairs" (Char. Sam. 1. 12:11). "The normal
function of pitta causes: power of cognition, fire of digestion, fresh complexion, clarity of thought,
body temperature, hunger and thirst, and nimbleness of mind" (Char. Sam. 1. 18:50). Diseases from
this source are: inflammation, fever, pus, perspiration, softening of bodily substance, itching,
metabolic irregularities, redness, bad odor and taste, as well as discoloration.
Kapha
This word is composed of two roots: ka== "water," and pha, which refers to the process of biological
evolution. And since we know that the body is largely composed of liquid we could translate kapha
as "life−fluid."
"Kapha is the nectar [soma]. It is the fertile water for the play of life; it is living fluid, the protoplasm
that sustains all life processes; it is indeed the scaffold of life. It binds the limbs together and
produces all the connecting, nourishing, developing, and fortifying functions. It promotes the
well−being of the body by its lubricating action. Thus it supplies the water for the roots of life. In its
physiological aspect [!] kapha is the power and perseverance of man, which, however, immediately
becomes a disturbing impurity when his balance is disturbed" (Char. Sam. 1. 12:12). Kapha ailments
are: pallidness, cold, edema, constipation, diabetes, secretions, cold sweat, languidness, and
swellings (tumors).
