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Vata Dosha

AYURVEDA

Vata Dosha In Ayurveda

By Dr. Jagdev Singh On Mar 28, 2016 Last updated Feb 28, 2018

Vata is governing manifestation and principle force, which is responsible for

movement, communication, transportation, respiration, circulation, elimination and
thinking. Vata is one of the three body humors (Dosha). Ayurveda has divided

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manifestations and effects into three categories. Vata is governing manifestation

and principle force among three humors (Tridosha – Vata, Pitta and Kapha). Vata
means air or wind. It consists of ether and air elements.

Page Contents [hide]

1 Vata Constitution
2 Vata Dosha Qualities
3 Vata Functions
4 Main Vata Locations
5 Vata Subtypes
5.1 PRANA VAYU
5.2 UDANA VAYU
5.3 SAMANA VAYU
5.4 VYANA VAYU
5.5 APANA VAYU
6 Vata Dominance & Body
7 Vata Paci cation & Aggravation by RASA (Taste)
8 Vata Cycle
8.1 Taking Medicines according to Vata Cycle
9 Vata & Seasons
9.1 Summers
9.2 Rainy Season
9.3 Autumn
10 Vata Imbalance & Its Symptoms
10.1 Decreased Vata Symptoms & Health Conditions
10.2 Increased Vata Symptoms & Health Conditions
10.3 Aggravated Vata Symptoms & Clinical Manifestations

Vata Constitution
AAKASH (Ether) + VAYU (Air/Gases)
Vata Constitution
Elements

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Ether is the highest element before air. It is very subtle element and also called
AKASHA and SPACE.   Air is second element after ether. It evolves from the
AKASHA (ether). It is also called VAYU.

Vata is a combination of these two elements. Vata is also subtle, so its presence
can only be felt or proved by its actions in the body.

Vata Dosha Qualities

Ayurveda has described the qualities of Vata.

Sanskrit Name English Meaning

RUKSHA Dry

SHEETA * Cold *

LAGHU Light

SUKSHNA Subtle or Fineness or Minute

CHALA Moving or Mobile

VISHADA Clear ( owing and clear)

KHARA Rough or Coarse

KATHINA Hard

* However, Vata is considered as SHEETA (Cold), but Vata also acts as YOGAVAHI.
It means when it associates with hot substance, it projects USHNA (hot) quality
and when it is associated with cold substance, it projects SHEETA (cold) quality.
However, Vata does never lose its intrinsic properties, but it can also project
properties of other substance associated with it.

It produces feeling of warmness or hotness when it becomes associated with

Pitta. Same way, it results in feeling of coldness when it is associated with Kapha.

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Pitta and Kapha cannot work without Vata, but Vata can work without Pitta and
Kapha. This is independent nature of Vata.   Vata has independent actions and
functions, but Pitta and Kapha depend on Vata for their functions because they
cannot move or acts without Vata. It plays vital role in transportation and
communication.

KASAYA (Astringent) taste is slightly present in VATA.

Things or food having similar properties aggravate the VATA and the opposite
characteristics pacify the VATA.

Vata Functions
In short, Vata is responsible for all functions of nervous system. It has following
major functions:

1. Senses
2. Communication
3. Conductivity
4. Impulsivity
5. Permeability
6. Sensitivity
7. Transportation
8. Circulation
9. Elimination
10. Movement
11. Respiration
12. Thought
13. Produces Roughness
14. Produces Lightness

Vata controls communication, movement and transportation in the living cells. It

determines the movement of molecules in cellular structures. It also controls the
movement of the body. Vata plays a role in nerve impulses from the brain to other
parts of the body and from organs to the brain.

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Cellular division is not possible without VATA. It is essential for cellular

organization and formation of tissues. It brings Kapha molecules and cells
together to conjugate them into tissues. Therefore, Vata has more important role
in the body.

Embryo shape is due to Vata action

Vata plays a role in formation and determining the shape of embryo.
It produces dryness in the body.
It causes catabolism in the body by inducing activities and movement.
It also controls the metabolic processes in the body by determining the speed
of action and controlling Pitta.
Vata is a main factor that is responsible determining the all processes in the
life from development and formation of embryo to destruction of the life.
All functions of nervous system including brain, spinal cord, and peripheral
nerves are due to Vata. It plays a role in stimulation of impulses in the
nervous system.
All functions of sense organs are due to Vata.

Main Vata Locations

Vata is present in whole body and in every living cell. Ayurveda has speci ed some
main locations where actions and manifestations of Vata appear normally in the
human body. All parts below the navel are considered Vata area. These organs
are:

Pelvic Colon
Bladder
Pelvis
Kidneys
Bones
Ears
Skin
Lower Limbs – Legs & Feet

Vata Subtypes
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Vata has ve subtypes:

1. PRANA VAYU
2. UDANA VAYU
3. SAMANA VAYU
4. VYANA VAYU
5. APANA VAYU

PRANA VAYU
In Yoga, PRANA represents life force and vital energy. In ayurveda, it is the basic
functional unit of mind, intellect, conscience, nervous system (nerve cells), sense
organs, motor organs, and respiration.

PRANA VAYU Locations

Brain
Chest including heart and lungs
Throat
Tongue
Mouth
Nose

There are different views on PRANA VAYU locations, but it is working in whole
body from the cellular levels. Its observable actions appear in between the head
and navel (umbilicus). According to ancient scholars, there are three main MARMA
SASTHANA (very sensitive points for sustaining the life) and these three are main
locations of PRANA VAYU. These are:

1. Head
2. Heart
3. Area of Navel and area around it

According to Sharangdhar Samhita, heart is the main location of PRANA VAYU

because it is responsible for natural functions of heart. According to Sushruta,
vata circulating and working in the mouth is PRANA VAYU.

Normal functions of PRANA VAYU

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Breathing
Swallowing food
Spitting
Sneezing
Belching or Burp
Five Senses
Function of nerves
Cough and expelling out the sputum

It also stimulates the action of AGNI (digestive re and metabolic activities) from
the brain (control of nervous system on appetite and metabolism). It controls and
supports heart functions.

Diseases due to its aggravation

1. Asthma
2. Bronchitis
3. Common Cold
4. Hiccups
5. Hoarseness of voice

Generally, all respiratory diseases are due to aggravation of PRANA VAYU.

UDANA VAYU
UDANA VAYU is responsible for controlling speech. It supports the functions of
diaphragm, chest, lungs, pharynx, and nose. UDANA means which moves and
works in the upper parts of the body. The main function of it is to produce voice,
which helps one to talk and sing.

Location
Diaphragm
Chest
Lungs
Pharynx
Nose

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According to Charaka Samhita, UDANA VAYU is mainly located in following three

areas:

1. In and around Navel (umbilicus)

2. Chest
3. Throat

According to Vagbhata, it is located in following areas:

1. Throat
2. In and around Navel (umbilicus)
3. Nose

Note: Chest is site of both PRANA & UDANA VAYU. The difference is that PRANA
is circulating in this area and UDANA resides here.

Normal function
According to Charaka Samhita, UDANA VAYU is responsible for following
functions in the body:

1. Speech – produces voice and words

2. Efforts – makes person capable to do efforts
3. Enthusiasm – makes person enthusiastic for doing tasks
4. Strength – preserve strength of the body by eliminating gaseous waste
products during expiration
5. Complexion – maintain color and complexion

According to other ancient Maharishis, UDANA VAYU also is also responsible for
following things and functions:

Satisfaction
Memory
Determination
Recitation
Thinking

UDANA VAYU is also responsible for functions of diaphragm in respiration. It

causes contractions and relaxation of diaphragm and intercostal muscles.
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Diseases due to UDANA aggravation

Aggravation of UDANA can results in diseases of upper parts of the body, which
includes nose, throat, eye, ear etc. Along with PRANA VAYU, it is also responsible
for diseases like cough, hiccup and breathing troubles.

SAMANA VAYU
SAMANA VAYU resides in channels of alimentary canal from the stomach to
colon. It controls peristalsis of alimentary tract especially intestine and stomach.
It helps moving the food in the canal.

Location
1. Stomach
2. Small intestines

According to Charaka, SAMANA VAYU resides in the channels of sweat, Dosha,

and uids in the body. It is also present in stomach and intestines where it
maintains the functions of PACHAKA PITTA.

Normal function
1. SAMANA VAYU is responsible for mechanical breakdown of the food, which
assists digestive juice/enzymes (PACHAKA PITTA) to process further.
2. It differentiates the useful part and waste part of the food and assists in the
absorption of nutritious parts of the food and elimination of the fecal matter.

Diseases due to its aggravation

Its aggravation can alter digestion and can cause defective assimilation.
Diarrhea
Indigestion

VYANA VAYU
According to Charaka, VYANA VAYU is present is whole body. All movements in
the body are due to it. It causes exion and extension, contraction and relaxation,
opening and closing of eyelids etc. It is functional unit of autonomic centers,
motor centers, sensory nerves, motor nerves, re ex arcs, etc. It mainly controls
permeability of capillaries, circulation and perspiration.
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Location
1. Whole body
2. Mainly Heart

Normal function
VYANA VAYU controls all voluntary and involuntary movements of the body. It is
responsible for re ex actions and transmission of nerve impulses. It controls heart
rhythm. It is also involved in autonomic nervous system, which induces sweat
secretion. It helps in the functioning of circulating channels and blood vessels.

Diseases due to its aggravation

1. Fever
2. Circulatory diseases

APANA VAYU
APANA VAYU controls lumbosacral plexus. It plays role in elimination or excretion.

Location
1. Pelvis
2. Bladder
3. Uterus
4. Thighs
5. Testes
6. Abdominal muscles
7. Pelvic colon
8. Normal function

Defecation
Micturation (Urination)
Expulsion of menstrual discharge
Expulsion of ovum from the ovaries
Delivery of the fetus

Diseases due to its aggravation

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Aggravation of APANA VAYU can result in constipation and diseases of bladder,

uterus, testicles, etc.

Vata Dominance & Body

VISHAMA – Irregular (represents
AGNI (Type of Digestive Fire)
irregular appetite)

KOSHTA (Nature  of alimentary tract KRURA (Hard)

& motility of intestines)  

PRAKRITI (Body Type) HEENA (Poor)

Vata Paci cation & Aggravation by RASA (Taste)

Vata Paci er Vata Aggravators

MADHURA (Sweet) KATU (Pungent)

LAVANA (Salty) TIKTA (Bitter)

AMAL (Sour) KASAYA (Astringent)

Vata Cycle
After complete digestion of the food (around
Relation to Food Digestion
2 to 3 hours after food)

Relation to Eating Food MADHYA – When you are eating food

Relation to Age Group Old Age

Relation to Day Evening – around 2 PM to 6 PM

Relation to Night Late Night – around 2 AM to 6 AM

Taking Medicines according to Vata Cycle

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This principle is applied when one has generalized Vata disorder and Vata
symptoms appear in whole body.

1. Naturally, Vata is dominant in above time period, as discussed above in table.

2. VATA pacifying medicines should be given 2 to 3 hours after food i.e. when
one has digested the food. It applies when one suffers from abdominal
disorders with Vata dominance.
3. VATA pacifying medicines can also be taken in evening or in late night in
respect of time. It applies when you suffer from neurological disorders,
generalized body pains and arthritis.

Vata & Seasons

Accumulation of Vata (VATA CHAYA) Summers (GRISHMA)

Excess Vitiation of Vata (VATA PRAKOPA) Rainy Season (VARSHA)

Allaying the increased Vata (VATA PRASHAMA) Autumn (SHARAD)

Summers
The strength of the body is decreased in summers and digestive power also
becomes low. You lose body water because of sweating. In nature, there is
presence of foods having dry (RUKSHA) and light (LAGHU) quality during
summers. It results in accumulation of Vata in the body. However, Vata does not
aggravate, but it gets accumulated in suppressed form because of heat in
summers. It is called VATA CHAYA.

Rainy Season
In rainy season, body strength and digestive re continue to be low, but
temperature changes from hot to cold, which cause aggravation of suppressed
Vata. This stage is called VATA PRAKOPA.

Autumn
In autumn, land is wet and heat in the environment results allaying the Vata. This
stage is called VATA PRASHAMA.
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Vata Imbalance & Its Symptoms

Vata in a balanced stage represents good health. Increase or decrease in Vata
represents diseased stage. Decrease or increase in Vata is called Vata imbalance.
Both have different Vata imbalance symptoms.

Decreased Vata Symptoms & Health Conditions

The following symptoms and manifestations indicate decreased Vata:

1. Desire to eat food having pungent, bitter and astringent taste. Food having
intrinsic qualities like dry, rough, and light are more preferable.
2. Diminished sensations
3. Dissatisfaction
4. Drowsiness
5. Feeling of exhaustion
6. Laziness
7. Sluggish movement
8. Sluggish speech
9. Weak digestive power

Generally, decreased Vata symptoms are relative to increased Kapha in the body.
Therefore, following symptoms are also observable:

Excessive salivation
Nausea
Anorexia

Increased Vata Symptoms & Health Conditions

The following symptoms and manifestations indicate increased Vata:

1. Desire to eat food having hot potency and sweet taste.

2. Weakness
3. Weight loss
4. Darkening of the skin
5. Feeling of strength loss
6. Constipation, hard and dry stool
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7. Bloating
8. Sleeplessness
9. Feeling sensations of twitching
10. Giddiness
11. Irrelevant talk

Aggravated Vata Symptoms & Clinical Manifestations

1. Astringent taste in mouth
2. Blackish discoloration of the skin
3. Colicky pain
4. Dry and cracked skin
5. Excessive thirst
6. Feeling of exhaustion
7. Loss of sensation
8. Marasmus
9. Pricking pain
10. Splitting pain
11. Tremors

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