The three doṣas and the five elements
Everything in the universe is composed of the five elements called Pañcamāhābhūta:
ether, air, fire, water and earth, which are governed by the doṣas, the operating principles of nature.
“Sarva Dravyam Panchabhautikam”
All Dravyas (substances) are composed of five elements:
ākāśa – space
vāyu – air
tejas – fire
jāla – water
pṛthvī – earth
Vāta Pitta and Kapha are the three bioenergetic principles that govern physiological processes. When they are in balance they keep the body in good health, otherwise in a state of imbalance they become the basic causes of disorders and diseases of the body and mind.
The doṣa Vāta, or Vāyu, is the regulating principle of air and ether.
Pitta regulates fire and a small part of water.
Kapha controls water and earth.
Functions of the three doṣas in physiology
Vāta governs space and air, is responsible for movement, transport and communication, deals with the functions of the internal organs, breathing, circulation, heartbeat, elimination and flow of the nervous impulse to and from the brain (nervous system activity), control of the mind and senses, clarity, alertness, enthusiasm and vitality. Vāta by nature is fast, dry, rough, cold, cool, light, subtle, minute, first to move, unfixed, unstable, irregular, unpredictable, penetrating, changing, clear.
Pitta governs fire and water, is responsible for metabolism, digestion, transformation of food, water and air throughout the body, regulates energy, temperature, intelligence, and control of emotions . Pitta by nature is slightly oily, warm, sharp, liquid, acidic, spicy and precise.
Kapha governs earth and water, is responsible for structure, cohesion, strength, stability, shape, fluids (muscle, fat, synovium), calm temperament and memory. Kapha is naturally heavy, solid, cold, soft, oily, sweet, stable and sticky.
“Yatha Pinde Tatha Brahmande”
As is the microcosm, so is the macrocosm
As is the individual, so is the cosmos
Everything in the universe is made of a different combination of the five great elements or Mahābhūta
So everything can be used as medicine, admitting this one has complete knowledge.
Charaka Saṁhita