The document discusses the concept of dosha in Ayurveda. It defines dosha as entities that maintain normalcy in the body and are involved in its formation. The three main doshas are vata, pitta, and kapha. Each dosha has specific properties, locations in the body, and functions. The doshas are formed based on the elemental composition of foods consumed during gestation and digestion. Their balance is important for health, while imbalance can lead to disease.

1. Concept of Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant
Assistant Professor
Sharir Kriya Dept.
GJPIASR, CVM University
Anand, Gujarat
Mail Id. ayuraniket18@gmail.com
aniket.shilwant@cvmu.edu.in

2. Table of Contents
 Concept of Dosha – Etymology, Definition
 Types of Dosha
 Subtypes of Dosha
 Genesis of Dosha
 General Locations of Vata – Pitta – Kapha Dosha
 General properties of Vata – Pitta – Kapha Dosha
 General functions of Vata – Pitta – Kapha Dosha
 Mutual Relations of Dosha
 Prakrut – Vaikrut Dosha
 Importance of Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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3. Nirukti – Etymological Derivation
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
3
Entity having nature of contamination, adulteration,
amalgamation, merging – Dosha.

4. Vyakhya - Definition
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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Dosha satisfies criteria –
1. Indulged in formation of and establishment of Prakriti
2. Independent by nature
3. Nature of contamination, contagiousness
Dosha –
• Maintains normalcy and sustains integrity of bodily tissues & its functions

5. Types of Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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Sharir Dosha (Humors at Physical level)
Manas Dosha (Humors at Psyche level)

6. Subtypes of Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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Sr. No Vata Pitta Kapha
1 Prana (Puran) Pachak Avalambak
2 Udana (Udvahan) Ranjak Kledak
3 Vyana (Praspandan) Sadhak Bodhak
4 Samana (Vivek) Bhrajak Tarpak
5 Apana (Dharan) Alochak Shleshak
Alochak Pitta –
Chakshu Vaisheshika & Buddhi Vaisheshika (Bhela Samhita)

7. Why only three Dosha?
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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8. Why only three Dosha?
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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Sushruta’s View for Rakta as Dosha

9. Why only three Dosha?
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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Denial of Rakta as Dosha
 Rakta not involved in Prakiti formation of an individual.
 Rakta is not independent (Swatantrayen)
 Vata-Pitta-Kapha vitiates Dushya and even each other also. Whereas Rakta gets
vitiated by either of Vata-Pitta-Kapha. So, there are features as per Vata dushit –
Pitta dushit – Kapha dushit rakta.

10. Genesis of Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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INTRAUTERINE LIFE
Intake of food with elementary disposition (Panchbhautik Ahara),
followed daily regimen (Response to various stimuli) by Mother during
gestational age (Matur-Ahara-Vihara Prakriti)
Rise of elementary attributes in the newly formed product (Embryo)
Predominance of elementary disposition gives rise to cluster of properties
sharing similar elementary disposition. (Dosha Utkattva)
This is Prakrut dosha. Genotypic base. Once developed remains constant.

11. Genesis of Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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INTRAUTERINE LIFE
• Dosha are formed by elementary disposition
• Rise and fall of Dosha developed by intake of food with different tastes.

12. Genesis of Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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INTRAUTERINE LIFE
• Predominance of Dosha (group of properties sharing similar elementary attributes)
(Dosha Utkattva)
• Intake of specific food with specific elementary disposition during gestational age
contributes formation of Prakriti / Temperament of an individual.

13. Genesis of Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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EXTRAUTERINE LIFE
 Encountering - Daily dietary regimen + Seasonal regimen + Diurnal
Variations + Age; leads to rise of specific group of properties assigned
with particular elementary disposition. (Dosha Utkattva)
Majorly contributed by –
 Intake of food with specific elementary disposition (Panchbhautik
Ahara) and later its phase wise process of Digestion (Avasthapaka)
 Develops Vaikrut Dosha. Tends to deviate from normalcy easily.
 Responsible for creation of ailments, disease related symptoms and other
abnormalities.

14. Genesis of Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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EXTRAUTERINE LIFE
• Rise in group of properties (Dosha) replenished during process of Digestion (Avasthapaka)

15. General Locations of Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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1. Vata – Pakvashaya (Large intestinal column), below umbilical region, Pelvis with Rectal and Anal region
2. Pitta – Pakva-Amashaya Madhya (in between Stomach and Colon), Grahani (Small intestinal column)
3. Kapha – Ura (Chest), Amashaya (Stomach and Epigastric region)

16. General Properties of Vata Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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CHARAK SAMHITA SUSHRUT SAMHITA
ASHTANG
HRIDAYA
KASHYAP
SAMHITA
SHARANGDHARA
Ruksha (Dryness) Ruksha (Dryness) Ruksha (Dryness) Ruksha (Dryness) Ruksha (Dryness)
Laghu (Light
weightedness)
Laghu (Light weightedness)
Laghu (Light
weightedness)
-
Laghu (Light
weightedness)
Shita (Cold) Shita (Cold) Shita (Cold) Shita (Cold) Shita (Cold)
Khara (Rough) Khara (Rough) Khara (Rough) Khara (Rough) -
Sukshma (Fine or
Subtle)
-
Sukshma (Fine or
Subtle)
-
Sukshma (Fine or
Subtle)
Chala (Movable) Dviguna (Shabda - Sound and Sparsha - Touch)
Chala (Movable)
Chala (Movable) Chala (Movable)
Vishad (Cleaning or
Removing tendency or
Non-slimy)
Rajo bahula (mutually interdependent with Rajasik
- exciting factors at psychological level)
Vishad (Cleaning or
Removing tendency or
Non-slimy)
Rajo gunamaya
(Dominant with Raja
guna at psychological
level)
Daruna (Harshness) Achintya virya (Unimaginable potency)
Vyavayi (Spreadable)
Vibhag karanam
(Which separates,
segregates)
Yogavahi (Synergistic
in action)
Doshanam neta (Primary to all other dosha)
Roga Samuharat (Capable to vitiate enough to
produce multiple diseases)
Ashukari (Very quick in action)
Muhushchari (Repeated tendency)

17. General Properties of Pitta Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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CHARAK SAMHITA SUSHRUT SAMHITA ASHTANG HRIDAYA KASHYAP SAMHITA SHARANGDHARA
Sa-sneha
(slightly unctuous)
-
Sa-sneha
(slightly unctuous)
- -
Ushna (Hot) Ushna (Hot) Ushna (Hot) Ushna (dominantly hot) Ushna (Hot)
Tikshna (Sharp) Tikshna (Sharp) Tikshna (Sharp)
Tikshna (slightly sharp
in nature)
-
Drava (Liquid) Drava (Liquid) Drava (Liquid) Drava (Liquid)
Drava (Liquid)
Amla (Sour in taste) Puti (Putri smelling) - - -
Vistra (Foul smelling)
Pita (Normally Yellowish in
appearance)
Vistra (Foul smelling) -
Pita (Normally Yellowish in
appearance)
Sara (Secretory)
Nila (Bluish appearance
abnormally)
Sara (Secretory) -
Nila (Bluish appearance
abnormally)
Katu (Bitter in taste)
Katu (Normally Bitter in
taste)
Laghu (light
weightedness)
Laghu (light
weightedness)
Katu - Tikta (Bitter and Spicy in
taste normally)
Amla (Sour in taste
abnormally)
Amla (Sour in taste abnormally)
Satvagunottaram (Dominant Satvik
guna at psychological level)

18. General Properties of Kapha Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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CHARAK SAMHITA SUSHRUT SAMHITA ASHTANG HRIDAYA SHARANGDHARA SAMHITA
Guru (Heavy) Guru (Heavy) Guru (Heavy) Guru (Heavy)
Shita (Cold) Shita (Cold) Shita (Cold) Shita (Cold)
Mrudu (Soft) - - -
Snigdha (Unctuous) Snigdha (Unctuous) Snigdha (Unctuous) Snigdha (Unctuous)
Madhur (Sweet in taste) Madhur (Sweet in taste) Swadu (Sweet in taste normally)
Sthir (Stable) - Sthir (Stable)
Pichhila
(Slimy, Sticky in nature)
Pichhila (Slimy, Sticky in
nature)
Mrutsna (Slimy) Pichhila (Slimy, Sticky in nature)
Lavana (Salty in taste
abnormally)
Manda (Slow and
Sluggish)
Lavana (Salty in taste
abnormally)
Shweta (Whitish) Shlakshna (Sticky)
Shweta (Whitish)
Tamogunadhik (dominant with
Tamasik guna at psychological
level)

19. General functions of Vata Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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20. General functions of Vata Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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 Regulating, functioning all activities inside the body
 Accelerating and Inhibiting all activities at Physical-Psychological-Vocal level
 Regulating and controlling psyche
 Stimulating all the senses for perception of knowledge and impulse transmissions
 Responsible for Motion at gross to molecular and atomic level.
 Phonation, Enthusiasm, Stimulation and release of digestive juices, cellular
divisions, expulsion of fetus and biological wastes, etc.
 Blood, Lymph and Nutrients Circulation
 Respiration
 Sustaining the integrity of life
 Continuation of life span of cells, tissues with normal functioning mechanism.

21. General functions of Pitta Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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22. General functions of Pitta Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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 Digestion
 Generation of body heat and body temperature
 Vision process and photo-transduction
 Hunger – Thirst sensation
 Liking and disliking towards food
 Skin complexion, luster
 Understanding power, Grasping ability, Knowledge gaining capacity
 Courage and valour
 Delicacy of skin and musculature

23. General functions of Kapha Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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24. General functions of Kapha Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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 Firmness, stability
 Growth, Anabolism
 Enthusiasm
 Unctuousness, maintains hydration and moisture
 Fertility
 Forgiving nature, calm
 Filling the porous cavities of body
 Tissue heal and repair
 Lubrication in joints
 Good intellect, clarity in understanding
 Good retention power, strong memory

25. Relation of Dosha & Mahabhuta
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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Sr.
No
Dosha Mahabhuta
1 Vata Vayu + Akash
2 Pitta Teja
3 Kapha Prithvi + Jala
Sr.
No
Dosha
Panchabhautik
dravya – Pacifying
dosha (Shaman)
Panchabhautik dravya –
Aggravating dosha
(Prakop)
1 Vata Prithvi, Jala, Teja Vayu, Akash
2 Pitta Prithvi, Jala, Vayu Teja
3 Kapha Akash, Teja, Vayu Prithvi, Jala

26. Relation of Dosha & Mahaguna
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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Sr. No Dosha Mahaguna Characteristics
1 Vata Raja Exciting, Stimulating factors
2 Pitta Satva Essence of Knowledge
3 Kapha Tama Inertia, Obstructing or Restricting factors

27. Relation of Dosha & Rasa
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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Sr.
No
State of
Dosha
Rasa involved
Sr.
No
State of
Dosha
Rasa involved
1 Vata Vriddhi Katu ,Tikta, Kashaya 4 Vata Kshaya Madhura, Amla, Lavana
2 Pitta Vriddhi Katu ,Amla, Lavana 5 Pitta Kshaya Madhura, Tikta, Kashaya
3 Kapha Vriddhi Madhura, Amla, Lavana 6 Kapha Kshaya Katu ,Tikta, Kashaya

28. Relation of Mutual Interdependence
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Concept of Ashraya – Ashrayi

29. Relation of Mutual Interdependence
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
29
Sr.
No
Dosha
(Ashrayi)
Elementary
constitution of
Dosha (Ashrayi)
Dushya –Ashraya
(Elementary constitution)
1 Vata Vayu + Akash Asthi (Prithvi + Vayu + Akash)
2 Pitta Teja Rakta (Teja + Jala)
3 Kapha Prithvi + Jala
Rasa (Jala), Mamsa (Prithvi),
Meda (Prithvi + Jala), Majja (Jala), Shukra
(Jala), Mutra (Teja + Jala), Purish (Prithvi)

30. Relation of Dosha & Rutu
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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Sr. No Dosha Sanchay Prakop Prasham
1 Vata Greeshma Varsha Sharad
2 Pitta Varsha Sharad Hemant
3 Kapha Shishir Vasant Greeshma
1. Chay / Sanchay – Stage of Accumulation of Dosha
2. Prakop – Stage of Aggravation of Dosha
3. Prasham – Stage of Pacification of Dosha

31. Prakrut – Vaikrut Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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32. Prakrut – Vaikrut Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
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S.N PRAKRUT DOSHA VAIKRUT DOSHA
1
Maintains normalcy in terms of – Functioning,
Regulation of any activity, Pace in Development.
Responsible for disequilibrium.
2
Sustains the integrity of healthy status. (Garbha
Prakruti)
Responsible for congenital anomaly. (Garbha
Vikruti)
3 Maintains static and dynamic equilibrium. Creates diseases and related symptoms.
4
Involves in formation and development of Prakriti
(Personality) of an individual.
Tends to create exaggerated (Vruddhi) or
diminished activities (Kshay)
5
Formed by elementary disposition supplied by diet of
mother from conception and throughout gestational
age. (Intra-Uterine Life)
Formed during stage wise digestion process
(Avasthapaka) in later stages of life after consumption
of Ahara.

33. Prakrut – Vaikrut Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
33
S.N PRAKRUT DOSHA VAIKRUT DOSHA
6
Tends to deviate and pacify within normal
limits - by Age - Diurnal variations -
Seasonal regimen - Digestion phases.
Tends to deviate and go beyond normal limits to create
disease related symptoms and disease itself.
7
Undergoes 3 phases –
Chaya – Stage of Accumulation
Prakop – Stage of Aggravation
Prasham – Stage of Pacification
Undergoes 6 phases –
Chaya – Stage of Accumulation
Prakop – Stage of Aggravation
Prasar – Stage of Spreading
Sthansamshraya – Stage of development of Prodromal
symptoms
Vyakti – Stage of manifestation of diseases
Bheda – Stage of Chronicity & Differentiation of diseases

34. Importance of Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
34
• Dosha responsible for growth, sustenance of integrity of life and even for death.
• Dosha responsible for creating disease related ailments and abnormalities.
• Dosha are responsible for Origin and Genesis of body and formed elements.

35. Importance of Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
35
• Dosha shows the developmental stages of diseases by Kriyakala – Diagnostic,
Prognostic and Therapeutic view
• Dosha interprets the rise and fall of physical-chemical properties (Guna) of body.
• To know variations in functioning of Dosha (Vruddhi & Kshaya) - Rise and
development of disease symptoms.
• To study the seasonal regimen to be adopted as per Chaya-Prakop-Prasham of
Dosha - Maintain healthy status and equilibrium of body.

36. Importance of Dosha
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant, GJPIASR
36
• Role in development of Prakriti (Personality / Temperament) – Physical-
psychological-social behavioural development
• Assessment of status of Agni (Digestive power)
• Dosha responsible for optimal status of gut lining mucosal membrane (Koshta) –
Biophysical and Biochemical status of body
• Dosha responsible for supreme development of tissues (Dhatu Sarta) –
Metabolic view
• Dosha reflects through the circulatory efficiency by variable development in
radial pulse (Nadi Pariksha) – Helpful in diagnostic and therapeutic view

37. Thank You All !!!
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant
Assistant Professor
Sharir Kriya Dept.
GJP-IASR, CVM University
Email –
ayuraniket18@gmail.com
http://ayugjac.edu.in/Staff_CV.aspx?dl=dn3Mja19480dn3Mja19
http://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=636K2sMAAAAJ&hl=en
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Aniket_Shilwant