The document provides an in-depth exploration of the five types of Vata (Prana, Udana, Vyana, Samana, and Apana Vayu) in Ayurveda, detailing their functions, characteristics, locations, and modern physiological understandings. Each type of Vayu plays specific roles in the body, such as controlling reflexes, speech articulation, physical movements, digestion, and reproductive functions. The text emphasizes the integral connection between traditional Ayurvedic concepts and contemporary physiological principles.

1. VATA DOSHA BHEDA
D r. A n i k e t A n i l S h i l w a n t
BAMS, MD (Ayurveda Physiology)
ayuraniket18@gmail.com

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 . P R A N A VAY U
2 . U D A N A VAY U
3 . V YA N A VAY U
4 . S A M A N A VAY U
5 . A PA N A VAY U

3. PRANA VAYU
Etymological Derivation
mÉë +AlÉç +AcÉç + bÉgÉè +xÉÑ= mÉëÉhÉ:
mÉëMüwÉåïhÉ AÌlÉÌiÉ = eÉÏuÉÌiÉ
Characteristics – Sukshma and Chala Guna dominant
Mahabhuta – Akash Mahabhuta
Location
 Main location – Murdha (Head region)
 Working location – Ura (Chest region), Kantha (Throat)

4. PRANA VAYU

5. F U N C T I O N S
Buddhi Dhruk – Supports Buddhi (Intellect) to carry out functions like
decisiveness, discrimination ability
Hridaya Dhruk – Supports Hridaya (Heart) to carry out functions like Auto-
Rhythmicity
Indriya Dhruk – Supports Indriya (Sensory & Motor organs) by connecting with
respective Indriyartha (Objects)
Chitta Dhruk – Stimulates Psyche to perform respective functions like
Indriyabhigraha (Sensory elements to attract and connect with their objects),
Svasya nigraha (Self-control), Uhya
PRANA VAYU

6. F U N C T I O N S
Controls reflex activities like –
 Shthivan – Spitting
 Shavathu – Sneezing
 Udgaar – Belching
 Nishvaas – Inspiration
 Anna-Pravesh – Act of Deglutition
Where majority of the reflexes are governed by MEDULLA OBLONGATA and
other subcortical nuclear centers.
PRANA VAYU

7. M O D E R N P H Y S I O L O G I C A L U N D E R S T A N D I N G O F
F U N C T I O N S
 Intelligence, Cognitive ability
 Auto rhythmicity, properties associated with conductive system of Heart
 Excitability, Nerve impulse transmission
 Emotional stability
 Reflex actions – Spitting, Sneezing, Belching, Vomiting, Hiccoughing, etc.
 Act of Deglutition, Peristalsis, Cephalic phase of Digestion
PRANA VAYU

8.  Etymological Derivation –
ESè +AlÉç +bÉgÉè + xÉÑ= ESÉlÉ:
AiÉç EkuÉïqÉç AÌlÉÌiÉ mÉëÉÍhÉÌiÉ, CÌiÉ ESÉlÉ: |
 Characteristics – Shita guna dominant, provides Bala, Urja
 Mahabhuta – Jala Mahabhuta
 Location –
 Main location – Ura (Chest region)
 Working location – Nasa (Nose), Nabhi (Umbilical region), Gala (Throat)
UDANA VAYU

9. UDANA VAYU

10. F U N C T I O N S
 Vak pravrutti – Stimulates Peripheral Speech Apparatus (Larynx with its
connections) for Articulation of Sound and accomplishes act of Phonation
 Prayatna – Stimulator, action initiator
 Urja – Element of energy and activeness
 Bala – Inoculates strength, stamina and courage
 Varna – Enhances Skin complexion, looks and personality
 Smruti – Develops and facilitates memory power
UDANA VAYU

11. M O D E R N P H Y S I O L O G I C A L U N D E R S T A N D I N G O F
F U N C T I O N S
 Phonation, Speech regulation
 Tissue excitability
 Vigor, vitality, strength, immunity
 Skin complexion, Hemoglobin-Oxygen saturation relationship
 Endocrinal function of Melatonin
 Memory formation, retention.
UDANA VAYU

12. VYANA VAYU
 Etymological Derivation –
urÉÉmrÉ xÉuÉï zÉUÏUqÉç AjÉuÉÉ ÌuÉzÉåwÉåhÉ xÉuÉïzÉUÏUå AÌlÉÌiÉ CÌiÉ urÉÉlÉ: |
 Characteristics – Gati and Chala Guna
 Mahabhuta – Vayu Mahabhuta
 Location –
 Main location – Hridaya (Heart)
 Working location – Sarva Deha (Ominpresent throughout the body)

13. VYANA VAYU

14. VYANA VAYU
F U N C T I O N S
 Apakshepana – Downward movements of body and structures
 Utkshepana – Upwards movements of body and structures
 Unmesh-Nimesh – Closing and opening of eyes
 Sarva Kriya – Stimulates & accomplishes almost all physical movements of body
 Anna swadan (Taste perception), Stroto Shodhan (Piercing every
cavity/pore/structure), Jrumbha (Yawning reflex)

15. M O D E R N P H Y S I O L O G I C A L U N D E R S T A N D I N G O F
F U N C T I O N S
 Locomotory activities
 Neuromuscular activities
 Metabolic activities
 Reflexes – Yawning, Taste perception and appreciation
 Biophysical laws – Diffusion, Filtration, Osmosis, Active transport, etc.
 Blood circulation, Lymph circulation
VYANA VAYU

16. SAMANA VAYU
 Etymological Derivation –
xÉqÉç + AlÉç + AhÉç + xÉÑ= xÉqÉÉlÉ
xÉqÉliÉÉiÉçMüÉå¸å xÉqrÉMçü xÉqÉÇ uÉÉ AÌlÉÌiÉ,CÌiÉxÉqÉÉlÉ:|
xÉÇxÉqrÉMçü AÌlÉÌiÉmÉëÉÍhÉÌiÉ,CÌiÉxÉqÉÉlÉ:|
 Characteristics – Ruksha Guna Dominant
 Mahabhuta – Teja Mahabhuta
 Location –
 Main location – Agni Samip (Peri-umbilical region near to Grahani – Small Intestine)
 Working location – Koshta (Anatomical Abdominal regions)

17. SAMANA VAYU

18. SAMANA VAYU
 Anna Grunhati – Temporary storage of food in GI tract
 Anna Pachati – Digestion of temporarily stored food from the digestive tract
 Anna Vivechayati – Segregation and analysis of useful and waste byproducts
post digestion within the GI tract
 Anna Munchati – Absorption of essential nutrient part (Sara) from GI tract and
propulsion of waste (Kitta) part into colon

19. M O D E R N P H Y S I O L O G I C A L U N D E R S T A N D I N G O F
F U N C T I O N S
 Regulation of Gastric secretion
 Digestion, phases of Digestion – Gastric and Intestinal
 Biophysical laws – Absorption, Propulsion, Segregation
 Enteric Nervous System – Myentric and Auerbach’s Plexus
SAMANA VAYU

20. APANA VAYU
 Etymological Derivation –
AmÉxÉUhÉålÉ AkÉÉå uÉÉ, AkÉ: zÉUÏUå uÉÉ AÌlÉÌiÉ, CÌiÉ AmÉÉlÉ: |
AmÉ AkÉxiÉÉiÉç AÌlÉÌiÉ, CÌiÉ AmÉÉlÉ: |
 Characteristics – Khara and Gandha Guna dominant
 Mahabhuta – Prithvi Mahabhuta

21. APANA VAYU

22. APANA VAYU
 Location –
 Main location – Apana kshetra (All anatomical structures below umbilical
region)
 Working location – Shroni (Pelvis region with all anatomical structures),
Basti (Urinary bladder and its adnexa), Medhra (External genital region), Uru
(Thighs and Gluteal region)

23. APANA VAYU
F U N C T I O N S
 Shukra Nishkramana – Ejaculation of seminal and other reproductive fluids from
male genital tract
 Artava Nishkramana – Ejaculation of Ovum and its movement within female
genital tract
 Shakrut Nishkramana – Elimination of feces and formed elements
 Mutra Nishkramana – Elimination of Urine and formed elements
 Garbha Nishkramana – Expulsion of Fetus, Act of Parturition

24. M O D E R N P H Y S I O L O G I C A L U N D E R S T A N D I N G O F
F U N C T I O N S
 Spermatogenesis, Spermeogenesis, Spermination
 Oogenesis, Follicle formation, Ovulation
 Zygote Implantation
 Menstruation
 Peristalsis, Act of Defecation
 Reflex – Micturition, Parturition
APANA VAYU

25. SUBTYPES OF VATA DOSHA
Name Guna Mahabhuta Location Function
Prana
Sukshma
Chala
Akash
Murdha – Head, Ura – Chest region,
Kantha – Throat
Buddhi-Hridaya-Indriya-Chitta dhruk
Shthivan, Shavathu, Udgar, Ni shvas,
Anna pravesh
Udana Shita Jala
Ura – Chest region, Nasa – Nose, Nabhi
– Umbilical region, Gala – Throat region
Vaka pravrutti, Prayatna, Urja, Bala,
Varna, Smruti
Vyana
Gati
Chala
Vayu
Hridaya – Heart, Sarva deha –
Omnipresent throughout body
Apakshepan, Utkshepan, Unmesh,
Nimesh, Sarva Chesta
Samana Ruksha Agni
Agni Samip – Lateral flanks of
Abdomen, Koshta – Entire GI tract
Anna Grunhati, Anna pachati, Anna
Vivechayati, Anna Munchati
Apana
Khara
Gandha
Prithvi
Shroni – Pelvis with all anatomical
structures, Basti – Urinary Bladder ,
Medhra – External genital organs , Uru
– Thighs & Gluteal region
Shukra-Artava-Shakrut-Mutra-
Garbha Nishkramana

26. Tha nk Yo u !!!
Dr. Aniket A. Shilwant
BAMS, MD (Ayurveda Physiology)
ayuraniket18@gmail.com