In Ayurveda, Tridosa is described as the main consequence of affecting health and resulting in disease. The doctrine of Panchamahabhuta is the origin and basis of the three regulatory psychological entities i.e., Vata, Pitta and Kapha. A brief overview regarding Tridosa is as follows:
1. Vata:
Vata sustains the entire machinery of the body. The important function of vata is to impart movement, generation and condition of impulses, transportation of biological materials and elimination of waste products. When vata vitiate or its equilibrium is disturbed, it results in psycho-somatic disturbances.
All the basic emotions like worry, anxiety, fear, grief, anger, etc. are governed by vata.
2. Pitta:
Pitta represents transformation. It governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition metabolism, body temperature, skin colouration, the lustre of the eyes, hate and jealousy. Usually digestive juices, enzymes and hormones come under pitta entity.
3. Kapha:
Kapha is one of the primary constituents of the living body. It exhibits psychological phenomena as the exhibition of courage, forbearance, zest, virility, knowledge, understanding, etc. Similarly, the physical function of kapha is responsible for the physical strength, building, stability of structures, cooling, adhesion, lubrication, maintenance of the smooth working of the joints etc. It is also expressed in tendencies toward calmness, forgiveness and love.
Now it’s easy to understand, why Tridosa has been given so much importance in Ayurveda. The health is maintained only if they remain in a balanced state and if they are deranged in any manner, they vitiate structural and excretory entities to cause vikara/roga.