View source for Vata dosha (वातः वातदोषः वा)

[[Doshas (दोषाः)|Doshas]], [[Dhatus (धातवः)|Dhatus]] and [[Malas (मलाः)|Malas]] are the fundamental components of the [[Sharira (शरीरम्)|sharira]] which control the entire function of the body systems from birth to death. In a normal state, physiology and psychological activities are carried out through three doshas which are Vata dosha, Pitta dosha, and Kapha dosha. When their balance is disturbed, they vitiate other body components and lead to disease development. Health according to Ayurveda, can be achieved when there is a balance of three doshas. 

The “Vata” dosha which is one among the 3 doshas has a much important role in the functioning of the body. Vata literally means “wind” or “air”.  Other doshas and dhatus are dependent on the Vata dosha for their proper movement across the body. Vata dosha which is mobile in nature performs various body functions in its balanced state, if vitiation occurs it leads to various Vata dosha dominant disorders. 

== Etymology ==
The word “Vata” is derived from ”Va” which means “Gati” or movement and “”gandhana which means perception.

Vata is defined as “vagatigandhanayoh” which means that which has mobility and perception is Vata.

(sush.sur.21.5)

== Site/ Location ==
(Char.sutr.20.8)

बस्तिः पुरीषाधानं कटिः सक्थिनी पादावस्थीनिपक्वाशयश्च वातस्थानानि (Char.sutr.20.8)

Vata dosha is located in Basti(urinary bladder), rectum, kati(lower back),thighs, legs, bones and pakvashaya (colon precisely). Thus, mainly the lower body is vaguely the site of Vata dosha.  

Acharya Vagbhata also describes the Ears, skin, and Majja (bone marrow) as the seats of vata dosha. (Asht.hrud.sutr.12.1)

== Panchabhuta composition ==
It is one of the three shareera doshas which is originated from Akasha(ether) and Vayu(air) Mahabhuta(Asht.sang.sutr.20.2).

== Properties ==
Vata dosha has certain properties which are expressed in the shareera. This is essential from the perspective of the diagnosis of the dosha involvement in any disease.

Guna or the Characteristics of Vata dosha according to different authors,
{| class="wikitable"
|Vagbhata (Asht.hrud.1.11)
|Charaka (char.sutr.12.4)
|Sushruta (sush.nida.1.7,8)
|-
|Ruksha(dryness)
|Ruksha(dryness)
|Ruksha (dryness)
|-
|Sheeta(coldness)
|Sheeta(coldness)
|Sheeta(coldness)
|-
|laghu(lightness)
|Daruna (hardness)
|laghu(lightness)
|-
|Khara (roughness)
|khara(roughness)
|Khara (roughness)
|-
|Sukshma (subtle)
|Vishada (clear)
|Achintyavirya (unpredictable)
|-
|Chala(mobility)
|Sheeghra (swiftness)
|
|-
|
|
|
|}

== Functions of Vata dosha ==
सर्वा हि चेष्टा वातेन स प्राणः प्राणीनां स्मृतः| तेनैव रोगा जायन्ते तेन चैवोपरुध्यते||११८|| (char.sutr.17.118)

उत्साहोच्छ्वासनिः श्वासचेष्टा धातुगतिः समा| समो मोक्षो गतिमतां वायोः कर्माविकारजम्||४९|| (Char.sutr.18.49)

नित्याः प्राणभृतां देहे वातपित्तकफास्त्रयः| विकृताः प्रकृतिस्था वा तान् बुभुत्सेत पण्डितः||४८|| (Char.sutr.18.48)

Also, (Char.sutr.12.8)

Vata dosha is responsible for the smooth governance of the bodily functions,thus it represents “life” in the living beings. Vata dosha when gets imbalaced, vitiated or obstructed will cause various diseases and even death.

Vata dosha has a set of functionality in the shareera or human body,

# वायुस्तन्त्रयन्त्रधरः  Vata dosha is responsible for maintaining and controlling all the activities of the shareera
# प्राणोदानसमानव्यानापानात्मा, vata operates in the body as, Prana Vata, udana vata, samana vata, vyana vata,apana vata. Which precisley are the types of Vata dosha
# प्रवर्तकश्चेष्टानामुच्चावचानां  , it is the origin of all kinds of movements.
# नियन्ता प्रणेता च मनसः it governs all the mental functions 
# सर्वेन्द्रियाणामुद्योजकः सर्वेन्द्रियार्थानामभिवोढा  Vata dosha is responsible for the stimulation of all the senses and directs them to their respective organs.
# सर्वशरीरधातुव्यूहकरः vata dosha provides structure to the dhatus or tissues for the development of organs.
# सन्धानकरः शरीरस्य binds the tissues
# प्रवर्तको वाचः  vata dosha induces speech
# प्रकृतिः स्पर्शशब्दयोः श्रोत्रस्पर्शनयोर्मूलं responsible for the sensation of touch and sound.
# हर्षोत्साहयोर्योनिः origin offeelings like,  happiness and enthusiasm.
# समीरणोऽग्नेः kindles digestive fire
# दोषसंशोषणः  drying of moisture
# क्षेप्ता बहिर्मलानां removes or excretes waste products from the body
# स्थूलाणुस्रोतसां भेत्ता vata dosha travels through all the micro and macro channels
# कर्तागर्भाकृतीनाम् helps formation of the embryo and development of structures, shape and etc.
# आयुषोऽनुवृत्तिप्रत्ययभूतो helps sustain life.
# The physiology of breathing, inspiration, and expiration (char.sutr.18.49)
# Proper functioning of Dhatus(bodily tissues) 
# Pulsations ()sush.sutr.15.4)
# Retains the perception of senses
# It helps ingestion of food
# Differentiates the food and retains what is necessary for the body.

== Types ==
(Sush.Sutr.15.4)

Vata dosha is classified according to their specific functionality and act accordingly in our body, as Prana Vata, Udana Vata, Samana Vata, Apana Vata, Vyana vata.

Vata doshas subtypes,

=== Prana Vata (Asht.hrud.sutr.12.4,5) ===

==== Sthana (Location) ====
Murdha(head region), urah(chest), Kantha(throat), jivha(tongue), asya(mouth), nasika(nose)

==== Kriya (function) ====
(char.chik.28.5)(Asht.hrud.sutr.12.4,5)

Spitting, salivation, burping, respiration, Aharadi karma(food consumption)

==== Associated Disease ====
Hikka(hiccup), Shwasa(respiratory disorders) (sush.nida.1.13-19)

=== Udana Vata ===
(Asht.hrud.sutr.12.6)

==== Sthana(location) ====
Naabhi(umbilicus), urah (thoracic region), kantha(throat)

==== Kriya (Function) ====
Speech, prayatna (making effort), Urja(strength), bala-varna, smruti (memory)

(Asht.hrud.sutr.12.6) (char.chik.28.7)

==== Associated disease ====
Udhrvajatrugata vikara (diseases related to neck and above) (sush.nida.1.13-19)

=== Samana vata ===
(Asht.hrud.sutr.12.8)

==== Sthana (location) ====
Kostha 

==== Kriya (Function) ====
ingestion of food,break down of food, digestion, and moving it towards excretion process. (Asht.hrud.sutr.12.8) (char.chik.28.8)

==== Associated diseases ====
gulma, atisara (sush.nida.1.13-19)

=== Apana Vata ===
(Asht.hrud.sutr.12.9)

==== Sthana(location) ====
shroni(thigh region), vasti(urinary bladder), medra(penis), urah (thoracic region)  (Asht.hrud.sutr.12.9)

==== Kriya (function) ====
excretion of semen, urine, menstrual blood, and Stools. (char.chik.28.10)

==== Associated diseases ====
diseases pertaining to the Anal region and Urinary bladder. (sush.nida.1.13-19)

=== Vyana Vata ===

==== Sthana (location) ====
Hriday, overall shareera(whole-body) (Asht.hrud.sutr.12.6-7)

==== Kriya (function) ====
Contraction, relaxation, opening, and closing of eyelids. (char.chik.28.9) (Asht.hrud.sutr.12.6-7)

==== Associated diseases ====
sarvadehik (all over the body) (sush.nida.1.13-19)

In a nutshell, these types of Vata have a seat, functionality, and even diseases associated with them, their knowledge plays a vital role while diagnosing diseases from the physician's perspective and further planning the management. While correlating with modern science Prana Vata is associated with the respiratory system, Udana Vata is correlated with mental functions, samana Vata is associated with the digestive system, Apana Vata with the Reproductive system, and excretion, Vyana vata with the Musculoskeletal system and circulation.

== Vataja Prakriti ==
Prakriti is formed during the conception itself with Prakrut Dosha, Prakrut dosha precisely is the fundamental constitution of shareera which literally means “the origin”. Alongside, Vikrut doshas are expressed through the waste of ahara, their excess or lack of expression can lead to diseases.  Collectively Prakrut and Vikrut doshas are known as Shareerika dosha. One of three type of Dosha is seen as dominant in an individual which is understood with the help of certain characteristics 

Vataja Prakriti (Char.vima.8.99)

The Vataja dominant prakriti is based on the characteristics of Vata Dosha, 

# Underdeveloped and short stature
# Dry skin, hair, and hoarseness of voice
# Swift movements
# Talkative
# Instability in the movements of joints, eyebrows, lips, shoulders and, etc.
# Visual network of veins over hands.
# Gets irritated quickly 
# Poor memory
# Intolerance to cold.
# Coarse hair, bear mustache 
# Brittle nails, hair, teeth
# Crackling sound in joints during movements.

== Pathological state of vata dosha ==
(Sush.sutr.21.20) (Asht.hrud.sutr.12.23-25) (Asht.hrud.sutr.1.8) (Asht.hrud.nida.1.14,15)

=== Causes of Vata vitiation ===
Certain factors is responsible for the imbalanced state of vata dosha in the shareera.

==== Natural factors ====

* Age - vata dosha is dominant during old age.
* Season - Dosha undergoes seasonal variations during the change of season. There occurs accumulation, vitiation, and pacification state of doshas as the season changes. Vata dosha undergoes Chaya (accumulation) stage during Grishma (summer) rutu, gets vitiated (prakopa) during Varsha(monsoon) rutu, and gets pacifies (shaman) in Sharad(autumn) rutu.
* Desha - in Jangala desha which is the arid region,Vata dosha gets easily afflicted.
* Circadian rhythm - there is predominance of vata dosha at the end of the day. 
* Stage of digestion -  vata dosha gets vitiated at the end of the digestion.

==== Other factors ====

* Diet - The significant aspect of the ayurvedic diet is the six tastes known as Shadrasas, which are Madhura(sweet), Amla(sour), Lavana(salty), Katu(spicy), tikta (bitter), kashaya(astringent). And each Rasa or a combination of it is responsible for the dosha vitiation if consumed in excess or in less quantity. Thus, Vata dosha vitiation occurs due to excess consumption of Katu(spicy), tikta (bitter), kashaya(astringent)

* Lifestyle- Excessive exercise, sleeping late at night, suppression of natural urges, excessive singing and etc increases Vata dosha in the shareera.

== Clinical aspect ==

=== Vata Vriddhi Lakshana (Increased Vata dosha) ===
There are certain signs and symptoms when Vata dosha gets Vitiated in the body,

(Sush.Sutr.15.15), (Asht.hrud.sutr11.5), (Asht.sang Sutr. 19.6)

# Emaciation
# Discoloration of skin to black
# Craving hot food substances
# Tremors
# Distension of abdomen
# Constipation
# Insomnia
# Loss of sensory functions
# Loss of strength
# Giddiness
# Dry skin
# Pain in the bones
# Experience of sorrow.
# And etc.

=== Vata Kshaya Lakshana (decrease in vata dosha) ===
As there are signs and symptoms of vata dosha vitiation in the body similarly when Vata dosha is depleted there occurs,

# Generalized body ache
# Slow body movements
# Increased Kapha dosha
# Excessive salivation.
# Reduced speech
# Decreased happiness
# Decreased appetite
# Nausea 

=== Clinical Presentation ===
According to Acharya Charaka Vata dosha dominant disorders can be assessed through certain common symptoms, it is presented clinically as “Shoola”(pain), Suptata(loss of sensation), Rukshata(dryness), Sthmbhana(rigidity), Shosha(wasting), Parushata (roughness). (char.sutr.20.12)

== Vata Nanatmaja Vikaras ==
There are 80 types of disorders explained by Acharya Charaka merely due to imbalance in Vata dosha, (Char.sutr.20.11)
{| class="wikitable"
|नखभेद (breakage of nails)
|विपादिका (cracked heels)
|पादशूलं (leg pain)
|पादभ्रंश (foot drop)
|-
|पादसुप्तता (numbness in feet)
|वातखुड्डता (ankle pain)
|गुल्फग्रह (stiff ankle)
|पिण्डिकोद्वेष्टनं (calf pain)
|-
|गृध्रसी (sciatica)
|जानुभेद (knee pain)
|जानुविश्लेष (dislocation of knee)
|ऊरुस्तम्भ (stiff thigh)
|-
|पाङ्गुल्यं (paraplegia)
|गुदभ्रंश (anal prolapse)
|वृषणाक्षेप (scrotal pain)
|श्रोणिभे (pelvic pain)
|-
|विड्भेद (diarrhoea)
|उदावर्त (reverse direction of vata)
|खञ्जत्वं (limping)
|वामनत्वं (dwarfism)
|-
|त्रिकग्रह (stiff shoulder joint)
|उदरावेष्ट (twisting pain in abdomen)
|हृन्मोह (cardiac dysfunction)
|वक्षस्तोद (pricking pain in chest region)
|-
|बाहुशोष (wasting in arm)
|मन्यास्तम्भ (torticollis)
|कण्ठोद्ध्वंस (hoarse voice)
|दन्तभेद (tooth ache)
|-
|मूकत्वं (aphasia)
|मुखशोष (dry mouth)
|बाधिर्यं (deafness)
|वर्त्मस्तम्भ (stiff eye lids)
|-
|तिमिरं (loss of visual acuity)
|शिरोरुक् (headache)
|केशभूमिस्फुटनं (dry scalp)
|अर्दितं (facial palsy)
|-
|पक्षवध (hemiplagia)
|दण्डक (tonic convulsions)
|वेपथु (tremors)
|अस्वप्न (insomnia)
|}

== Basic aspects of management of vitiiated Vata dosha ==
(Char.sutr.20.13)

Vata dosha when vitiated is managed with dravys or drugs which are Madhura(sweet), amla(sour), and lavana(salty) in rasa(taste) which is contrary to the rasas(taste) of substances or dravyas which are inherently Vata dosha dominant. Further, Karma or the procedures must be done which are dominantly Unctuous and hot. For instance, Snehana(oleation), Swedana (fomentation), Asthapana (decoction enema), Anuvasana (oil-based enema) nasya (errhine therapy), bhojana (diet modification), abhyanga (oil massage) and etc. among the above therapies Basti(enema) is considered as the principle management protocol for Vata dosha diseases. Since pakvashaya (colon precisely) is the seat of Vata dosha and Basti medication enters and affects directly the root of the disease, the origin of the disease thus the effects of treatment are seen at a much faster pace. Acharya Charaka explains this phenomenon with a simile, just like when the tree is cut at the roots it automatically destroys the branches, leaves, fruits, etc similarly when Vata dosh is stroked in its root place the diseases afflicting the other organs are cured as well.

== References ==