Intersection of Ayurveda and Samkhya

Positive aspects of Vata, Pitta, Kapha

Understanding the Ayurvedic constitution – our individual mix of vata, pitta and kapha doshas – is a key first step in discovering how we can integrate Ayurveda’s wisdom into our everyday lives.

The texts of the Samkhya philosophy, first written down over 2,000 years ago, and handed down in an oral tradition for centuries before that, set out how the doshas are formed and how they can affect us.

Samkhya’s view of creation begins with the interaction between purusha, an inert, pure consciousness and prakriti, the active yet unknowing creative principle of Nature. From this first interaction, material creation unfolds through a series of 25 tattvas or stages that include mind, ego-consciousness, our perception and senses. The final tattvas are the five elements, known as the pancha mahabhutas: space, air, fire, water and earth, which make up the physical content of the Universe and of each of us.

Just like everything else, the three doshas are also made of the pancha mahabhutas. Vata dosha is composed of space, or ether, and air; pitta dosha is a mixture of mostly fire with a little water; and kapha dosha almost equal portions of water and earth.

While each of us has all three doshas in our constitution, the individual aspect is in how much of each and which ones are dominant. This constitutional mix, our prakruti, determines or reflects so much about us: our personality, body type, mental approach, emotional nature, as well as health and physical constitution.

Our doshic mix interacts with almost everything we do: what we eat, how we sleep, how much activity we get, the information we receive and process and, in today’s world, how often and for how long we are online. When managed well, these things can ensure good health. When not managed so well, they can upset the doshic balance, which is the starting point in the Ayurvedic context of ill-health or dis-ease.

The positive aspects of doshas in balance

You may already be aware of the ill-effects of the unbalanced doshas: airy vata, fiery pitta, and stuck, immobile kapha. You possibly hear about them because those aspects can have such deleterious effects on our health and on those around us.

At the same time, it’s important to recognise that each of the doshas has distinctly positive, productive aspects that play a constructive role in our health and wellbeing.

Vata dosha

Vata dosha is composed of air and ether/space. It is the subtle energy associated with movement. When vata is in tune, all movement in the body is harmonised. Outwardly we are dancing gracefully, inwardly going about the business of smoothly moving the body: the ebb and flow of the breath, muscles gliding, nerves firing correctly and carrying clear messages around the body. Our timing is impeccable, we feel creative, flexible and adaptable, easily able to take on any challenge that arises.

Each of the doshas also have an essence, their most refined form. The essence of vata is prana, our life force, that gives us access to our capacity for flow and adapt to change, and to accept those things that are beyond our control.

Pitta dosha

Pitta is composed of fire and a little water. It expresses principally as the body’s metabolism, its ability to absorb and assimilate. It is our digestive fire and also the processes of our endocrine system.

The positive aspect of pitta dosha is a fire that burns in a perfect way, reflected in easy and complete digestion, lustrous skin, shining eyes and an attractive glow to our persona. The intelligence of life and creation sparkles and informs. We make clear decisions, easily digest intellectual information, and are able to bring a soft yet consistent focus to any task.

Balanced pitta brings clear perception, strong discrimination, and the special kind of insight that follows when the sharpness of intellect is aligned with the subtle understandings of the heart.

The essence of pitta is known as tejas. The bright intelligence of tejas is what guides us through our life. On an emotional level, when we have high quality tejas, we have an attractive personality – that’s what charisma is: we have a shine. Everybody likes to be around a warm fire.

And then, on a mental level, tejas gives us illumination, it governs clear perception to a much deeper level. We have an illumined mind, we see things as they really are, rather than, say, how we want them to be.

Kapha dosha

Kapha is composed of earth and water. In its best form, it lubricates and moisturises the skin, tissues and joints, and underpins the action of our immunity. Kapha is also the source of love, calmness, and forgiveness, as well as steadiness and reliability of memory.

Without the positive aspects of kapha, we would never sleep, rest or take a break to simply reflect on progress. Kapha is the energy of being structured, the glue that holds the body together.

And finally, balanced kapha allows us to maintain persistent and patient striving towards a worthwhile goal, gliding over obstacles and smoothing the bumps in our path.

The purest essence or subtle aspect of kapha dosha is ojas. Ojas keeps all living beings nourished and refreshed. The state of our ojas determines our immunity, and how we create strength inside our system to keep us full of energy and vitality. When we have good quality ojas, we have strength and a passion for life.

If you’re not seeing these positive aspects of vata, pitta and kapha when you look in the mirror, could it be time for a practical taste of the essences of Ayurveda?

We invite you to join us to learn more about the fundamental principles of Ayurveda and how to bring balance to life through food, lifestyle, yogic practices, herbs and therapies, explore the Dru website for information on the next Foundations of Ayurveda course.