Tridosha: Understanding Vata dosha, Pitta dosha and Kapha dosha

Is a thief born as a thief? And are the scholars born scholars? Read the facts about human constitution and behavior.

“Isn’t human nature governed by his circumstances?” one of my friends asked. 

I replied, “No. Actually, human nature is framed much before birth. This governs his reaction to circumstances.

There is a deeper connection between human constitution and behavior”.

People think that human nature takes form in the tender days of a toddler. But in reality, it is determined much before birth.

Even his qualities, looks, and temperament are acquired before birth.

Ancient Ayurveda throws light on this much intriguing concept – Human constitution and behavior.

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The basic nature of a fetus gets molded at the time of fertilization.

And several factors play a role in determining the nature of the offspring. Some known factors are:

• The nature of the sperm and the ovum.
• Nature of the uterus.
• Time of fertilization.
• Type of daily food intake.
• Personal activities of the mother.

Furthermore, the fetus gets its nature from the dosha it exhibits.

As a result, his behavior is determined much before his birth.

Ayurveda defines the human constitution in three distinct doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Each individual exhibits a dominant dosha or the combination of two or more doshas.

Hence, their characters can be an overlap of two or more doshas. It is this dosha or constitution that is responsible for the physical and mental characteristics.

Also Read: Ayurgenomics | Understanding human individuality

A deeper look into the Doshas: Human constitution and behavior

Knowing your constitution or dosha is very essential. It helps you understand your body better. What’s good and what’s not? What suits you and what does not suit you?

Hence, I have curated a quick snippet that will help you understand your dosha. And if you feel that you have some properties of two or more doshas then you must be a mix!

Read on to know more.

Vata Dosha

Vata means wind. It is dry, cold, light, minute, moving, transparent and rough. These properties manifest in the individual who exhibits a Vata dosha.

Physical Characteristics of a Vata Person

• A Vata person is thin, tall, and average-looking. 
• He walks very fast and tends to be on movement. 
• Because of this he lacks stability and shows jerking movements. 
• Also, his joints make a crackling sound and he has weak stamina. 
• His veins and tendons are visible. 
• Skin is dark, dry, and prone to wear and tear. 
• The hair is dry and brittle. 
• His eyes are unclear and protruding and his voice, is hoarse. 

Mental characteristics of a Vata Person

• He grasps very fast but forgets fast too. 
• Due to this, he has a low level of intellect and memory. 
• He lacks patience and loyalty. 
• Hence, suffers from depression over petty matters. 
• His nature tends to be jealous, coward and wicked. 
• He lacks good moral character and easily indulges in crimes like stealing, lying etc. 
• And has an attitude to keep grieving for any reason.

Pitta Dosha

The pitta dosha is the element of fire. He is hot, viscous, intense, liquid, rough, and mobile. 

Physical Characteristics of a Pitta Person

• His body is symmetrical, fair and pleasant looking. 
• The nails, hands, feet, eyes and face show a tinge of the copper. 
• His eyes are generally small and eyelashes are less dense. 
• Hair growth on his body is less. 
• Because of this, he perspires a lot and his perspiration gives bad odor. 
• And his skin is more prone to moles, pimples and blemishes.

Mental characteristics of a Pitta Person

• A pitta person is fast and active. 
• He gets angry very soon but gets calmed quickly.
• Is fond of dressing up and makes an effort to look good. 
• His traits are courageous, heroic, good intellect and memory. 
• He has good moral character but at times get envious. 

Kapha Dosha

Kapha is the combination of water and earth. It shows properties of the phlegm, i.e. cold, heavy, viscous, slow action, soft, slimy and turbid and smooth.

Physical Characteristics of a Kapha Person

• His body is well built and symmetrical. 
• Hence, all body parts are stable and healthy-looking. 
• His complexion is normally fair, rosy, like a lotus with a golden hue. 
• Eyes are large shiny and show happiness. 
• And his hair is dense, black and shinning.

Mental characteristics of a Pitta Person

• He is pious, truthful and grateful and bears a good moral character. 
• Has a good memory. 
• His nature is stable and his mind does not fluctuate. 
• He is patient, respectful and not affected by adverse conditions.
• Lacks the evils of greed and jealousy.
• Thinks before any action and makes a decision with wisdom. 
• And his main temperament is of Satva type.

Your takeaway: Human constitution and behavior

Most individual exhibits the mixed nature where the characteristics of two or more doshas are prominent. E.g. Vata-Pitta types, Vata-Kapha types Pitta-Kapha type and Vata-Pitta-Kapha.

Depending on the proportions of these constitutions their individualistic characters differ. Knowing your dosha is very important. Like the diet, lifestyle, health and everything else depend around the dosha!

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