'Vaa'
-the word root denotes movement. This is the coordinator and
regulator of all other aspects of this dynamic system. This
is the most powerful and active of the three doshas.Mahabutas
and Vata
Vayu
and Akasha
are very predominant in the combination. The qualities of vata
are explained by this combination.
Five
Fold Division & Functions of Vata
Prana
- The prime abode of this Vayu is murddha
or head. It is mainly concerned with respiration, ingestion
of food, spiting out, sneezing out etc. The disorders of this
aspect of the dosha manifests themselves as sneezing, cold,
bronchitis, hoarseness of voice, asthma etc.
Udana - This vayu inoves upward,
has its main seat is Uras or thorax region. It is associated
with production of sound, specially the vocalization, effort
to preserve body strength. The disorder caused by Udana vata
vitiation includes disorders of eyes, ears nose and throat.
Vyana - This
Vata resides in the heart and its movement is characterized
by speed. This mainly relates to transport to Rasadhatu. It
is the regulator of 5 kinds of actions - contraction, expansion,
upward, and downward movements or other general movements. The
disease includes jwara or fever, diarrhoea and other
ailments over the body.
Samanavata
- This is related to Agni or fire principle situated
near the seat of 'Intaragni' or stomachic fire. This
is mainly concerned with admitting food into the stomach and
helping it in digestion by controlling the secretion of gastric
juices. It also separates the nutrient portions of the digested
food from the waste products and assists in seminal production.
Disorders include diarrhoea, indigestion, defective assimilation
etc.
Apana - This is characterized
by the downward movement, pushing in due course the urine, semen,
menstrual blood etc., towards their exit. This Vata holds the
fortes in the womb until the moment of discharge, and also helps
in the delivery. Diseases of urinary tract, colon bladders,
anus and testicles, obstinate urinary diseases, calculi, constipation,
mental disorders, deafness, heart diseases etc., are caused
by Apana vitiation. This is hailed as 'Tantrayantradhara'
or the dynamic locking system of the human system, which altogether
balances the doshas, dhatu traya trad and maintains
one's life. If this is lost, the equilibrium is upset and disease
process sets in.
Distribution:
Though vata is distributed all over the body, its affinity
or prevalence is more. In the trunk it is more prevalent in
the pelvic region. Large intestine, limbo sacral region, legs,
ears, bones, skin cuts, as its base of these regions, pakvasaya
or large intestine is the special base of Vata.
Abnormal States
The pathological signs and symptoms exhibited in vitiated vata
are
Leanness or Emaciation. This condition is characterized by the
reduction in bulk and weight of the body
Darkness of body's natural pigmentation
Natural inclination towards hot things.
Dizziness
Delirium
Inability to carry out normal bodily functions
Tremor
Distension of body parts (e.g. abdomen etc)
Constipation
Weakness
Insomnia
Loss of Sensory activity
Sickness
Lack of interest in speech
Loss of sensation
The involvement of 'vata' in a
pathological process is inferred by its abnormal activities.
Ache
Numbness or lack of tactile sensation.
Continuous feeling of pain
Intermittent feeling of pain as in the form of pin prick
Pain of the body as if the bony structures have been broken
Constriction or stricture
Roughness of skin
Porosity
Atrophy
Fasciculation
Stagnation and immobility
Dark or cyanotic colour of body or parts
Horrification
Weakness or inability to function
Looseness
Dilation
Tremor
Abnormal astringent taste in the mouth
Brownish discoloration of skin etc
Seasonal Variations
The vata accumulates in Summer and aggravates in the rainy season
that follows Summer. It subsides in the Autumn.
