PRINCIPLES OF AYURVEDA

Introduction

According to Ayurveda, every living and nonliving being in this universe is a combination of five basic eternal elements, called Pancha Maha Bhoothas. The human body is also constituted of these five eternal elements in various compositions. Hence, it can be said that every cell of the body is possesses all the properties of life. The only difference between the human body and the external world is the expression of Chaitanya or 'consciousness' or 'life spark' or 'spirit' or 'soul'. The five basic eternal elements are

1. Earth  2. Water  3. Fire  4. Air  5. Ether

These eternal elements manifest themselves in the human body as three basic principles or  subtle energies or humours (Tridosha in Sanskrit). The word 'Dosha' literally means 'that which maintains and controls the body'. These are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The Pancha Maha Bhootas and Tridoshas are not visible to the naked eye. But they should be conceived as comprehensive terms in which all the physical structures and physiological functions of the body are included. The Air and Ether elements combine to form the Vata principle. The fire element constitutes the Pitta principle. Earth and Water elements combine to form Kapha. These three basic principles govern all biological, physiological and physio-pathological functions of the body, mind and consciousness. They act as basic constituents and protective barriers for the body in its normal physiological conditions.