Kapha dosha
Kapha dosha controls body fluids and maintains the structural cohesion of the organism. It is one of the three dosha. It is responsible for cohesiveness, unctuousness, lubricity, stability, and immunity. Kapha dosha has dominance of prithvi and jala mahabhuta.[Code:SAT-B.414][1] The concept of kapha is the foundation for growth, preservation, and anabolism theories.
| Section/Chapter/topic | Concepts/Dosha/Kapha Dosha |
|---|---|
| Authors |
Bhojani M. K. 1, Tanwar Ankur Kumar 1 |
| Reviewer | Basisht G.2, |
| Editor | Deole Y.S.3 |
| Affiliations |
1 Department of Sharir Kriya, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, India 2 Rheumatologist, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. 3Department of Kayachikitsa, G.J.Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India |
| Correspondence emails |
meera.samhita@aiia.gov.in, carakasamhita@gmail.com |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre, I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, India |
| Date of publication: | December 16, 2022 |
| DOI | 10.47468/CSNE.2022.e01.s09.123 |
Etymology and derivation
The word kapha is derived from root “kena jalena phalati iti kapha”.[2] It implies that water is the foundation of the kapha. The term ‘Shleshma’ used for kapha is derived from the root “ shlish alingane”.[3][Su. Sa.Sutra Sthana 21/5] The meaning is to cohere, to keep together, or to adhere.
Synonyms:[3][4]
In normal states-Shleshma [Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 12/12], bala[Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 17/117], oja[Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 17/117], balasa[Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 4/74][3] [Vachaspati on M.N. 2/40][4] balasaka[Vijayarakshita on M.N. 2/40][4], Soma[Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 12/12]
In abnormal states- Papma, mala[Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 17/117]
In abnormal states- Papma, mala[Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 17/117]
Various aspects:
Kapha is related to bala(strength) to perform work. It is a potential source of resistance to disease and aging. It is responsible for union and integration. Soma or water in the body, is implicit in the kapha. [Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 12/12] The body weight and growth are both regulated by kapha. It bestows stability and toughness. It is a crucial element in the healing process and is regarded as virility, robust sexual health, and reproductive ability. All biological fluids, whether internal or extracellular, are composed of kapha and serve essential purpose of body. It oversees many types of cohesiveness between cells, tissue, and organs.
Bhautika composition
Kapha dosha has dominance of Jala and Prithvi mahabhuta.[5][A.S. Sutra Sthana 20/2] Although all the mahabhuta participate in the composition, jala mahabhuta expresses dominant role and Prithvi mahabhuta as secondary. Acharya sushruta opines that kapha dosha originatesfrom saumya or jalamahabhuta.[3][Su.Sa. Sutra Sthana42/5] [DalhanaSu.Sa. Sutra Sthana 15/8](Figure 01)
Kapha dosha and triguna
All the living & nonliving thingsoriginate from panchamahabhuta. These panchamahabhutaoriginate from trigunatmaka prakriti as described in evolution process (utpatti karma). Dosha evolve from panchamahbhuta, so these dosha bear triguna property. Sushruta stated that kaphaevolved from jala and prithvi. Jala has sattva and tama predominance. Prithvihas tama predominance [3] [Su. Sa.ShariraSthana 1/20] Shharangdhara and Bhavaprakashopine that kaphahas tama predominance. [Sha.Sa.Pratham Khand 5][6] [Bha. Pra. Purva Khand 3/103][7] (Figure 01)
Figure 01: Relation between Triguna, Mahabhuta and Kapha Dosha.
References
- ↑ KhandaleN.S.(2014): Conceptual and Applied study of Snigdha Guna of Kapha Dosha w s r ShariraBala.Dept. of Kriya Sharir, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Rajasthan Ayurved University.
- ↑ Amarkosha. Amarsimha, Edited by Pt. Haragovindasastri. Reprint Ed. Varanasi:Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan, 2020.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Sushruta. Sushruta Samhita. Edited by JadavajiTrikamjiAacharya. 8th ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia;2005.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Madhavakar. Madhava Nidanam. Edited by SashtriSudarshana, UpadhayaYadunandana. 30th ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthana; 2000.
- ↑ Vagbhata. Ashtanga Samgraha. Edited by Shivprasadsharma. 3rd Ed., Varanasi: Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office; 2012.
- ↑ Sharngdhara. Sarngadhara Samhita. Edited by Parashuram Shastri Vidyasagar. Varanasi: ChaukhambhaSurabharatiPrakashan ;2013.
- ↑ Bhava mishra. Bhavaprakasha, Edited by Brahmasankara Mishra, Rupalalaji Vaisya. 5th ed. Hindi Commentary Vidyotini; Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan, 1969.