Shades of Tridoshas (Vata Dosha)

Shades of Tridoshas – (Vata Dosha)

Characteristics of the Vata Individual

The Sanskrit term Vata is derived from the verb “va,” meaning to carry or move. Thus, Vata is the principle of mobility that regulates all activity in the body—from how many thoughts one might have in a minute to how efficiently food moves through the intestines. The Vata quality is responsible for joy, happiness, creativity, speech, sneezing and elimination, to name just a few functions. Vata is in charge of the vital life essence, oxygen or prana. Thus, when Vata leaves the body, life ceases.

Vata has the qualities or attributes of dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, mobile and clear, with an astringent taste. How these qualities translate into the makeup of the Vata individual is shown in the chart below.

This combination of qualities can be responsible for both physical characteristics and behavioural patterns in Vata persons. Physically, they have a light, flexible body, big, protruding teeth and may have sucked their fingers or thumb. They have small, recessed, dry eyes. With irregular appetite and thirst, they often experience digestive and mala absorption problems. Vata is tend to be delicate in health, so may have few or no children.

In their behaviour, Vata individuals are easily excited. Indeed, they are alert and quick to act without much thinking. So they may give a wrong answer, but with great confidence. Though they are blessed by a distinguished power of imagination, they love day dreaming. They are quite loving people, but they may love someone out of fear or loneliness. Fears of darkness, heights and enclosed spaces are not uncommon in Vata individuals.

Their faith is flexible and ready to change, but the change does not necessarily stay long. Vatas love change. This is why they change furniture, place or town often, to keep from feeling bored. They do not like sitting idle; they love constant action. Not doing anything is a punishment for them. On account of their active nature, they make good money, but they spend it on trifles and have difficulty saving.

The Attributes of the Vata Individual

Attributes	Manifestations in the Body
Dry	Dry skin, hair, lips, tongue; dry colon, tending towards constipation; hoarse voice
Light	Light muscles, bones, thin body frame, light scanty sleep; underweight
Cold	Cold hands, feet, poor circulation; hates cold and loves heat; stiffness of muscles
Rough	Rough, cracked skin, nails, hair, teeth, hands and feet; cracking joints
Subtle	Subtle fear, anxiety, insecurity; fine goose-pimples; minute muscle twitching, fine tremors
Mobile	Fast walking, talking, doing many things at a time; restless eyes, eyebrows, hands, feet; unstable joints; many dreams; loves travelling but does not stay at one place; swinging moods, shaky faith, scattered mind
Clear	Clairvoyant; understands and forgets immediately; clear, empty mind, experiences void and loneliness
Astringent	Dry choking sensation in the throat; gets hiccups, burping; loves oily, mushy soups; craving for sweet, sour and salty tastes
Brownish-black	Dark complexion; dark hair and eyes; colour of Vata ama, e.g. dark-coated tongue

The Normal Functions of Vata

Enthusiasm, expiration, inspiration, movements, excretion of different excreta from the body, and balanced regulation of the transportation of bodily elements are the normal functions of Vata dosha.