Doshadi Vijnaneeya Adhyaya – Astanga Hrudaya Sutrasthana 11

The 11^th chapter of Sutrasthanam of Ashtanga Hridayam is named as Doshadi Bhediyam Adhyayam. This chapter explains in detail regarding Tridoshas. The Tridoshas are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Understanding the concept of Tridosha is the first step towards learning Ayurveda.

Pledge by the author(s)

अथातो दोषादिविज्ञानीयमध्यायं व्याख्यास्याम:।
इति ह स्माहुरात्रेयादयो महर्षयः।(गद्यसूत्रे॥२॥)
athāto doṣādivijñānīyamadhyāyaṃ vyākhyāsyāma:|
iti ha smāhurātreyādayo maharṣayaḥ|(gadyasūtre||2||)

अथातो दोषादिविज्ञानीयमध्यायं व्याख्यास्याम: – athāto doṣādivijñānīyam adhyāyaṃ vyākhyāsyāma – after having offered prayers to the God, henceforth we are going to explain the chapter pertaining to the knowledge of the doshas. इति ह स्माहुरात्रेयादयो महर्षयः – iti ha smāhurātreyādayo maharṣayaḥ – thus say (pledge)atreya and other sages.

Table of Contents

Shloka Recitation Video

Body constitution

AH Su 11.1.a ½

Doshas, dhatus and malas are the chief constituents of the body (dehasya mulam)

दोषधातुमला मूलं सदा देहस्य
doṣadhātumalā mūlaṃ sadā dehasya
दोष धातु मला – doṣa dhātu malā – the doshas, dhatus and malas are
सदा देहस्य मूलं – sadā mūlaṃ dehasya – always the roots of the body

Note:

Doshas are three in number – They are Vata, Pitta and Kapha.Dhatus or tissues are 7 in number – They are Rasa (essence of digestion, lymph, nutritive juice), Rakta (blood), Mamsa (muscle), Meda (fat), Asthi(b
nes), Majja (Bone Marrow) and Shukra (reproductive tissue, semen).
Malas or waste products of the body (excreta) are three in number – They are Pureesha (feces), Mutra (urine) and Sweda (sweat).

Functions of normal Doshas – Prakruta Dosa Karma –

Vata dosha karma

AH Su 11.1.a ½ – 2.b ½

Functions of Normal Vata Dosha

तं चलः।
उत्साहोच्छवासनिश्वासव्हेष्टावेगप्रवर्तनैः॥१॥
सम्यग्गत्या च धातूनामक्षाणां पाटवेन च।
अनुगृह्णात्यविकृतः,
tam calaḥ|
utsāhocchavāsaniśvāsacheṣṭāvegapravartanaiḥ||1||
samyaggatyā ca dhātūnāmakṣāṇāṃ pāṭavena ca|anugṛhṇātyavikṛtaḥ,

अविकृतः चलः अनुगृह्णाति तं – avikṛtaḥ calaḥ anugṛhṇāty tam – the non-vitiated (normal, balanced) vata helps (provides, bestows) the body by
उत्साहोच्छवास निश्वास – utsāhocchavāsa niśvāsa – causing enthusiasm, regulating the breathing i.e. Controls exhalation and inhalation,
चेष्टा – cheṣṭā – regulating all the movements (locomotion) like walking etc, (all functions of body, mind and speech)
वेग प्रवर्तनैः – vega pravartanaiḥ – initiating the free flow of body’s natural urges (those of fart, feces, urination, sneezing, thirst, hunger, coughing, yawning, sleeping, tears, etc),
सम्यग्गत्या च धातूनाम् – samyaggatyā ca dhātūnām – causing proper movements of the tissues in the body (uninterruptedly),
अक्षाणां पाटवेन च – akṣāṇāṃ pāṭavena ca – proper functioning (perception) of sense organs

Functions of Vata Dosha – Vata Dosha Karma –
Vata is responsible for all movements. (Movement of blood in blood vessels, movement of nutrients, movement of air in lungs, locomotion movements of hands and legs etc. )

In its normal state Vata causes enthusiasm,
Vatha Dosha regulates respiration process,
Regulates all locomotor movements,
Regulates all activities of mind,
Speech,
Initiation of natural urges (tears, faeces, urination, sneezing, coughing, vomiting yawning etc)
Maintenance of the Dhatus (tissues) in their normalcy and
Proper functioning of the sense organs.

Pitta dosha functions

AH Su 11.2.b ½ – 3.a

Functions of Normal Pitta Dosha

पित्तं पक्त्यूष्मदर्शनैः॥२॥
क्षुत्तृड्रुचिप्रभामेधाधीशौर्यतनुमार्दवैः।
pittaṃ paktyūṣmadarśanaiḥ||2||
kṣuttṛḍruciprabhāmedhādhīśauryatanumārdavaiḥ|

पित्तं – pittaṃ – In its normal state, Pitta causes (promotes, provides, bestows)
पक्त्यूष्म – paktyūṣma – digestion (metabolism), heat of the body (maintains body temperature and core heat),
दर्शनैः – darśanaiḥ – vision (perception of eye, sight)
क्षुत्तृड्रुचि – kṣuttṛḍruci – hunger, thirst, taste,
प्रभा मेधा – prabhā medhā – complexion, retention of knowledge,
धी शौर्य – dhī śaurya – knowledge, courage, तनु मार्दवैः – tanu mārdavaiḥ – softness of the body

Functions of Pitta Dosha – Pitta Dosha Karma –
In its normal state Pitta causes digestion and metabolism,
Maintenance of body temperature,
Vision,
Causes hunger, thirst, appetite,
Maintains skin complexion, intelligence, courage, valour, and softness (suppleness) of the body.

Kapha dosha functions

AH Su 11.3.b

Functions of Normal Kapha Dosha

श्लेष्मा स्थिरत्वस्निग्धत्वसन्धिबन्धक्षमादिभिः॥३॥
śleṣmā sthiratvasnigdhatvasandhibandhakṣamādibhiḥ||3||

श्लेष्मा – śleṣmā – normal kapha confers
स्थिरत्व – sthiratva – stability,
स्निग्धत्व – snigdhatva – lubrication,
सन्धिबन्ध – sandhibandha – compactness and integrity (firmness) of the joints of the body, क्षमादिभिः – kṣamādibhiḥ – tolerance power, endurance (mental capacity to withstand or withhold emotions, strains, hardships etc., also enables to develop the forgiving nature)

Functions of Kapha Dosha -Kapha Dosha Karma –
Kapha confers stability, lubrication, compactness (firmness) of the joints,
Kshama – It is the cause for mental capacity to withstand or withhold emotions, strains etc. It is also the cause for forgiveness 1½ – 3.

Functions of body tissues and waste products – Prakrita Dhatu Mala Karma –

AH Su 11.4

Prakrita Dhatu karma

Functions of the body tissues – Prakrita Dhatu Karma

प्रीणनं जीवनं लेपः स्नेहो धारणपूरणे।
गर्भोत्पादश्च धातूनां श्रेष्ठं कर्म क्रमात्स्मृतम्॥४॥
prīṇanaṃ jīvanaṃ lepaḥ sneho dhāraṇapūraṇe|
garbhotpādaśca dhātūnāṃ śreṣṭhaṃ karma kramātsmṛtam||4||

श्रेष्ठं कर्म धातूनां क्रमात्स्मृतम् – śreṣṭhaṃ karma dhātūnāṃ kramātsmṛtam – the best (chief) functions of the tissues are said in chronological order (as below) –
प्रीणनं – prīṇanaṃ – rasa dhatu (product of digestion and metabolism, digestive juice, nutritive fluid, lymph) provides nourishment,
जीवनं – jīvanaṃ – rakta dhatu (blood) helps in maintenance of life activities,
लेपः – lepaḥ – mamsa dhatu (muscle) helps in enveloping (covering, forms cover over the bones and enables voluntary and involuntary actions)
स्नेहो – sneho – medo dhatu (fat) causes lubrication,
धारण – dhāraṇa – asthi dhatu (bone tissue) helps in providing the support to the body (forms the framework of the body),
पूरणे – pūraṇe – majja dhatu (bone marrow) helps in filling the inside of the bones,
गर्भोत्पादश्च – garbhotpādaśca – shukra dhatu (reproductive fluid, semen), helps in formation of garbha (fetus), i.e. helps in conception and pregnancy

Functions of body tissues
Rasa Dhatu (product of digestion and metabolism) – provides nourishment
Rakta (blood) maintenance of life activities
Mamsa (muscle) – enveloping (covering) – it covers around bones and enables voluntary and involuntary actions
Meda (fat) – lubrication
Asthi (bones) – support, forms the framework of the body
Majja (bone marrow) – filling the inside of the bones and
Shukra (male and female reproduction system)- conception and pregnancy 4.

Prakrita Mala karma

AH Su 11.5.a, 5b. ½

Functions of the body waste products – Prakrita Mala Karma

अवष्टम्भः पुरीषस्य, मूत्रस्य क्लेदवाहनम्।
स्वेदस्य क्लेदविधृतिः
avaṣṭambhaḥ purīṣasya, mūtrasya kledavāhanam|
svedasya kledavidhṛtiḥ

अवष्टम्भः पुरीषस्य –avaṣṭambhaḥ purīṣasya – maintenance of the strength of the body is the chief function of feces (in normalcy)
क्लेद वाहनम् मूत्रस्य – kleda vāhanam mūtrasya – elimination of moisture (water content) is the main function of urine (in normalcy)
क्लेदविधृतिः स्वेदस्य – kledavidhṛtiḥ svedasya – holding and balancing (or slow elimination) the moisture (water content) is the main function of sweat (in normalcy)

Functions of waste products
Maintenance of strength of the body is the chief function of faeces;
Elimination of moisture (water) is of urine, and
Slow elimination of moisture is of the sweat. 5.

Vata vriddhi lakshanas

AH Su 11.5.b ½ – 6

Effects (symptoms) of Increased Vata – Vriddha Vata Karmas

वृद्धस्तु कुरुतेऽनिलः॥५॥
कार्श्यकार्ष्ण्य़ॊष्णकामित्वकम्पानाहशकृद्ग्रहान्।
बलनिद्रेन्द्रियभ्रंशप्रलापभ्रमदीनताः॥६॥
vṛddhastu kurute’nilaḥ||5||
kārśyakārṣṇyoṣṇakāmitvakampānāhaśakṛdgrahān|
balanidrendriyabhraṃśapralāpabhramadīnatāḥ||6||

वृद्धस्तु कुरुतेऽनिलः – vṛddhastu kurute’nilaḥ – when increased, vata causes (produces)
कार्श्य – kārśya – emaciation
कार्ष्ण्य़ॊष्णकामित्व – kārṣṇyoṣṇakāmitva – karshnya (black discoloration), ushna kamitva (desire for hot things)
कम्पानाह – kampānāha – kampa (tremors), anaha (bloating, fullness or distension of the abdomen),
शकृद्ग्रहान् – śakṛdgrahān – constipation,
बलनिद्रेन्द्रियभ्रंश – balanidrendriyabhraṃśa – bala bhramsha (loss of strength), nidra bhramsha (loss of sleep), indriya bhramsha (loss of sensory functions),
प्रलाप – pralāpa – irrelevant speech (delirium),
भ्रम – bhrama – delusion, giddiness, dizziness,
दीनताः – dīnatāḥ – timidity (peevishness

Effects of increased Vata –
Vata, when increased produces
Karshya – emaciation,
Karshnya – black discoloration,
Ushnakamitva – desire for hot things,
Kampa – tremors
Anaha – bloating, fullness, distension of the abdomen,
Shakrut Graha – constipation,
Bala bhramsha – loss of strength,
Nidra bhramsha – loss of sleep,
Indriya bhramsha – loss of sensory functions,
Pralapa – irrelevant speech,
Bhrama – Delusion, Dizziness giddiness
Deenata – timidity (peevishness). 5½ – 6.

Pitta vriddhi lakshanas

AH Su 11.7.a

Effects (symptoms) of Increased Pitta – Vriddha Pitta Karmas (lakshanas)

पीतविण्मूत्रनेत्रत्वक्षुत्तृड्दाहाल्पनिद्रताः।
पित्तम्
pītaviṇmūtranetratvakṣuttṛḍdāhālpanidratāḥ|
pittam

पित्तम् – pittam – pitta, when increased causes (produces)
पीतविण्मूत्रनेत्रत्वक् – pīta viṇ mūtra netra tvak – yellowish discoloration of feces, urine, eyes and skin,
क्षुत्तृड्दाहाल्पनिद्रताः – kṣut tṛḍ dāhālpanidratāḥ – excessive hunger, excessive thirst, feeling of burning sensation and very little sleep

Effects of increase of Pitta –
Pitta when increased produces yellow discoloration of the faeces, urine, eyes, and skin;
excess of hunger and thirst,
feeling of burning sensation and
very little sleep.6 ½.

Kapha vriddhi lakshanas

AH Su 11.7.b-8.a

Effects (symptoms) of Increased Kapha – Vriddha Kapha Karmas (lakshanas)

श्लेष्माग्निसदनप्रसेकालस्यगौरवम्॥७॥
श्वैत्यशैत्यश्लथाङ्गत्वं श्वासकासातिनिद्रताः।
śleṣmāgnisadanaprasekālasyagauravam||7||
śvaityaśaityaślathāṅgatvaṃ śvāsakāsātinidratāḥ|

श्लेष्मा – śleṣmā – kapha, when increased causes (produces)
अग्निसदन – agnisadana – weak digestive activity,
प्रसेकालस्य – prasekālasya – praseka (excessive salivation), alasya (lassitude, laziness),
गौरवम् – gauravam – feeling of heaviness of the body,
श्वैत्य – śvaitya – white discoloration,
शैत्य – śaitya – coldness, श्लथाङ्गत्वं – ślathāṅgatvaṃ – looseness of the body parts (loss of integrity),
श्वास – śvāsa – dyspnoea, short of breath, asthma, COPD, कासातिनिद्रताः – kāsātinidratāḥ – kasa (cough), atinidrata (excessive sleep)

Effects of increased of Kapha –
Kapha, when increased produces
Agnisadana – weak digestive activity,
Praseka – excess salivation,
Alasya – lassitude, laziness,
Gaurava – feeling of heaviness,
Shvaithya – white discoloration,
Shaithya – coldness,
Shlathangatva – looseness of the body parts,
Shwasa – dyspnoea, asthma, COPD
Kasa – cough, cold
Atinidrata – excess of sleep. 7 – 7½.

Effects of increased body tissues – Vriddha Dhatu Karma:-

Rasa Dhatu Vriddhi Lakshana

AH Su 11.8.b ½

Effects (symptoms) of increased rasa dhatu –

रसोऽपि श्लेष्मवत्
raso’pi śleṣmavat

Rasa dhatu (nutritive fluid, essence of digestion, lymph,) when increased, produces the same symptoms as that of increased kapha.

Rakta Dhatu Vriddhi Lakshana

AH Su 11.8.b ½ – 9

Effects (symptoms) of increased rakta dhatu (blood) –

रक्तं विसर्पप्लीहविद्रधीन्॥८॥
कुष्ठवातास्रपित्तास्रगुल्मोपकुशकामलाः।
व्यङ्गाग्निनाशसम्मोहरक्तत्वङ्नेत्रमूत्रताः॥९॥
raktaṃ visarpaplīhavidradhīn||8||
kuṣṭhavātāsrapittāsragulmopakuśakāmalāḥ|
vyaṅgāgnināśasammoharaktatvaṅnetramūtratāḥ||9||

रक्तं – raktaṃ – blood, when increased produces
विसर्प – visarpa – herpes, spreading skin disease,
प्लीह – plīha – enlargement (diseases) of spleen,
विद्रधीन् – vidradhīn – abscesses,
कुष्ठ – kuṣṭha – skin diseases
वातास्र – vātāsra – gout,
पित्तास्र – pittāsra – bleeding disorders,
गुल्मोपकुश – gulmopakuśa – gulma (abdominal tumors), upakusha (a disease of the gums),
कामलाः – kāmalāḥ – jaundice,
व्यङ्गाग्निनाश – vyaṅgāgnināśa – vyanga (discolored patches on the face, freckles), agni nasha (loss of strength of digestion)
सम्मोह – sammoha – unconsciousness, coma,
रक्त त्वङ्नेत्र मूत्रताः – rakta tvaṅnetra mūtratāḥ – reddish discoloration of the skin, eyes and urine

Rakta Dhatu Vruddhi Lakshana –
Blood tissue, when increased produces
Visarpa – Herpes, spreading skin disease,
Pleeha – diseases of the spleen,
Vidradhi – abscesses,
Kushta – skin diseases,
Vatasra – gout,
Pittasra – bleeding disease,
Gulma – abdominal tumors,
Upakusa – a disease of the teeth,
Kamala – jaundice,
Vyanga – discoloured patch on the face,
Agninasha – loss of digestion strength
Sammoha – Coma, unconsciousness,
Red discoloration of the skin, eyes, and urine.

Mamsa Dhatu Vriddhi Lakshana

AH Su 11.10.a-10.b ½

Effects (symptoms) of increased mamsa dhatu (muscle) –

मांसं गण्डार्बुदग्रन्थिगण्डोरूदरवृद्धिताः।
कण्ठादिष्वधिमांसं च
māṃsaṃ gaṇḍārbudagranthigaṇḍorūdaravṛddhitāḥ|
kaṇṭhādiṣvadhimāṃsaṃ ca
मांसं – māṃsaṃ – muscle tissue, when increased produces,
गण्डार्बुद – gaṇḍārbuda – cervical enlargement, cervical lymphadenitis (goiter), tumor,
ग्रन्थि – granthi – tumor, cysts,
गण्डोरूदर वृद्धिताः – gaṇḍorūdara vṛddhitāḥ – increase in the size of cheeks, thighs, and abdomen,
कण्ठादिष्वधिमांसं च – kaṇṭhādiṣvadhimāṃsaṃ ca – overgrowth of muscles of the neck and other places

Mamsa Dhatu Vruddhi Lakshana
Muscle tissue, when increased produces
Ganda – cervical lymphadenitis
Granthi – tumor,
Increase in size of the cheeks, thighs, and abdomen,
Over growth of muscles of the neck and other places 9 – 9½.

Meda Dhatu Vriddhi Lakshana

AH Su 11.10.b ½-11.a

Effects (symptoms) of increased meda dhatu (fat) –

तद्वन्मेदस्तथा श्रमम्॥१०॥
अल्पेऽपि चेष्टिते श्वासं स्फिक्स्तनोदरलम्बनम्।
tadvanmedastathā śramam||10||
alpe’pi ceṣṭite śvāsaṃ sphikstanodaralambanam|
तद्वन्मेदस्तथा – tadvanmedastathā – fat, when increased causes similar symptoms (as that of muscle tissue increase) and in addition produces,
श्रमम् – śramam – fatigue,
अल्पेऽपि चेष्टिते श्वासं – alpe’pi ceṣṭite śvāsaṃ – difficulty in breathing (shortness of breath) even after doing very little work, स्फिक्स्तनोदरलम्बनम् – sphikstanodaralambanam – drooping of the buttocks (butts), breasts and abdomen

Medo Dhatu Vruddhi Lakshana
Fat tissue, produces similar symptoms and in addition, it causes fatigue, difficulty in breathing even after little work,
Laxity of the buttocks, breasts and abdomen.

Asthi Dhatu Vriddhi Lakshana

AH Su 11.11.b ½

Effects (symptoms) of increased asthi dhatu (bone) –

अस्थ्यध्यस्थ्यधिदन्तांश्चasthyadhyasthyadhidantāṃśca

अस्थ्यध्यस्थ्यधिदन्तांश्च – asthyadhyasthyadhidantāṃśca – bone tissue, when increased, causes adhyasthi (overgrowth of the bones) and adhi danta (overgrowth of teeth or extra teeth)

Asthi Dhatu Vruddhi Lakshana –
Bone tissues, when increased causes overgrowth of bones and extra teeth.

Majja Dhatu Vriddhi Lakshana

AH Su 11.11.b ½ – 12.a

Effects (symptoms) of increased majja dhatu (bone marrow) –

मज्जा नेत्राङ्गगौरवम्॥११॥
पर्वसु स्थूलमूलानि कुर्यात्कृच्छ्राण्यरूंषि च।
majjā netrāṅgagauravam||11||
parvasu sthūlamūlāni kuryātkṛcchrāṇyarūṃṣi ca|

मज्जा – majjā – bone marrow when increased, produces,
नेत्राङ्ग गौरवम् – netrāṅgagauravam – heaviness of the body and eyes,
पर्वसु स्थूल मूलानि – parvasu sthūlamūlāni – increase in the size of the joints (root of the joints, especially those of the joints of the fingers and toes),
कुर्यात्कृच्छ्राण्यरूंषि च – kuryātkṛcchrāṇyarūṃṣi ca – and ulcers (blisters) which are difficult to cure

Majja Dhatu Vruddhi Lakshana –
Marrow, when increased produces heaviness of the eyes and the body, increase of size of the body joints and causes ulcers which are difficult to cure.

Shukra Dhatu Vriddhi Lakshana

AH Su 11.12.b

Effects (symptoms) of increased shukra dhatu (semen) –

अतिस्त्रीकामतां वृद्धं शुक्रं शुक्राश्मरीमपि॥१२॥
atistrīkāmatāṃ vṛddhaṃ śukraṃ śukrāśmarīmapi||12||

शुक्रं वृद्धं – śukraṃ vṛddhaṃ – semen, when increased causes (produces),
अतिस्त्रीकामतां – atistrīkāmatāṃ – great desire for the woman (sexual desire) and
शुक्राश्मरीमपि – Śukrāśmarīmapi – seminal calculi (spermolith)

Shukra Dhatu Vruddhi Lakshana –
Reproductive tissue, when increased produces great desire for the woman (sexual desire) and seminal calculi (spermolith).

Increased waste products symptoms

Pureesha vriddhi lakshana

AH Su 11.13.a

Effects (symptoms) of increased Shakrt (Pureesha) – Shakrt Vriddhi Lakshana

कुक्षावाध्मानमाटोपं गौरवं वेदनां शकृत्।
kukṣāvādhmānamāṭopaṃ gauravaṃ vedanāṃ śakṛt|

शकृत् – śakṛt – Shakrit (feces) when increased causes
कुक्षावाध्मानमाटोपं – kukṣāvādhmānamāṭopaṃ – distension of the abdomen, atopa (gurgling sounds in the abdomen)
गौरवं – gauravaṃ – heaviness
वेदनां – vedanāṃ – pain in the abdomen

Pureesha vriddhi lakshana

Effects of increased waste products – Vriddha Mala Karma –

Shakrit (feaces), when increased causes distension of abdomen, gurgling noise and feeling of heaviness.

Mutra Vriddhi Lakshana

AH Su 11.13.b

Effects (symptoms) of increased Mutra – Mutra Vriddhi Lakshana

मूत्रं तु बस्तिनिस्तोदं कृतेऽप्यकृतसंज्ञताम्॥१३॥
mūtraṃ tu bastinistodaṃ kṛte’pyakṛtasaṃjñatām||13||
मूत्रं तु – mūtraṃ tu – the urine, when increased, causes

बस्तिनिस्तोदं – bastinistodaṃ – severe pain (pricking or throbbing pain) in the (region of) the urinary bladder,
कृतेऽप्यकृत संज्ञताम् – kṛte’pyakṛtasaṃjñatām – feeling of non-elimination (incomplete evacuation) of urine even after voiding the urine

Mutra (urine), when increased produces severe pain in the bladder and feeling of non-elimination even after urination.

Sweda Vriddhi Lakshana

AH Su 11.14.a ½

Effects (symptoms) of increased Sweda – Sweda Vriddhi Lakshana

स्वेदोऽतिस्वेददौर्गन्ध्यकण्डूः
svedo’tisvedadaurgandhyakaṇḍūḥ
स्वेदो – svedo – sweat, when increased, produces (causes)
अतिस्वेद – atisveda – excess sweating (perspiration),
दौर्गन्ध्य – daurgandhya – foul smell from the body,
कण्डूः – kaṇḍūḥ – itching
Sweda (sweat) when increased produces excess of perspiration, foul smell and itching.

Kha Mala Vriddhi Lakshana

AH Su 11.14.a ½-14.b

Effects (symptoms) of increased Kha Malas (waste substances produced by the nose, eye, ear) – Kha Mala Vriddhi Lakshana

एवं च लक्षयेत्।
दूषिकादीनपि मलान् बाहुल्यगुरुतादिभिः॥१४॥
evaṃ ca lakṣayet|
dūṣikādīnapi malān bāhulyagurutādibhiḥ||14||

एवं च लक्षयेत् – evaṃ ca lakṣayet – similarly can be understood (inferred) the increase of
दूषिकादीनपि मलान् – dūṣikādīnapi malān – dushika (excretion of the eye) and other waste products (produced in small quantity, also the waste products or secretions of nose, mouth, ears etc.) by noting
बाहुल्य गुरुतादिभिः – bāhulya gurutādibhiḥ – increased quantity, heaviness (of their sites, i.e. sites in which they are produced) and such other symptoms

The increase of Dushika (excretion of the eyes) and other waste products are to be understood by noting their increased quantity, heaviness (of their sites) and such other symptoms.

Functions of decreased Doshas – Ksheena Doshakarma –

Vata Kshaya Lakshanas

Effects (symptoms) of decreased Vata –

लिङ्गं क्षीणेऽनिलेऽङ्गस्य सादोऽल्पं भाषितेहितम्।
संज्ञामोहस्तथा श्लेष्मवृद्ध्युक्तामयसम्भवः॥१५॥
liṅgaṃ kṣīṇe’nile’ṅgasya sādo’lpaṃ bhāṣitehitam|
saṃjñāmohastathā śleṣmavṛddhyuktāmayasambhavaḥ||15||

लिङ्गं क्षीणे अनिले – liṅgaṃ kṣīṇe anile – symptoms of decreased vata are
अङ्गस्य सादो – aṅgasya sādo – debility of the body,
अल्पं भाषितेहितम् – alpaṃ bhāṣitehitam – alpa bhashita (less speech or speech related activities), alpa ehitam (less physical activities) i.e. the speech and physical activities become less,
संज्ञामोहस्तथा – saṃjñāmohastathā – loss of sensation (awareness) and of consciousness,
श्लेष्म वृद्ध्युक्तामय सम्भवः – śleṣma vṛddhyuktāmaya sambhavaḥ – occurrence of all the symptoms of kapha increase

Vata Kshaya Lakshana –
Decreased Vata produces symptoms like –
Angasada – debility of the body,
Alpa bhashite hitam – the person speaks very little
Sanjna moha – loss of sensation (awareness) and of consciousness and
occurrence of all the symptoms of increased Kapha. 15.

Pitta Kshaya Lakshanas

AH Su 11.16.a

Effects (symptoms) of decreased Pitta –

पित्ते मन्दोऽनलः शीतं प्रभाहानिः
pitte mando’nalaḥ śītaṃ prabhāhāniḥ

पित्ते – pitte – decreased pitta causes
मन्दोऽनलः – mando’nalaḥ – weakness of digestive activity,
शीतं – śītaṃ – coldness, प्रभाहानिः – prabhāhāniḥ – loss of luster (complexion)

Pitta Kshaya Lakshana –
Decreased Pitta causes
Mande anala – weakness of digestive activity,
Shaitya – coldness and
Prabha hani – loss of lustre (complexion). 15½.

Kapha Kshaya Lakshanas

AH Su 11.16.a ½ – 16.b

Effects (symptoms) of decreased Kapha –

कफे भ्रमः।
श्लेष्माशयानां शून्यत्वं हृद्द्रवः श्लथसन्धिता॥१६॥
kaphe bhramaḥ|
śleṣmāśayānāṃ śūnyatvaṃ hṛddravaḥ ślathasandhitā||16||

कफे – kaphe – decreased kapha causes
भ्रमः – bhramaḥ – giddiness (dizziness, delusion),
श्लेष्माशयानां शून्यत्वं – śleṣmāśayānāṃ śūnyatvaṃ – emptiness in the seats (organs of) kapha,
हृद्द्रवः – hṛddravaḥ – palpitations (tremors of the heart),
श्लथसन्धिता – ślathasandhitā – looseness of the joints

Kapha Kshaya Lakshana –
Decrease of Kapha causes
Bhrama – Delusion, Dizziness,
Shunyatva – emptiness of the organs of Kapha,
Hrudrava – tremors of the heart (palpitation) and
Shlatha sandhita – looseness of the joints. 16.

Decreased body tissues symptoms

Rasa Kshaya Lakshanas

AH Su 11.17.a

Symptoms (effects) of decreased rasa dhatu –

रसे रौक्ष्यं श्रमः शोषो ग्लानिः शब्दासहिष्णुता।
rase raukṣyaṃ śramaḥ śoṣo glāniḥ śabdāsahiṣṇutā|

रसे – rase – decrease of rasa dhatu causes
रौक्ष्यं – raukṣyaṃ – dryness,
श्रमः – śramaḥ – fatigue (exhaustion)
शोषो – śoṣo – emaciation,
ग्लानिः – glāniḥ – exhaustion without doing much work,
शब्दासहिष्णुता – śabdāsahiṣṇutā – intolerance to noise

Symptoms of decrease of Rasa dhatu –

Decrease of Rasa dhatu produces dryness, fatigue, emaciation, exhaustion without any work and noise intolerance.

Rakta Kshaya Lakshanas

AH Su 11.17.b

Symptoms (effects) of decreased rakta dhatu –

रक्तेऽम्लशिशिरप्रीतिशिराशैथिल्यरूक्षताः॥१७॥
rakte’mlaśiśiraprītiśirāśaithilyarūkṣatāḥ||17||

रक्ते – rakte – decrease of blood (rakta) causes
अम्ल प्रीति – amla prīti – desire for sour things,
शिशिर प्रीति – śiśira prīti – desire for cold things,
शिराशैथिल्य – śirāśaithilya – loss of tension of blood vessels (veins and arteries),
रूक्षताः – rūkṣatāḥ – dryness

Decrease of Rakta produces desire for sour and cold things, loss of tension of veins (and arteries) and dryness.

Mamsa Kshaya Lakshanas

AH Su 11.18.a

Symptoms (effects) of decreased mamsa dhatu –

मांसेऽक्षग्लानिगण्डस्फिक्शुष्कतासन्धिवेदनाः।
māṃse’kṣaglānigaṇḍasphikśuṣkatāsandhivedanāḥ|

मांसे – māṃse – decrease of muscle tissue causes,
अक्ष ग्लानि – akṣa glāni – debility of sense organs,
गण्डस्फिक्शुष्कता – gaṇḍasphikśuṣkatā – emaciation (dryness) of cheeks, butts,
सन्धिवेदनाः – sandhivedanāḥ – pain in the joints

Decrease of Mamsa causes debility of the sense organs, emaciation of cheeks, buttocks and pain in the joints.

Meda Kshaya Lakshanas

AH Su 11.18.b

Symptoms (effects) of decreased meda dhatu –

मेदसि स्वपनं कट्या: प्लीन्ह्नोः वृद्धिः कृशाङ्गता॥१८॥
medasi svapanaṃ kaṭyā: plīnhnoḥ vṛddhiḥ kṛśāṅgatā||18||

मेदसि – medasi – decrease of fat tissue causes
स्वपनं कट्या: – svapanaṃ kaṭyā: – loss of sensation in the waist,

प्लीन्ह्नोः वृद्धिः – plīnhnoḥ vṛddhiḥ – enlargement of spleen,
कृशाङ्गता – kṛśāṅgatā – emaciation of the body

Decrease of Medas causes loss of sensation in the waist, enlargement of spleen and emaciation of the body.

Asthi Kshaya Lakshanas

AH Su 11.19.a

Symptoms (effects) of decreased asthi dhatu –

अस्थ्न्यस्थितोद शदनं दन्तकेशनखादिषु।
asthnyasthitoda śadanaṃ dantakeśanakhādiṣu|

अस्थ्न्य – asthnya – decrease in bone tissue causes
अस्थितोद – asthitoda – pain (throbbing) in the bones (and joints)
शदनं दन्त केश नखादिषु – śadanaṃ dantakeśanakhādiṣu – falling off, of the teeth, hairs, nails etc.

Decrease of Asthi causes pain in the joints, falling off of the teeth, hairs, nails etc.

Majja Kshaya Lakshanas

AH Su 11.19.b

Symptoms (effects) of decreased majja dhatu –

अस्थ्न्यां मज्जानि सौषिर्यं भ्रमस्तिमिरदर्शनम्॥१९॥
asthnyāṃ majjāni sauṣiryaṃ bhramastimiradarśanam||19||
मज्जानि – majjāni – decrease in bone marrow causes
अस्थ्न्यां सौषिर्यं – asthnyāṃ sauṣiryaṃ – hollowness of the bones,
भ्रमस्तिमिरदर्शनम् – bhramastimiradarśanam – bhrama (giddiness), timira darshana (seeing of darkness in front of the eyes)

Decrease of Majja causes hollowness (of the bones inside) giddiness and seeing of darkness.

Shukra Kshaya Lakshanas

AH Su 11.20

Symptoms (effects) of decreased shukra dhatu –

शुक्रे चिरात् प्रसिच्यते शुक्रं शोणितमेव वा।
तोदोऽत्यर्थं वृषणयोर्मेढ्रं धूमायतीव च॥२०॥
śukre cirāt prasicyate śukraṃ śoṇitameva vā|
todo’tyarthaṃ vṛṣaṇayormeḍhraṃ dhūmāyatīva ca||20||

शुक्रे – śukre – decrease in semen causes
चिरात् प्रसिच्यते – cirāt prasicyate – delay in ejaculation of semen,
शुक्रं शोणितमेव वा – śukraṃ śoṇitameva vā – ejaculation of semen accompanied with blood,
तोदोऽत्यर्थं वृषणयो: – todo’tyarthaṃ vṛṣaṇayor – severe (throbbing) pain in the testicles,
र्मेढ्रं धूमायतीव च – meḍhraṃ dhūmāyatīva ca – feeling of hot fumes coming out of the penis (urethra)

Decrease of Shukra results in delay in ejaculation, ejaculation accompanied with bleeding, severe pain in the testicles and a feeling of hot fumes coming out of the urethra.

Decreased waste products symptoms

Pureesha Kshaya Lakshanas

AH Su 11.21

Symptoms (effects) of decreased pureesha –

पुरीषे वायुरन्त्राणि सशब्दो वेष्टयन्निव।
कुक्षौ भ्रमति यात्यूर्ध्वं हृत्पार्श्वे पीडयन् भृशम्॥२१॥
purīṣe vāyurantrāṇi saśabdo veṣṭayanniva|
kukṣau bhramati yātyūrdhvaṃ hṛtpārśve pīḍayan bhṛśam||21||

पुरीषे – purīṣe – decrease of feces gives rise to
वायुरन्त्राणि सशब्दो वेष्टयन्निव – vāyurantrāṇi saśabdo veṣṭayanniva – the vayu moves (fills) in the intestines producing gurgling noises in the intestines and bloating
कुक्षौ भ्रमति यात्यूर्ध्वं – kukṣau bhramati yātyūrdhvaṃ – the vata moves around and travels in the upward direction in the intestine causing
हृत्पार्श्वे पीडयन् भृशम् – hṛtpārśve pīḍayan bhṛśam – (severe, frequent) pain in the region of the heart and flanks

Symptoms of decreased pureesha –

Decrease of faeces gives rise to gurgling noise in the intestines and bloating, vata moves in upward direction in the intestine causing discomfort and pain in the region of the heart and flanks.

Mutra Kshaya Lakshanas

AH Su 11.22.a

Symptoms (effects) of decreased mutra –

मूत्रेऽल्पं मूत्रयेत्कृच्छ्राद्विवर्णं सास्रमेव वा।
mūtre’lpaṃ mūtrayetkṛcchrādvivarṇaṃ sāsrameva vā|

मूत्रे – mūtre – decrease in urine causes

अल्पं मूत्रयेत्कृच्छ्राद्विवर्णं – alpaṃ mūtrayet kṛcchrād vivarṇaṃ – scanty urination, dysuria (difficulty in urination), urine discoloration (many colors occur in urine),

सास्रमेव वा – sāsrameva vā – or blood in urine (haematuria)

Decrease of urine causes scanty urination, dysuria, urine discoloration or hematuria.

Sweda Kshaya Lakshanas

AH Su 11.22.b

Symptoms (effects) of decreased sweda –

स्वेदे रोमच्युतिः स्तब्धरोमता स्फुटनं त्वचः॥२२॥
svede romacyutiḥ stabdharomatā sphuṭanaṃ tvacaḥ||22||

स्वेदे – svede – decrease in sweat causes
रोमच्युतिः – romacyutiḥ – falling of hairs,
स्तब्ध रोमता – stabdha romatā – stiffness of hairs,
स्फुटनं त्वचः – sphuṭanaṃ tvacaḥ – cracking of the skin

Decrease of sweat leads to falling of hair, stiffness of hair and cracking of the skin.

Sukshma Mala Kshaya Lakshanas

AH Su 11.23

Symptoms (effects) of decrease of wastes of small quantity –

मलानामतिसूक्ष्माणां दुर्लक्ष्यं लक्षयेत् क्षयम्।
स्वमलायनंशोषतोदशून्यत्वलाघवैः॥२३॥
malānāmatisūkṣmāṇāṃ durlakṣyaṃ lakṣayet kṣayam|
svamalāyanaṃśoṣatodaśūnyatvalāghavaiḥ||23||

क्षयम् मलानामति सूक्ष्माणां दुर्लक्ष्यं – kṣayam malānām atisūkṣmāṇāṃ durlakṣyaṃ – the decrease of the wastes which are of little quantity (produced in less quantity) is very difficult to perceive but
लक्षयेत् – lakṣayet – it should be inferred from
शोष तोद शून्यत्व लाघवैः – śoṣa toda śūnyatva lāghavaiḥ – dryness, pricking pain, emptiness and tightness of
स्वमलायनं – svamalāyanaṃ – their (of the minor wastes) sites of production and elimination

Decrease of Malas which are of little quantity is difficult to perceive, it should be inferred from the dryness, pricking pain, emptiness and tightness of their sites of production and elimination.

AH Su 11.24-25.a

Method of identifying the kshaya (decrease) and vriddhi (increase) of doshas, dhatus and malas

दोषादीनां यथास्वं च विद्याद्वृद्धिक्षयौ भिषक्।
क्षयेण विपरीतानां गुणानां वर्धनेन च॥२४॥
वृद्धिं मलानां सङ्गाञ्च क्षयं चाति विसर्गतः।

doṣādīnāṃ yathāsvaṃ ca vidyādvṛddhikṣayau bhiṣak|
kṣayeṇa viparītānāṃ guṇānāṃ vardhanena ca||24|
vṛddhiṃ malānāṃ saṅgāñca kṣayaṃ cāti visargataḥ|

भिषक् – bhiṣak – the physician should
विद्याद्वृद्धि दोषादीनां क्षयेण च यथास्वं विपरीतानां गुणानां – vidyād vṛddhi doṣādīnāṃ kṣayeṇa ca yathāsvaṃ viparītānāṃ guṇānāṃ- identify (recognize, observe) the increase of doshas and dhatus (tissues) by (seeing) the decrease in related (each and every) opposite qualities and
क्षयौ दोषादीनां वर्धनेन च यथास्वं विपरीतानां गुणानां – kṣayau doṣādīnāṃ vardhanena ca yathāsvaṃ viparītānāṃ guṇānāṃ – the decrease of doshas and dhatus (tissues) by (seeing) the increase in related (each and every) opposite qualities
वृद्धिं मलानां सङ्गाञ्च – vṛddhiṃ malānāṃ saṅgāñca – the increase of excreta (waste products) is observed by their obstruction (accumulation) or non-elimination (too much of accumulation of waste products leads to obstruction)
क्षयं चाति विसर्गतः – kṣayaṃ cāti visargataḥ – and their decrease by too much of elimination (of waste products)

The decrease of Dosha Dhatu etc can be observed by the increase of opposite qualities.
The increase of Dosha Dhatu etc can be observed by the increase of similar qualities.
The increase of Malas is observed by their non-elimination (too much of waste product accumulation leading to obstruction) and their decrease by too much of elimination in little quantities.

AH Su 11.25.b

Decrease of waste products is dangerous than increase

मलोचितत्वाद्देहस्य क्षयो वृद्धेस्तु पीडनः॥२५॥
malocitatvāddehasya kṣayo vṛddhestu pīḍanaḥ||25||

मलोचितत्वाद्देहस्य – malocitatvāddehasya – the body being accustomed to accumulation of waste products in the intestines and bladder (and not accustomed for its decreased production or deficit),
क्षयो वृद्धेस्तु पीडनः – kṣayo vṛddhestu pīḍanaḥ – the decrease of waste product formation is considered to be more troublesome in comparison to its increase

Body being accustomed to accumulation of waste products (in intestines and bladder) , the decrease of waste product formation is more troublesome than their increase.

Relationship between Dosha and Dhatu

AH Su 11.26-27.b ½

Ashraya-Ashrayi Sambandha – Relationship between Dosha and Dhatu

तत्रास्थनि स्थितो वायुः पित्तं तु स्वेदरक्तयोः।
श्लेष्मा शेषेषु, तेनैषामाश्रयाश्रयिणां मिथः॥२६॥
यदेकस्य तदन्यस्य वर्धनक्षपणौषधम्।
अस्थिमारुतयोर्नैवं,
tatrāsthani sthito vāyuḥ pittaṃ tu svedaraktayoḥ|
śleṣmā śeṣeṣu, tenaiṣāmāśrayāśrayiṇāṃ mithaḥ||26||
yadekasya tadanyasya vardhanakṣapaṇauṣadham|
asthimārutayornaivaṃ,

तत्रास्थनि स्थितो वायुः – tatrāsthani sthito vāyuḥ – there in the bones resides the Vata
पित्तं तु स्वेद रक्तयोः – pittaṃ tu sveda raktayoḥ – pitta resides in the sweat and blood
श्लेष्मा शेषेषु, – śleṣmā śeṣeṣu, – the kapha (shleshma) resides in the rest of the dhatus (tissues) and malas (waste products, other than those mentioned for Vata and Pitta)तेनैषामाश्रयाश्रयिणां मिथः – tenaiṣāmāśrayāśrayiṇāṃ mithaḥ – due to this reason, the doshas and dhatus are related mutually in ashraya ashrayi (abode and resident) relationship
यदेकस्य तदन्यस्य – yadekasya tadanyasya – among these, when one among the ashraya (tissues) and ashrayee (doshas) increase, the other one too increases, similarly if one decreases, the other too decreases.

Note: This rule is applicable only to pitta and kapha. In case of pitta and kapha, when there is increase of pitta or kapha, there is also relative (proportional) increase of tissues and waste products associated with them. For example, if pitta increases, then the sweat and blood vitiation also increases. The same rule is applicable for relative decrease also.

वर्धनक्षपणौषधम् – vardhanakṣapaṇauṣadham – this can be treated with the help of vardhana (increasing, when there is decrease) and kshapana (decreasing when there is increase), i.e. the opposite qualities provide remedy, similar qualities increase the doshas and tissues
अस्थि मारुतयोर्नैवं, – asthi mārutayornaivaṃ, – but the above rule is not applicable in case of asthi (bone) and vata, here if vata decreases, then the asthi increases and when vata increases, the asthi decreases.

Vata resides in Asthi (bones)
Pitta resides in Sweda (sweat) and Rakta (blood)
Kapha resides in rest of the Dhatu and Mala.

In case of Pitta and Kapha, when there is an increase of Pitta or Kapha, there is also respective increase of tissues and waste products associated with them.

For example, if Pitta increases, then sweat and blood vitiation also increases. The same rule applies to decrease as well.

But in case of Vata, if Vata decreases, then Asthi increases. They are inversely proportionate to each other.

Cause for increase or decrease of Dosha

AH Su 11.27.b ½ – 29

Cause of increase and decrease of doshas, their treatment

प्रायो वृद्धिर्हि तर्पणात्॥२७॥
श्लेष्मणाऽनुगता तस्मात् सङ्क्षयस्तद्विपर्ययात्।
वायुनाऽनुगतोऽस्माञ्च वृद्धिक्षयसमुद्भवान्॥२८॥
विकारान् साधयेच्छीघ्रं क्र्माल्लङ्घनबृंहणैः।
वायोरन्यत्र, तज्जंस्तु तैरेवोत्क्रमयोजितैः॥२९॥
prāyo vṛddhirhi tarpaṇāt||27||
śleṣmaṇā’nugatā tasmāt saṅkṣayastadviparyayāt|
vāyunā’nugato’smāñca vṛddhikṣayasamudbhavān||28||
vikārān sādhayecchīghraṃ krmāllaṅghanabṛṃhaṇaiḥ|
vāyoranyatra, tajjaṃstu tairevotkramayojitaiḥ||29||

प्रायो वृद्धिर्हि तर्पणात् – prāyo vṛddhirhi tarpaṇāt – usually, the increase of doshas, dhatus and malas occurs due to excessive nutrition and
तस्मात् श्लेष्मणाऽनुगता – tasmāt śleṣmaṇā’nugatā – hence (eventually) leading to increase in kapha
सङ्क्षयस्तद्विपर्ययात् – saṅkṣayastadviparyayāt – whereas the decrease of doshas, dhatus and malas occurs due to the opposite factors (due to loss of nutrition) which
वायुनाऽनुगतोऽस्माञ्च – vāyunā’nugato’smāñca – is followed later with increase in vayu (vata)
विकारान् वृद्धि क्षय समुद्भवान् – vikārān vṛddhi kṣaya samudbhavān – hence, the diseases arising from increase and decrease of doshas and dhatus should be
साधयेच्छीघ्रं क्र्माल्लङ्घन बृंहणैः – sādhayecchīghraṃ krmāllaṅghana bṛṃhaṇaiḥ – treated quickly by adopting langhana (therapies causing thinning of body, reducing the quantity, making the body light) and brimhana (therapies making the body stout, bulk promoting, increasing the quantity) therapies respectively (i.e. langhana in increase and brimhana in decrease)
वायोरन्यत्र, – vāyoranyatra – but in case of vata, the order is reverse,
तज्जंस्तु तैरेवोत्क्रम योजितैः – tajjaṃstu tairevotkrama yojitaiḥ – in diseases caused by increased vata or when vata is increased, the treatment should be conducted in the opposite way of the -above mentioned method (langhan in increase and brimhana in decrease as said above), i.e. if vata is increased, brimhana therapy is given and if vata is decreased, langhana therapy should be adopted

The increase of Doshas, Dhatus and Mala is usually due to excess nutrition (Tarpana), which is followed later on with increase of Kapha.
Whereas the decrease of Doshas, Dhatus and Malas is due to loss of nutrition which is followed later with increase of Vayu (Vata).

Hence, the diseases arising from increase of Dosha and Dhatu should be usually treated quickly by adopting Langhana (therapy causing thinning of the body, reducing the quantity).

AH Su 11.30-33

Specific treatments for increase and decrease of dhatus and malas

विशेषाद्रक्तवृद्ध्युत्थान् रक्तस्रुतविरेचनैः।
मांसवृद्धिभवान् रोगान् शस्त्रक्षाराग्निकर्मभिः॥३०॥
स्थौल्यकार्श्योपचारेण मेदोजानस्थिसङ्क्षयात्।
जातान् क्षीरघृतैस्तिक्तसंयुतर्बस्तिभिस्तथा॥३१॥
विड्वृद्धिजानतीसारक्रियया, विट्क्षयोद्भवान्।
मेषाजमध्यकुल्माषयवमाषद्वयादिभिः॥३२॥
मूत्रवृद्धिक्षयोत्थांश्च मेहकृच्छ्रचिकित्सया।

व्यायामाभ्यञ्जनस्वेदमध्यैः स्वेदक्षयोद्भवान्॥३३॥

viśeṣādraktavṛddhyutthān raktasrutavirecanaiḥ|
māṃsavṛddhibhavān rogān śastrakṣārāgnikarmabhiḥ||30||
sthaulyakārśyopacāreṇa medojānasthisaṅkṣayāt|
jātān kṣīraghṛtaistiktasaṃyutarbastibhistathā||31||
viḍvṛddhijānatīsārakriyayā, viṭkṣayodbhavān|
meṣājamadhyakulmāṣayavamāṣadvayādibhiḥ||32||
mūtravṛddhikṣayotthāṃśca mehakṛcchracikitsayā|
vyāyāmābhyañjanasvedamadhyaiḥ svedakṣayodbhavān||33||

विशेषाद्रक्तवृद्ध्युत्थान् रक्तस्रुत विरेचनैः – viśeṣādraktavṛddhyutthān raktasruta virecanaiḥ – In particular, the diseases arising from increase of blood should be treated with bloodletting and purgation
रोगान् मांस वृद्धि भवान् शस्त्र क्षाराग्नि कर्मभिः – māṃsa vṛddhi bhavān rogān śastra kṣāra agnikarmabhiḥ – the diseases caused due to increase of muscle tissue should be treated with the help of sharp instruments (surgery), caustic alkalis and fire cautery
मेदोजान् स्थौल्य कार्श्योपचारेण – medojān sthaulya kārśyopacāreṇa – the diseases caused by increase of increase and decrease of fat should be treated by therapies indicated for obesity and emaciation respectively
अस्थि सङ्क्षयात् जातान् क्षीर घृतैस्तिक्त संयुतर्बस्तिभिस्तथा – asthisaṅkṣayāt jātān kṣīra ghṛtaistikta saṃyutair bastibhis tathā – diseases caused by decrease of bones should be treated by enema therapy prepared with milk, ghee and bitter drugs
विड्वृद्धिजान् अतीसार क्रियया – viḍvṛddhijān atīsāra kriyayā, – diseases caused by the increase of feces should be treated on the lines of treatment of diarrhea (with treatment measures, diet and formulations used for treatment of diarrhea)
विट्क्षयोद्भवान् मेषाजमध्य कुल्माष यव माषद्वयादिभिः – viṭ kṣayodbhavān meṣa ajamadhya kulmāṣa yava māṣa dvayādibhiḥ – the diseases caused by decrease of feces should be treated by the use of abdominal viscera of ram or goat, half steamed pulses, barley and two varieties of black gram etc for food
मूत्रवृद्धि क्षयोत्थांश्च मेह कृच्छ्र चिकित्सया – mūtravṛddhi kṣayotthāṃśca meha kṛcchra cikitsayā – increase and decrease of urine should be treated by adopting the treatments indicated for urinary disorders (diabetes) and dysuria respectively
स्वेद क्षयोद्भवान् व्यायामाभ्यञ्जन स्वेद मध्यैः – sveda kṣayodbhavān vyāyāmābhyañjana sveda madhyaiḥ – diseases caused due to decrease of sweat should be treated by adopting physical exercises, oil bath (massage), sudation therapies and use of wine

The diseases arising from the decrease of Dosha and Dhatu should be treated with Brimhana therapy (causing stoutening the body, increasing the quantity etc.)

But in case of Vata, the order is reverse. If Vata is increased, then Brihmana therapy (nourishing therapy) should be adopted and if Vata decreases then Langhana therapy should be adopted.

AH Su 11.34-35.a

Relation of Kayagni with increase and decrease of dhatus

स्वस्थानस्थस्य कायाग्नेरंशा धातुषु संश्रिताः।
तेषां सादातिदीप्तिभ्यां धातुवृद्धिक्षयोद्भवः॥३४॥
पूर्वो धातुः परं कुर्याद्वृद्धिः क्षीणश्च तद्विधम्।
svasthānasthasya kāyāgneraṃśā dhātuṣu saṃśritāḥ|
teṣāṃ sādātidīptibhyāṃ dhātuvṛddhikṣayodbhavaḥ||34||
pūrvo dhātuḥ paraṃ kuryādvṛddhiḥ kṣīṇaśca tadvidham|

स्वस्थानस्थस्य – svasthānasthasya – located (present) in its own seat (place),
कायाग्नेरंशा – kāyāgneraṃśā – the kayagni or the fire in the body has portions of itself
संश्रिताः धातुषु – saṃśritāḥ dhātuṣu – located in the tissues also
तेषां सादातिदीप्तिभ्यां – teṣāṃ sādātidīptibhyāṃ – the decrease and increase of these agnis or fires (located in the tissues)
धातु वृद्धि क्षयोद्भवः – dhātu vṛddhi kṣayodbhavaḥ – will lead to increase and decrease of the tissues respectively

Note: decrease of fire in the tissues will increase the tissues and the increase of fire in the tissues will decrease the tissues (in terms of their quality, quantity and functioning capacity).

पूर्वो धातुः परं कुर्याद्वृद्धिः – pūrvo dhātuḥ paraṃ kuryād vṛddhiḥ – when the preceding tissue gets increased, it also increases the succeeding tissue (example, if rasa dhatu increases, it subsequently leads to increase of rakta dhatu)

क्षीणश्च तद्विधम् – kṣīṇaśca tadvidham – similarly, when the preceding tissue gets decteased, it also decreases the succeeding tissue

Dushta Dosha Karmani

AH Su 11.35.b-36

Effects of vitiated doshas –
दोषा दुष्टा रसैर्धातून् दूषयन्त्युभये मलान्॥३५॥
अधो द्वे, सप्त शिरसि, खानि स्वेदवहानि च।
मला मलायनानि स्युर्यथास्वं तेष्वतो गदाः॥३६॥
doṣā duṣṭā rasairdhātūn dūṣayantyubhaye malān||35||
adho dve, sapta śirasi, khāni svedavahāni ca|
malā malāyanāni syuryathāsvaṃ teṣvato gadāḥ||36||

दोषा दुष्टा रसैर्धातून् दूषयन्ति – doṣā duṣṭā rasairdhātūn dūṣayanty – the doshas which are vitiated by indiscriminate and unmethodical consumption of rasas (tastes) further vitiate the tissues, later,
उभये मलान् – ubhaye malān – these two (the vitiated doshas and tissues) together vitiate the malas (waste products),
मला मलायनानि – malā malāyanāni – the vitiated malas or waste products in turn vitiate (contaminate) the malayanas (channels of elimination of waste products) among which
अधो द्वे, सप्त शिरसि, खानि स्वेदवहानि च – adho dve, sapta śirasi, khāni svedavahāni ca – two are located in the lower portion of the body (anus and urethra), seven are located in the head (2 in eyes, 2 in ears, 2 nostrils and one mouth) and the channels of sweat (innumerable and located all through the body) स्युर्यथास्वं तेष्वतो गदाः – syuryathāsvaṃ teṣvato gadāḥ – from these (in these) vitiated channels (and also from the vitiated doshas, tissues and waste products) develop many diseases related to the channels (which get contaminated or vitiatie).

The Doshas which are vitiated (become abnormal undergoing either increase or decrease) cause vitiation of the Rasa and other Dhatus (tissues) next;
Both Doshas and Dhatus together vitiate the Malas (waste products) which in turn, vitiate the Malayanas (channels of their elimination).

Malayana – routes of elimination of waste products are –

two below – anus and urethra,
seven in the head, and
the channels of sweat; from these vitiated channels develop their connected diseases. 34½ – 36.

Ojas – the essence of Dhatus

AH Su 11.37-39.a

Ojus – the essence of the tissues

ओजस्तु तेजो धातूनां शुक्रान्तानां परं स्मृतम्।
हृदयस्थमपि व्यापि देहस्थितिनिबन्धनम्॥३७॥
स्निग्धं सोमात्मकं शुद्धमीषल्लोहितपीतकम्।

AH Su 11.37-39.a

Ojus – the essence of the tissues

ओजस्तु तेजो धातूनां शुक्रान्तानां परं स्मृतम्।
हृदयस्थमपि व्यापि देहस्थितिनिबन्धनम्॥३७॥
स्निग्धं सोमात्मकं शुद्धमीषल्लोहितपीतकम्।
यन्नाशे नियतं नाशो यस्मिंस्तिष्ठति तिष्ठति॥३८॥
निष्पद्यन्ते यतो भावा विविधा देहसंश्रयाः।
ojastu tejo dhātūnāṃ śukrāntānāṃ paraṃ smṛtam|
hṛdayasthamapi vyāpi dehasthitinibandhanam||37||
snigdhaṃ somātmakaṃ śuddhamīṣallohitapītakam|
yannāśe niyataṃ nāśo yasmiṃstiṣṭhati tiṣṭhati||38||
niṣpadyante yato bhāvā vividhā dehasaṃśrayāḥ|

ओजस्तु तेजो धातूनां – ojastu tejo dhātūnāṃ – ojas is the essence of the tissues,
शुक्रान्तानां परं स्मृतम् – śukrāntānāṃ paraṃ smṛtam – and is formed after (at the end of) the formation of semen,
हृदयस्थमपि – hṛdayasthamapi – being mainly located in the heart,
व्यापि देहस्थिति निबन्धनम् – vyāpi dehasthiti nibandhanam – ojas is spread out all over the body and is responsible for the integrity of the body (regulated the health) and is
स्निग्धं – snigdhaṃ – unctous (oily),
सोमात्मकं – somātmakaṃ – watery (pleasant),
शुद्धमीषल्लोहितपीतकम् – śuddhamīṣallohitapītakam – clear (transparent), slightly reddish yellow in color
यन्नाशे नियतं नाशो – yannāśe niyataṃ nāśo – the loss (destruction) of which (ojas) leads to loss of life,
यस्मिंस्तिष्ठति तिष्ठति – yasmiṃstiṣṭhati tiṣṭhati – and the stability (balanced in terms of quality and quantity) of which leads to stability of life,
निष्पद्यन्ते यतो भावा विविधा देहसंश्रयाः – niṣpadyante yato bhāvā vividhā dehasaṃśrayāḥ – all the aspects of health and features of the body are related to balanced status of ojas

Ojas is the essence of the Dhatus;
It is mainly located in the heart. It is present all over the body and regulates health.

Qualities

Snigdha – unctuous, oily
Somatmaka – watery
Shuddha – clear (transparent),
Ishat Lohita Peetakam – slight reddish yellow in colour;
Loss of Ojas leads to loss of life.

All aspects of health are related to Ojas.

Ojo Kshaya

AH Su 11.39.b-41.a

Causes of decrease of Ojus – Ojo Kshaya Karanani

ओजः क्षीयेत कोपक्षुद्द्यानशोकश्रमादिभिः॥३९॥
बिभेति दुर्बलोऽभीक्ष्णं ध्यायति व्यथितेन्द्रियः।
दुःच्छायो दुर्मना रूक्षो भवेत्क्षामश्च तत्क्षये॥४०॥
जीवनीयौषधक्षीररसाध्यास्तत्र भेषजम्।
ojaḥ kṣīyeta kopakṣuddyānaśokaśramādibhiḥ||39||
bibheti durbalo’bhīkṣṇaṃ dhyāyati vyathitendriyaḥ|
duḥcchāyo durmanā rūkṣo bhavetkṣāmaśca tatkṣaye||40||
jīvanīyauṣadhakṣīrarasādhyāstatra bheṣajam|

ओजः क्षीयेत – ojaḥ kṣīyeta – Ojas undergoes decrease (in quantity) by
कोप क्षुद्द्यान शोक श्रमादिभिः – kopa kṣuddyāna śoka śramādibhiḥ – anger, hunger (starvation), worry, grief, exertion etc.

Symptoms of Ojas decrease –

तत्क्षये – tatkṣaye – when there is decrease of ojas,
बिभेति – bibheti – the person becomes fretful,
दुर्बलो – durbalo – debilitated,
अभीक्ष्णं ध्यायति – abhīkṣṇaṃ dhyāyati – repeatedly worries without any reason,
व्यथितेन्द्रियः- vyathitendriyaḥ – feels discomfort in sense organs,
दुःच्छायो – duḥcchāyo – develops bad complexion,
दुर्मना – durmanā – develops negative thoughts (loss of enthusiasm),
रूक्षो – rūkṣo – develops dryness (loss of unctuousness or oily portion)
भवेत्क्षामश्च – bhavetkṣāmaśca – and becomes emaciated
भेषजम् – bheṣajam – treatment of loss of ojas includes,
जीवनीयौषध क्षीर रसाध्यास्तत्र – jīvanīya auṣadha kṣīra rasādhyāstatra – administration of Jivaniya group (enlivening medicines) mentioned in chapter 15, milk, meat juice (soup) etc

Cause for decrease of Ojas

Ojas undergoes decrease in quantity by anger, hunger (starvation), worry, grief, exertion etc.,

Symptoms of Ojas decrease

The person becomes fretful, debilitated, repeatedly worries without any reason, feels discomfort in sense organs, develops bad complexion, negative thoughts and dryness;

Treatment

Treatment – Use of drugs of Jivaniya group (Enlivening) (mentioned in chapter 15), milk, meat juice etc. 39 – 40.

Other causes for Ojas decrease

Notes :- Many more causes of decrease of Ojas have been mentioned in other texts of Ayurveda, they are

Ativyayama – too much exercise
Anashana – fasting for long periods of time
Alpashana – eating less quantities of food
Rookshapana (intake of alcoholic beverages which cause dryness),
Pramitashana (intake of mixture of good and bad foods),
Bhaya (fear),
Prajagara (waking up at night),
Abhighata (injury),
Abhishanga (assault by evil spirits; micro organisms like bacteria, virus etc.), Dhatukshaya (depletion of tissues such as by haemorrhage etc.),
Ativisarga (too much of elimination) of Kapha, Sonita (blood), Sukra (semen) and Mala (waste products);
Visha (ingestion of poison)

Ojo Vriddhi

AH Su 11.41.b

Increase of Ojas –

ओजोवृद्धौ हि देहस्य तुष्टिपुष्टिबलादयः॥४१॥
ojovṛddhau hi dehasya tuṣṭipuṣṭibalādayaḥ||41||

ओजोवृद्धौ हि – ojovṛddhau hi – Increase of ojas makes for
तुष्टि पुष्टि बलादयः देहस्य – tuṣṭi puṣṭi balādayaḥ dehasya – contentment, nourishment and increase in strength of the body

Increase of Ojas makes for contentment, nourishment of the body and increase of strength.

3 comments on “Doshadi Vijnaneeya Adhyaya – Astanga Hrudaya Sutrasthana 11”

surya Krishnamurthi

13/04/2013 - 4:12 pm

Excellent details and of course the basics of ayurveda which is devised for happy life. Krishnamurthi
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Roma

07/06/2018 - 3:38 pm

What are the causes of decrease of faeces?
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- Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
  
  17/06/2018 - 8:00 pm
  
  Increased Agni – digestion strength
  Less intake of food
  Malfunctioning Apana Vata Dosha.
  Reply to comment