The doctrine of the doshas plays an important part in Ayurveda inasmuch as in forms the basis for the maintenance of positive health and diagnosis, as sell as treatment of diseases. A correct appreciation of this doctrine is therefore, essential fore proper comprehension and appreciation of the theory and practice of Ayurveda. When they are in their normal state, they sustain the body and any disturbance in their equilibrium results in disease and decay. These three doshas pervade all over the body. There are, however, some elements or organs of the body in which they are primarily located. For example, the urinary bladder, the intestines, the pelvic region, the thighs, legs and the bones are the primary seats of vayu. The seats of pitta are the sweat, the sweat, the lymph, the blood and the stomach. Similarly, the seats of kapha are the thorax, the head, the neck, the joints, the upper portion of the stomach and the fat tissues of the body. Each of these three doshas are again divided into five each. These fice divisions represent only five different aspects of the same doshas and it should be made clear that they are not five different entities in the body.

Locations and functions of these divisions of vayu, pitta and kapha are given in the statement below:




Doshas Location Normal Ailments
function caused by its
vitiation
A) VAYU
1. Prana Heart Breathing and Hiccup,
swallowing of bronchitis,
food. asthma, cold,
hoarseness of
voice.
2.Udana Throat Speech and Various
voice diseases of
eye, ear,
nose and
throat.
3. Samana Stomach and Help in the Indigestion,
small action of diarrhoea and
intestines digestive defective
enzymes, assimilation
assimilation
of end-
products of
food and
separation
into their
various
tissue
elements.
4. Apana Colon and Elimination Diseases of
organs of of stool, bladder,
pelvis. urine, semen anus,
and menstrual testicles,
blood. obstinate
urinary
diseases
including
diabetes
5. Vyana Heart Helps in the Impairments
functioning of
of circulation
circulating and diseases
channels like like fever,
blood diarrhoea
vessels.

B) PITTA

1.Pachaka Stomach and Digestion Indigestion
small
intestines
2. Ranjaka Liver, spleen Blood Anaemia,
and stomach. formation jaundice,
etc.
3. Sadhaka Heart Memory and Psychic
other mental disturbances.
functions.
4. Alochoka Eyes Vision. Impairment of
vision.
5. Bhrajaka Skin Colour and Leucoderma
glaze of the and other
skin. skin
diseases.

C) KAPHA
1. Kledaka Stomach Moistens food Impairment of
which helps digestion.
in digestion.
2. Avalambaka Heart Energy in Laziness.
limbs.
3. Bodhaka Tongue Perception of Impairment of
taste. taste.
4. Tarpaka Heart Nourishment Loss of
of the sense memory and
organs. impairment of
the functions
of sense
organs.
5. Shleshaka Joints Lubrication Paint in
of joints joints and
impairment of
the functions
of the joint.

It will be seen from the above statement that the doshas and their divisions are located in almost all the vital organs of the body and regulate all the functions of both the body and the mind.