Ayurved, the science of life is based on many principles and one of the most important beings is the principle of Panchamahabhoota. All the allied branches of this science are based on this very important theory. The universe is been composed of five basic cardinal elements namely, Pruthvi, Jala, Teja, Vayu and Akash, their description as the earth, water, air, fire and space. This is just a crude translation of the words and not the concept by itself. These are not to be taken as a concrete matter that can be seen, but has conceptual use and hence the necessity to understand them by their original name and not the translated ones. Basically if these cardinal elements have to be co-related with anything that the modern science accepts then before trying to do the same one as to understand the property of each one of them. The Vedic Scientists who propounded the science of Ayurved through Sankhya Darshan describe the origin of Panchamahabhootas.

The Tridosha Theory

The principle of Panchmahboota i.e., the Panchabhoutik Siddhant enunciate each of the substances in the universe is composed of these five basic cardinal elements namely; Pruthvi, Jala, Teja, Vayu and Akash.

Ekadhik Bhautik Siddhanta, however, states that in each of the five cardinal elements one is comparatively predominant and large in quantum hand hence the substance is labeled accordingly. For example a substance like the stone, is called Parthiv, not because it is composed only of the basic cardinal element the earth, but because all the other remaining four cardinal elements, though present in stone are much less in quantum as compared tot he Pruthvi Mahabhoota.

It is necessary for us to learn and understand the properties of each of these four cardinal elements such the one is in a position to understand what it means by, Parthiv, Jaleeya, Taijas, Vayaveeya and Akasheeya substances.

The properties of each of these substances

Doshas

Dosha is a Sanskrit word that is derived as;

"Dooshayanti iti Doshaha"

The broad meaning of the word is that these are the biological forces which have the capacity to vitiate any other substance or body ingredients like the Dhatus, Updhatus, Malas, Oja and so on. The Doshas are three in number and are known as Vat, Pitta & Kapha.

Dhatus

Dhatu is the word derived as "dharanat dhatavah"
The deeper meaning of the word is that these are the substances, which help the body to maintain itself, and on which strengthen and normalcy of the body depends. They are seven in number and have been appropriated in their seven functions. It is the perfect maintenance the quantum of these which help to maintain n the structure and function.

Malas: "Malinikarnat malaha" is the Sanskrit explanation of the word. This mean any substance other than the Doshas is able to vitiate the body functioning, if remains in the body for more that the necessary time, is to be recognised as Mala.

Oja

The concept of Oja is a unique one as no corresponding concept. It is found that in the modern sciences Oja is as substance in the body that cannot be shown, but has to be understood from its functions and property in the body. The best component of al the Dhatus make up the Oja.

Detailed description of Dosha

The Doshas in the body can be grouped under two sub-heads:

1. The Sharir or the Shiroki Doshas
2. Manas or Manasik Doshas

Vat, Pittia and Kapha are the names derived from Sanskrit and the real meaning of all these words can be understood from the Sanskrit root verb of the same.

Vat is the word derived from the Va, Gati, Gandhan, Yoho meaning Vat is the initiator of Gati movement and Gandhan i.e. enthusiasm these all the movements of the body substances influenced are under the influence of Vat.

Pitta is derived from "Tap Santape pitta", Tap meaning heat symbolize in the body by the Pitta.

Kapha also known as Shleshma, is the third Dosha

Kapha is the word derived from "Ken Jalen phalati iti kapha" i.e. Kapha is substance in the body that gets aggravated due to the water. Shleshma is the word derived from the root shilsh-alingane meaning to bring together or bind together these are the Sharirik doshas which get vitiated due to certain specific reasons and have the potentials and capacity to vitiate the other constituents of the body. They are present in the body right from the birth to death. In fact the quantum of doshas present at the moment of conjugation of male Shukra, i.e. the seventh doshas, which is responsible for the reproduction and Aartav i.e. the female ovum, always remains constant, quantitatively.

This is the composition determining the Prakruti *. These doshas, though can create diseases in the body when vitiated are extremely useful for the maintenance of the body and act as supports just as the main pillar of the palace helps the structure of the palace.

The Tridoshas, which are present and are found in the body, they are present within the Dhatus, the Aashaya* as well as Anga pratyanga* of the body. But, depending on their quantum in certain places depending upon their predominance in certain parts of the body. The upper part of the body from head to the stomach is considered to be the region of Kapha predominance. Region around the umbilicus from the diaphragm to the hip region is the part predominant of Pitta and the region below the hips upto the feet is the part predominant of Vat.

These Tridoshas are extremely important for not only the digestion of the food that is ingested, but also for the conversion in the form that can give nutrition to the cellular level. This is also known as Metabolism. Though the doshas travel in the body through the Rasa, Rakta, Dhatus, when in proper quantum.