Vitiation of Doṣhas (Doṣha Duṣṭi): A Classical and Contemporary Review

Vitiation of Doṣhas (Doṣha Duṣṭi): A Classical and Contemporary Review

Abstract

The fundamental principle of disease causation in Ayurveda is the imbalance or vitiation (duṣṭi) of the three biological entities—Vāta, Pitta, and Kapha. This paper comprehensively analyzes the concept of Doṣha Duṣṭi (vitiation of doṣhas), its etiological factors (nidāna), stages, signs, pathological consequences, and therapeutic approaches as per the classical Ayurvedic texts. Modern physiological correlations are also attempted for better interdisciplinary understanding. Classical references from Caraka Saṃhitā, Suśruta Saṃhitā, and Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya are used.

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Keywords

Doṣha Duṣṭi, Vāta, Pitta, Kapha, Samprāpti, Nidāna, Saṃśodhana, Ayurveda

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Introduction

Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine from India, holds that health is maintained by the equilibrium of Tridoṣhas—Vāta, Pitta, and Kapha. When this balance is disturbed, doṣhas become vitiated, causing disease (vikāra). Understanding the mechanism of doṣha duṣṭi is critical for proper diagnosis and treatment.

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Definition of Doṣha Duṣṭi

"दोषास्त्रयो मूलं सर्वेषां रोगाणां समन्यथा।"
— Caraka Saṃhitā Sūtrasthāna 1/57

Translation: The three doṣhas are the root cause of all diseases.

The term Duṣṭi implies pathological vitiation or abnormal functioning of doṣhas. This occurs when their quantity, quality, or location is altered, resulting in disease development.

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Types of Doṣha Duṣṭi

Each doṣha has specific types of vitiation:

1. Vāta Duṣṭi (Vitiation of Vāta)

• Caraka Saṃhitā Sūtrasthāna 20/11–13 lists symptoms like:

  • Spandana (twitching)

  • Śūla (pain)

  • Sankocha (constriction)

  • Śabda (crepitus)

  • Hṛllāsa (nausea)

  • Gaurava (heaviness)

2. Pitta Duṣṭi (Vitiation of Pitta)

• Caraka Saṃhitā Sūtrasthāna 20/14–16

  • Dāha (burning)

  • Tṛṣṇā (thirst)

  • Mūrchhā (fainting)

  • Śūla (pain)

  • Pītavarṇa (yellow discoloration)

3. Kapha Duṣṭi (Vitiation of Kapha)

• Caraka Saṃhitā Sūtrasthāna 20/17–19

  • Śleṣma (mucous)

  • Gaurava (heaviness)

  • Aalasya (laziness)

  • Śīta (coldness)

  • Śveta varṇa (whitish discoloration)

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Causes (Nidāna) of Doṣha Duṣṭi

Doṣha	Causative Factors (Nidāna)
Vāta	Excessive fasting, fear, excessive movement, cold, dry food
Pitta	Spicy, sour, fermented food, anger, exposure to heat
Kapha	Heavy, oily, cold foods, sleeping during the day, sedentary life

Ref: Caraka Saṃhitā Sūtrasthāna 20/5–7

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Stages of Doṣha Duṣṭi (Ṣaṭkriyākāla – Six Stages of Disease)

1. Sañcaya – Accumulation

2. Prakopa – Aggravation

3. Prasara – Spreading

4. Sthānasamśraya – Localization

5. Vyakti – Manifestation

6. Bheda – Complication

Ref: Madhava Nidāna 1/3–6, Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya Sūtrasthāna 12

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Samprāpti (Pathogenesis) of Doṣha Duṣṭi

The vitiation of doṣha alters their normal function and leads to disturbance in Dhātu, Mala, and Agni functions. For example:

• Vāta duṣṭi can disturb Apāna vāyu → constipation, menstrual irregularities

• Pitta duṣṭi affects Ranjaka pitta → jaundice

• Kapha duṣṭi in Āmāśaya → anorexia, nausea

Ref: Suśruta Saṃhitā Sūtrasthāna 21/8–10

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Doṣha Duṣṭi Laksanas (Signs of Vitiation)

Doṣha	Signs (Duṣṭi Lakṣaṇa)	Ref
Vāta	Dryness, constipation, tremors, insomnia	Caraka Sūtrasthāna 20
Pitta	Burning, inflammation, thirst, anger	Caraka Sūtrasthāna 20
Kapha	Cold, heaviness, drowsiness, mucous	Caraka Sūtrasthāna 20

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Complications of Doṣha Duṣṭi

• Chronic diseases result from prolonged vitiation.

• Doṣha duṣṭi can lead to Dhātu kṣaya, Srotorodha, and Āma formation.

• Saṃsarga (combination of 2 doṣhas) and Sannipāta (involvement of all 3) forms are more complex.

Ref: Caraka Saṃhitā Vimānasthāna 7/13–15

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Contemporary Understanding

Ayurvedic Term	Modern Correlation
Vāta Duṣṭi	Neurological imbalance, anxiety, IBS
Pitta Duṣṭi	Inflammatory diseases, acidity, hepatitis
Kapha Duṣṭi	Allergies, obesity, respiratory congestion

Doṣha vitiation correlates with homeostatic imbalance, inflammation, enzymatic dysfunction, and immune system irregularities.

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Management of Doṣha Duṣṭi

1. Nidāna Parivarjana – Avoidance of causative factors

2. Saṃśamana (Palliative) Therapy

Doṣha	Herbs / Therapies
Vāta	Daśamūla, Abhyanga, Basti
Pitta	Gudūci, Amṛtārishta, Takra
Kapha	Trikaṭu, Vamana, Vyāyāma

Ref: Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya Cikitsasthāna 1–5

3. Saṃśodhana (Purificatory) Therapy

Doṣha	Procedure
Vāta	Basti (medicated enema)
Pitta	Virecana (purgation)
Kapha	Vamana (emesis)

Ref: Caraka Saṃhitā Siddhisthāna 1/7–10

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Summary Table

Doṣha	Nidāna (Cause)	Lakṣaṇa (Signs)	Best Therapy
Vāta	Fasting, Cold, Fear	Pain, Dryness	Basti
Pitta	Spicy, Anger, Heat	Burning, Thirst	Virecana
Kapha	Heavy, Sleep	Heaviness, Mucus	Vamana

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Conclusion

Understanding Doṣha Duṣṭi is vital for Ayurvedic diagnosis and treatment. The classical texts provide a detailed description of the causes, symptoms, and treatment of each vitiated doṣha. Integrating this knowledge with modern pathophysiology enriches clinical practice. Preventive care through Nidāna Parivarjana, and curative therapy via Saṃśamana and Saṃśodhana, remains the core of Ayurvedic management.

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References

1. Caraka Saṃhitā – Sūtrasthāna, Nidānasthāna, Cikitsāsthāna

2. Suśruta Saṃhitā – Sūtrasthāna, Uttarasthāna

3. Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya – Sūtrasthāna, Cikitsāsthāna

4. Madhava Nidāna – Chapter 1

5. Dash B & Sharma R.K. – Caraka Saṃhitā (Text with English Translation)

6. Sharma P.V. – Dravyaguna Vijñāna, Cikitsā Saṃgraha

7. Valiathan M.S. – Legacy of Caraka, Suśruta and Vāgbhata

8. Tiwari PV – Concept of Tridoṣha in Ayurveda

9. CCRAS Publications – Standard Treatment Guidelines