Properties / Qualities of Vata

  • Dryness / Ruksha /Rookshaha
  • Lightness / Laghu / Laghuhu
  • Coldness / Shit / Sheetoha
  • Roughness / Khar / Kharaha
  • Minuteness / Sukshma / Sookhshmaha
  • Mobile / Chal / Chalota
  • Hardness / Darun
  • Absorption / Vishada / Vishadaha
  • Plenty / Bahu
  • Rapidness / Shighra / Aashukar
  • Catalyst / Yogvahi
  • Invisible / Avyakta
  • Clear

Dryness / Ruksha

Vatta dosha absorbs the liquids and creates dryness.

Ruksha guna is responsible for the destruction or detachment of closely bind molecular structure.

Lightness / Laghu

Due to this property, it becomes active or can act as a kinetic energy. This property destructs the heaviness in the body

Example

Fasting

Increase in vata dosha

i.e. increase in ‘laghu’ property

Feeling of lightness in the body

Coldness / Shita

Due to this property vata dosha performs the function of stopping.

Example

Cold weather

Increase in vata dosha

i.e. increase in ‘shita’ property

Stoppage of perspiration

Maintenance of body temperature

Roughness / Khar

Due to this property vata dosha performs the function of scratching.

Treatment of obesity

Scratching of extra fats (due to increased vata dosha)

Slim body

Minuteness / Sukshma

Due to this property vatta dosha gets ability to penetrate through and perform its function in minute body cavities.

Mobile / Chala

Due to this property vata dosha is mobile.

It is the only basic element in the body which is mobile. Due to its mobility it carries pitta, kapha and other components to their appropriate seats to perform their functions. All the kinetic events in the body i.e. nerve impulse conductions, peristalsis etc. are due to mobile vata dosha.

Hardness / Darun

Vata dosha absorbs liquidity hence the material becomes hard.

Absorption / Vishada

Vata dosha absorbs kleda (waste material) due to this vishada property and cavities become clean.

Catalyst / Yogvahi

Vata dosha enhances the property of dosha to which it combines. It does not express its own properties when it combines with other dosha. E.g. we know that vata dosha has shit (coldness) property. But when it combines with pitta dosha it enhances its hot (Ushma) property.

Rapidness / Shighra

Vata dosha performs its functions very rapidly.

Invisible / Avyakta

Vata dosha is not a visible entity. It can be realized only by the functions performed by it.

Substances which contain qualities like dryness, lightness, coldness etc. (of vatta dosha) increase / aggravate vata dosha and vice versa. Thus the knowledge of properties of vata dosha is useful in treatment.