Author: Dr. V. V. Subrahmanya Sastry

The theory of tridosha constitutes one of the foundational bases of Ayurveda. According to many Ayurvedic practitioners, this book provides one of the best English-language explanations on the topic of bodily humours and the definition of dosha.

If Ayurveda is the science of healthfulness and longevity, then the theory of tridosha, or the functional intelligence at the cellular level, forms the core conceptual framework of that science. This is a dream book for a beginner, intermediate or advanced student of Yoga and Ayurveda who wishes to learn about the Sankhya philosophical basis of guṇa and doṣa (dosha).

In this book the learned author scientifically explains the physiology of the human body through the principles of vata, pitta, and kapha, keeping in perspective the modern scientific explanations of some of the processes without detriment to the main concept postulated in Ayurveda.

The factor that is not only capable of vitiation but also of vitiating other factors of the body is termed as dosha. As only three unique humours – vata, pitta, and kapha – are capable of becoming vitiated due to their respective causes and disturbing the physiological functions that initiate the onset of disease, they are known as tridosha or the three somatic humours.

The word tridosha used in the title of this book denotes that there are only three somatic humours, existing as innumerable combinations. Tridosha or vata(V), pitta(P), and kapha(K) are present as subtle energies in every cell of the body. They are found in aggregate combinations in the physical organs and they characterize cellular function even at the molecular level.

The whole body evolves from the zygote with its original value of VPK thereby beginning the evolutionary mechanism that guides the embryo to develop into a full body with a defined constitution. The nascent and unique combination ascribed to the original VPK ratio is termed as Prakriti, whereas the deviation from this balance is defined by the term Vikriti. This nomenclature is based on the Sankhya philosophical framework of mutation and evolutionary biology. This book captures a profound understanding as well as a thorough scientific basis of tridosha, suitable for a lay person or a seeker wishing to immerse in a deeper study of Ayurveda.

Title: Tridosha Theory
Publisher: Department of Publications - Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal
Edition: 2019
Total Pages: 216 + appendix
Language: English
Binding: Paperback with colour paper jacket
ISBN: 978-93-80148-05-2