Dosa Dhatu and Mala

A critical study on the role of nidra (circadian sleep cycle) in the development and
management of obesity
Doṣa Dhātu and Mala
The terms doṣa, dhātu and mala are technical terms used in Ayurveda. The
tridoṣa due to their activities can also be called Dhātu and Mala
sharira dooshanaaddhoshaa: dhatava: dehadhaaranat |
vaata pitta kaphaanjeyaa: malineekaranaanmalaa || 1
The different actions of the universe may be understood with the help of the pancha
mahābhutas, the five basic elements amalgamating the creation, maintenance and
annihilation of all beings, be it living or nonliving, according to Indian philosophy.
1. Ākāśa – space which is recognized by non-resistance
2. Vāyu – recognized by motion, diffusion and change
3. Agni – the power of disintegration, catabolism and analysis
4. Jala – an important factor integration, anabolism and synthesis
5. Pṛithvī – essential to perform a particular form (mūrtatva)
All the worldly creations have these five physical factors behind their creation and
existence, hence termed pānchabhautika. Āyurveda has utilized the applied aspect of
these five elements and arranged them into three active sources. Predominance of Ākāśa
and Vāyu are responsible for vāyu factor which generates and maintains all the activities
and even life.
Sarvahi cheshta vaatena, sa praana: praninaam smritam| 2
Utsahochvasani:swasa cheshtadhatugati: samaa |
In pitta, the agni element is predominant and it is the cause for catabolism,
digestive and heat factors of the body.
Pittadevoshmana: paktirnaraanamupajaayathe | 3
Dr.Benoy Bhaskaran, PhD Scholar, Dept of Ayurveda, SSUS, Kalady

Whereas in kapha, which provides integration, anabolism, synthesis, strength and
particular form or shape of body, the predominance of jala and prithvi elements are
responsible.
Snehobandha: sthiratvam cha gouravam vrishataabalam | 4
The tridoṣa remain in normal (prakṛta) stage as well as abnormal (vaikṛta) stage
depending on many contributing factors. The abnormality may be due to increase (vridhi)
or decrease (kṣaya) of states of these factors. Thus these factors are responsible for the
health as well as for the diseases of an individual and the different names like doṣa, dhātu
and mala are given as per their functions5. Also the complete physiological action of the
human body can be consolidated in Doṣa, Dhātus and Mala, as these are the main
constituents of the living body. 6, 7 – “Doṣa dhātu mala moolam sadā dehasya”.
Kapha one of the three main humors of the physical body, in the aggravated state
causes trouble to the physical body as well as its mental attributes and the associated
dhātus8. In the normalcy of kapha, it provides the body with stability, sufficient
compactness of all the joints, courage, intelligence, moistness, strength, nourishment9.
The symptoms exhibited in the aggravated and depleted state of kapha are as follows;10,
11
.
Kapha vriddhi Kapha kshaya
Shwaitya – paleness of body Brama – giddiness
Shaithya – cold feeling Udweshtana – twisting pain
Sthoulya - obesity Anidra – sleeplessness
Ālasya – laziness Angamardha – physical discomfort
Gourava - heaviness Pariplosha – mild burning sensation

Anga saada – body pain Todha – pricking type pain
Srotha pithana – obstruction of channels Dāha – burning sensation
Moorcha - fainting Sphoda – bursting feeling
Tandrā - inertness Sandhi shaithilya -
Nidra – sleep Hridrava – palpitation
Swāsa – breathlessness Sleshmashaya shoonyata – emptiness of
kapha sthanam
Kāsa – cough
Praseka - salivation
Agnisāda – weak digestion
Sandhi vislesha – looseness of joints
Table 1 kapha vriddhi and kshaya
Vāta initiates the sensory and motor activities of the living being. Aggravated Vāta is
nullified by the presence and activities of kapha. Pitta provides sufficient heat energy to
the body tissues.
A) Doṣa are the factors which vitiates the body or mind. There are three Śarīra
doṣas12, 13
(vāyu: pittam kaphascheti trayo doṣa samāsatha)14 and two mānasa
doṣas.
B) Dhātu – (ta ethe rasaadaya, sarira dhāraṇāt dhātavaḥ)15 Dhātavaḥ deha
dhāraṇāta ie, the factors which nourish and support the body are known as dhātus
(tissues), these having the nature to be vitiated, are known as duṣyas. Rasāsrik
mamsa medoʆsthi Majja sukrani dhātav: | sapta duṣya || 16

They are seven in number;
1. Rasa dhātu the plasma, chyle and intercellular fluids
2. Rakta dhātu cellular portion of the blood
3. Māṁsa dhātu muscular tissues
4. Medas dhātu adipose tissue fat
5. Asthi dhātu bone, cartilage and teeth
6. Majjā dhātu bone, marrow
7. Śukra dhātu semen and sex hormones and
secretions from bartholin etc. glands in
women.
Table 2 sapta dhatus
Upadhātus – Charaka describes seven sub tissues too. They do help in the maintenance
of the body but does not give any nourishment. They are milk, tendons, veins, fat, skin,
menstrual fluids and ligaments.
C) Mala – The factors being waste products from our body, which pollute other body
structures if accumulated in excess. They purify body after getting excreted from
the body. Charaka describes the details about the waste products originating from
each dhātu after proper digestion or utilization.
1. Mala from food – feces, urine and flatus
2. Kapha (phlegm) is mala of rasa dhātu
3. Pitta (bile) is mala of Rakta dhātu
4. Excretions from all the 9 orifices of the body are the mala of Māṁsa dhātu
5. Sweat is the mala of medo dhātu

6. Hair and nails are mala of Asthi dhātu
7. Majjā dhātu – lubricants of feces, eyes, ears and skin etc.
Āsraya āsrayi bandha17
According to Ācharya, dōṣas and dhātus depend on each other. The increase or
decrease of each of them directly or indirectly affects the other related dōṣa or dhātu.
This mutual relationship between the bodily humors and tissues are to be well understood
to learn the concept of vṛddhi (increase) and kṣhaya (decrease). These vṛddhi or kṣhaya
of the dōṣas and dhātus happens due to increase or decrease of its opposite gunās.
Knowledge of the āsraya āsrayi bandha of the dōṣa or dhātu helps the physician to
understand well, the true nature of roga and its chikitsa. The malā (excretory products)
too play a pivotal role in maintaining health and creating roga as they too are associated
with the dōṣas.
Vāta the prominent dōṣa is related to asthi dhātu, whereas, pitta with rakta dhātu and
sweda (perspiration). The remaining dhātus and malās are related with kapha, the third
humor. The reciprocal relationship between these dōṣas, dhātus and malās, through the
action of gunās in the form of āhara, vihāra or oushada, brings about the increase or
decrease of the dōṣas, automatically bringing about the same change or state to the
related dhātu or malā and vice versa. This principle is the core part of all treatment
modalities in Āyurveda, which should be deeply understood by the physician.

Āsraya dōṣa Āsrayi dhātu & mala
Vāta Asthi
Rakta
Pitta
Sweda
Rasa
Māṁsa
Meda:
Kapha Majjā
Sukra
Mala
Mūtra
Table 3 dosha and dhatu asraya asrayi relation
“Asthimaruthayornaivam prayo vṛddhirhi tarpanat….”18
However the above principle is not applicable to Vāta dōṣa and asthi dhātu. In
general concept, vṛddhi is brought about by tarpana (nutritive or addition therapy) which
causes increase of kapha factor complimentarily. With the opposite, the kṣhaya
(decrease) or apatarpana (reduction) therapy, Vāta is increased complimentarily. Hence
in the case of Vāta only, the diseases manifested due to vṛddhi (increase) and kṣhaya
(decrease) are to be pacified quickly by bṛṃhaṇa (addition therapy) and laṅghana
(reduction therapy)19.

Role of individual śrotas in disease manifestation.
For any śrotas excessive elimination, accumulation, swelling the vessels and
20 21 22
deviated flow of dhātus are the samaanya dushti lakshanas , , . Even though
samaanya dushti lakshanas are explained, Ācharya Charaka further explains the
symptoms of individual sroto dushti in detail. These lakshanas helps to identify the
particular śrotas which is involved in the disease manifestation.
Śrotas involved in sthoulyatha
Rasa dhatu contains all the nutrients for the body. It can be assumed that the
living body is a product of rasa. Hence one must take utmost care to protect rasa dhatu
by following proper diet, intake of water and proper conduct quotes Charaka Ācharya .
Rasa vaha and rakta vaha srotases have almost similar features23,24 rasa vaha
srotus has hridaya as its moola or origin. The rakta dhatu is originated from organs like
Liver and Spleen. The nutrients required for plasma and the storage of blood take place in
rakta vaha sroto moolas, whereas the pumping station for blood which acts as a basic
nutrient supplier for all the dhātus is hṛdaya along with its 10 dhamanis.
Suśruta Ācharya mentions, “rasavahe dwe, tayormūlam hṛdayam dhamanya:”
ie; rasa vaha śrotas is having two mūla stāna, the heart and the arteries which carry rasa
in them.
Vriddi Lakshana
“Rasopi sleshmavat… 25
Sleshmagni sadana praseka aalasyagouravam swaithya saithya sladhangatvam swaasa
kaasaati nidrata”26, 27

It mention’s that, increased symptoms of Rasa dhatu exhibits the features such as
Agni mandhya (Dyspepsia),
Praseka Salivation
Aalasya Laziness
Sweta Varna Pallor
Gourava Feeling Of Heaviness
Saithilya Flaccidity or looseness of tissues
Swaasa Dyspnea or discomforts related to respiration
Kasa Cough
Atinidrata Narcolepsy
Table 4 increased symptoms of Rasa dhatu
Rasavaha śrotas gets vitiated due to many reasons;
“Gurusheetam atisnighdam atimaatram samashnataam|
Rasavaahiini duushyanti chintyaanam cha atichintanaal||” 28, 29
When a person consumes more of the above mentioned physical contributing
factors explained as quality of food, types of food or in the excessive quantity, an
interesting factor is that apart from these, Ācharya mentioned the involvement of mental
attributes such as thoughts and excessive thoughts, which can lead to vitiation of
rasavaha śrotas.

Rasa nimitta vyadhi or rasavaha śroto dusti lakshanas
Asraddha chāruchi… disinterestedness
Ashraddhā
Aruchi anorexia
Āsya vairasyā distaste
Arasagnatha inability to recognize the taste
Hrillāsa acid brash
Gourava Heaviness
Pānduthva pallor or an unhealthy pale appearance
Śroto rodha blockage of bodily channels
Jwara fever or signs like highly raised temperature of body
Anga marda lassitude or a state of physical or mental weariness;
lack of energy
Napumsakatva impotence
Sāda extreme weakness
Krusatva emaciation
Agnimāndhya decreased appetite
Akāla valee pālitha premature onset of old age symptoms
Table 5 Rasa nimitta vyadhi
While mentioning the troubles arising due to injury to the śrotas, Ācharya
explains that except śosha (the state of being abnormally thin or weak), all the other
remaining symptoms exhibited were similar to that of prānavaha śrotas. This is because

of the prime importance of the role of rasavaha śrotas in nourishing the body parts and in
formation of remaining dhātus of the body30.
Māṁsavaha śrotas when vitiated, being the contributor of atisthoulya is having its
mūlasthana as snayu (tendons) and twak (skin). The symptoms exhibited by individual
dhātus when vitiated and that of the corresponding śrotas are similar in nature.
The reasons behind the dusti are;31, 32
Abhishyandi More in oiliness
Sthoola Gross quantities of food
Guru Heavy food which are
difficult to digest
Divāswapna Sleeping in noon after food
Table 6 Māṁsavaha śroto dusthi
The Māṁsavaha śroto dusti lakshanas include; Atimāṁsa (Extra growth of
Māṁsa or tumor), arbuda (tumors), keelam, galashaluka, galashundika (elongated uvula
or uvulitis), pūtimamsa (gangrene), alaji, galaganda (goiter), gandamala, upajihwika
(cystic swelling of tongue).
Medovaha srotas has the fat and adipose tissue as its base. It gets vitiated due to
lack of exercise, daysleep, excessive intake of fatty things and vāruṇī type of madya.
Kidneys and the omentum are the base for it. The dusthi lakshanas clearly mentions the
Aṣṭa nindita purushas and prodromal symptoms of prameha. This indictes the key role of
medas in contributing obesity.

The dusti kāraṇas include, avyaayama (not doing exercise, divāswapna
(daysleeping), comsuming over quantities of medhya food and over consumption of
alcohol named vāruṇī
The majjavaha srotas carries components of bone marrow. It gets vitiated due to
crushing, excessive liquefaction, injury and compression of bone marrow and intake of
viruddha āhara. Bones and bone joints are its base. Charaka opined this mainly on
clinical basis.
The dusti lakshnas include;
Pain in the joints Ruk pravarnaam
giddiness Bhrama
fainting Mūrcha
darkness infronyt of eyes Tamo darshanam
boils deep seated in the joints Arūshi
Table 7 Majjavaha śroto dushti
Thus the individual dōṣas and dhātus along with their corresponding śrotas, when
vitiated will act as the evil contributor to atisthoulya. But the well maintained dushyās
certainly will save the individual from ill health and bless with longevity.

1
Śa. P. 5/24. Prof. K. R. Srikantha Murthy. Śārañgdhara. Śārañgdhara saṁhitā English
commentary, Chaukambha Orientalia, Varanasi, edition 2012. P-22

2
C.Su.17/116. M. Narayanan Vaidyar. Malayalam translation. Dhanwantari printers.
1998. P-161
3
C. Su. 17 / 114. M. Narayanan Vaidyar. Malayalam translation. Dhanwantari printers.
1998.P-161
4
C. Su.18/51. Vaidya Yadavji Trikamji acharya, Charaka Samhitha, Ayurveda deepika,
Sutra sthana, Chakrapanidutta. Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan.Varanasi. Reprint 2006.
P-109
5
Śa. P. 5/24. Prof. K. R. Srikantha Murthy. Śārañgdhara. Śārañgdhara saṁhitā English
commentary, Chaukambha Orientalia, Varanasi, edition 2012. P-22

6
Su. Su. 15/3. Prof. K. R. Srikantha Murthy, Illustrated Suśruta Saṁhitā, English
translation. Chaukambha Orientalia. Varanasi:. 2012. P-97

7
A. H. Su. 11/1. Anna Moreawara Kunte, Krishna Ram Chandra Shastri Navare
Astāñgahrdayam. Sarvāñgasundarā of Arunadatta and Āyurvedarasāyanā of Hemādri.
Varanasi: Chaukambha Orientalia; 2006: p-182

8
A. S. Su. 19/3. Prof. Jyotir Mitra, edited by Dr Shivaprasad Sharma. Aṣṭāñga Saṃgraha,
Śaśilekhā commentary, Indu. Chaukambha Sanskrit Series Office, Varanasi. 2006. P-148
9
A. S. Su. 19/2. Prof. Jyotir Mitra, edited by Dr Shivaprasad Sharma. Aṣṭāñga
Saṃgraha, Śaśilekhā commentary, Indu. Chaukambha Sanskrit Series Office, Varanasi.
2006. P-148

10
A. S. Su. 19/3 & 5. Prof. Jyotir Mitra, edited by Dr Shivaprasad Sharma. Aṣṭāñga
Saṃgraha, Śaśilekhā commentary, Indu. Chaukambha Sanskrit Series Office, Varanasi.
2006. P-148
11
A. H. Su. 11/8 & 16. Anna Moreawara Kunte, Krishna Ram Chandra Shastri Navare
Varanasi: Chaukambha Orientalia; 2006:p-183

12
C. Sū. 1/57. Dr. Ram karan Sharma, Vaidya Bhagavan dash, Agnivesha’s Caraka
Samhitha English translation based on Ayurvrda dipika Chikitsa stana. Chaukambha
Sanskrit Sansthan. Varanasi. 2014. Vol II. P-41 & P-16 (tika)
13
A. H. Su 1/6. Anna Moreawara Kunte, Krishna Ram Chandra Shastri Navare
Varanasi: Chaukambha Orientalia; 2006:p-6

14
A. H. Su. 1/6. Dr. T. Sreekumar. English Translation. p-26
15
Su. Su. 14/20. Prof. K.R.Srikantha Murthy, Illustrated Susruta Samhita, English
translation. Chaukambha orientalia. Varanasi:. 2012. P-91

16
A. S. Su. 1/11. 1/30. Vaidyabhushanam Sri, K. Raghavan Tirumulpad. Malayalam
Commentary. Ed – 4. 2004. P – 23.

17
Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2006:P-186

18

19
A. H. 11/25. Hṛdayabōdhika commentary.
20
C. Vi. 5/ 24. Dr. Ram karan Sharma, Vaidya Bhagavan dash, Agnivesha’s Caraka
Samhitha English translation based on Ayurvrda dipika Chikitsa stana. Chaukhambha
Sanskrit Sansthan. Varanasi. 2014. Vol II. P- 180.

21
Compendium views on Sroto Sharira – A Vinod Kumar, 2007
22
C. Vi. 5/24. Vaidya Yadavji Trikamji acharya, Charaka Samhitha, Ayurveda deepika,
P-252.
23
C. Vi. 5/13-16. Vaidya Yadavji Trikamji acharya, Charaka Samhitha, Ayurveda
deepika, Sutra sthana, Chakrapanidutta. Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan.Varanasi.
Reprint 2006. P – 251(tika)

24
C. Vi. 5/13-16. Dr. Ram karan Sharma, Vaidya Bhagavan dash, Agnivesha’s Caraka
Sanskrit Sansthan. Varanasi. 2014. Vol II. P- 178

25

26

27
Vāgbhaṭa. A. S. Su. 19/20. Vaidyabhushanam Sri, K. Raghavan Tirumulpad.
Malayalam Commentary. Ed – 4. 2004. P – 82

28
C. Vi. 5/13. Dr. Ram karan Sharma, Vaidya Bhagavan dash, Agnivesha’s Caraka

29
P-250.
30
Suśruta Ācharya on rasavaha śrotas
31
C. Vi. 5/13. Dr. Ram karan Sharma, Vaidya Bhagavan dash, Agnivesha’s Caraka

32
P-250

Dosa Dhatu and Mala

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A critical study on the role of nidra (circadian sleep cycle) in the development and

Doṣa Dhātu and Mala

sharira dooshanaaddhoshaa: dhatava: dehadhaaranat |

vaata pitta kaphaanjeyaa: malineekaranaanmalaa || 1

annihilation of all beings, be it living or nonliving, according to Indian philosophy.

1. Ākāśa – space which is recognized by non-resistance

2. Vāyu – recognized by motion, diffusion and change

3. Agni – the power of disintegration, catabolism and analysis

4. Jala – an important factor integration, anabolism and synthesis

5. Pṛithvī – essential to perform a particular form (mūrtatva)

and even life.

Sarvahi cheshta vaatena, sa praana: praninaam smritam| 2

Utsahochvasani:swasa cheshtadhatugati: samaa |

digestive and heat factors of the body.

Dr.Benoy Bhaskaran, PhD Scholar, Dept of Ayurveda, SSUS, Kalady

Snehobandha: sthiratvam cha gouravam vrishataabalam | 4

compactness of all the joints, courage, intelligence, moistness, strength, nourishment9.

Kapha vriddhi Kapha kshaya

Shwaitya – paleness of body Brama – giddiness

Shaithya – cold feeling Udweshtana – twisting pain

Sthoulya - obesity Anidra – sleeplessness

Ālasya – laziness Angamardha – physical discomfort

Gourava - heaviness Pariplosha – mild burning sensation

Dr.Benoy Bhaskaran, PhD Scholar, Dept of Ayurveda, SSUS, Kalady

Srotha pithana – obstruction of channels Dāha – burning sensation

Moorcha - fainting Sphoda – bursting feeling

Tandrā - inertness Sandhi shaithilya -

Nidra – sleep Hridrava – palpitation

Swāsa – breathlessness Sleshmashaya shoonyata – emptiness of

Agnisāda – weak digestion

Sandhi vislesha – looseness of joints

Table 1 kapha vriddhi and kshaya

the body tissues.

B) Dhātu – (ta ethe rasaadaya, sarira dhāraṇāt dhātavaḥ)15 Dhātavaḥ deha

mamsa medoʆsthi Majja sukrani dhātav: | sapta duṣya || 16

Dr.Benoy Bhaskaran, PhD Scholar, Dept of Ayurveda, SSUS, Kalady

1. Rasa dhātu the plasma, chyle and intercellular fluids

2. Rakta dhātu cellular portion of the blood

3. Māṁsa dhātu muscular tissues

4. Medas dhātu adipose tissue fat

5. Asthi dhātu bone, cartilage and teeth

6. Majjā dhātu bone, marrow

7. Śukra dhātu semen and sex hormones and

secretions from bartholin etc. glands in

Table 2 sapta dhatus

menstrual fluids and ligaments.

each dhātu after proper digestion or utilization.

1. Mala from food – feces, urine and flatus

2. Kapha (phlegm) is mala of rasa dhātu

3. Pitta (bile) is mala of Rakta dhātu

5. Sweat is the mala of medo dhātu

Dr.Benoy Bhaskaran, PhD Scholar, Dept of Ayurveda, SSUS, Kalady

7. Majjā dhātu – lubricants of feces, eyes, ears and skin etc.

Āsraya āsrayi bandha17

with the dōṣas.

modalities in Āyurveda, which should be deeply understood by the physician.

Dr.Benoy Bhaskaran, PhD Scholar, Dept of Ayurveda, SSUS, Kalady

Table 3 dosha and dhatu asraya asrayi relation

“Asthimaruthayornaivam prayo vṛddhirhi tarpanat….”18

(decrease) or apatarpana (reduction) therapy, Vāta is increased complimentarily. Hence

(decrease) are to be pacified quickly by bṛṃhaṇa (addition therapy) and laṅghana

Dr.Benoy Bhaskaran, PhD Scholar, Dept of Ayurveda, SSUS, Kalady

particular śrotas which is involved in the disease manifestation.