As we’ve discussed in our article on the Ayurvedic Perspective on the inner intelligence - we find Ayurveda presenting a nuanced “personality” for this inner intelligence: a 3 - fold intelligence.
One way to understand how an Ayurvedic assessment occurs - is in the context of an assessment of the condition of these 3 fundamental intelligences. These intelligences, as we will explore together in these articles, have many manifestations, associated organs, specific functions, and an altogether nuanced relationship with many facets of our existence.
This short series on the 3 Doshas is looking primarily at the nature & function of these intelligences. There will be other other articles contextualizing their manifestations in individuals as constitutions and also one’s discussing their relationship with imbalances more thoroughly.
For now, let’s explore the first of the 3 Doshas:
Pitta Dosha:
This intelligence is associated with the Fire & Water elements. It is primarily associated with the Fire which exists and inspires activity on all levels - spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically and in our actions. Its 3 primary functions are:
Transformation
Digestion
Metabolism
All transformation, all digestion, all metabolism - biochemically, neurologically, hormonally, cardiovascularly, respiratorily, mentally, spiritually - nearly all dimensions of your being where any of these 3 functions have a role - are handled by this subtle, energetic intelligence that we call Pitta Dosha.
We find this intelligence functioning primarily in the metabolic processes throughout the mind/body system - or the Agnis in sanskrit. Biochemical reactions and transformations, metabolism of food, digestion of emotions, transformation of our diet into our bodily tissues - these processes and many more are governed by this abstract intelligence.
Most imbalances related to this intelligence - anger/irritability, high acidity in the body, inflammation etc. - can be related to the condition of Kapha Dosha.
With this view on the primary functions of this intelligence, let’s see what the literature has to say about the predicted outcomes of a balanced state of Pitta Dosha:
“The actions of Pitta in its normal state are good vision, good digestion, normal temperature, normal hunger & thirst, bodily softness, lustre, happiness and intelligence.”
Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthan, 18.50
Form
Let’s take a look at the locations of the 3 Doshas in the human physiology. This will further along our sense of and relationship with these subtle, energetic intelligences.
Vata Dosha is generally located in the abdomen region. Specifically, we find its expression in the following parts of the human physiology:
Small Intestine
Sweat
Plasma
Lymph
Blood
Of these locations, the stomach & small intestine is said to be the main “house”. This brings up a few revealing insights into the operation of these intelligences. Firstly - each of the Doshas is said to have a main “home” in the human physiology. This indicates a level of organization in the functioning of these intelligences. The stomach and small intestine handle many important functions in the physiology - this is where the vast majority of digestion and metabolism occur, and where the innumerable functions of the gut microbiome take place. Enzymes, digestive juices, the metabolic processes of the healthy gut bacteria, purification, detoxification and so many more functions take place in this region of the physiology. The condition of all the anatomical parts mentioned above is in some way directly related to the condition of the non-material intelligence which we refer to as Pitta Dosha in Ayurveda.
These locations of Pitta Dosha - the blood, lymph, plasma etc. are all areas of the physiology where very important metabolic activity takes place. Within these fluids countless digestive processes, gas exchanges, immune functions and many more functions take place. These can all be related to the primary functions of Pitta Dosha - Transformation, Digestion & Metabolism.
We find the following expression in the Ayurvedic literature:
“Though present all over the body, Vata is found mainly below the umbilicus; Pitta is found mainly between the heart and umbilicus; and Kapha is found above the heart.”
Asthanga Hridayam, Sutrasthan, 1.7
This description shows us that while these intelligences are indeed beyond the physical, they do have what we might consider as “anchors” in the physiology which give expression to their core functions.
For Pitta Dosha specifically - we can also point to the all pervading metabolic processes that take place in every cell, bodily tissue, fluids, and even on the non-material levels of the mind and emotions. We know that Pitta Dosha as an intelligence takes place primarily within the metabolic processes of the mind/body system. The Digestive System, however, is a great and holistic manifestation of this intelligence, as it handles the huge task of transforming our diet into our human body. They say “We are what we eat” - and technically speaking this is true, and it is thanks to this intelligence and its corresponding anatomical structures that this is so.
Nature
Looking more deeply into the nature of this Intelligence - we can start to explore the textural aspect of it. According to Ayurveda there are a series of universal qualities - or Gunas in sanskrit - that are associated with each of the 3 Doshas. These qualities are more than associations, though, and give us a textural insight into the form and function of this intelligence.
Let’s explore exactly what this means for Pitta Dosha:
Pitta Dosha is said to have the following Gunas (qualities):
Slight oiliness
Heat
Sharpness
Liquid quality
Sourness
Movement (flow)
Pungency
These are the qualities which allows us to have a textural experience of the form and function of this intelligence. Thinking back to the 3 main functions of Pitta Dosha - Transformation, Digestion & Metabolism - we can begin to associate particular qualities of Nature with those functions. For metabolism to take place, Sharpness - as opposed to dullness - would be suited. Sharpness is a quality in nature we can associate with the process of breaking down - like the function of acid in the stomach which is said to be the togetherness of the heat + sharp qualities. For transformation to take place, some pungency, sharpness and heat would be useful, as these qualities are associated with the breaking down of structures in order that they may be rebuilt. The slight oiliness and liquid quality serves as the medium for these qualities to take action.
Pitta handles Transformation, Digestion & Metabolism in the countless metabolic processes of our mind-body mechanism. What is the primary thing that is transformed, digested and metabolized? Information, knowledge, energy. On the gross level we find the transformation of our bodily tissues and the digestion of our diet, but ultimately even that is the expression of a more subtle process of transformation..
The truth is that to really know the relationship between the Doshas and their qualities, one must practice the Ayurvedic Pulse Reading technique. But intellectual study can also be useful - for that, let’s take a look at the expression of these qualities in the human physiology.
Pitta Dosha Qualities in the Physiology
Quality / Manifestation in the Physiology
Slight oiliness / Slight oiliness in the physiology
Heat, warmth / Warmth in the body, heat, inflammation
Sharpness / Sharpness in mind and body, sharp pains, acidity
Liquid quality / Liquid quality in tissues, fluid levels
Sourness / Sourness in the body, acidity, sour stools
Movement (flow) / Pressure and flow of fluids and liquids throughout the mind/body system
Pungency / Pungency in body, stools, attitude, irritation
The value here is in our growing perception of the multi-layered expression of these intelligences - from the subtle to the gross. Even a new student to this science can be empowered by the perception of the body. Inference is a powerful means of assessment and even experienced Ayurvedic practitioners will gather information in this way.
