12. The Five Kaphas

(a) KLEDKA KAPHA That Kapha which, being situated in the stomach, moistens the food and then breaks it up is called the Kledaka (lit. that which moisten). It is generated in the stomach as a foamy secretion when any food reaches there. Remaining at this place, it nourishes the Kaphas of all other parts of the body by its special humid properties. (b) AVA LAMBAKA KAPHA The Slesman which, being situated in the thorax, protects the heart from any excessive heat by its cooling influence and gives it special strength is called Avalambaka (lit. that which supports). The fine part that is produced as a result of digestion of food in the duodenum is called the food -

297 a finer Rasa Rasa. This is further digested by its own heat, producing the Rasa Dhatu which goes to the heart. The Rasa Dhatu again is digested by its own heat. The waste product of this latter digestive process specially nourishes the Avalambaka Slesman. It is first generated in the heart and the thence is carried by Vayu to the lungs. The functions of the Avalamvaka Kapha are as follows: 1. To sustain to heart with the help of Rasa Dhatu. 2. The second function of the Avalambaka Slesman Trikasand taramam ' (SS.Su.21:14). is to support the Trika Trika literally means triple or three-fold. So by Trika here we should take the joint between the scapula, the clavide and the humerus. We may, however simply say that the Avalambaka Slesman supports the triangular bone scapule in position. (c) BODHAKA KAPHA That Slesman which moistens any substance, when it comes in contact with the tongue and thus helps the sense of taste to perceive the particular kind of taste the substance has, is called the Bodhaka (lit. that which cause perception). The seats are the roots of the tongue and the throat. The Saliva that is secreted into the cavity of the mouth when we take any food, mainly consists of the Bodhaka Kapha. It is nourished by the waste part produced out of the

298 digestion of the Rasa Dhatu that flows round about the mouth. (d) TARPAKA KAPHA That which appeases or cools the organs of senses (such as the sense of sight, of hearing, of smell etc.) is called Tarpaka (lit. that which satisfies). Its seat is in the skull. It is nourished by the waste part produced out of the digestion of Rasa Dhatu which is found near about the brain-matter. Due to its association with the brain matter, this particular Kapha has a special soothing effect by virtue of which it maintains the Indriyas or organs of senses in proper order. (e) SLESAKA KAPHA That Kapha which, being situated at the joints, keeps them firm is called the Slesaka (lit. that which joins). Due to the friction of the bones at the joints, there is production of heat, the Slesaka Kapha, by its viscid property, prevents the generation of any excessive heat in the joints, thereby protecting the bones from undue waste. It lubricates the different articulations of the body and thus helps them to remain firm and allows the free movements of the bones. The waste matter that is produced out of the digestion of the Rasa-Dhatu which circulates throughout the body nourishes the Slesaka Kapha.It accumulates specially in the joints.

299 The respective seats and normal functions of the five Vayus, Pittas and Kaphas are given below in a tabular form. The five Vayus, Pittas and Kaphas (Type the chart). THE FIVE VAYUS, PITTAS AND KAPHAS Name Prana Vayu Jdana " Samana " " Vyana Apana Locations Normal Functions Heart (special seat) Head: uras (Heart and Lungs) Ears: Nose: Tongue Kantha (Laryux) special seat Umbilicus Uras: Throat Umbilical region (special seat) Stomach: Intestines Channels carrying Sweat, urine etc. Throughout the body Rectum (Special Seat) Large intestine Bladder: Organ of generation: Thighs Umbilicus Respiration Pushing the food down the esophasus Eructation: Sneezing: Spitting. Production of sound, speech and songs. Effort Effecting of the strength of the body. To excite the digestive fine. To help digesting the food. To seperate the products of digestion. To send the waste product downwards. To effect the quick circulation of chyle, lymph, blood etc. To effect the movements of the body and the out flow of sweat and blood from the body-yawning: Winking of the eyes. To bear down the foetus. To bring down urine, faces, semens and menstrual blood. To exert a downward pull upon the body-vayu.

300 Pacaka Pitta Between Amasaya and Ranjaka Sadhaka " " Alocaka " Bhrajaka " Kledaka Karra Avalamvaka Bodhaka Pakvasaya (duodenum) Liver and Spleen Heart Pupil of the eye Skin Amasaya (stomach) Uras (Thoracic cavity heart and lungs). Root of the tongue Throat Skull Tarpaka Slesaka " Joints To digest food. To reduce the food to Rasa and to the excuta To supplement the other from Pittas and Thus to keep up the heat of the body. To impart red colour to Rasa and turn it to blood. To help realising one's desires. To keep up normal vesion. To digest an unguent To irradiate the glow of one's complexion. To moisten the food and to break it up. To protect the heart from any excessive heat Thus enabling it to perform its functions properly. To help the perception of taste by maintaining the moist character of the tongue. To cool the different sense organs. To keep the joints firmly united. To lubricate and protect the different articulactions.

301 The umbilical region is of great importance, while specially with regard to Vayus. It is the special seat of the Samana Vayu and may also be called a seat of the Vyana Vayu because the latter is located throughout the body. The Prana and the Udana Vayus flow down to the umbilicus, the Apana Vayu courses up to that place. The seat of the Pacaka Pitta is the duodenum which may be taken as the Nabhi, or at least the place nearest to the umbilicus, The Nabhi has been described as the place from which all the channels of the body take their origin. Hridaya is the seat of the Prana Vayu of Sadhaka Pitta and of the Avalamvaka Kapha. It is the seat of Rasa Dhatu Rasasya ca hridayam-sthanam' (SS.Su.14:3). It is also the seat of Ojas (Blood Plasma) the essence of the seven Dhatus and by the loss of which the body itself is destroyed.