The Classical Doctrine of Indian Medicine: Its Origins and its Greek Parallels c6.130

c6.130

Such is the substance of the body. The interplay of the three chief elements, which enter into its composition, namely, wind, fire and water, gives it life and movement. But when they are excited or when on the contrary, their action stops, disease comes in. They are, therefore, simultaneously the three elements, tridhātus and the three troubles, tridoṣas of the organism. The wind vāta or vāyu, introduces itself into the body in its own form just as in nature, that of a breath, prāṇa; the fire in the form of bile, pitta, and water in that of phlegm, kapha or śleṣman. Each of them has many special forms.