OVERVIEW OF AYURVEDA

KAPHA & 5 SUBTYPES

KAPHA AND 5 SUBTYPES

Kapha is the conceptual equilibrium of AAPAH [water] and
PRITHVI [earth].
Kapha is structure and lubrication. It can be looked upon as the
force that keeps the planets in their orbits through their
movement around the sun. If disrupted, it can cause a disaster.
Of the universal qualities, KAPHA dosha has a predominance of
TAMAS.
Kapha dosha as described in the Introduction to Tridosha is
responsible for stability. It is a force that insures that the
universe goes on through continuos supply of energy. It is stored
energy which Pitta transforms for usability and Vata disperses to
various entities.

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KAPHA & 5 SUBTYPES

FUNCTION
To understand KAPHA dosha from a human perspective we need
to understand its functions as depicted by Vagbhat in
Ashtanghrudaya:
shleshma sthiratva snigdhatva sandibandh kshamadibihi
11/ 3
Kapha in its normal state governs:
Stability
Lubrication
Compactness (firmness) of the joints
Forbearance (forgiveness, withholding emotions, strain, etc.)
Unification of joints, unction, healing [Sushrut]

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KAPHA & 5 SUBTYPES

LOCATION
KAPHA doshas primary seat of location in the human body is
described in Ashtanghrudaya as:
urakanthashira klomparvanyoamashayo rasah
medo ghrano cha jivha cha kaphasya sutramuraha 12/3
Kapha dosha is located in the
Chest
Tongue
Throat
Head
Fat tissue
Joints
Nose
Stomach.
Of these, the chest is considered most important. Ashtanghruday
mentions one more location called KLOM, whose identity with
respect to the human body is arguable but many consider it to
be the pancreas, or soft palate in the mouth.

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KAPHA & 5 SUBTYPES

VITIATION [INCREASE OR DECREASE OF KAPHA DOSHA]

The pathology of KAPHA dosha can be studied when its
proportions increase or decrease in the body.
Since Kapha dosha governs stability of the body, prevents it from
degenerating before time and ensures constant supply of energy
in a stored form, its abnormal increase logically would cause
obstructions in the channels, increase of body mass and wastage
of nutrients
Increase of KAPHA dosha is described in Ashtanghrudaya as:
shleshmaagnisadan prasek aalasya gauravam
shwaitya shaitya shlathangatvam shwas kas atinidrata..
11/7
Paleness
Hypothermia.
Rigidity
Heaviness.
Disturbed digestion
Excessive sleep.
Sensation of looseness of joints.
Lack of enthusiasm
Obesity.
Obstruction of channels.
Loss of consciousness.
Excessive secretions in mouth.
Shortness of breath
Cough.

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KAPHA & 5 SUBTYPES

Decrease of Kapha dosha would cause an opposite reaction

leading to quick degeneration of body parts, loss of body mass
instability etc.
The decrease of KAPHA dosha is described in Ashtanghrudaya as:
kaphe brahmaha shleshmakshayanam shoonyatvam
hrudadrava shlathsandhita... 11/16
Low self esteem
Delirium.
Dryness
Palpitations.
Joint malfunctions.
Pricking pain/body tremors.
Varied burning sensations.

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KAPHA & 5 SUBTYPES

THE FIVE FORMS OF KAPHA

KAPHA dosha carries out its various functions through its
subtypes. We have already looked at the subtle relation of
KAPHA dosha and its subtypes which are co-related to humors in
modern terms while describing Introduction to Tridoshas.
KAPHA dosha is the all-governing force in the cosmos and
humans are one part of its manifestation. In humans KAPHA
dosha sustains the body along with the other two doshas, Pitta
and Vata. However, KAPHA dosha functions in the body are
subject to malfunctions, which ultimately proves to be a
contributing factor to the physical death of the body.
The functions of KAPHA are varied as described earlier and are
more specifically carried out or identified by its subtypes.
The five subtypes of Kapha are
TARPAKA
BODHAKA
KLEDAKA
SLESHAKA
AVALAMBAKA
They are different forms of mucous secretions or lubrication in
the body.

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KAPHA & 5 SUBTYPES

TARPAKA KAPHA
Tarpaka is originated from the word "Tarpan" meaning "to
nourish.
Tarpaka Kapha means the ONE that gives contentment
(tripti).
Ashtang hruday gives description of Tarpak kapha as
shirsansthiakshatarpanat tarpakaha
It is located in the HEAD and HEART.
It gives strength, nourishment and lubrication to the nerves.
Inwardly, it governs emotional calm and stability, happiness, as
well as memory (the capacity to retain ideas).
The practice of Yoga increases this mental form of Kapha as
contentment and bliss (Ananda).
It has an inward motion and allows us to feel happiness in our
own nature.
It orients us towards inner forms of joy. Meditation promotes its
secretion.

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KAPHA & 5 SUBTYPES

KLEDAKA KAPHA
Kledaka is originated from the word "Kledan" meaning "to
moisten.
Ashtang hruday gives description of Kledak kapha as
shleshma yastavamashayasansstithaha
kledakah soannsanghat kledanat
It is located in the stomach.
Ii can be co-related to the alkaline secretions of the mucous
lining and as the mucous lining of the digestive tract in general.
It is responsible for the liquefaction of food and for the first
stage of digestion.
It has a balancing action and mediates between the contents of
the G.I. tract and our internal tissues, as well as regulates the
moisture content in the digestive process.
It works in harmony with Pachaka Pitta to protect the mucous
lining of the digestive tract from being damaged by the heat of
Pachaka Pitta and Agni, the digestive fire.

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KAPHA & 5 SUBTYPES

SLESHAKA KAPHA
Shleshaka is originated from the root "shlish" meaning "sticky.
Sleshaka Kapha means the one that gives lubrication.
Ashtang hruday gives description of Shleshak Kapha as
sandhisanshleshachleshakaha sandhishu stithaha
It is located in the joints as the synovial fluid and is responsible
for holding them together and affording ease of movement.
It has an outward going action and affords us strength and
stability in outer movement.

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KAPHA & 5 SUBTYPES

AVALAMBAKA KAPHA
AVALAMB-aka is originated from the word "avalamb" meaning "to
be dependent.
Avalambaka Kapha means the one that gives support
or upon whom the body is dependent.
Ashtang hruday gives description of Avalambak kapha as
urasthaha sa trikasya swa viryatah
hrudayasya anna viryach tatstha evambukarmana
kapha dharmam cha sheshanam yata karotya avalambanam
ato avlambakaha shleshma
It is located in the chest and TRIKA, which can be co-related
to the SACRUM bone
In the Chest region, it is located in the heart and lungs and gives
lubrication to the chest.
It is the storehouse of Kapha (phlegm) and upon it depend the
actions of all the other Kaphas in the body. It creates not only
the mucus and fluid lining of the lungs, but also of the heart and
throat.

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KAPHA & 5 SUBTYPES

Avalambaka corresponds to RASA DHATU, which is distributed by

the lung and heart action. The heart and lungs is the area where
all Kapha is produced as a by product and hence it bestows
strength to all Kapha sites.
It has a downward action and gives support.
Avalambaka is the main form of Kapha in the treatment of
KAPHA diseases.
Clearing the chest of phlegm through VAMANA OR EMESIS (a
procedure of PANCHAKARMA) is the main approach to treat
Kapha disorders throughout the body.
Like Apana Vayu, and Pachaka Pitta, Avalambak Kapha is the
key Kapha subtype for the treatment of Kapha Dosha.

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KAPHA & 5 SUBTYPES

BODHAKA KAPHA
Bodhaka originates from the word "Bodhan" meaning "to
perceive.
Bodhaka Kapha means the one that gives perception.
Ashtang hruday gives description of Bodhak kapha as
rasbodhanat bodhako rasnasthayi
It is located in the mouth and tongue.
It governs the sense of taste.
Like Kledaka kapha, it is also part of the first stage of digestion.
It has an upward moving action and gives us knowledge.
Like Alochaka Pitta, it resides in the head and affords
perception. It governs our sense of taste in life and our
refinement of taste as we seek subtler forms of enjoyment as
we evolve.

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