Dosha Theory
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Seat of the Doshas |
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Taste and the Five Elements |
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Six Tastes and their Effect on the Doshas |
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Prana, Ojas, Tejas (The Three Vital Essences) |
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Agni & Ama |
PRANA, OJAS, TEJAS (THE THREE VITAL ESSENCES)
Prana, Ojas and Tejas are the subtle counterparts of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. On the simplest terms Prana relates to the air element and Vata; Tejas relates to the fire element and Pitta, and Ojas relates to the water element and Kapha.
They are the positive essences of the three doshas and control ordinary mind-body function. They also keep us free of disease. If oriented properly they can reveal higher evolutionary potential. While increases in the doshas cause disease, increases in these vital essences promote positive health. These three forces are the keys to vitality, clarity and endurance.
Prana is the primal life force, the subtle energy behind all mind-body function and the catalyst for all matter to manifest. It is responsible for coordination of breath, senses and mind. Prana is the vital energy taken in through liquids and breathing, and is carried through the liquids in our bodies (blood and plasma) as well as absorbed through the senses of hearing and touch. Prana in the mind allows it to move and respond to the challenges of life. Prana is also responsible for enthusiasm and expression in the psyche. Prana, at the deepest levels of consciousness, governs the development of higher states of consciousness.
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The Five Pranas Vayus (qualities that animate): |
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Apana: located in the genitals, anus and lower extremities and is responsible for the downward movement of matter through defecation, urination, menstruation, ejaculation and exhalation. It is related to the earth element. |
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Vyana: located all over the body, vyana enables circulation and is related to the water element. |
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Samana: located in the naval, samana regulates digestion and metabolism and is related to the fire element. |
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Prana: located in the chest and lungs, prana rides on the breath and is responsible for the absorption of the vital life force on inhalation and is related to the air element. |
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Udana: located in the throat, udana draws energy upward to be used for speech and communication. It is related to the ether element. |
Tejas is inner radiance, the subtle energy of fire, through which we digest impressions and thoughts. Tejas, fed through visual impressions, is the essence of the heat we absorb through food as well as sunlight. It is what enables the mind to perceive and judge correctly. It governs the development of higher perceptual qualities. Tejas at the deepest levels of consciousness holds the accumulated insight of our will and spiritual aspirations.
Ojas is primal vigor, the subtle energy of water as our vital energy reserve - the essence of digested food, impressions and thoughts. Ojas is fed through sensory impressions of taste and smell. It provides psychological stability and endurance. At the deepest levels of consciousness, Ojas is the material power from which the soul produces the koshas (energy bodies) and provides calm nourishment to higher states of consciousness.