Classical Ayurvedic writing rests on a vocabulary of Sanskrit terms, each carrying a precise meaning within the tradition. This glossary introduces the most common of them for readers in Europe who wish to follow the classical concepts more closely. It is an educational reference and not a substitute for guidance from a qualified professional.
Constitution and the Doshas
Ayurveda means, literally, the knowledge of life, a classical body of thought describing how body, mind, senses and surroundings relate to one another. Within it sit several foundational terms.
Prakriti (the inherent constitution) describes the constitutional pattern a person is understood to be born with, expressed through the three Doshas. A Dosha is a functional principle formed, in the classical model, from the five great elements.
- Vata: the principle of movement, described as light, dry and mobile.
- Pitta: the principle of transformation, described as warm and sharp.
- Kapha: the principle of structure and cohesion, described as heavy, steady and cool.
In the classical view these are patterns for interpreting qualities, not anatomical parts. They are always discussed in terms of balance among qualities such as light and heavy, warm and cool, mobile and stable.
Tissues, fire and channels
Dhatu means that which supports. The tradition describes seven such tissue concepts, the sapta dhatu, understood as successive products of nourishment within the classical framework.
Agni is the classical principle of transformation, the idea that gives shape to how the tradition speaks of change and refinement throughout the system. Mala refers to what the classical texts describe as the products meant to leave the body.
Srotas are the channel systems through which substances and signals are said to move, ranging from broad passages to the finest tissue-level channels. Ojas is described as the refined essence of the tissues, associated in classical writing with steadiness and resilience.
Reading the terms in daily life
These words appear throughout classical routine as well. Dinacharya is the daily routine, Abhyanga the traditional practice of oil massage, and Rasayana the classical tradition of gentle rejuvenation. Recognising them makes the wider literature, and the descriptions found on Sitaram Ayurveda preparations, easier to follow.
Frequently asked questions
Are the five elements the same as chemical elements? No. In classical Ayurveda they are qualitative categories used to describe properties such as light and heavy or warm and cool, not the elements of chemistry.
Is Prakriti fixed? The tradition regards Prakriti as a relatively stable baseline pattern, distinct from the changing conditions a person may experience over time.
