Title:

The qualities of Tridosha and Triguna and their relation with adherence
Summary of previous works done in this field:
One of the previous studies has proven the effect of Integrated Approach of Yoga
Therapy on Tridosha, Triguna and Medication score 1 . In context with adherence and their
relation with Triguna and Tridosha there are no studies available as such.

Need for the study:

No studies have studied the relation of Triguna and Tridosha in context with adherence.
Thus researcher decided to study the relation of Tridosha and Tiguna with adherence pattern.

Introduction:
Shareerika Prakriti:
The dosa, one or more, which predominates in these factors, gets attached to the fetus, and is
known as dosaprakrti (physical or dosika constitution). Hence, some persons are
constitutionally Kapha (having predominance of kapha), some are Pittala and some are Vatala,
some have combined dosas.

/
vyu pitta kaphacokta rro doasagraha|
mnasa punaruddio rajaca tamayeva ca|ha sa s 1/58||
Vayu, pitta and kapha are trhee doshas of body. Rajas and tamas are 2 doshas of mind. In
this context ancient acharyas have not considered Sattva as dosha.

Prakriti definition:

donuayit hro dehapraktirucyate

Ever attachment of a particular dosha is known as body constitution [17].

VTA PRAKRITI

tatra vtaprakti prajgarka tadve durbhaga steno
matsaryanryo gandharvacitta sphuitakaracarao'lpa
rkamarunakhakea krth dantakhd ca bhavati ||64||

vtaprakti characters:
The vtaprakti person likes to awake in the night, dislikes cold and cold things, ugly
looking, thief, Matsarya, Anarya, like to wonder here and there, who has kracks in palms and
soles, who has small and dry moustaches, nails and hairs; angry in nature, who rubs teeth against
each other.
Other charecters of vtaprakti person

adhtiradhasauhda ktaghna kaparuodhamanta pralp
drutagatiraano'navasthittm viyati ca gacchati sabhramea supta ||65||
avyavasthitacaladirmandaratnadhanasacayamitra|
kicideva vilapatyanibaddha mrutapraktirea manuya||66||

Person who is intelligent, who do not have firm good friendship, kritaghna, thin looking,
who has hard veins, more talkative, who walks in speed, who has tendency of wondering here
and there, who has lack of concentration, who dreams of no use immediately when he falls sleep.
Not a systematic person, who has unsteady vision, who has less money, jewels, friends in his
life; who talks irrelevantly in between conversation, these all are charecteristics of vtaprakti
person.
Charecters of pittaprakti persons:

pittapraktistu svedano durgandha ptatalgastmra
nakhanayanatlujihvauha pipdatalo durbhagovalpalitakhlityajuho
bahubhuguadve kiprakoprasdo madhyabalo madhyyuca bhavati||68||
medhv nipumatirviguhyavakt tejasv samitiu durnivravrya|
supta san kanakaplaakarikrn sapayedapi ca hutavidyudulk||69||
na bhayt praamedatevamdu praatevapi sntvanadnaruci|
bhavatha sad vyathitsyagati sa bhavediha pittaprakti||70||
The pittaprakti persons swaet a lot, emit faul smell from the body; will have yellowish,
sheetalanga, coppery nails, eyes, pallate, tounge, lips, palms and soles. Ugly looking, will have

wrinkles on the skin, early grey hairs, loss of hairs. Eats a lot because of increased appetite, hates
hot, get nourishment quickly. Who has moderate strength and moderate life span, intelligent, not
maintains secretes, glamerous, blessed with scarsity of offsprings. Indulges in offering to needy
people.

lemapraktistu drvendvaranistrirdrriakaara
knmanyatamavara subhaga priyadarano madhurapriya
ktajo dhtimn sahiuralolupo balavciragrh dhavairaca bhavati||72||
uklka sthirakuillinlakeo lakmvn jaladamdagasihaghoa|
supta san sakamalahasacakravkn sapayedapi ca jalayn manojn||73||
raktntanetra suvibhaktagtra snigdhacchavi satvaguopapanna|
kleakamo mnayit gur jeyo balsapraktirmanuya||74|
dhastramati sthiramitradhana parigaya cirt pradadti bahu|
parinicitavkyapada satata gurumnakaraca bhavet sa sad||75||
Kapha dosha person will be having good personality, looking and speech. He will be
having devine qualities, good memory, tolerant, non greedy, good strength, retains

memorable things for long time. He will be having good looking eye, well distributed
body parts. Has sattva guna within. Tolerates hard working, humanly, follows Guru,
inherently has strength within since birth. Has good knowledge about shastra,
maintains long friendship and wealth, gives more to other than he gains. Certainity in
sayings, always obays Guru and his words.

Mnasika Prakriti :
Ayurveda mentioned three kinds of mnasika prakritis. These are also called as trigunas.

Classification of individuals on the basis of Triguna:

Sattva Guna characters:

aucamstikyamabhyso vedeu gurupjanam|
priytithitvamijy ca brahmakyasya lakaam||81||
mahtmya auryamj ca satata strabuddhit|
bhtyn bharaa cpi mhendra kyalakaam||82||
tasev sahiutva paigalya harikeat|
priyavditvamityetadvrua kyalakaam||83||
madhyasthat sahiutvamarthasygamasacayo|
mahprasavaaktitva kaubera kyalakaam||84||
gandhamlyapriyatva ca ntyavditrakmit|
vihralat caiva gndharva kyalakaam||85||
prptakr dhotthno nirbhaya smmchuti|
rgamohamadadveairvarjito ymyasatvavn||86||
japavratabrahmacaryahomdhyayanasevinam|
jnavijnasapannamisatva nara vidu||87||
saptaite stvik ky
Sattvika person will be clean, believes in god, studies about vedas, worships Guru, does Yagnya,
brave, obedient, always indulges in study, tolerates hot and cold, has good body and hairs. He
well be good speaker, erans good money and will be blessed with offsprings. Likes garlands,
dancing, singing and traveling. Gets good results of the work, stands firm in life, devoid of fear,
raga, moha, mada and dvesha. Indulges always in recitation of hymns, fasting, celibacy, offering
to god and study. Endevoured with knowledge of science.
Rajo guna characters:

rjasstu nibodha me|
aivaryavanta raudra ca ra caamasyakam||88||
ekina caudarikamsura satvamdam|
tkamysina bhru caa mynvita tath||89||
vihrcracapala sarpasatva vidurnaram|
pravddhakmasev capyajasrhra eva ca||90||
amarao'navasthy kuna kyalakaam|
ekntagrhit raudramasy dharmabhyat||91||
bhamtra tamacpi rkasa kyalakaam|
ucchihrat taikya shasapriyat tath||92||
strlolupatva nairlajjya paica kyalakaam|
asavibhgamalasa dukhalamasyakam||93||
lolupa cpyadtra pretasatva vidurnaram|
aete rjas ky

Rajo guna person will be rich, cruel, brave, not tollerates others improvement, very
quick in grasping and gets tired easily. Gets fear some time, some time very brave where
braveness is not required. Not stays at one place (wonders here and there), indulges in work
keeping goal in mind. Desire to have non vegetarian diet as compared to others. Unsteady, likes
to be alone and non virtuous in nature. Sharp, adventurous, desire to have company of women all
the time and shameless. Not works according to situation and be sad all the time and not gives
anything to others.
Tamo guna characters:

tmasstu nibodha me||94||
durmedhastva mandat ca svapne maithunanityat|
nirkriut caiva vijey pav gu||95||
anavasthitat maurkhya bhrutva salilrthit|
paraspbhimardaca matsyasatvasya lakaam||96||
ekasthnaratirnityamhre kevale rata|
vnaspatyo nara satvadharmakmrthavarjita||98||
ityete trividh ky prokt vai tmasstat|

Tamo guna person is bad minded (destructive), very slow in nature and work, in dreams
also indulges in sex, wonders here and there, foolish, coward, having desire of water, expresses
hatredness towards other people, idle, desire of eating all the time, who is devoid of good deeds,
virtue, kama and artha.
Triguna and their respective characters according to Bhagawadgeeta:

/
tatra sattva nirmalatvtprakakamanmayam|
sukhasagena badhnti jnasagena cnagha|| bha g 14/6||
Among all gunas, sattva is luminous and harmonious due to its essential purity. It binds
the soul with the feeling I am happy, I am full of knowledge.

/
rajo rgtmaka viddhi tsagasamudbhavam|
tannibadhnti kaunteya karmasagena dehinam|| bha g 14/7||
Rajas is passion based and productive of longings for unattaineed objects and attachment
of those in ones possession. It binds the soul by entangling it in action.

/
tamastvajnaja viddhi mohana sarvadehinm|
pramdlasyanidrbhistannibadhnti bhrata|| bha g 14/8||

Tamas guna person is ignorance born and is productive of delusion in all beings. Tamas
binds the soul with the obsession of a disposition characterised by negligence, indolence and
sleepiness.

/
sattva sukhe sajayati raja karmai bhrata|
jnamvtya tu tama pramde sajayatyuta|| bha g 14/9||
Sattva enslaves one to a mood of joy and happiness, and rajas to one of activity, while
tamas veils up knowledge, fills one with negligence and lazyness.
Aim: Finding adherence qualities in Triguna and Tridosha
Objectives:
1) To find the adherent qualities in Ayurveda texts and Bhagawadgeeta.
2) To find out adherent personalities on the basis of Triguna and Tridosha.
Adherence definition:
Adherence is defined as a process in which a patient follows rules, guidelines or standards, and
follows a prescription and recommended regimen of care given to him2
Discussion:
Sahit

Caraka

Table 1: Charecters of Vata, Pitta and kapha in Ayurveda

Vta
Pitta
Kapha

Cala (moving all the

time)3, Anavasthita
(unstable),
Alpasmti (poor
memory)4,

Sara (moving)5,
Klea asahiu
(not willing for hard
work)6,

Sthira (stable)7,
Stimita (stick to
task), Sthiraarr
(having stable
body), Pariprat

Suruta

Anavasthita
(unstable), Viyati ca
gacchati (tendency of
wondering here and
there),
gandharvacitta
(unstable mind)9,
Asthirabuddhi
(unstable mind),

Medhvi
(intelligent), sad
vyattht gati
(always wondering
tendency)10,

(tendency to
complete the task),
yumanta (desire
of longevity)8
Satvaguopapanna
(endovuored with
satva guna),
Kleakamo
(tolerant)11,

Tridosha Prakriti characters according to Ayurveda:

Vata:
Cala (moving all the time), Anavasthita (unstable), Alpasmti (poor memory),
Anavasthita (unstable), Viyati ca gacchati (tendency of wondering here and there),
gandharvacitta (unstable mind), Asthirabuddhi (unstable mind).
Above mentioned characters are suggesting every individual with Vata dosha are likely to
adhere towards any given task or regimen.
Pitta:
Sara (moving), Klea asahiu (not willing for hard work), Medhvi (intelligent), sad
vyattht gati (always wondering tendency.
Above mentioned characters are suggesting every individual with Pitta dosha are not
likely to adhere towards any given task or regimen.

Kapha:
Sthira (stable), Stimita (stick to task), Sthiraarr (having stable body), Pariprat
(tendency to complete the task), yumanta (desire of longevity), Satvaguopapanna
(endovuored with satva guna), kleakamo (tolerant).
Above mentioned characters are suggesting every individual with Kapha dosha are not
likely to adhere towards any given task or regimen.

Table 2: Characters of Satava Raja and Tama gunas in Ayurveda and Bhagawadgeeta
Sahit
Satva
Raja
Tamas
Caraka

Satybhisandha
(Truthful),
Jittmna (Self
controlled),
Savibhgina
(timesense in work),
Smtimanta (good
memory),
Adhyayana (study),
Upadhraaaktisam
panna (capability to
hold),
Drghadarina
(future plannings),
Akliakarma
(indulge in good
deeds),
Lekhsthavtta
(senseful worker),
Prptakria
(works according to
situation),
Utthnavanta (very
firm in higher
position),
Sthnakopaprasda

Svapnabahu (likes
access sleeping)
ysabahu (gets
tiredness),
Asavibhgina
(no timesense in
work),
Akarmala (no
desire for work),
Anavasthita
(unsteady)13

Amedhasa (not
intelligent),
Svapnala (desire to
sleep always),
Anavasthita (unsteady),
Saraala (moves
always here and there),
Alasa (lazy),
Buddhihna (foolish)14

 (situational anger
and peace expesser),
Dharmrthakmbhi
rata (indulges in
getting dharma artha
kama)12
Suruta

Abhyso (practice),
Gurupjanam
(worships Guru or
teacher), j
(obedient),
Sahiutvam
(tolerant),
Dhotthno (firm)15,
Satya (truthful),
Buddhy
(inttelligent),
Smti (good
memory)16

Vihrcracapala
(indulge in
travelling).
Anavasthy (not
stic to one place or
task), Asavibhg
(no timesense in
work), Alasa
(lazy)17, Dabha
(arrogance),Antika
tva (tells lie
always)18,

Mandat (slow at work),

Svapnanityat (always
indulges in sleep),
Anavasthitat (not stic to
one place or task),
Satvadharmakmrthavar
jita (not indulges in
getting dharma artha
kama)19, vida
(sarrowful),
Adharma (non virtuous),
mhat (foolish),
duabuddhi (bad
minded),
akarmala (no desire for
work)20,

Bhagavadgt

Jnasaga
(identification with
knowledge), Sukhe
sajayati (binds to a
mood of joy and
happiness), Sukta
karma (virtuous
action)21

Rgtmaka
(passion based),
Karmamaama
(careless planning
and execution of
works)22

Ajnaja (ignorance
born),
Pramda nibadhnti
(obsession of negligence),
lasya nibadhnti
(obsession of indolence),
Nidr nibadhnti
(obsession pf sleep),
Apravtti (lack of effort),
Jnamvti (veils up
knowledge)23

Satvika Characters:
Satybhisandha (Truthful) Jittmna (Self controlled), Savibhgina (timesense in
work), Smtimanta (good memory), Adhyayana (study), Upadhraaaktisampanna (capability

to hold), Drghadarina (future plannings), Akliakarma (indulge in good deeds),

Lekhsthavtta

(senseful

worker),

Prptakria

(works

according

to

situation),

Utthnavanta (very firm in higher position), Sthnakopaprasda (situational anger and peace
expesser),

Dharmrthakmbhirata (indulges in getting dharma artha kama), Abhyso

(practice), Gurupjanam (worships Guru or teacher), j (obedient), Sahiutvam (tolerant),

Dhotthno (firm), Satya (truthful), Buddhy (inttelligent), Smti (good memory),
Jnasaga (identification with knowledge), Sukhe sajayati (binds to a mood of joy and
happiness), Sukta karma (virtuous action)
Above mentioned characters are suggesting every individual with Satvika guna are likely
to adhere towards any given task or regimen.
Rajasika Characters:
Svapnabahu (likes access sleeping),ysabahu (gets tiredness), Asavibhgina (no
timesense in work), Akarmala (no desire for work), Anavasthita (unsteady),
Vihrcracapala (indulge in travelling). Anavasthy (not stic to one place or task),
Asavibhg (no timesense in work), Alasa (lazy), Dabha (arrogance), Antikatva (tells lie
always), Rgtmaka (passion based), Karmamaama (careless planning and execution of
works).
Above mentioned characters are suggesting every individual with Rajasika guna are not
likely to adhere towards any given task or regimen.

Tamasika Characters:
Amedhasa (not intelligent), Svapnala (desire to sleep always), Anavasthita
(unsteady), Saraala (moves always here and there), Alasa (lazy), Buddhihna
(foolishness), Mandat (slow at work), Svapnanityat (always indulges in sleep), Anavasthitat
(not stic to one place or task), Satvadharmakmrthavarjita (not indulges in getting dharma
artha kama), vida (sarrowful), Adharma (non virtuous), mhat (foolish), duabuddhi (bad
minded), akarmala (no desire for work), Ajnaja (ignorance born), Pramda nibadhnti
(obsession of negligence), lasya nibadhnti (obsession of indolence), Nidr nibadhnti
(obsession pf sleep), Apravtti (lack of effort), Jnamvti (veils up knowledge)
Above mentioned characters are suggesting every individual with Tamasika guna are not
likely to adhere towards any given task or regimen.

/


trivaidha khalu satva uddha rjasa tmasamiti|
tatra uddhadoamkhyta kalyatvt rjasa sadoamkhyta
roatvt tmasamapi sadoamkhyta mohatvt|ha sa 4/36||
Sattva, rajas and tamas are called Trigunas. Sattva is pure due to its divine quality, rajas
is impure due to angry quality and tamas is impure too due to greed quality within.

/
niyatastvanubandho rajastamaso paraspara na hyarajaska tama pravartate|ha
sa vi 6/9||

Rajo guna has strong bondage with Tamas. Tamas will not be initiative without Rajas. That
means the people with Rajas and Tamas are not capable in completing any given task or work.
Thus they will not adhere to the regimen or work.
Conclusion:
Table 3: Tridosha model for adherence
Tridosha Prakriti
Different
Characteristics

Vata (Non Adherent)

Viyati ca gacchati
(tendency of
wondering here and
there), Anavasthita
(unstable),
Gandharvacitta
(unstable mind),
Asthirabuddhi
(unstable mind),

Pitta (Non adherent)

Sad vyattht gati
(always wondering
tendency), Klea
asahiu (not
willing for hard
work)

Kapha (Adherent)
Sthira (stable),
Stimita (stick to
task), Sthiraarr
(having stable
body), Pariprat
(tendency to
complete the task)
Kleakamo
(tolerant),
Satvaguopapanna
(endured with satva
guna),

The above table depicts that the characteristics of individual personality on the basis of
Tridosha Prakriti. As Vata Prakriti person has a tendency of wondering here and there and not
stick to one place or given task. Pitta prakriti person also have the tendency to be unstable in
work or regimen and life. They are not willing for hard work. These both characters of Vata and
Pitta have been explained by Maharshi Charaka and Sushruta. By this we can easily conclude
that the Vata and Pitta Prakriti people are likely will not complete any given task or regimen.
Kapha Prakriti people are stable in nature. They are tolerant to hard work in life and have
the tendency to complete any given work. They will have good body strength and stick to the
rules and regulations in any prescribed regimen. The Kapha Prakriti persons have the Sattva

guna inherently within since birth. Thus Kapha Prakriti people are more likely to be adhered to
any prescribed regimen.

Table 4: Triguna model for adherence

Triguna
Prakriti
Qualities
of
Triguna

Sattva (Adherent)
Abhsa (study), Smtimanta
(good memory),
Satybhisandha (Truthful),
Upadhraaaktisampanna
(capability to hold),
Dharmrthakmbhirata
(indulges in getting dharma
artha kama)
Dhotthno (firm),
Sahiutvam (tolerant),
Gurupjanam (worships Guru
or teacher)
Jnasaga (identification with
knowledge), Sukta karma
(virtuous action)

Rajas (Non
Adherent)
Asavibhgina
(no timesense
in work),
Anavasthita
(unsteady),
Akarmala
(no desire for
work),
Alasa (lazy),
Karmamaam
a (careless
planning and
execution of
works)

Tamas (Non Adherent)

Anavasthita (unsteady),
Amedhasa (not
intelligent),
Svapnanityat (always
indulges in sleep),
mhat (foolish),
Mandat (slow at work),
lasya nibadhnti
(obsession of indolence),
Akarmala (no desire for
work), Jnamvti
(veils up knowledge),
Satvadharmakmrthavarj
ita (not indulges in
getting sattva dharma
kama and artha)

The above table depicts that the characteristics of individual personality on the basis of
Triguna Prakriti. As Sattva guna persons are blessed with good knowledge, memory and truthful
in life. They will be having the tolerance capacity to hold for the long time. They are obedient,
follow the Guru and his words carefully. Moreover they have the tendency to do good and
virtuous works. With all these good characters Sattvika people are more likely to adhere to any
prescribed regimen.
The Rajo guna people are lazy at work. If they work also they are unsteady, not
systematic and no time sense at work. Overall they execute careless planning in work. The Tamo

guna Prakriti are lazy by nature as compared to Rajo guna people. These people will not have
desire to work. If they work also, they will be slow and unsteady. By nature they will not put
expected effort in work and they will be foolish in life. They will do non virtuous things. By this
we can conclude that the Rajas and Tamo guna people have every quality which is responsible
for non adherence to the prescribed regimen or work.
Finally we can conclude that every individual with Kapha prkriti and Satva guna are
more like to be adherent to the prescribed regimen, whereas individual with Vata and Pitta
Prakriti and Rajas and Tamas guna are not likely to be adherent to the prescribed regimen.

References
1

Singh A, Changes in tridosha, triguna and Medication

Score in Type 2 Diabetics After Integrated
Approach of Yoga Therapy - A Pilot Study, submitted to SVYASA university towards fulfillment of MD
dissertation, 2011-12
2
The free medical dictionary by- Farlex.
3
Charaka sutrastahna chapter 1st 1/5
4
Charaka vimanasthana 8/98
5
Charaka sutrastahna chapter 1st 1/60
6
Charaka vimanasthana 8/97
7
Charaka sutrastahna chapter 1st 1/61
8
Charaka vimanasthana 8/96
9
Sushrutha samhita shareera sthana 4/64-67
10
Sushrutha samhita shareera sthana 4/68-70
11
Sushrutha samhita shareera sthana 4/72-76
12
Charaka shareera sthana 4/37
13
Charaka shareera shtana 4/38
14
Charaka shareera sthana 4/39
15
Sushruta shareera sthana 4/81-87
16
Sushruta shareera sthana 1/18
17
Sushruta shareera sthana 4/88-93
18
Sushruta shareera sthana 1/18
19
Sushruta shareera sthana 4/94-97
20
Sushruta shareera sthana 1/18
21
Bhagawadgeeta 14/6-9
22
Bhagawadgeeta 14/6-9
23
Bhagawadgeeta 14/6-9