of life on this earth is the balance sum up of these bio-resources. Any imbalance

between these may harm the life.

Therefore, the judicious harnessing of these resources is necessary for the exis-

tence of life on this planet. The concept of the different bio-resources elements as

mentioned above was well understood by our ancestors since time immemorial. It

has been described in detail in Vedas, the oldest manuscript in Hindu religion about

200,000 years back and later on in Ayurveda classics. The widely acknowledged

recorded theory of Panch Mahabhoot was mentioned in Ayurveda about 5000 years

back. According to Ayurveda, everything in this universe is made up of five basic

elements in different proportions. The five elements are Prithivi (earth), Vayu (air),

Akash (ether), Agni (fire), and Jal (water) called as Panch Mahabhoot. Ayurveda

believes that everything in this universe is made up of five basic elements. The

human body is, therefore, basically also made up of these Panch Mahabhoots

represented in different forms, for instance, Prithivi (earth) as bones and teeth,

Vayu (air) as oxygen (Pran Vayu), Akash(ether) as space between matter and

cavities, Jal (water) as blood and lymph, and Agni (fire) as metabolism. In the

formation of universe, these basic elements get absorbed into each other forming

the gross elements the Panch Mahabhoot. They are principle reflection of a

Prapancha, the universe. These gross elements give rise to the Doshas, Dhatus,

and Malas.

28.2

Concept of Tridoshas

The Doshas are the result of a dynamic interplay between the Panch Mahabhootas.

These Doshas form the principle energy sources within the body which control all

functions of the body ranging from the simple cellular processes to the most complex

processes of biological functions. The term Dosha denotes the property which is

“subject to change” or “quick to go out of balance.” Doshas are the classic examples

of energy and matter in dynamic accord. In a state of balance, they cannot be visibly

detected, but when out of balance, they manifest a transgression from their normal

functions. There are three forms of Doshas; the term denotes Tridoshas or three vital

energies. These are the combination of pure elements becoming manifest in the

physical world. These are Vata combination of ether and air, Pitta combination of

water and fire, and Kapha combination of earth and water. These three Doshas are a

reflection of Prakriti (primordial nature) of the human beings. Imbalance of Doshas

in a person of specific Prakriti may lead to a disease or ailments.

28.3

Ritucharya

There is a detailed advisory laid down in Ayurveda for the persons of different

acquired Prakriti on how to live a healthy, disease-free life by adopting the right way

of daily lifestyle (Dincharya), food habits, and living (Ahar-Vihar) by balancing

Tridoshas. Concept of Ritucharya has been described in detail in Ayurveda (Charak

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