Word of the Day: vaata

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
[Proverbs 17:22]

definition of vAta:

vAta1 mfn. (for 2. see p. 939 , col. 3) blown &c. ; (%{vA4ta}) m. wind or the wind-god (pl. also `” the Maruts “‘ , cf. %{vAyu}) RV. &c. &c. ; wind , air Hit. ; wind emitted from the body MBh. iv , 117 ; wind or air as one of the humours of the body (also called %{vAyu} , %{mAruta} , %{pavana} , %{anila} , %{samIraNa}) Katha1s. Sus3r. &c. ; morbid affection of the windy humour , flatulence , gout , rheumatism &c. VarBr2S. S3r2in3ga1r. ; N. of a people (see %{vAta-pati} and %{vAtA7dhipa}) ; of a Ra1kshasa VP. ; of a son of S3u1ra ib.

Vaata is the principle “humour” of Ayurveda’s vaata, pitta, and kapha.

utsaahocchavaasa nishvaasa cestaa vega pravartanaihih.

samyag gatyaa ca dhaatuunaam aksaanam paatavena ca , Vaaghbaat Sutras 11

Vaata in its normal state protects the body, bestowing enthusiasm, exhalation and inhalation, all activities (of the body), initiation (and also execution) of the urges, maintenance of the dhaatus, and proper functioning of the senses. (Translation from Dr. Lad.)

Out of the five elements, vaata is air and space.

It is what makes things move, including the other two “humours”, a.k.a doshas. (Click on the link if you are intrepid.) Moving humours cause disease (see samprapti).

Vaata is the creator of all things, the soul of all things (the father of all creatures), taking all forms, chief of all living beings, creator, sustainer, controller of life, omniscient, destroyer, lord of death. Therefore, enlightened beings say one should always make all effort not to disturb vaata. (Vaaghbat)

Its vital life force is praana.