Vata, Pitta and Kapha pulses

To understand the nadi examination one should consider the three parameters on which it is based.

1. Size or volume of the pulse.
2. Number or rapidity of the pulse
3. Rhythm or regularity of the pulse.

The size and volume denotes the condition of the blood vessel wall. Number and rhythm denotes the condition and working of the heart. The size depends upon the state of kapha predominance, the rapidity upon the state of pitta predomination and the regularity on the vata condition. This is the basic idea of the basic influences of vata, pitta and kapha on the vessels. But now it has to be examined in the greater details. In a nut shell we have to classify all our observation under these three doshas. In order to make easier to understand this concept, the three main divisions in the gati (movement) of the pulse, they gave illustration of the gati or gait of various animals, birds and reptiles which are commonly seen around.

Size:

1. The volume of food material that are absorbed into the blood stream and that again depend upon the condition of lymphatic system. This is mainly due to influence of kapha dosha which its generating seat in the area of the amashya (stomach) and digestive organs
2. The number or rapidity indicates the condition of vascular or the circulatory system. This is because of the influence of pitta dosha or the heat mechanism ad determined by the metabolism.
3. The rhythm of regularity indicates the general condition of the nervous system or the vasomotor control of the body as a whole and this is mainly due to the influence of vata or the nervous mechanism or vital power.

Having a concept of these fundamental influences, it is necessary to give a concern to other details like kaal i.e. time (morning, midday, evening or midnight and cold and warm seasons), aahar i.e. food (light or heavy), roga i.e. disease and internal or external changes that takes place in the human body and its environments.

Gait:

The movements of the nadi are compared to those of various birds and reptiles as mentioned by various rishis. As an example, in aggravated vata the pulse movements would be competitive to be like the gait of leech or a serpent, in pitta aggression it will be like gait of a sparrow i.e. jumping in nature and in kapha aggression, gait will be like that of swan. Following is the detailed mentioning:

Vata pulse

It is world wide accepted that the movement of vata pulse resembles the gait similar to that of a leech or serpent. The points to be studied here are the creeping and crooked movements of the serpent and the wavy movements of the leech. Vata rakta or crookedness is the chief characteristic of vata predominance which is beautifully illustrated by movements of snake. A stringy thinness of a serpent running very fast is also one of the characteristics of vata pulse. When studying the vata pulse, we must keep in mind the missing character of the beats which resembles the movements of leech which stops for a time and then moves again, halting and moving at its pleasure.

Pitta pulse

It is known that the gait of pitta resembles the movement of a sparrow, crow or a frog. One must be attentive to note the quickness of the movements of the sparrow, the hopping movements of the crow and the jumping movements of the frog. While studying the pitta pulse one should always count the pulse rate, which is an indication of the rapidity of the heart beats and of the metabolism.

Kapha pulse

It is accepted by many people that the movement of kapha pulse have resemblance to the movement of a swan or the elephant or pigeon. The points to note here are the steadiness of the gait of the swan, the bigger the size as indicated by heavy and steady movements of the elephant and the gentleness of the movements of the pigeon.

It should always be kept in mind, while studying pulse an idea of the fullness of the artery and of the volume of the fluid that is passing through the system at any moment. This is again determined by the condition of the lymphatic system or the watery constituents in the patient’s body.

The above mentioned information just gives a brief idea of diagnosis through pulse investigation. These are the basic information in obtaining the general idea regarding this science. It is like imagining the whole events that can happen due to the discrepancies found in the pulse. Here the involvement of yogic powers like concentration comes into play as lots of eternal power is needed to imagine various conditions and situations. For this purpose one usually closes hi eyes for a moment. While examining the pulse and concentrate his whole attention on the study of the whole man and the disease he might suffer from. This stage is the stage of no contact with the surrounding. This is the Samadhi, which I said the physician shall enter into while studying the pulse. A physician who is steadfast in mind i.e. with his whole attention fixed on pure changeless consciousness (sthir chitt). The person is free from all the felling such as desire and hate and is peaceful in mind. Person must have perfect sense of judgment. A pulse expert should touch the pulse at the wrist in right hand of the patient with the tips of his fingers and learn for himself all about the condition of the patient. One must think over the adjectives used to describe the mental state when a physician is studying the pulse of a patient in the calmest way.

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