2. The dosha, dhatu and mala together
are called tridosha. They imply
three aspects of life.
The concept of dosha implies the
controlling forces and elements
including bioelectricity, anabolism
and catabolism. The doshas can
also be imagined to be a link
between the external and internal
universe and the various
phenomena of life.
The concept; thus can be imagined
to be akin to seed, root and leaves
3. of the life tree. Doshas helps the
tree to internalize the water,
manure, fertilizers and oxygen;
leading to growth, development,
optimal activity and time bound
decomposition and death. They
represent dynamic, moving or
controlling aspects of life.
The dhatu implies the more stable
elements such as various secretions,
substrates, blood, muscles, depot fat
and other forms of fat, bones and
other cartilaginous and keratinous
structures and elements, marrow or
4. inner parenchyma elements and
semen or resultant energy in an
individual represented by it. The
dhatus are stable aspects such as
stem, branches and the other
components of these structures.
These represent a more stable stage
of the life process.
The concept of mala implies the
less dynamic, less stable elements.
They are the effects or functions of
the interactions amongst the doshas
and dhatus. These elements
resulting from above interactions,
5. leave the body in timely manner on
moment to moment basis and day to
day basis. But what is important is
to appreciate that they stay for some
specific time and serve specific
functions before they leave the
body. Hence the formation of mala
and the processes and time of their
exits are characteristic and vital to
body health!
One can take the examples of
sweat, urine, feces, CO2, water,
urea, NH3, H+ and last but not the
least the semen; and such many so
6. called “waste products” and
observe carefully to confirm their
vital role in physiology.
This observation is probably the
basis of “Shivambu Chikitsa” i.e.
drinking of one’s own urine or
Gomutra i.e. drinking of cow urine
and eating of cow dung for
therapeutic purpose.
Mala does not mean waste.
DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR
