Physiological appraisal of prana vayu in ayurvedic literatures

Abstract

In spite of this changing scenario Ayurveda continuously has contributed as a major system in maintaining and fulfilling the health related needs of Indian society. Tridosha Siddhanta stands high as Vata, Pitta and Kapha are the three biological humors, present in the bodies which are responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis. If they are in balanced state, sustains our body and if they are in abnormal state, produces the many abnormalities in our body and imbalances our homeostasis. Vata, the supreme of all doshas is of five types, viz. Prana, Udana, Samana, Vyana, and Apana. It initiates all minute and gross motor activities of body as well has control the rest two doshas viz. Pitta ans Kapha. Among the five types of Vata, Prana Vayu is of utmost important as it is used in different context representing more or less a vital substance or structure, responsible for the sustenance of life. This paper was aimed to summaries and analyzes the description of Prana Vayu made by various ayurvedic scholars.