Tridoṣa Siddhānta as the Cornerstone of Ayurvedic Pathophysiology

The Tridoṣa Siddhānta — the doctrine of Vāta, Pitta, and Kapha — serves as the foundational framework for understanding physiology, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment in Āyurveda. Rooted deeply in the classical texts such as Caraka Saṃhitā, Suśruta Saṃhitā, and Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya, this triadic model not only reflects the holistic principles of balance and harmony but also connects metaphysically to the elemental theory of Pañcabhūta. This paper explores the role of Tridoṣa in health and disease, emphasizing its origins from Vedic literature, elaborations in Saṃhitās, and its philosophical underpinning from Upaniṣadic thought.q