Five Waters of Kapha

Kapha, formed from the elements water and earth, also manifests in five doshic sites, through these centres of operation and systemic outreach it influences the entire organism. The five waters of Kapha are: kledaka,  avalambaka, bodhaka, tarpaka and slesaka.

Water of the Stomach: Kledaka

The first water of Kapha, kledaka, originates in the stomach. It is the cause of mucus formation in the body. Most important of the waters, kledaka’s moist foamy liquid aids digestion, liquefies foods, and nourishes the remaining waters of Kapha. When the first water is aggravated, the digestion process becomes impaired, heaviness of the abdomen prevails, and nausea may also occur.

Water of the Heart : Avalambaka

The second water of Kapha, avalambaka, resides in the chest and heart. It provides a plasmic ( fluid ) tissue covering to the heart, thus insulating it from heart & acting as a shockabsorber. Avalambaka also provides the limbs with their energy. When this water is disturbed, laziness and lethargy ensure. Heart originating diseases such as rheumatic fever and pains in the pericardium(tissue around the heart) may also occur.

Water of the Tongue: Bodhaka

Bhodhaka, the third water of Kapha, is the one which joins the five waters of body’s river. It sends water to the tongue and palate and gives the perception of taste. It registers each of the six tastes in nature and sends the appropriate impulses to the receiving tissue long before the food is ingested. Bodhaka water also liquefies the food.

When this water is disturbed, crimes against the body’s natural instincts are committed, due to the impairment of taste. This creates Ama, the foul undigested remnants of food which stick in the tissues and promote diseases such as obesity, bulimia, and anorexia. Generally, a thick white coating on the tongue indicates the presence of ama in the body.

Water of Head: Tarpaka

Tarpaka, Kapha’s fourth water, flows in the brain and spinal cord. It soothes the sense organs and, as a result lubricates and protects the nervous system. When this water is out of balance, the sense organs become impaired. Loss of memory and dullness of sensory perceptions are the natural result.

Water of the Joints: Shlessaka

The fifth water of Kapha, slesaka, is located in the joints. It lubricates the joints and gives them their solidity. Slesaka’s unctuous gel protects the joints from heat, and gives ease and flexibility of movement. When this water is impaired, the joints may become swollen, painful, and dysfunctional.

Table 7

Kapha Dosha Imbalance

                  All the above mentioned functions of kapha  and its various subtypes are executed when they are in their balanced state. Due to various reasons *kapha gets imbalanced and causes the following results. If kapha dosha is in excess it results in:

Table 8

And decrease Kapha gives way to:

* The various reasons for the aggravation of vata, pitta, & kapha are mentioned below in the (do’s & don’t’s chart ), factors increasing vata, pitta & kapha & food charts.