Doṣa
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
Doṣa literally means ‘that which contaminates’, defect.
Origin[edit]
The word is derived from the root ‘duṣ’ which means ‘to contaminate,’ or ‘to spoil’.
Synonyms[edit]
The word ‘doṣa’ has several synonyms such as:
- Fault
- Sin
- Vice
- Crime
- Disrespect
- Abuse
- Evil
- Deficiency
However, it is also used in a technical sense in certain fields of knowledge.
Usage[edit]
In Literary Compositions[edit]
In literary compositions doṣa can be of five types. They are:
- Padadoṣa - pertaining to the use of the word
- Padāmśadoṣa - pertaining to the use of the a part of the word
- Vākyadoṣa - pertaining to the use of the sentence
- Arthadoṣa - pertaining to the use of the meaning
- Rasadoṣa - pertaining to the use of the sentiment
These defects are sometimes raised to ten or even more.
In Logic[edit]
In tarka or logic, the dosas are broadly categorized in two ways. They are:
- Lakṣaṇadoṣa - defect in implication meaning
- Hetudoṣa - defect in the enumeration of causes
In Ayurveda[edit]
In the Ayurveda, the main constituents of health are the three doṣas or humors:
- Kapha - phlegm
- Vāta - wind
- Pitta - bile
If they are in a balanced state, health will be maintained. Disease results on them being disturbed or imbalanced.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore