Ayurvedha

VathaThe vatha is responsible for the movement and sensory functions. As it is mostly composed of space and air elements, it has the power of mobility and also keeps the other two humors of body. Though it pervades the whole body its chief seats according to Charaka are large intestine, urinary bladder, pelvis, legs and bones.The five vathas
Vatha (Vayu) is known by five different names according to its five important functions. They are prana, udana, vyana, samana , and apana.

Sites of Vatha in Human Body
Prana vayu
Prana vayu is responsible for all very important functions in body like heart, respiration, pushing the swallowed food down the gut and so on. Vagbhata says its seat is the head from where it courses down to the throat and thorax. According to charaka even the actions of spitting, sneezing and breathing are initiated by the prana vayu.


Udana vayu
The act of speech, involves movements of respiratory, laryngeal, pharyngeal and other muscular actions requires energy. The strength is initiated by the upwardly moving udana vayu. Udana means that which courses upwards.


Vyana vayu
The chief duty of vyana vayu is to control movements of body. The circulation of the blood all over the body, winking, flow of sweat and blood from the body outwards and yawning, ejaculation of semen are all possible due to the workings of the vyana vayu.


Samana vayu
The chief function of samana vayu is to stimulate digestive enzymes (pachaka pitha or antaragni) that helps digestion. It also aids separating out essences of assimilated food. Regulation of flow of sweat, urine, menstrual blood and semen are carried out by the samana vayu, which moves about in various body channels.


Apana vayu
The function of apana vayu is to facilitate the excretion of faeces, urine and ejaculation of semen. It also bears foetus down during delivery according to Charaka. Its seats are lower parts of the body including lower part of intestine, umbilicus, groin, urinary bladder, penis, testes and so on.