ABSTRACT
Vaata is that primal constituents of the living body, whose structure is Akaasha-Vaayu, and whose function is raajasic, it being concerned with the production of those physical and mental processes which are predominantly raajasic in nature. Hence, the presence of vaata is to be inferred in such mental phenomena as exhibition of enthusiasm, concentration, etc., as also in such physical phenomena as respiration, circulation, voluntary action of every kind, excretion and so on. The term rasa refers among other things to taste, chyle circulating fluid, mercury, etc. In the context of the pharmacodynamical doctrine of Ayurveda, it refers to the taste of a substance as sensed by the tongue. Literally rendered into English, the term "vipaaka" means special transformation/reactions. In the context of its usage in Ayurvedic pharmacology, it refers to biochemical changes foods and drugs undergo during the gastro-intestinal digestion, in the first instance, and towards the conclusion of metabolism in the second.
