Your TimeDarshi Vitality Blueprint draws on two ancient knowledge traditions: Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of wellness, and Jyotish, Vedic astrology. Both use Sanskrit terminology that may be unfamiliar if you are encountering them for the first time.
This glossary explains every Ayurvedic and Vedic astrology term that appears in your health report, in plain language. It is designed as a quick reference you can return to whenever you need clarity on a term.
Ayurvedic Terminology
Ayurveda describes your constitution, functional tendencies, digestive and metabolic capacity, and traditional wellness practices. The following terms appear throughout the constitution, mind-body, and wellness sections of your report.
Dosha, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha
Dosha — One of three fundamental regulatory forces — Vata, Pitta, and Kapha — that govern how your body and mind function. Your unique combination of these three forces shapes your natural constitution.
Vata — Governs movement, sensory perception, and mental activity. Its predominant elements are air and space. When balanced, Vata supports alertness and adaptability. When out of balance, it may bring restlessness, irregular energy, or scattered focus.
Pitta — Responsible for digestion, metabolism, and transformation in the body. Its predominant elements are fire and water. When balanced, Pitta supports strong digestion and mental clarity. When out of balance, it may bring excess heat, irritability, or sharp reactions.
Kapha — Responsible for stability, lubrication, immunity, and cohesion in the body. Its predominant elements are earth and water. When balanced, Kapha supports physical strength, calm, and resilience. When out of balance, it may bring sluggishness, congestion, or heaviness.
Everyone has all three Doshas — your constitution is defined by which ones naturally predominate. There is no "best" Dosha; each has its own strengths.
Agni and Metabolic Types
Agni — The Ayurvedic concept of digestive and metabolic capacity, governed by the fire element. Agni represents how your body transforms food into nourishment. Your report describes your Agni type as Tikshna (sharp), Manda (slow), or Vishama (variable).
Tikshna Agni — A state of intensified digestive capacity, associated with the influence of Pitta. Tends toward sharp, efficient digestion but can become excessive if not balanced with cooling and rest.
Manda Agni — A state of slow or reduced digestive capacity, associated with the influence of Kapha. Tends toward steady but slow processing, and may become sluggish without regular activity and warm, easily digestible foods.
Vishama Agni — A state of irregular or fluctuating digestive capacity, associated with the influence of Vata. Digestion and energy may vary unpredictably, benefiting from regularity, warmth, and grounding routines.
Vital Essence and Practices
Prana — The vital life force, a subtype of Vata. It governs respiration, sensory perception, and mental activity. More broadly, Prana represents the vital energy evidenced by breath and all movement in the living body.
Ojas — The vital essence of the body's fundamental structural components. Ojas provides strength, resistance to illness, and supports mental well-being. It is nourished through rest, proper diet, and balanced living.
Abhyanga — A traditional Ayurvedic practice of warm oil self-massage, used to calm the body, nourish the skin, and support the body's natural recovery processes.
Vedic Astrology (Jyotish) Wellness Terminology
These terms come from Jyotish — Vedic astrology — rather than Ayurveda. TimeDarshi uses them to describe planetary timing cycles and chart-based wellness themes in your Vitality Blueprint.
Planetary Timing Cycles
Mahadasha — A major planetary period lasting several years, representing the overarching theme influencing your life during that time. Your report uses the Mahadasha to identify which wellness themes are most active for you now.
Antardasha — A sub-period within the Mahadasha, lasting months to a few years. It represents a more immediate layer of influence, highlighting specific wellness themes active right now.
Chart Rulers and Conditions
Lagna Lord — The ruling planet of your ascendant sign (the zodiac sign rising at the time of your birth). In Vedic wellness tradition, it is considered the primary indicator of your overall vitality and constitutional strength.
Afflicted — In your TimeDarshi report, a planet is classified as afflicted when it is retrograde or placed in the 6th, 8th, or 12th house of the birth chart. These are traditionally considered positions where a planet's natural expression may be under pressure, suggesting areas that may benefit from extra attention. Note: this is the specific definition used in your report; different Jyotish traditions may apply the term more broadly.