In this episode of “5 Minutes,” Dr. Robert Svoboda explores the three Ayurvedic functions of the mind and their relationship with the doshas.

These three functions are generally spoken of in Ayurveda as dhi, dhriti, and smriti. Another way of understanding dhi is buddhi. Although people often translate buddhi as intellect, ultimately it means discernment, the ability to determine whether something is desirable or undesirable, whether something should be approached or avoided. It is the ability to judge what is appropriate for yourself, for others, and for the world in general. Judgment is something we are doing all the time, and this is the process of evaluating and discerning accurately.

Then there is dhriti. Dhriti means stability, determination, and continuity. Just as dhi or buddhi uses agni, which many people understand through its relationship with Pitta and Tejas, dhriti is more associated with the stability of earth, the kind of stability connected with Kapha. If your Kapha is balanced, there is a good chance that your stability will also be balanced. You will not become too fixed and stuck, and you will not become too changeable. You will be able to take your discernment and apply it appropriately to whatever situation requires it, while remaining consistent with what you are trying to accomplish.

The third function is smriti. Smriti is connected with Vata and Prana, and it means memory. Once you have discerned something and acted upon that discernment, it is useful to be able to remember what you did. Then, in the future, you do not have to repeatedly go through the same process of discernment and creating continuity. Smriti allows things that need to become second nature to become second nature.

However, all of these functions can also be misused. You can remember things incorrectly, or you can hold onto memories that are not beneficial. You can develop habits and patterns that become second nature but actually harm you. Your continuity can support determination toward things that are not useful, and you can lack determination when it comes to things that would benefit you.

Discernment can also be affected by many different factors, including what is happening with the liver, because the liver activates and deactivates many compounds that influence awareness.

Therefore, when Ayurveda speaks about having good quality dhi, dhriti, and smriti, the first thing to do is bring the doshas into as much balance as possible. This reduces the influence of Pitta on dhi or buddhi, the influence of Kapha on dhriti, and the influence of Vata on smriti.

Once the doshas are balanced as well as possible and a foundation of stability has been created, you can build upon that foundation and move forward. Developing buddhi means developing more Tejas. Developing continuity, determination, and stability means developing more Ojas. Developing the ability to remember accurately and maintain the proper perspective on memories means developing more Prana and reducing excess Vata.