According to Charaka Samhita, vata is the grossest manifestation of the Panchabhautic vayu or air element and is the motivating force which keeps everything going (read as moving). This subtle influence pervading everywhere governs all biological movement – breathing, blinking, muscle and joint movement, heart beat and all nerve and membrane contractions and expansions, as well as tremors and spasms. It also controls the psychological functions governing the emotions of fear and anxiety. Since all movement is determined by the dictates of space and (displacement of) air, vata is said to be governed by space and air. Though these two are neutral in temperament, physical body being dominant in Prithvi (perceivable physicality) and Ap (water and cohesion), together they create a solidifying influence and thus vata assumes a cold temperament in the body.

When vata is disturbed, the pervasive nature of akasha and the catabolic activity of vayu represent widespread degenerative changes in the body, characterized by a lightness (laghu) and dryness (ruksa) of the tissues, which in turn promotes roughness (khara) and friction (visada) in the body. These are the primary qualities of vata and the principal seat of residence of vata is colon and bladder, governing the regions of the body from the umbilicus downwards. Charaka considered vata to be the most important dosha as it gives a direct reflection of prana-shakti or life force in a living being.

Permeating throughout the body, depending on its functions in different parts of the body, it is subdivided into five types namely

1. Prana vayu – First and the most important of the five vatas, prana initiates and controls all binary functions in the body such as inspiration–expiration, stimulation–relaxation, contraction–expansion etc. It resides in the heart and attends to the regulation of cardiopulmonary activity, governs ingestion, chewing, swallowing and initiates expectoration, sneezing and belching.
2. Apana vayu – Located in the sacral plexus, primarily bladder and colon, it governs the functions of pelvic organs. Movement being downwards, it controls the activities of prana and udana by creating a negative pressure in the chest. All downward movement of excretory products, including menstrual blood, semen as also fetal expulsion, is under its influence.
3. Samana vayu – Residing in the umbilical region it governs digestion, assimilation and waste separation. It assesses or measures the metabolic needs of the body and guides the process of anabolism and catabolism. Under its influence thirst, hunger and satiety are facilitated.
4. Udana vayu – Residing in the vocal chords and tongue it governs expiration, sound and speech.
5. Vyana vayu – Though rooted in the heart, it circulates through the body as spiral currents moving like a wheel. It governs circulatory function, distribution of oxygen, nutrients and heat throughout the body through movement of bodily fluids like blood, lymph etc.