CHARACTERISTICS OF GURVADI GUNA

CHARACTERISTICS OF GURVADI GUNA

• In Ayurveda, Guna refers to the inherent qualities or attributes of a substance (dravyas).

• These qualities are responsible for the interaction between dravya and the body, influencing physiological and pathological processes.

• The term Gurvadi Guna refers to a specific set of twenty primary qualities, also called Paradi Guna or Sharirika Guna, described in oppositional pairs (10 pairs).

• These gunas are essential for understanding dosha, dhatu, mala, disease process, and therapeutic actions.

  “गुणा नामातिनित्यत्वात् द्रव्यत्वं तेषु गम्यते।
  गुणैरेव विना तेषां न कार्यं लोके विद्यते॥”

  — Gunas are considered eternal and inseparable from dravya; all actions in the body are due to these gunas.

DEFINITION AND CLASSIFICATION

• Gunas are classified in various ways, but the Gurvadi gunas are a group of 20 attributes arranged in 10 opposing pairs, known as Samanya-Vishesha Guna.

• These gunas are responsible for the action (karma) and effect (vipaka) of substances.

  List of Gurvadi Guna (in pairs):

  • Guru – Laghu

  • Manda – Tikshna

  • Hima – Ushna

  • Snigdha – Ruksha

  • Shlakshna – Khara

  • Sandra – Drava

  • Mridu – Kathina

  • Sthira – Sara

  • Sukshma – Sthula

  • Vishada – Picchila

1. GURU (HEAVY)

• Increases Kapha, decreases Vata.

• Slows down digestion and metabolism.

• Found in: Milk, ghee, wheat, meat.

  “गुरुः स्थूलो महागात्रो मन्दग्निः स्वप्नकर्शितः।”

2. LAGHU (LIGHT)

• Increases Vata, decreases Kapha.

• Enhances digestion and absorption.

• Found in: Barley, green gram, honey.

3. MANDA (SLOW/DULL)

• Slows down biological processes.

• Calms Vata, increases Kapha.

• Found in: Ghee, milk.

4. TIKSHNA (SHARP)

• Stimulates metabolism and digestion.

• Increases Pitta and Vata, decreases Kapha.

• Found in: Ginger, pepper, alcohol.

5. HIMA (COLD)

• Decreases Pitta, increases Kapha.

• Useful in inflammation and burning sensation.

• Found in: Sandalwood, milk, ghee.

6. USHNA (HOT)

• Increases Pitta and Vata, decreases Kapha.

• Improves digestion, breaks stagnation.

• Found in: Pippali, ginger, mustard.

7. SNIGDHA (UNCTUOUS/OILY)

• Increases Kapha, decreases Vata.

• Nourishing, lubricating, supports ojas.

• Found in: Ghee, oil, avocados.

8. RUKSHA (DRY)

• Increases Vata, decreases Kapha.

• Causes dryness of tissues, lightens the body.

• Found in: Barley, horse gram.

9. SHLAKSHNA (SMOOTH)

• Soothing, calming for tissues.

• Found in: Ghee, milk, licorice.

10. KHARA (ROUGH)

• Increases Vata, decreases Kapha.

• Scraping (lekhana) action.

• Found in: Pulses, radish.

11. SANDRA (SOLID/DENSE)

• Promotes compactness, stability.

• Found in: Meat, bone marrow.

12. DRAVA (LIQUID)

• Increases Kapha and Pitta.

• Causes looseness, liquidity.

• Found in: Water, alcohol.

13. MRIDU (SOFT)

• Calming, increases Kapha, reduces Vata.

• Found in: Milk, banana.

14. KATINA (HARD)

• Promotes rigidity, firmness.

• Increases Vata, decreases Kapha.

• Found in: Root vegetables, dry pulses.

15. STHIRA (STABLE)

• Increases Kapha, supports steadiness and longevity.

• Found in: Dairy, meat.

16. SARA (MOBILE)

• Increases Vata, reduces stability.

• Causes movement and spread.

• Found in: Alcohol, spicy food.

17. SUKSHMA (SUBTLE)

• Enables deep penetration and subtle action.

• Increases Vata and Pitta.

• Found in: Alcohol, essential oils.

18. STHULA (GROSS)

• Opposite of sukshma, affects superficial tissues.

• Increases Kapha.

• Found in: Heavy, bulky food.

19. VISHADA (CLEAR/NON-STICKY)

• Helps in absorption, clarity of mind and senses.

• Reduces Kapha.

• Found in: Honey, barley.

20. PICCHILA (STICKY)

• Increases Kapha, obstructs channels.

• Supports cohesion and healing.

• Found in: Dairy, sugar.

SIGNIFICANCE OF GURVADI GUNA IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

• Diagnosis and Prognosis: Helps in understanding disease qualities and matching them with the qualities of doshas and tissues.

• Dosha Management: Gunas are used to balance aggravated doshas through the principle of Samanya-Vishesha Siddhanta.

  “समांशः समं वृद्धिं, विपरीतम् क्षयाय च।”

  — Similar attributes increase, opposites decrease.

• Drug Selection: Appropriate guna-based drug choice is crucial in treatment.

• Pathogenesis Understanding: Understanding disease evolution by observing guna variation in body and mind.

• Food and Lifestyle Advice: Selection of diet and daily regimen based on individual prakriti and seasonal variations depends on guna knowledge.