DWIVIDHA VIRYA

🔷VIRYA (वीर्य)

• Virya refers to the active potency or pharmacological strength of a dravya (substance/drug).

• It is the force responsible for initiating the action of a drug in the body.

• Considered the most powerful among dravya gunas for achieving therapeutic effects.

🔷 DWIVIDHA VIRYA – TWO TYPES OF POTENCY

As per Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthāna, virya is classified into two types based on thermal quality:

1. USHNA VIRYA (उष्ण वीर्य)

• Meaning: Substances with hot potency

• Predominant elements (Mahabhutas): Agni (fire) and Vayu (air)

• Dosha Action:

  • Increases Pitta

  • Decreases Kapha and Vata (when used moderately)

• Properties:

  • Tikshna (sharp), Sukshma (subtle), Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry), Ushna (hot)

• Therapeutic Effects:

  • Stimulates Agni (digestion)

  • Improves circulation

  • Reduces ama and srotorodha (obstructions)

  • Used in Kapha and Vata disorders, cold-related conditions

• Examples: Ginger (Shunthi), Pippali, Black pepper, Trikatu, Garlic

• Śloka – A.H. Sutrasthāna 1.18:

  "द्विविधं वीर्यं शीतं चोष्णं च।"

  "śītaṁ ca uṣṇaṁ ca viryaṁ dvividham"

• Explanation: Virya is of two kinds: Ushna (hot) and Shita (cold)

2. SHITA VIRYA (शीत वीर्य)

• Meaning: Substances with cold potency

• Predominant elements (Mahabhutas): Jala (water) and Prithvi (earth)

• Dosha Action:

  • Increases Kapha

  • Decreases Pitta and Vata (in moderate use)

• Properties:

  • Guru (heavy), Snigdha (unctuous), Shita (cold), Manda (dull), Sthira (stable)

• Therapeutic Effects:

  • Soothes and calms the system

  • Reduces heat, burning sensation, and inflammation

  • Used in Pitta disorders, bleeding disorders, gastritis, ulcers

• Examples: Sandalwood (Chandana), Amalaki, Milk, Ghee, Licorice (Yashtimadhu)

• Śloka – A.H. Sutrasthāna 1.18 (continued):

  "शीतं तु पित्तनाशनं बृंहणं जीवनीयकम्।
  उष्णं वातकफघ्नं दीपनं पाचनं परम्॥"

  "śītaṁ tu pittanāśanaṁ bṛṁhaṇaṁ jīvanīyakam |
  uṣṇaṁ vātakaphaghnaṁ dīpanaṁ pācanaṁ param ||"

• Explanation:

  • Shita virya: Pacifies Pitta, nourishes tissues, and promotes vitality

  • Ushna virya: Pacifies Vata and Kapha, improves digestion and metabolism

🔷 IMPORTANCE OF VIRYA IN CLINICAL APPLICATION

• Determines therapeutic efficacy of a drug

• Helps in dosha management – e.g., choosing ushna virya drugs in Kapha conditions

• Essential in deciding drug compatibility, formulations, and panchakarma therapies

• Some drugs may have opposite rasa and virya; virya decides final effect (e.g., Amalaki – amla rasa but shita virya)

🔷 COMPARISON BETWEEN USHNA & SHITA VIRYA