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The term Guna refers to the inherent qualities or attributes of a substance (dravya) which are responsible for its specific action.
Guna is a non-independent entity, always residing in a dravya.
Gunas help in identification and therapeutic application of a substance in Ayurveda.
Guna is responsible for the karma (action) of a dravya, as karma cannot exist without guna.
As per Charaka Samhita:
“गुणो हि गुणिनः स्वातन्त्र्येण न प्रवर्तते।”
— Guna does not function independently; it always resides in a substance.
Guna is considered as one of the dravya dharmas, meaning it is a characteristic or property through which dravya expresses itself.
According to Nyaya and Vaisheshika Darshanas, Guna is adravyatmak but dependent on dravya.
Gunas are of two types in Ayurveda:
Paradi Gunas – abstract or conceptual qualities like paratva (superiority), aparatva (inferiority) etc.
Dravyagata Gunas – physical and perceptible qualities relevant to pharmacology and therapeutics, such as:
Guru (heavy), Laghu (light), Snigdha (unctuous), Ruksha (dry), Ushna (hot), Sheeta (cold), Tikshna (sharp), Manda (dull), Sthira (stable), Sara (mobile), Mridu (soft), Kathina (hard), Vishada (clear), Picchila (slimy), Sukshma (subtle), Sthula (gross)
Among these, twenty Gunas commonly referred to as Sharira-Stithi-Karaka Gunas or Paradi Gunas are most emphasized in clinical practice.
Gunas guide the therapeutic and physiological effect of dravyas.
Gunas are used to assess:
Nature of Doshas (e.g., Vata is Ruksha, Laghu)
Nature of Dhatus
Nature of Ahara (food)
Selection of appropriate medicines
Every dravya acts by virtue of its Guna; hence knowledge of Guna is essential for:
Diagnosis
Treatment planning
Understanding disease progression
“न हि गुणात् कर्म सम्भवति।”
— No action is possible without Guna.
Pancha-Bhoutikatwa refers to the concept that all Gunas originate from the Pancha Mahabhutas (five basic elements) — Prithvi (Earth), Ap (Water), Teja (Fire), Vayu (Air), Akasha (Ether).
Each Mahabhuta contributes specific Gunas to a dravya.
1. PRITHVI MAHABHUTA (EARTH ELEMENT)
Gunas: Guru (heavy), Sthira (stable), Kathina (hard), Sandra (dense), Mridu (soft)
Role: Provides stability, structure, nourishment
Substances with predominance of Prithvi Guna are anabolic and nourishing in action.
2. AP MAHABHUTA (WATER ELEMENT)
Gunas: Snigdha (unctuous), Drava (liquid), Shita (cold), Mridu (soft), Picchila (slimy)
Role: Provides cohesion, lubrication, and cooling effect
Dominant in substances used for soothing, cooling, and unctuous therapies.
3. TEJA MAHABHUTA (FIRE ELEMENT)
Gunas: Ushna (hot), Tikshna (sharp), Laghu (light), Sukshma (subtle), Ruksha (dry), Vishada (clear)
Role: Responsible for transformation, digestion, metabolism
Dominant in dravyas that stimulate digestion and cause dryness or inflammation.
4. VAYU MAHABHUTA (AIR ELEMENT)
Gunas: Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry), Chala (mobile), Sukshma (subtle), Tikshna (sharp)
Role: Provides movement and lightness
Found in dravyas used for stimulation, movement and circulation.
5. AKASHA MAHABHUTA (ETHER ELEMENT)
Gunas: Sukshma (subtle), Laghu (light), Shabda (sound), Vishada (clear)
Role: Provides space, hollowness, and clarity
Helps in expansion, facilitates movement of other elements.
A dravya like Haritaki has:
Vayu and Akasha Mahabhuta → Laghu, Ruksha
Teja Mahabhuta → Ushna
A dravya like Ghrita has:
Prithvi and Ap Mahabhuta → Snigdha, Mridu, Guru, Picchila
Gunas are matched or countered in disease management:
In Vata disorders (which are Laghu, Ruksha), use Snigdha, Guru dravyas (e.g., Taila, Ghrita).
In Pitta disorders (which are Ushna, Tikshna), use Sheeta, Mridu dravyas (e.g., Amalaki).
In Kapha disorders (which are Guru, Snigdha), use Laghu, Ruksha dravyas (e.g., Trikatu).
Knowledge of Panchabhoutika origin of Gunas helps in:
Selection of appropriate food and drugs
Avoidance of incompatible combinations (Viruddha Ahara)
Customizing treatment based on Desha, Kala, and Prakriti
