GURVADI GUNAS

GURVADI GUNA

Gurvadi Guna refers to the twenty fundamental qualities that are classified into ten pairs of opposing attributes. These Gunas influence the physiological and pathological states of the body and play a significant role in Ayurvedic diagnosis and treatment.

1. GURU (HEAVY) X LAGHU (LIGHT)

• Guru Guna increases strength and stability (e.g., meat, wheat, ghee).

• Laghu Guna enhances digestion and metabolism (e.g., honey, barley, green gram).

गुरुर्मां लघु च मन्दा तिक्ष्ण शीताः| स्निग्धारूक्षाश्च खर परिग्रहिता च||

2. MANDA (SLOW) X TIKSHNA (SHARP)

• Manda Guna slows down digestion and metabolic activities (e.g., milk, butter).

• Tikshna Guna increases digestion and penetration (e.g., chili, ginger, mustard seeds).

3. SHEETA (COLD) – USHNA (HOT)

• Sheeta Guna pacifies Pitta and cools the body (e.g., coconut water, sandalwood).

• Ushna Guna increases Pitta and heat in the body (e.g., black pepper, garlic, alcohol).

4. SNIGDHA (UNCTUOUS) X RUKSHA (DRY)

• Snigdha Guna nourishes and provides lubrication (e.g., ghee, sesame oil).

• Ruksha Guna absorbs moisture and dries up excessive secretions (e.g., pulses, dry ginger).

5. SLAKSHNA (SMOOTH) X KHARA (ROUGH)

• Slakshna Guna softens tissues and soothes the body (e.g., aloe vera, rice water).

• Khara Guna promotes roughness and cleansing (e.g., horse gram, radish, alkalis).

6. SANDRA (DENSE) X DRAVA (FLUID)

• Sandra Guna enhances cohesion and compactness (e.g., jaggery, muscle tissue).

• Drava Guna increases liquidity and flow (e.g., milk, fruit juices, excess water intake).

7. MRUDU (SOFT) X KATHINA (HARD)

• Mrudu Guna facilitates flexibility and smoothness (e.g., banana, ghee).

• Kathina Guna provides hardness and rigidity (e.g., bones, dry fruits like almonds).

8. STHIRA (STABLE) X CHALA (MOBILE)

• Sthira Guna promotes stability and endurance (e.g., meat, rice, ghee).

• Chala Guna increases mobility and movement (e.g., air, dry leafy vegetables).

9. SUKSHMA (SUBTLE) X STHULA (GROSS)

• Sukshma Guna enables penetration into deeper tissues (e.g., alcohol, fermented foods).

• Sthula Guna affects only the superficial layers of the body (e.g., wheat, heavy food items).

10. VISHADA (CLEAR) X PICCHILA (STICKY)

• Vishada Guna clears obstructions and purifies (e.g., honey, triphala).

• Picchila Guna increases adhesiveness and cohesion (e.g., yogurt, excess mucus production).

These Gunas govern the effect of substances on the human body and are essential in the Ayurvedic approach to diet, medicine, and lifestyle management.