PARADI GUNA

PARĀDIGUṆA

• In Ayurveda, the term Parādi Guṇa refers to a group of 10 specific guṇas (qualities).

• These guṇas are mentioned in various classical texts such as Caraka Saṃhitā, Suśruta Saṃhitā, and Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya.

• Parādi guṇas are not part of the main 20 gurvādiguṇas but are considered additional important qualities useful for therapeutic and philosophical understanding.

• These qualities are essential in understanding dravya karma, treatment planning, and clinical decision-making.

LIST OF PARĀDIGUṆAS

• There are 10 guṇas in this group, as mentioned in Caraka Saṃhitā, under the section of Dravya Guna Vijnāna.

THE TEN PARĀDIGUṆAS ARE:

1. Para (superior)

2. Apara (inferior)

3. Yukti (intellect/application/planning)

4. Saṅghāta (aggregation/combination)

5. Saṃskāra (processing/modification)

6. Abhyāsa (repetition/practice)

7. Upapatti (logical reasoning/evidence)

8. Viparyaya (opposite/contrary knowledge)

9. Anumāna (inference)

10. Sambhava (origin/source/causation)

DETAILED EXPLANATION OF EACH PARĀDIGUṆA WITH EXAMPLES

1. PARA (SUPERIORITY)

• Refers to that which is of higher quality, efficacy, or superiority in action.

• Used to differentiate between two or more dravyas or therapies.

• Example: Among different types of milk, cow milk is considered para due to its snigdha, madhura and rasa-nutrient enriching qualities.

2. APARA (INFERIORITY)

• Indicates that which is lower in efficacy, quality, or effect.

• Example: In comparison to cow milk, buffalo milk may be considered apara in certain clinical conditions like rakta-pitta due to its guru and snigdha nature causing kapha aggravation.

3. YUKTI (PLANNING OR APPLICATION OF INTELLIGENCE)

• Refers to intelligent combination or logical planning of therapeutic agents or measures.

• Example: Combination of snehana (oleation), svedana (sudation), and vamana (emesis) in kapha chikitsā is a result of yukti.

• It helps in customizing treatment according to roga, rogī, and seasonal condition.

4. SAṄGHĀTA (AGGREGATION OR COMBINATION)

• Refers to collection or combination of substances forming a single therapeutic entity.

• Example: A formulation like Triphala is a saṅghāta of Harītakī, Bibhītakī, and Āmalakī.

• The collective action may be greater than the sum of individual actions.

5. SAṂSKĀRA (PROCESSING OR MODIFICATION)

• Refers to qualitative and quantitative change brought in a substance by processing methods.

• Example: Śuddha Guggulu (purified) has better therapeutic effect and is less toxic compared to raw Guggulu.

• Saṃskāra can enhance or suppress guṇas.

  संस्कारो हि गुणान्तराधानम्।

6. ABHYĀSA (REPEATED USAGE OR PRACTICE)

• Repeated use of a dravya or karma can enhance its efficacy and build habit or tolerance.

• Example: Daily practice of yoga or exercise leads to better strength and immunity over time.

• In context of drugs, rasāyana abhyāsa yields cumulative benefits.

7. UPAPATTI (LOGICAL PROOF OR EVIDENCE)

• Refers to valid reasoning or proof supporting a conclusion.

• Helps in logical derivation of treatment or diagnosis.

• Example: If a patient presents with madhura abhinandana, it is upapatti for diagnosis of madhumeha.

8. VIPARYAYA (OPPOSITE OR CONTRARY KNOWLEDGE)

• Refers to incorrect or mistaken knowledge or opposite interpretation.

• Important to identify and correct diagnostic or therapeutic errors.

• Example: Assuming vāta symptoms as pitta due to similar signs like rukṣatā, is a case of viparyaya.

9. ANUMĀNA (INFERENCE)

• Involves deriving conclusions through logical inference based on available observations.

• Essential tool in roga parīkṣā (diagnosis).

• Example: Observing bad breath and coating on tongue, we infer ama (toxins) in the GI tract.

10. SAMBHAVA (ORIGIN OR CAUSATION)

• Refers to understanding the cause-effect relationship or source of disease/drug.

• Helps in identifying nidāna (causes) and thus choosing correct chikitsā.

• Example: Repeated consumption of guru, snigdha ahāra in mandāgni leads to āma formation – this is sambhava jñāna.

SLOKA
परोऽपरो युक्तिः सङ्घातः संस्कार एव च।
अभ्यास उपपत्तिश्च विपर्यय अनुमानकम्॥
सम्भवश्च दशेमे स्युर्गुणाः कार्यविशेषकाः॥

CLINICAL RELEVANCE OF PARĀDIGUṆA

• These guṇas are used for:

  • Understanding drug interactions and formulation logic.

  • Evaluating clinical efficacy of drugs and procedures.

  • Ensuring safe and effective therapeutic application.

  • Preventing diagnostic and treatment errors.