RASA KARMA

SIX RASAS ACCORDING TO ĀYURVEDA

1. Madhura (Sweet)

2. Amla (Sour)

3. Lavaṇa (Salty)

4. Kaṭu (Pungent)

5. Tikta (Bitter)

6. Kaṣāya (Astringent)

1. MADHURA RASA (SWEET TASTE)

• Doṣa Karma:

  • Pacifies vāta and pitta doṣas.

  • Increases kapha doṣa.

• Dhātu Karma:

  • Promotes nourishment and tissue growth – useful in dhātu kṣaya.

  • Increases rasa, rakta, māṃsa, meda, śukra dhātus.

  • Provides strength, vitality, and longevity.

• Mala Karma:

  • Increases mala sṛṣṭi due to kapha increase.

  • May cause srotorodha in excess.

• Examples: Milk, ghee, sugar, rice.

• Śloka:
  मधुरः स्थैर्यबलवर्ण्यायुः प्रीतिकरः सुखः ।
  बृंहणः कफपित्तघ्नः शुक्रस्तन्यकरो गुरु: ॥

2. AMLA RASA (SOUR TASTE)

• Doṣa Karma:

  • Pacifies vāta.

  • Increases pitta and kapha.

• Dhātu Karma:

  • Stimulates digestion, promotes rasa and rakta dhātu utpatti.

  • Improves appetite, salivation, and moisture in tissues.

• Mala Karma:

  • Increases sveda (sweat) and malas due to kapha increase.

• Examples: Lemon, tamarind, curd.

• Śloka:
  आम्लो रूचिकरो दीप्तिनिर्भेदश्लेष्मशोणितः ।
  विदाहकृद्रक्तपित्तार्त्तिवीवृध्दिकरो गुरु: ॥

3. LAVAṆA RASA (SALTY TASTE)

• Doṣa Karma:

  • Pacifies vāta.

  • Increases pitta and kapha.

• Dhātu Karma:

  • Enhances agni (digestive fire) and rasa formation.

  • Helps in softening tissues, useful in saṅkocha (constriction).

• Mala Karma:

  • Increases sveda (sweat).

  • May lead to mala srāva vr̥ddhi (increased excretion).

• Examples: Rock salt, sea salt.

• Śloka:
  लवणो दाहकृद्वृद्धिकृद्बृंहणो वातनाशनः ।
  कृमिघ्नः स्नेहनः सूक्ष्मो विपाकेऽपि च दाहकृत् ॥

4. KAṬU RASA (PUNGENT TASTE)

• Doṣa Karma:

  • Pacifies kapha.

  • Increases vāta and pitta.

• Dhātu Karma:

  • Reduces māṃsa and meda dhātu.

  • Promotes agni dīpti, helps in āma pachana.

• Mala Karma:

  • Drying effect – reduces sveda, causes constipation in excess.

• Examples: Ginger, black pepper, garlic.

• Śloka:
  कटुः कफहरः तीक्ष्णो लघुरुṣ्णो मलप्रणुत् ।
  दीपनः श्रमणो लेखी रोचकः कृमिघ्न एष स्मृतः ॥

5. TIKTA RASA (BITTER TASTE)

• Doṣa Karma:

  • Pacifies pitta and kapha.

  • Increases vāta.

• Dhātu Karma:

  • Cleanses rakta dhātu, reduces meda and māṃsa dhātu.

  • Effective in ama-pācana and detoxification.

• Mala Karma:

  • Reduces sveda and mala production due to rukṣa guṇa.

• Examples: Neem, bitter gourd, turmeric.

• Śloka:
  तिक्तो लघुः शीतो रूक्षः कषायो विषदः सरः ।
  दीपनीयः कषायघ्नः कृमिघ्नस्त्वच्युत्कर्षकः ॥

6. KAṢĀYA RASA (ASTRINGENT TASTE)

• Doṣa Karma:

  • Pacifies pitta and kapha.

  • Increases vāta.

• Dhātu Karma:

  • Absorptive in nature – dries and constricts dhātus.

  • Reduces rasa, rakta, meda dhātu.

• Mala Karma:

  • Causes mala sthambhana (retention).

  • May cause vibandha (constipation) in excess.

• Examples: Raw banana, pomegranate rind, black tea.

• Śloka:
  कषायो व्रणमेहघ्नः शोषणस्तुवरः स्थिरः ।
  रक्तपित्तास्रकफहरः शुक्रस्तम्भनकारकः ॥