Gurvadi Guna
The twenty gurvadi guna are
mentioned below:
1. Laghutva (lightness)
Agni, akasha and vayu mahabhoota is responsible for making things
lighter and the guna (property) that makes things lighter is known as
laghu (light). This guna suppresses the 'kapha' dosha in the body and
aggravates the 'vata' dosha. The purification of the body srotasa
(channels) and aggravation of agni (appetiser) in the body is due to
this guna. This guna is also responsible for developing vigour and joy
in the body.
2. Shitatva (coldness)
This guna is responsible for decreasing the warmth (ushnta) of the body
and increasing the coldness. The mahabhootas and rasa that are
responsible for shitatva guna are Jala mahabhoota, madhur rasa (sweet
taste), Tikta rasa (bitter taste) and Kashaya rasa. This guna has the
property of curing Murchha (syncope), Trishna (thirst) and Daaha
(burning sensation) in the body. The main function being stambhan it is
somatmak and in winter season it increases the strength and immunity
power.
3. Ushnatva (Hotness)
Meaning warmth or hotness it is the opposite of shita guna. Agni
mahabhoota, Amla rasa (sour taste), Lavan rasa (salt taste) and Katu
rasa (chilly taste) are the mahabhootas and rasa responsible for it. The
main function of this guna is to sweat besides being able to cure
Murchha (syncope), Trishna (thirst), Daaha (burning sensation) and
metabolize Rasa, Rakta and Dhatu. Ushnatya (hotness) also increases the
body heat and aggravates the pitta dosha while suppressing vata and
kapha dosha in the body. It also suppresses the dhatus in the body and
help in defecation and sweating.
4. Snigdha (soothing)
Also known as sneha (love) it is the main guna of Jala mahabhoota
(water). Snigdha is responsible for s pindibhawan (clinging). It is also
responsible for the development of softness & smoothness. Found in
the Madhur rasa (sweet taste), Amla rasa (sour taste) and Lavan rasa
(salt taste). Aprt form the main function of generating bala this guna
generates Mardava (soften), bala (strengthen), Varna (skin complexion),
Vajikaran (aphrodisiac) and aggravates kapha dosha while suppressing the
vata dosha in the body.
5. Ruksha (dryness)
This guna is responsible for generating dryness, hardness, and
roughness over the body. Found in Prithvi & Vayu mahabhoota, Katu
rasa (pungent taste), Tikta rasa (bitter taste) and Kashaya rasa (taste
as alum) it aggravates Vata dosha and suppresses Kapha dosha in the
body. The main function of this guna is shoshan (to absorb) besides
developing roughness, hardness, to destroy strength and complexion. This
is also an Avrishya (anti-aphrodisiac) and a stambhan (cease secretion).
6. Mandatva (dullness)
Mandatva or dullness is the guna that is responsible for developing
dullness or depression in the body. Excess of jala mahabhoota is
responsible for the generation of this guna having slow activity and
weak strength of action. Mandtva (dullness) also aggravates the kapha
dosha and suppress pitta dosha in the body. The main function of this
guna is Shaman (suppress) apart from being responsible for gatyavrodha
(retardation), Shaithilya (dullness), Alpakriyta (weak action) and
Chirkarita (slow action).
7.Tikshnatva (sharpness)
Meaning sharpness it is the opposite of mandtva (dullness) in context
of its functioning, property and speed of reaction. This guna is fast in
action, helps in shodhan (evacuation) of the body, aggravates pitta
dosha, suppresses kapha dosha in the body and is responsible for Daaha
(burn), Pak (digest), Stravkar (to secrete) and Lekhan (scraping).
Tikshnatva (sharpness) is found in the Agni mahabhoota.
8.Sthiratva (immobility)
Sthiratva (immobility) is the guna responsible for Gatihinata and
sthayitva (stability). This guna is the specialty of Prithvi but is also
found in Madhura rasa (sweet taste), Tikta rasa (bitter taste) and
Kashaya rasa (alum taste). Sthiratva (immobility) aggravates the kapha
dosha and suppresses the vata dosha in the body. The main function of of
this guna is Dharan (to hold) apart from Gatishaithilya (immobility),
Sthirata of Dhatus (stabilize dhatus) and Stambhan (cease secretion).
Avrodha (obstruction) is created by this guna.
9.Saratva (mobility)
This guna means mobility and promotes defecation and flatus. The action
of this guna is fast and it scraps the dhatus of the body and aggravates
vata dosha in the body. It is found in Vayu and Agni mahabhoota and also
in Amla rasa (sour taste), Lavan rasa (salt taste) and Katu rasa
(pungent). This guna is responsible for breaking the bond (bandhan) and
release mala (excretory product) from the body. It is useful in shodhan
chikitsa (evacuation therapy).
10.Mrudutva (softness)
This guna is responsible for developing shithila (lax) or softness on
the body. Found in the Aakasha (space), Jala (water) mahabhoota and
Lavan rasa (salty taste) mrudutva aggravates kapha dosha in the body.
The main function of this guna is shlathan (lax) apart from preventing
Daha (burn), Paka (supurating), Srava (secretions) and developing
mriduta (softness).
11. Kathinatva (hardness)
This guna makes the body firm and hard. Present in the kathinatya guna
is present in the Prithvi mahabhoota it increases the dhatu in the body
and dries the excreting product. Vata dosha is also aggravated by this
guna (property). The main function of this guna occurs to Drudhikaran
(make firm), to make dhatus firm and dry the Mala (excretory product).
12.Vishadatva (clearness)
Literally meaning cleanliness this guna of Prithvi, Vayu, Teja and
Aakasha mahabhoota has the capacity of Prakshalan (to wash out), which
removes pichhilata (stickiness). The main function of this guna is
prakshalan (to wash out) apart from Bala- nasha (destroy strength),
Asandhan, Kledashoshan and Uranropan (healing). This guna suppresses the
vata dosha and the Kapha Dosha in the body.
13.Pichhilatva (sliminess)
Pichhilatva (sliminess) is the guna that act as lepana (to join) and is
the Sansidhik Guna of Jala mahabhoota. This guna aggravates kapha dosha
and suppresses vata dosha in the body. The joining of two elements,
increasing of the dhatus, strengthening of the body and promotion of
livelihood are the main functions of Lepan (to join). Other functions of
this guna include Jeevan (life), Bala (strength), Sandhan (to join),
Uplepa, Shaitya (coldness), Tantul (fibrous) and Gurupaka (difficult to
be digested).
14.Shlakshanatva (smoothness)
Sukhada sparsha (pleasant touch) is also know as shlakshna
(smoothness). Main function of this guna is Ropa besides the other
functions that are mentioned in pichhila guna. Shlakshna (smoothness) is
produced when stone or metal are rubbed it. The difference between
pichhila guna and shlakshna guna is that former has smoothness due to
Sneha (i.e. water) and later have smoothness due to lack of sneha
(water).
15.Kharatva (roughness)
Kharatva (roughness) is the synonym of Dukhad sparsha or unpleasant
touch. Found in Vayu mahabhoota it aggravates vata dosha in the body and
has the main function of Lekhan (to scrap) besides the functions to
decrease the quantum of Dhatus.
16. Sukshmatva (minuteness)
The sukshma guna is due to the microscopic parts of the body. Found in
Vayu, Agni and Aakasha this guna aggravates vata dosha in the body and
has the main function of Vivaran (discoloration). Aprt form
discoloration this guna is responsible for Sukshma srotogami (to enter
in the microscopic part), absorbing of Mala (excretory product) and
laghupaki (easy digestion).
17. Shortva (bulkiness)
The shortva guna is named so due to its large size that obstructs the
srotasa (channels) of the body. This guna is the property of Prithvi
mahabhoota and aggravates the kapha dosha in the body. Excessive intake
of sugar (madhur rasa) increases bulkiness. It is also caused due to the
chintarchita (no thinking), Aran-talab Jeevan (luxurious life), Achhi
nidra (good sleep) and Shashna prakrup (kapha dosha prakruti). This guna
has the main function of samvaran (promote complexion) aprt from the
function of Sthoolta (bulkiness), Srotorodha (obstruct channels),
Sandhidardhya (strengthen joint), Samvaran (promote complexion), Shakti
(strength) and Gurupaka (difficult to digest).
18. Sandratva (solidity)
Literally meaning concentration, any body that is sthoola (bulky) and
sthira (stable) is known as sandra meaning solid. This guna is the
property of prithvi and aggravates kapha in the body. The main function
of this guna is Prasadan (replenishing) and Dhatu vardhan (increase
dhatus) apart form sthoolata and Bruhana (growth).
19. Dravatva (fluidity)
This guna prevails in the dravatva and is Aukshana (microscopic) i.e.
cannot be seen by naked eyes. It ha the capability of Pravahi (flowing)
and increases Rasadi dhatu and the quantum of Mala. The dravatva guna is
of two type:
Sansidhik: it is found in the Jala mahabhoota.
Naimittika: fopund in the Prithvi & Agni mahabhoota.
The main functions of this guna are vilodan (to dissolve) apart from
Kledan and increase the dravavastha.
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