Guna

Nirukti
Lakshana
Guna pradanata
Vargikarana
Swaroopa
Karmukata
Guna Mahatwa

GUNA NIRUKTI
The word GUNA is derived from the Dhatu Gunam.
It is explained as

This means GUNA is the main factor or property of

a Dravya by which it attracts every thing in it or in
other words which makes the Dravya to act. It is
because of GUNA
the Dravya is known and is
exposed by its action. If there is no guna then the
Dravya becomes inactive and dull and it is
unknown. (For eg If we take an Iron rod it is dark
black in colour and heavy and metallic in nature.
This means the iron rod has got dark black colour
and heavy by its properties. And we are identifying

GUNA LAXANA: : : (Ch Su 115)

GUNA is the one which is located in Dravya inherently is the causative

agent and is devoid of property and action. It means that GUNA itself has
no action but it only qualifies the Dravya for such action.



: : : :

(karikavalee)
GUNA is the Dravyasraya bhava and itself alone
has no action.
: :( R V Su 1/168)

:( R V Su 1/168)
GUNA is a combination of Vibhina Lakshanas and
hence it cannot be explained as a single form or
Lakshana. The word Viswa vikirana, Bhinna
and Vibhinna are the exnonyms of Gunas.

Guna Pradanata

Rasabhibhava
Rasanugraha
Vipakakaranatwat
Sankyabahulyat
Prayogabahulyat
Karmabahulyat
Vishayabahulyat
Upadesha
Apadesha
Anumana

1. Rasabhibhavat

:
.



.
.
Guna supercedes the Rasas and thereby effects the result or
action. For example Jala increases Kapha Dosa owing to
natural Madura Rasa and Seeta Guna. But the same water
when boiled the Ushna Guna supercedes the Madura Rasa and
pacifies the Kapha.

) Rasanugraham

: :
:
.

. .
.
.
: : .
.

.
:

3) Vipaka karanatwat

:


. ------- :
.
:
. --- (

. ..)
Vipaka also at times depend on
Gunas drugs having
Guru,
Snigdha, Seeta, Pichila gunas will
be guru in Vipaka while other

DRUGS OR DRAVYAS
VIPAKA
1.Guru,Snigdha,Seeta,PichlaGuna-----------------GuruVipaka
2.Laghu,Ruksha,Ushna,PichilaGuna-----------------LaghuVipaka

Types of Vipaka ---- GUNA -------- Dosha ----------

Malakarma

GuruVipakaguru,snigdhakaphavardhanasristavitmutra
(Madhura)vatapittasamanam
(brumhanam)
laghuvipakamlaghu,rukshakaphasamanambhadavitmutra
(katu)vatapittavardhana
(langhanam)

4)Samkhya bahulyad

(R V Su

1/124)

: : , : ,
.
(. ..)
Rasas are only six in Nos Veerya are
mainly 2 in Nos and Vipakas are 3 in
Nos. While gunas are 41 in Nos .Thus
Gunas are more important than
Rasadis.

5.Prayoga

bahulyad

(RVSu1/124)

,
: :,

:(. ..)
Rasa Vaisishika Acharya says that Gunas can
beusedbothinternallyandexternally,theform
OUSHADA(kashayas,Asvas,avaleha,churna,
gutikas)internallyandexternallyintheformof
Abhyanga, Alepa, Pichu, Parisheka etc. But

6. Karma bahulyat:-

. ( .
..)
With rasas these also act &
because of this it is
Karmabahulyat

7. Vishaya bahulyat:( . ..)

Based on guna many no of
dravyas can be explained. So it
is superior

8. Upadesha:
: (. . .)
Even in samhitas gunas
prepared so gunas are superior

9.Apadesha:-

:- ,
. . ..
Sometimes gunas become identity of
drugs .
Ex:- he is smooth or he is rough &
tough

10. Anumana:as like by karana we can infer karya

Like Guna sheet is vatakara, pittagna .
Guna Usna is Pittakara, Kaphavatagna

Gunapradanata
Rasabibhava:- suppress effect of rasa:- usna jala
& sheet jala
Rasanugraha:- by qualities rasa become
important Amalaki best in amla , ghee best in
madura
Vipakakarnatwat:- gunas form vipaka
Sankyabahulyat:- more in no than any quality
Prayogabahulyat:- more no used more
Karmabahulyat:- each property has its action
Vishayabahulyat:- wide coverage
Upadesa:-importance given to properties in texts
Apadesa:-dravya identified on base of features
Anumana:- by action we infer about guna

CLASSIFICATION OF GUNAS

TheGunasare41innumberswhicharegrouped
intofourtypes.Theyare
1)GurvadiGunas(Physicopharmacological
properties)20numbers
2)ParadiGunas(Parapharmacological
properties)10numbers
3)VisashtaGunas(Specific)5numbers
4)AdhyatmikaGunas(Physicological
properties)6numbers

Gunas predominance acc to rasas

SI
N
O

GUNA

PRADANA
RASA

MADYAM
RASA

AVARA
RASA

01 GURU

MADHURA
PRAT+JALA

KASHAYA LAVANA
PRAT+VAY JALA +
U
AGNI

02 LAGU

TIKTA
AKAS +
VAYU

KATU
AGNI +
VAY

03 SHEETA

MADHURA
PRAT+JALA

KASHAYA TIKTA
PRAT+VAY AKAS +
VAYU

04 USNA

LAVANA
JALA + AGNI

AMLA
PRA +
AGNI

KATU
AGNI +
VAYU

05 SNIGDA

MADHURA
PRAT+JALA

AMLA
PRA +
AGNI

LAVANA
JALA +
AGNI

06 ROOKS
HA

KASHAYA
PRAT+VAYU

KATU
AGNI +
VAY

TIKTA
AKAS +
VAYU

AMLA
PRA +
AGNI

Guru Guna

Rasa:-Madura
Veerya:- sheeta
Vipaka:- Madura
Mahaboota:- Prathvi & Jala
Dosha:- Kaphavardaka, VataPitta Shamaka
Dathu:- Dathuvardaka,
Mala:- Mala vradka
Indication:-Virechana, Balya, Bramhana,
Vrashya

Laghu guna

Rasa:- Tikta, Katu,Amla, Lavana

Veerya:- Sheeta & Usna
Vipaka:- Katu
Mahaboota:- Agni & Vayu
Dosha:- Vata Pitta vardaka, Kaphashamka
Dathu:- Dathu kshaya
Mala:- Malakshaya
Indications:- Vamana, Lekhana, Pachana,
Deepana

Sheeta Guna
: ( ... .-)
: : . .
..
: . ..
..

Rasa:- Madura- tikta- kashaya

Veerya:- Sheeta
Vipaka:- Madura , Katu
Mahaboota:- Jala & vayu
Dosha:- Kaphavata Vardaka & Pitta
shamaka
Dathu:- Dathu vardaka, Rakta stambaka
Mala:- Mootrala, Pureesha Stambaka
Indications:-Murcha, Trasna, Daha,

Usna Guna

: ( ... .)
. ( . ..)
: : . . .
: (. .. .)

Rasa:-katu, lavana, amla,

Veerya:- Usna
Vipaka:- Katu
Mahaboota:- Agni
Dosha:- Pittavardaka, Kapha vata shamaka
Dathu:- Dathukshaykara, Raktasravakara
Mala:- Pureesha Sweda Pravratka
Indication:- Pachana, Deepana, Swedana ,
Langana

Snigda Guna
: : (... .)
: ( .
..)
: ( ...)

.

Rasa:-Madura,Amla, lavana
Veerya:- Sheeta
Vipaka:- Madura
Mahaboota:- Aap
Dosha:- Kaphavardaka, Vata& Pittahara
Dathu:- Dathuvardaka, bala & varnakara
Mala:- Pravartaka
Indiacation:-Balya, Varnya,Vrushya

Ruksha guna

. (. .. .)
: : ( ... .)
: : : (.
..)

Rasa:- Tikta, Kashaya, Katu

Veerya:- Usna or Sheeta
Vipaka:-Katu
Mahaboota:- Vayu & Agni
Dosha:- Vatavardhaka, Kaphashamaka
Dathu:- Dathukshayakara, Bala Varna
kshayakara
Mala:- Malashoshaka, Stambaka
Indiaction:- Stambana,Shoshana, Rukshana

Manda guna
: :
( ... .)
: : ( . . . )

Rasa:- Madura, Tikta, Kashaya ( Soumya )

Veerya:- Sheeta
Vipaka:- Madura Or Katu
Mahaboota:- Prathvi & Jala, Vayu
Dosha:- Kaphavrdaka, Pittashamaka
Dathu:- Dathuvardaka, Stoolakara
Mala:- MalaKshaya
Indication:-Bruhana

Teekshna Guna
: : (... .)
: : ( . . .)
.
( . .. .)

Rasa:-Katu, Amla, Lavana

Veerya:- Usna
Vipaka:-Katu
Mahaboota:-Agni
Dosha:-Pittakara, Kaphavatahara
Dathu:-Lekhana, Dathukshaya
Mala:-Malapravrtaka
Indicataion:-Vamana, Virechana,Daha

Sthira Guna
: : (... .)
(. .. .)

Rasa:-Madura, Tikta, Kashaya

Veerya:-Sheeta
Vipaka:-Madura
Mahaboota:-Prathvi
Dosha:-Kaphakara, Vata&Pittahara
Dathu:-Mamsa vardaka
Mala:-Malastambaka
Indiaction:-

Sara Guna
: : ( . . .)

: (. .. .)

Rasa:-Tikta, Kashaya, Madura,

Veerya:-Sheeta
Vipaka:-Katu
Mahaboota:-Vayu , Jala ( Susruta )
Dosha:-Vata vardaka, Kaphashmaka
Dathu:-Dathu kshaya
Mala:-Malavraddi
Indiaction:-Anuloman, Vistamba,
Virechana

Mradu Guna
: : (... .)
( . ..)

Rasa:-Madura, Lavana, kashaya

Veerya:- Sheeta or Usna
Vipaka:- Madura, katu
Mahaboota:- Aap, Akash
Dosha:- Kapha, Vata-Pitta shamaka
Dathu:- Dathuvardaka
Mala:-Malavardaka
Indiaction:-Daha, paka,

Kathina Guna
: : (... .)
( . ..)

Rasa:-Kashaya, Madura
Veerya:-Sheeta
Vipaka:-Katu
Mahaboota:-Prathvi
Dosha:-Vata
Dathu:-hardness & strength to dathus
Mala:-Mala stmbaka or Shoshaka
Indiaction:-Astibagna, stoola

Vishada Guna
: : (... .)
: ( . . ..)
: : (. .. .)

: - ()

Rasa:-Tikta, Kashaya, Katu

Veerya:-sheeta
Vipaka:-katu
Mahaboota:- Vayu,Prathvi, Agni, Akasaha
Dosha:-Vatavraddi, Kaphakshaya
Dathu:-Dathushodaka
Mala:-Malashoshaka
Indiaction:-Ropana

Picchila guna
: : ( )
:
: :
( . . / )
: :
: ( . )

Rasa:-Madura, Amla, Lavana

Veerya:-Sheeta
Vipaka:-Madura
Mahaboota:-Prathvi & Jala
Dosha:-Kaphavardhaka,
Dathu:-Datuvardaka
Mala:-Malapravartaka
Indication:-Jeevaniya, Balya, Sandaniya

Slakshna Guna
: ( )
: : ( . . )
: : ( .
)
( . . )

Rasa:-Madura, Amla, Lavana

Veerya:-Sheeta
Vipaka:-Madura
Mahaboota:-Prathvi & Jala,Teja (rasa
viseshka),Akasaha (Charaka )
Dosha:-Kaphavardhaka,
Dathu:-Datuvardaka
Mala:-Malapravartaka
Indication:-Jeevaniya, Balya, Sandaniya

Khara guna

: ( )
(. . )
: (. )

Rasa:-Tikta, Kashaya, katu

Veerya:-Sheeta
Vipaka:-Katu
Mahaboota:- Vayu, Prathvi (a ),Teja, Vayu
(S )
Dosha:-Vata
Dathu:-Dathu kshaya
Mala:-MalaShosaka, stambaka
Indiaction:-Lekhana, Roapana

Sooksma Guna

: ( )
: : ( . . )
:
( . )

Rasa:-Tikta, kashaya,Lavana, Katu,

Veerya:-Usna
Vipaka:-Katu
Mahaboota:-Teja, Vayu, Akasha
Dosha:-Vayu
Dathu:-Kshaya
Mala:-Kshaya, nissaraka
Indiaction:-Visha, vibanda

Sthoola Guna

: ( )

: ( . )

Rasa:-Madura,
Veerya:-Sheeta
Vipaka:-Madura
Mahaboota:-Prathvi, Jala
Dosha:-Kapha
Dathu:-Dathuvarhadaka,
Mala:-Mala
Indiaction:-Krasha, Yakshma

Sandra Guna
: : ( )
: : ( . . )
:

Rasa:-Madura, Kashaya, Lavana

Veerya:-Sheeta
Vipaka:-Madura
Mahaboota:-Prathvi
Dosha:-Kapha
Dathu:-Datuvardaka, sandana
Mala:-Malavardaka
Indiaction:-Bruahana,

Drava guna
: : : ---------- ( . )
: : ----( )

Rasa:-Madura, Amla, lavana

Veerya:-Sheeta, Usna
Vipaka:-Madura
Mahaboota:-Jala
Dosha:-Kaphavardaka
Dathu:-Sarvadathu vardaka
Mala:-Malavardaka
Indiaction:-Atisara,Jwara,

Quality

Guna

Rasa

Vee Vip M Bootha

rya aka

Heavy

Guru

M, A, L S

Light

Lagu

Do Dath
sha u

Mala

P&A

Varddi Varddi

V&T

V, P Kshay Kshaya
a

M
Action

Bruhana
Langan
a

T, kt,
ks, A,
L
Sheeta M, t,
ks
Usna
Kt, A,
L
Snigda M, A, L

S or
U

K, V Varddi Stambak Stamba

M
P, A, V
or K
K
T,

P&A

Rooksh T. Ks.
a
K
Manda M ,

P&A

K, P Varddi Pravarta
ka
V
Kshay Shoshak
a
a
K
Varddi Vibanda

Sharp

Teekshn K,A,L
a

Smoot
h

Slaksh M, A, L S
na

Rough

Khara

T ( N ),
K,
Ak( C ) J (Su
)
V & P ( C ) ,T V,
& V ( SU )

Cold
Hot
Unctuo
us
N-unct
Mild

T, Ks,
Kt,

S or
U

na
Kshay Rechaka Swedan
a
a
Snehan
a
Rooksha
n
Shaman
a

Kshay Rechaka Shodan

a
a
Varddi Pravarta Ropana
ka

Kshay Shoshak Lekhana

a
a

Quality

Guna

Rasa

Soft

Mradu

M ,A, L S

A & Ak

K,

Hard

Katina

T, Ks,

Stable

Sthira

Unstab
le

Sara

M, Ks,
T
T, Ks

Nslimmy

Vishad T, ks, S Or K
a
K
U
Picchila M, A, L S
M

Ap ( S ), V
V
P, V ,T, V
A
Ap, P
K

Slimmy

Vee Vipa M
Dos
rya ka
Bootha ha

Fine

Sooksh
ma

T, Ks,K S

V, Ak

Bulky

Solid

Sthool M, A, L S
a
Sandra M, A, L S

Liquid

Drava

M, A, L S or
U

Dathu Mala
Vraddi
,
Shitila
ta
Kshay
a
Varddi

M
Action

Pravartak Shitilat
a
a

Shoshaka Dradat
a
Vibanda Dharan
a
Pravartak Anulom
an
a
Shoshaka Shosha

Kshay
a
Kshay
a
Varddi Pravartak
a
V
Kshay Shoshaka
a
K
Varddi Pravartak
a
K
Varddi Pravartak
a
K & P Varddi Pravartak
a

na

Lepana

Vivaran
a
Samvara
na

Prasda
na
Sandan
a

Predominancy of Gunas acc to

M
Rasa Veery Vipak Dosh
a
a
a
booth
a
Guru,Manda,Ruksha, Prathvi M, ks S
M or K K or
Khara, Sandra, Katina,
V
Stira, Sthula
Guru, Manda, Sheeta, Aap
M, A, S
M
K or
Snigda, Sandra,
L
V or
Drava, Mradu, Sara,
P
Sthoola, Picchila
Lagu, Usna, Teekshna, Teja
Kt,
U
K
P or
Ruksha, Sookshma,
A,L
V
Vishada
Lagu, Ruksha, Khara, Vayu
T, Ks, S or U K
V or
Sookshma,Vishada
K
P
Lagu, Slakshna,
Akash Ks, T, S
K
V
Gunas

Relation between Rasas & Gunas

Rasas

Gunas

Veery
a
Sheet
a

Madur Guru, Sheeta,Snigda,Manda,

a
Slakshna,Mradu, Sthira,
Picchila, Sthoola, Sandra, Drava
Amal
Lagu, Usna, Snigda, Teekshna, Usna
Mradu, Pichhila, Sthoola,
or
Sandra, Drava
Sheet
a
Lavan Lagu, Usna, Snigda, Mradu,
Usna
a
Picchila, Sthoola, Sandra, Drava or

Katu

Tikta

Lagu, Usna, Rooksha,

Teekshna, Khara, Vishada,
Sookshma,
Lagu, Sheeta, Rooksha, Khara,
Katina,Sthira, Sara, Vishada,
Sookshma

Sheet
a
Usna

Sheet
a

Vipak
a
Madur
a

Karma
Santarpana

Amla
Santarapana
Madur or
a Katu Apatarapan
a
Madur Santarapana
a Katu or
Apatarapan
a
Katu

Apatarapan
a

Katu

Apatarapan
a

Similarity in Gunas on Properties & Action

Guna

Rasa

Guru
Manda
Sheeta

M,
M,
M, T, Ks

Veery
a
S
S
S

Snigda
Slakshna
Sandra
Picchila
Sthoola
Mradu
Drava

M, A,
M, A,
M, A,
M, A,
M, A,
M ,A,
M, A,

S
S
S
S
S
S
S

L
L
L
L
L
L
L

Vipa
ka
M
M
M or
K
M
M
M
M
M
K
or U M

Karma
Santarpana
Santarpana
Santarpana/Apatar
pana
Santarpana
Santarpana
Santarpana
Santarpana
Santarpana
Santarpana
Santarpana

Similarity in Gunas on Properties & Action

Guna
Lagu

Vipaka
K

Usna

Rasa
Veerya
T, kt, ks, A, S or U
L
Kt, A, L
U

Rooksha

T. Ks. K

Teekshna

K,A,L

Khara

T, Ks, Kt,

S or U

Katina

T, Ks,

Sthira

M, Ks, T

Vishada

T, ks, K

S Or U

Sookshma T, Ks,K

Karma
Apatarapan
a
Apatarapan
a
Apatarapan
a
Apatarapan
a
Apatarapan
a
Apatarapan
a
Apatarapan
a
Apatarapan
a
Apatarapan

Karma

Gunas

Rasa

Veerya

Vipaka

Santarpana Guru, Sheeta,

Snigda,Manda,
Slakshna, Mradu,
Picchila, Sthoola,
Sandra, Drava

Madura
Amla
Lavana

Sheeta

Madura

Apatarpana Lagu,Usna Sheeta,

Rooksha, Khara,
Katina, Sthira,
Sara, Vishada,
Sookshma,

Amla
Lavana
Katu
Tikta
Kashaya

Usna
Sheeta

Amla
Katu

Special gunas

Vyavai
Vikashi
Suganda
Durganda
Ashukari
Suska

Vyavai
:
. . ..

( . . .)

Vikashi
( .
..



(. ..)

Suganda

:(.
./)

Durganda
:
( . . .)

Asukari
( . . .

( . .. .

Suska
: ( . .. .)

Paradi Gunas

Para

Apara

Yukti

Sankya

Samyoga

Types of Samyoga
Ekakarmaja:- Ekadoshaja vikara
( Jwara )
Dwandwa karmaja:- Raktapitta
(Dwandwaja )
Sarva karmaja :- Sannipataja Vikara (
Kusta )

Vibhaga

Types of Vibhaga
Ekakarmaja:- Separating Amalaki
from Triphala
Dwandwa karmaja:- separating
Amalaki & Bibitaki
Sarva karmaja :- Sepearting all drugs
of Brahtpanachamoola

Pratakatwa

Types of Pratakatwa
Asamyoga laxana:-Combination of
these never possible like Jangala &
Anoopa
Vailaxanya rupa:-Differentiation
betwn two spl
Like Amalaki from Haritaki
Anekanta rupa :-Differentiation
betwn verities of same plant

Parimana

Samskara

Abyasa

Paradi
gunas
Para
Apara
Yukti
Sankya
Samyoga
Vibhaga
Prataktwa
Parinama
Samskara
Abhyasa

Application
Drug which is suitable ex: Vasa in raktapitta
Contra drug or Viruddha ahara Ex: Shilajatu in
Asmari
Assessing the drug depend on condition of
patient Ex : takra in arsha
Fixing different drugs acc to types
Best combinations of preparation in Disease
Avioding a drug in group of drugs
Specific drug for differential diagnosis Ex:application of oil in amavata
Fixation of drug duration & dosage
Qualities will change after samskara so need to
be applied after confirmation
Abhyasa will aggravate or suppress doshas so
during treatment this will be helpful in managing
disease

Vaisheshika
gunas

Sabda
Sparsha
Rupa
Rasa
Gandha

Asatmendriyartha samyoga
of these will leads to
disease & can be managed
by Administering opp quality
drugs

Adhyatmika
gunas
Application

Ichcha
Dwesha
Sukha
Dukha
Prayatna
Buddhi

As Ayurveda deals about

Physical as well as as
mental health these
Adhyatmika gunas will
helps in mentainance of
mental health