Padarthavijnana and Guna

According to Ayurveda Cosmology, each matter in this universe is a combination of the five great elements. Understanding Padartha (matter) Vijnana (science), its attributes and qualities known as Guna are essential to know. Charaka, the great Ayurvedic physician of ancient times, found all organic and inorganic substances, as well as all thoughts and actions, have definite attributes.

The qualities that describe each element, are also used to describe everything in the manifest universe. All matter of the world is made up of the Mahabhuta (the great elements). Ayurveda defines these great elements in terms of Guna. These attributes contain potential energy and express the static nature of a substance, while its actions express kinetic energy. These Guna form the basis of understanding the nature of disease, nature of patient, nature of herbs, nature of foods, nature of remedies etc.

Charaka categorized these 20 attributes into 10 opposite pairs. These opposite forces function together just as the universal manifestation of female and male energy. These Guna are extremely important and helpful because they provide a language that helps us identify our experience of the outside world and how it affects our inner world. These qualities can also be divided into two categories: those that are Brahmana (building) and those that are Langhana (lightening). Vata and Pitta Doshas carry Langhana qualities while Kapha Dosha carries heaviness or the Brahmana qualities.

The 20 Guna as 10 pairs of opposites in relation to the doshas are as follows:

Building —- Lightening

Guru (heavy), Kapha - Laghu (light), Vata + Pitta

Manda (slow), Kapha - Tikshna (sharp), Pitta

Shita (cold), Vata + Kapha - Ushna (hot), Pitta

Snigdha (oily), Pitta + Kapha - Ruksha (dry), Vata

Shlakshna (smooth), Kapha - Khara (rough), Vata

Sandra (dense), Kapha - Drava (liquid), Pitta + Kapha

Mrudu (soft), Kapha - Kathin (hard), Kapha

Sthira (stable), Kapha - Chala (mobile), Vata + Pitta

Sthula (gross), Kapha - Sukshma (subtle), Vata

Picchila (cloudy), Kapha - Vishada (clear), Vata

Vata, Pitta and Kapha each have their own attributes that are divided into building and lightening. In Ayurveda there is a law which states that like increases like. When similar qualities come together, their quantitative utterance increases. A good example of this is in the summer season we see attributes similar to the Pitta dosha such as hot, liquid, light and mobile. Therefore, in the summer Pitta in the body will be increased. In the fall season we see attributes similar to Vata dosha such as light, dry, mobile, rough and cold. Therefore, in the fall Vata in the body will be increased. In the winter and spring season we see attributes similar to Kapha dosha such as wet, liquid, heavy, cold, sticky and cloudy. Therefore, in the winter and spring Kapha in the body will be increased.

Ayurvedic pharmacology, therapeutics and food preparation are based on the 20 Guna. Through an understanding and application of the attributes, balance of the three doshas can be maintained. Here is a quick overview of each Guna:

Guru (heavy) - Increases Kapha, decreases Vata and Pitta, promotes growth in the body, needed for nourishment, groundedness, centeredness and stability. Too much of this quality however can slow digestion and metabolism, create dullness and weight gain.

Laghu (light) - Increases Vata and Pitta, decreases Kapha, makes the body alert and attentive. Too much of this quality however can cause spaciness, ungroundedness, fear, anxiety and insecurity.

Manda (slow) - Increases Kapha, decreases Vata and Pitta, creates calmness, relaxation and silence. Too much of this quality however can cause sluggishness and dullness.

Tikshna (sharp) - Increases Vata and Pitta, decreases Kapha, improves learning, concentration, understanding and comprehension. Too much of this quality however can cause anger, irritability and frustration.

Shita (cold) - Increases, Vata and Kapha, decreases Pitta, cools down Pitta, slows digestion. Too much of this quality however can create unconsciousness, contraction, fear, insensitivity, accumulation of mucus and reduced immunity.

Ushna (hot) - Increases Pitta, decreases Vata and Kapha, stimulates gastric fire, improves circulation, digestion, absorption and assimilation, promotes cleansing. Too much of this quality however increases Pitta and can cause irritability, anger and rashes.

Snigdha (oily) - Increases Pitta and Kapha, decreases Vata, brings relaxation, smoothness, lubrication, compassion and vigor. Too much of this quality however can increase Pitta causing oily skin, clogged channels, pores and sluggishness.

Ruksha (dry) - Increases Vata, decreases Pitta and Kapha, stimulates fire. Too much of this quality can cause dehydration, hard stool, constipation, spasm, constriction, pain, dry, rough skin, fear, nervousness and rejection.

Shlakshna (smooth) - Increases Pitta and Kapha, decreases Vata, lubricates, makes body flexible, prevents osteoporosis and arthritic changes.

Khara (rough) - Increases Vata, decreases Pitta and Kapha. Too much of this quality increases dryness, absorption and constipation.

Sandra (dense) - Increases Kapha, decreases Vata and Pitta, increases compactness of the body, makes a person more grounded, promotes solidity, density and strength.

Drava (liquid) - Increases Pitta and Kapha, decreases Vata, diluted, dissolves, promotes salvation, compassion and cohesiveness.

Mrudu (soft) - Increases Pitta and Kapha, decreases Vata, creates softness, delicacy, relaxation, tenderness and love. Too much of this quality can provoke mucus.

Kathina (hard) - Increases Kapha, decreases Vata and Pitta, increases hardness and strength. Too much of this quality can create selfishness, callousness and insensitivity.

Sthira (stable) - Increases Kapha, decreases Vata and Pitta, promotes stability, support and healing.

Chala (mobile) - Increases Vata and Pitta, decreases Kapha, promotes motion. Too much of this quality can produce shakiness, restlessness, movement of feelings and emotions and insecurity.

Sthula (gross) - Increases Kapha, decreases Vata and Pitta, causes obstruction and obesity.

Sukshma (subtle) - Increases Vata and Pitta, decreases Kapha, quality of going deep on a minute level. Too much of this quality can cause spaceyness. Many drugs and herbs have this quality.

Picchila (cloudy) - Increases Kapha, decreases Vata and Pitta, causes cohesiveness in the body and mind. Too much of this quality can cause attachment, lack of clarity and perception.

Vishada (clear) - Increases Vata and Pitta, decreases Kapha, pacifies. Too much of this quality can cause isolation, diversion and over cleansing.

When seeking pacification in Ayurveda, remember the opposite qualities are introduced. It’s truly an artform to have the awareness to know when a certain Guna needs to be introduced into one’s routine in order for proper healing to occur. Knowing these qualities can help us identify how to bring balance into our lives. These 20 qualities are used as a therapeutic guide, diagnostic tool and clinical barometer to identify which quality has provoked Vata, Pitta and Kapha.