Changes

{{#seo:

{{#seo:

|title=Guna

|title=Guna

|titlemode=append

|titlemode=append

|keywords=Guna,Guna meaning,Guna in ayurveda,Guna Importance in diagnosis,guna Importance in treatment,guna Importance in prevention,guna Types,41 guna,

|keywords=Guna,Guna meaning,Guna in ayurveda, Guna Importance in diagnosis, guna Importance in treatment, guna Importance in prevention, guna Types,41 guna, properties, qualities, virtues, pecularities, charak samhita, ayurveda, indian systems of medicine, ancient medical system, healthcare, Deole Y.S., Gopal Basisht

|description=This article deals with the guna which represents quality or property

|description=This article deals with the guna which represents quality or property

|image=http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/resources/assets/ogimgs.jpg

|image=http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/resources/assets/ogimgs.jpg

|type=article

|type=article

}}

}}

 

<p style="text-align:justify;">The word ‘guna’ literally means attribute, property [SAT-A.125],<ref name=namstp>Available from http://namstp.ayush.gov.in/#/sat accessed on 10/07/2020</ref> quality, peculiarity, virtue, merit or excellence. It also represents a single thread or strand of a cord or twine.<ref>Monier-Williams, Monier-Williams Sanskrit- English Dictionary, 1st edition; Oxford University Press, guna, Page 357.</ref> This article deals with the guna which represents quality or property. </p>

 

The word ‘guna’ literally means attribute, property [SAT-A.125],<ref name=namstp>Available from http://namstp.ayush.gov.in/#/sat accessed on 10/07/2020</ref> quality, peculiarity, virtue, merit or excellence. It also represents a single thread or strand of a cord or twine.<ref>Monier-Williams, Monier-Williams Sanskrit- English Dictionary, 1st edition; Oxford University Press, guna, Page 357.</ref> This article deals with the guna which represents quality or property.

{{Infobox

{{Infobox

===Physical properties (sharira guna)===

===Physical properties (sharira guna)===

There are twenty physical properties which form ten pairs with their opposites. Each property has a specific fundamental constitution. The property shows biological effects through medium of a substance. The properties (guna) have inseparable concomitance (samavaya) with substance. Following table shows details about fundamental constitution, biological effects of each property with their applications in treatment.

There are twenty physical properties which form ten pairs with their opposites. Each property has a specific fundamental constitution. The property shows biological effects through medium of a substance. The properties (guna) have inseparable concomitance ([[samavaya]]) with substance. Following table shows details about fundamental constitution, biological effects of each property with their applications in treatment.

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

Cold(sheeta), hot (ushna), unctuous (snigdha), dry (ruksha), non-slimy (vishada), slimy (pichchila), heavy (guru), light (laghu), soft (mridu) and sharp (tikshna) show specific capacity for specific functions,hence they are also termed as ‘active properties’ (karmanyaguna) [Rasavaisheshika].<ref>P.V.Sharma, Dravyaguna-vijnana Vol 1. Varanasi: Chaukhambhabharati academy;2006. Section 2,chapter 1 Guna;p.152.</ref>

Cold(sheeta), hot (ushna), unctuous (snigdha), dry (ruksha), non-slimy (vishada), slimy (pichchila), heavy (guru), light (laghu), soft (mridu) and sharp (tikshna) show specific capacity for specific functions,hence they are also termed as ‘active properties’ (karmanyaguna) [Rasavaisheshika].<ref>P.V.Sharma, Dravyaguna-vijnana Vol 1. Varanasi: Chaukhambhabharati academy;2006. Section 2,chapter 1 Guna;p.152.</ref>

 

=== General properties (samanya guna) ===

=== General properties (samanya guna) ===

! Serial No !! General property !! Effect and assessment !! Example

! Serial No !! General property !! Effect and assessment !! Example

|-

|-

| | 1 || Superiority/Dominance (paratva) || It shows superiority or excellence of some substance over other. Dominance of a principle is also assessed || Amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica) is superior anti-ageing (vayasthapana)drug over other [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 25/40]; Dominance of [[dosha]] in fundamental constitution ([[prakriti]]) and disease.

| | 1 || Superiority/Dominance (paratva) || It shows superiority or excellence of some substance over other. Dominance of a principle is also assessed || Amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica) is superior anti-ageing (vayasthapana)drug over other [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 25/40]; Dominance of [[dosha]] in fundamental constitution ([[prakriti]]) and [[disease]].

|-

|-

| | 2 || Inferiority/dormant (aparatva) || It shows the substance with inferior or dormant quality || Sheep’s milk is inferior in quality for health in comparison to other varieties of milk.[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 25/40]

| | 2 || Inferiority/dormant (aparatva) || It shows the substance with inferior or dormant quality || Sheep’s milk is inferior in quality for health in comparison to other varieties of milk.[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 25/40]

=== Fundamental universal properties (Mahaguna) ===

=== Fundamental universal properties (Mahaguna) ===

   

   

These three are produced from the material nature during primitive evolutionary process of the Universe (prakriti). These are also termed as primary attributes of mind.[SAT-A.126]<ref name=namstp />

These three are produced from the material nature during primitive evolutionary process of the Universe ([[prakriti]]). These are also termed as primary attributes of mind.[SAT-A.126]<ref name=namstp />

# Sattva guna: It means goodness. It is purest quality of mind which is responsible for knowledge, enlightenment and happiness. It is the quality of balance, harmony, goodness, purity, universalism, holism, construction, creativity, positivity, peacefulness, and virtue.<ref>Alter, Joseph S., Yoga in modern India, 2004 Princeton University Press, p 55Available from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gu%E1%B9%87aaccessed on 10/07/2020</ref>

# [[Sattva]] guna: It means goodness. It is purest quality of mind which is responsible for knowledge, enlightenment and happiness. It is the quality of balance, harmony, goodness, purity, universalism, holism, construction, creativity, positivity, peacefulness, and virtue.<ref>Alter, Joseph S., Yoga in modern India, 2004 Princeton University Press, p 55Available from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gu%E1%B9%87aaccessed on 10/07/2020</ref>

# Rajas guna: It means passion. This is responsible for all deeds(karma), desires and sorrows. It is the quality of passion, activity, neither good nor bad and sometimes either, self-centeredness, egoism, individualization, drivenness, movement, and dynamism.<ref name=Feur>Feuerstein, Georg The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga, Shambhala Publications, 1997 Available from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gu%E1%B9%87aaccessed on 10/07/2020</ref>

# [[Rajas]] guna: It means passion. This is responsible for all deeds([[karma]]), desires and sorrows. It is the quality of passion, activity, neither good nor bad and sometimes either, self-centeredness, egoism, individualization, drivenness, movement, and dynamism.<ref name=Feur>Feuerstein, Georg The Shambhala Encyclopedia of Yoga, Shambhala Publications, 1997 Available from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gu%E1%B9%87aaccessed on 10/07/2020</ref>

# Tamas guna: It means ignorance. This is responsible for laziness and delusions. It is the quality of imbalance, disorder, chaos, anxiety, impurity, destruction, delusion, negativity, dullness or inactivity, apathy, inertia or lethargy, violence, viciousness, and ignorance.<ref name=Feur />

# [[Tamas]] guna: It means ignorance. This is responsible for laziness and delusions. It is the quality of imbalance, disorder, chaos, anxiety, impurity, destruction, delusion, negativity, dullness or inactivity, apathy, inertia or lethargy, violence, viciousness, and ignorance.<ref name=Feur />

In human beings, these are represented in psychological plane as purest quality, initiator and regulator of all activities respectively. Sattva is pure form of mind, while rajas and tamas are causative factors for psychiatric disorders.[Cha.Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 1/57] These three guna connect soul ([[atma]]) with physical body. The eternal living entity ([[atma]]) is conditioned by these three modes of goodness, passion and ignorance.<ref>Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Bhagavad-Gita As it is. Chapter 14.6. 2008. Bhaktivedanta book trust. Pg 607 </ref> Salvation (moksha) is attained after freedom from all these properties.

In human beings, these are represented in psychological plane as purest quality, initiator and regulator of all activities respectively. Sattva is pure form of [[mind]], while [[rajas]] and [[tamas]] are causative factors for psychiatric disorders.[Cha.Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 1/57] These three guna connect soul ([[atma]]) with physical body. The eternal living entity ([[atma]]) is conditioned by these three modes of goodness, passion and ignorance.<ref>Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Bhagavad-Gita As it is. Chapter 14.6. 2008. Bhaktivedanta book trust. Pg 607 </ref> Salvation (moksha) is attained after freedom from all these properties.

====Relation with [[mahabhuta]] and [[dosha]]====

====Relation with [[mahabhuta]] and [[dosha]]====

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|-

|-

! Universal property  !! Fundamental element (mahabhuta) !! Cause and effect

! Universal property  !! Fundamental element ([[mahabhuta]]) !! Cause and effect

|-

|-

| | Sattva || [[Akasha]] || Enlightenment (prakashakatva)

| | Sattva || [[Akasha]] || Enlightenment (prakashakatva)

====Relation with [[dosha]]====

====Relation with [[dosha]]====

   

   

The physical (sharira) and psychological (manas) planes are inter-connected to each other. Sattva guna in psychological plane is related to [[pitta]] [[dosha]]; rajas is related to [[vata]][[dosha]] and tamas is related with [[kapha]][[dosha]]. Accordingly, the physical and psychological activities are regulated.

The physical ([[sharira]]) and psychological ([[manas]]) planes are inter-connected to each other. [[Sattva]] guna in psychological plane is related to [[pitta]] [[dosha]]; rajas is related to [[vata]][[dosha]] and tamas is related with [[kapha]][[dosha]]. Accordingly, the physical and psychological activities are regulated.

== Properties of constituents of human being ==

== Properties of constituents of human being ==

|-

|-

|}

|}

The body components show actions according to their properties. These properties are considered while treating abnormal states.<ref>Nanal R.M. Sapta dhatu and shariraguna (Marathi). In MadhujivanaShariraGunaVisheshanka (1993). Nanal Publications.pg.88-91. </ref>

The body components show actions according to their properties. These properties are considered while treating abnormal states.<ref>Nanal R.M. Sapta dhatu and sharira guna (Marathi). In MadhujivanaShariraGunaVisheshanka (1993). Nanal Publications.pg.88-91. </ref>

== Relation of properties and active constituents of substances ==

== Relation of properties and active constituents of substances ==

=== Properties and tastes ===

=== Properties and tastes ===

The substances with specific tastes (rasa) possess variable degrees of properties as below:  

The substances with specific tastes ([[rasa]]) possess variable degrees of properties as below:  

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|-

|-

These are rationally applied in treatment.  

These are rationally applied in treatment.  

=== Potency (veerya) ===

=== Potency ([[veerya]]) ===

The potency of a substance depends on the property it possesses. All substances are divided into two main categories viz. hot (ushna) and cold (sheeta) based upon their potency. [A.H.Sutra Sthana 1/17]

The potency of a substance depends on the property it possesses. All substances are divided into two main categories viz. hot (ushna) and cold (sheeta) based upon their potency. [A.H.Sutra Sthana 1/17]

== Importance of knowledge of guna ==

== Importance of knowledge of guna ==

Knowledge of guna is essential in every field to define standards. The actions or effects of each substance are caused due to its properties (guna) due to inseparable concomitance.[Cha.Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 1/50] The knowledge about property of an object is possible through analyzing its actions only.[Su.Sa.Sutra Sthana 46/514] Guna is the only principle which explains the drug activity. This is to be assessed objectively through action of that drug. The taste, potency and post digestion effect (vipaka) are the different expressions of guna only.<ref>KarraNishteswar, Importance of guna amongst rasapanchaka. IAMJ [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2020 May 05]; Available from:http://www.iamj.in/posts/images/upload/IAMJ_01.05.01.pdf</ref>  

Knowledge of guna is essential in every field to define standards. The actions or effects of each substance are caused due to its properties (guna) due to inseparable concomitance.[Cha.Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 1/50] The knowledge about property of an object is possible through analyzing its actions only.[Su.Sa.Sutra Sthana 46/514] Guna is the only principle which explains the drug activity. This is to be assessed objectively through action of that drug. The taste, potency and post digestion effect (vipaka) are the different expressions of guna only.<ref>Karra Nishteswar, Importance of guna amongst rasapanchaka. IAMJ [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2020 May 05]; Available from:http://www.iamj.in/posts/images/upload/IAMJ_01.05.01.pdf</ref>  

=== Importance in prevention ===

=== Importance in prevention ===