| *''Rasa'' (taste) is one of the attributes present in ''dravyas'' (substances), which can be perceived by the tongue. | | *''Rasa'' (taste) is one of the attributes present in ''dravyas'' (substances), which can be perceived by the tongue. |
| **There are six ''rasas, madhura'' (sweet), ''amla'' (sour), ''lavana'' (salty), ''katu'' (pungent)'', tikta'' (bitter) and ''kashaya'' (astringent). | | **There are six ''rasas, madhura'' (sweet), ''amla'' (sour), ''lavana'' (salty), ''katu'' (pungent)'', tikta'' (bitter) and ''kashaya'' (astringent). |
− | **Each ''Rasa'' is composed of two [[mahabhuta]] (basic elements). Madhura rasa is made up of [[Prithvi]] and [[apa]], amla rasa of [[Prithvi]] and [[agni]], lavana of [[apa]] and [[agni]], katu of [[vayu]] and [[agni]], tikta of [[vayu]] and [[akasa]] , and kashaya is made up of [[vayu]] and [[Prithvi]]. | + | **Each ''Rasa'' is composed of two [[mahabhuta]] (basic elements). Madhura rasa is made up of [[Prithvi]] and [[apa]], amla rasa of [[Prithvi]] and [[agni]], lavana of [[apa]] and [[agni]], katu of [[vayu]] and [[agni]], tikta of [[vayu]] and [[akasha]] , and kashaya is made up of [[vayu]] and [[Prithvi]]. |
| *Rasas influence [[dosha]] which influence health and disease. For example: madhura, amla and lavana aggravate [[kapha]], while katu, tikta, and kashaya pacify it. Similarly, amla, lavana and katu aggravate [[pitta]] while madhura, tikta, and kashaya pacify it. And katu, tikta and kashaya aggravate [[vata]], while madhura, amla and lavana pacify it. Thus, three rasa aggravate one [[dosha]], whereas others pacify it. Proportionate use of all six rasas in a diet is considered healthy practice and forms the basis of a superior [[satmya]]. | | *Rasas influence [[dosha]] which influence health and disease. For example: madhura, amla and lavana aggravate [[kapha]], while katu, tikta, and kashaya pacify it. Similarly, amla, lavana and katu aggravate [[pitta]] while madhura, tikta, and kashaya pacify it. And katu, tikta and kashaya aggravate [[vata]], while madhura, amla and lavana pacify it. Thus, three rasa aggravate one [[dosha]], whereas others pacify it. Proportionate use of all six rasas in a diet is considered healthy practice and forms the basis of a superior [[satmya]]. |
| **The three aggravator rasas have similar [[mahabhuta]] constitution as the [[dosha]] while the other three pacifier rasas have opposite [[mahabhuta]] constitution. | | **The three aggravator rasas have similar [[mahabhuta]] constitution as the [[dosha]] while the other three pacifier rasas have opposite [[mahabhuta]] constitution. |