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<big>'''Abstract'''</big>

<big>'''Abstract'''</big>

<div style="text-align:justify;">The word ‘Rasa’ literally means taste sensation, essence, fluid, mercury, flavours. This chapter is related with the tastes of food substance and its importance in diet related to health. Dosha and rasa are the prominent factors for the assessment of diseases and drugs respectively. There are six rasas - madhura (sweet), amla (sour), lavana (saline), katu (pungent), tikta (bitter), and kashaya (astringent). These have pacifying and provoking effect on physiological status of dosha in body. This effect of rasas on doshas is due to conjunction of rasas and doshas by virtue of their similar and dissimilar properties. Their proper use in accordance with the body constitution maintains health, otherwise they vitiate the dosha (increase or decrease) which leads to various disorders in the body. This interaction of rasa and dosha is described in details. Eight specific factors of dieting and twelve guidelines about eating food have been described in this chapter, which are of immense value for those seeking a healthy and long life. These rules set the criteria for categorizing food as wholesome or unwholesome. </div>

<div style="text-align:justify;">The word ‘Rasa’ literally means taste sensation, essence, fluid, mercury, flavours. This chapter is related with the tastes of food substance and its importance in diet related to health. [[Dosha]] and rasa are the prominent factors for the assessment of diseases and drugs respectively. There are six rasas - madhura (sweet), amla (sour), lavana (saline), katu (pungent), tikta (bitter), and kashaya (astringent). These have pacifying and provoking effect on physiological status of [[dosha]] in body. This effect of rasas on [[dosha]] is due to conjunction of rasas and [[dosha]] by virtue of their similar and dissimilar properties. Their proper use in accordance with the body constitution maintains health, otherwise they vitiate the [[dosha]] (increase or decrease) which leads to various disorders in the body. This interaction of rasa and [[dosha]] is described in details. Eight specific factors of dieting and twelve guidelines about eating food have been described in this chapter, which are of immense value for those seeking a healthy and long life. These rules set the criteria for categorizing food as wholesome or unwholesome. </div>

'''Keywords:''' ''Rasa'', taste, diet, codes of conduct for taking food, principles of diet, ''ashta vidha ahara visheshayatana''.

'''Keywords:''' ''Rasa'', taste, diet, codes of conduct for taking food, principles of diet, ''ashta vidha ahara visheshayatana''.

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

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The chapter [[Rasa Vimana]] deals with ''rasa'' and ''dosha'', since ''rasa'' is the primary trigger for the action of drugs on ''doshas''. Three ''rasas'' act as either enhancers or suppressors for each ''dosha''. Once the action of a particular ''rasa'' on a ''dosha'' is known, the effect of ''dravya'' can be predicted in the same manner and after knowing the action of ''dosha'' one can understand the disease process. Prolonged usage of certain food articles is known to vitiate ''doshas''. For example, if a person is consuming ''kshaara'' (alkali) and ''lavana'' (salt) for a long time, he is advised to decrease the quantity gradually to prevent the effect on ''doshas''. Typically, it is advised to take meals that have all the six ''rasas'', since that helps neutralize the effect of any particular ''rasa'' on a ''dosha''.

The chapter [[Rasa Vimana]] deals with ''rasa'' and [[dosha]], since ''rasa'' is the primary trigger for the action of drugs on [[dosha]]. Three ''rasas'' act as either enhancers or suppressors for each [[dosha]]. Once the action of a particular ''rasa'' on a [[dosha]] is known, the effect of ''dravya'' can be predicted in the same manner and after knowing the action of [[dosha]] one can understand the disease process. Prolonged usage of certain food articles is known to vitiate [[dosha]]. For example, if a person is consuming ''kshaara'' (alkali) and ''lavana'' (salt) for a long time, he is advised to decrease the quantity gradually to prevent the effect on [[dosha]]. Typically, it is advised to take meals that have all the six ''rasas'', since that helps neutralize the effect of any particular ''rasa'' on a [[dosha]].

Thus, considering the beneficial and harmful effects of food, eight types of dietary regimen have been described in [[Ayurveda]], collectively called ''ashta ahara vidhi vishesh aayatana'', with special instructions like eating freshly prepared warm food that is unctuous, neither more or less in quantity, is suitable to the individual’s capacity to digest, is suitable to the location, and that the food is not eaten too slow or too quickly.

Thus, considering the beneficial and harmful effects of food, eight types of dietary regimen have been described in [[Ayurveda]], collectively called ''ashta ahara vidhi vishesh aayatana'', with special instructions like eating freshly prepared warm food that is unctuous, neither more or less in quantity, is suitable to the individual’s capacity to digest, is suitable to the location, and that the food is not eaten too slow or too quickly.

Another agent discussed in this chapter is drugs used in pacifying aggravated ''doshas''. The use of a ''dravya'' (agent) in a specific scenario depends on its intrinsic ''rasa'' and ''guna'' and its effect on a ''dosha''. In cases where the use of a food article or an agent/''dravya'' results in direct action that is well understood, is called ''prakriti samavaya''. For example, ''taila'' (oil), ''ghrita'' (clarified butter) and ''madhu'' (honey) are known to pacify ''vata, pitta'' and ''kapha'' respectively.

Another agent discussed in this chapter is drugs used in pacifying aggravated [[dosha]]. The use of a ''dravya'' (agent) in a specific scenario depends on its intrinsic ''rasa'' and ''guna'' and its effect on a [[dosha]]. In cases where the use of a food article or an agent/''dravya'' results in direct action that is well understood, is called ''prakriti samavaya''. For example, ''taila'' (oil), ''ghrita'' (clarified butter) and ''madhu'' (honey) are known to pacify [[vata]], [[pitta]] and [[kapha]] respectively.

This rule is, however, not applicable for all afflictions or agents because when a ''dravya'' is combined with another ''dravya'' in different quantity and/or of varying purity, then the outcome could be quite different than that of a basic ''dravya''. Such outcomes are known as ''vikrati visham samavaya''. ''Rasa, dravya, dosha'' and ''vikara prabhava'' are based upon these two principles.  The three ''dravyas'' mentioned earlier (''taila, ghrita'' and ''madhu'') are largely used in formulations of other drugs, as diet, or as ''anupana'' (concomitant drug). These three do not have any side effects. On the other hand, ''pippali'' (piper longum), alkaline and saline substances invariably vitiate ''dosha'' on frequent use and are advised for limited use.

This rule is, however, not applicable for all afflictions or agents because when a ''dravya'' is combined with another ''dravya'' in different quantity and/or of varying purity, then the outcome could be quite different than that of a basic ''dravya''. Such outcomes are known as ''vikrati visham samavaya''. Rasa, dravya, [[dosha]] and ''vikara prabhava'' are based upon these two principles.  The three ''dravyas'' mentioned earlier (''taila, ghrita'' and ''madhu'') are largely used in formulations of other drugs, as diet, or as ''anupana'' (concomitant drug). These three do not have any side effects. On the other hand, ''pippali'' (piper longum), alkaline and saline substances invariably vitiate [[dosha]] on frequent use and are advised for limited use.

==Sanskrit Text, Transliteration and English Translation==

==Sanskrit Text, Transliteration and English Translation==

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After comprehending the features of a disease in terms of its etiology, prodromal features, signs and symptoms, suitability, number, predominance of morbid factor, classification, proportional variation, intensity and duration, the physician should assess carefully the features of the drugs, agents, and the constitution of the patient (''doshas'', drugs, place, time, strength, body, constitutional dominance of one or the other ''dhatu'', diet, suitability, psyche, constitution and age) because the therapeutic interventions depend on the knowledge of the features of ''doshas'', etc. A physician having no knowledge of the features of ''doshas'' is incapable of controlling the disease. Hence O Agnivesha! For the knowledge of the features of ''doshas'', etc., we shall describe this section on ''vimana'' (specific features) [3]

After comprehending the features of a disease in terms of its etiology, prodromal features, signs and symptoms, suitability, number, predominance of morbid factor, classification, proportional variation, intensity and duration, the physician should assess carefully the features of the drugs, agents, and the constitution of the patient ([[dosha]], drugs, place, time, strength, body, constitutional dominance of one or the other [[dhatu]], diet, suitability, psyche, constitution and age) because the therapeutic interventions depend on the knowledge of the features of [[dosha]], etc. A physician having no knowledge of the features of [[dosha]] is incapable of controlling the disease. Hence O Agnivesha! For the knowledge of the features of [[dosha]], etc., we shall describe this section on ''vimana'' (specific features) [3]

=== Effect of ''Rasa'' ===

=== Effect of ''Rasa'' ===

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To start with, we shall talk about the effects of ''rasa, dravya'' (substance), ''dosha'' and ''vikara'' (disorder). ''Rasas'', as we know, are six – sweet, sour, saline, pungent, bitter and astringent. These maintain the body in harmony if used appropriately otherwise vitiate the ''doshas''. [4]

To start with, we shall talk about the effects of ''rasa, dravya'' (substance), [[dosha]] and ''vikara'' (disorder). ''Rasas'', as we know, are six – sweet, sour, saline, pungent, bitter and astringent. These maintain the body in harmony if used appropriately otherwise vitiate the [[dosha]]. [4]

=== Effect of ''rasa''  on ''dosha'' ===

=== Effect of ''rasa''  on [[dosha]]===

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''Doshas'' are three – ''vata, pitta'' and ''shleshma'' (''kapha''). In their normal state, these are beneficial to the body while in an abnormal state, these afflict the body with various disorders. [5]

[[Dosha]] are three – [[vata]], [[pitta]] and [[kapha]]. In their normal state, these are beneficial to the body while in an abnormal state, these afflict the body with various disorders. [5]

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Three ''rasas'' aggravate one ''dosha'' while the other three pacify it. For example, pungent, bitter and astringent (''rasa'') aggravate ''vata'' while sweet, sour and saline pacify it. Likewise, pungent, sour and saline rasas aggravate pitta while sweet, bitter and astringent ones pacify it. Sweet, sour and saline ''rasa'' aggravate ''kapha'' while pungent, bitter and astringent pacify it. [6]

Three ''rasas'' aggravate one [[dosha]] while the other three pacify it. For example, pungent, bitter and astringent (''rasa'') aggravate [[vata]] while sweet, sour and saline pacify it. Likewise, pungent, sour and saline rasas aggravate pitta while sweet, bitter and astringent ones pacify it. Sweet, sour and saline ''rasa'' aggravate [[kapha]] while pungent, bitter and astringent pacify it. [6]

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In case of the conjunction of ''rasa'' and ''doshas, rasas'' aggravate those ''doshas'' sharing similar properties and pacify those that have opposing or antagonistic properties. This explains six ''rasas'' for the three ''doshas''. [7]

In case of the conjunction of ''rasa'' and [[dosha]], rasas aggravate those [[dosha]] sharing similar properties and pacify those that have opposing or antagonistic properties. This explains six ''rasas'' for the three [[dosha]]. [7]

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Whether it is an agent (generically termed ''dravya'' in Sanskrit) with multiple ''rasas'' or a disorder having afflictions of various ''doshas'', one should first critically analyze the role of each rasa or dosha individually and then determine the effect of the ''dravya'' and the disorder. [9]

Whether it is an agent (generically termed ''dravya'' in Sanskrit) with multiple ''rasas'' or a disorder having afflictions of various [[doshas]], one should first critically analyze the role of each rasa or dosha individually and then determine the effect of the ''dravya'' and the disorder. [9]

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Hence we shall describe the concept according to the effect of ''rasa'' (individual) and ''dravya'' (total) on one side and ''dosha'' (individual) and disease (total) on the other. [12]

Hence we shall describe the concept according to the effect of ''rasa'' (individual) and ''dravya'' (total) on one side and [[dosha]] (individual) and disease (total) on the other. [12]

===''Dravya prabhava'' (effect of ''dravya'') ===

===''Dravya prabhava'' (effect of ''dravya'') ===