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The Sanskrit term “rasa” denotes a wide spectrum of meanings viz. “sap”, “juice”, “essence”, “taste, flavor”, “delight”, “charm,” and “sentiment,” etc. In Ayurveda, the term denotes taste/flavor, primary circulating nutritional fluid (ahararasa), fresh juice of plant (svarasa).In the context of rasashastra it indicates quicksilver, mercury (parada) and other precious metals. In Ayurveda, the primary taste is one of the identifying markers of the dravya. Apart from the contemporary meaning of taste, the concept of rasa has a wider pharmacological approach. The taste plays a vital role in deriving the pharmacological activity profile of the medicines.A physician, well acquainted with the classification of rasa and dosha, seldom commits blunders in ascertaining the etiology, symptomatology, and treatment of diseases.<ref>Nishteswar K. Watermark of original Ayurveda: Is it fading away in current clinical practice and research? Ayu [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2022 Oct 10];35(3):219. Available from: /pmc/articles/PMC4649574/</ref> This chapterdescribes concept of rasa (taste) with its applications in pharmacotherapeutics. </div>
The Sanskrit term “rasa” denotes a wide spectrum of meanings viz. “sap”, “juice”, “essence”, “taste, flavor”, “delight”, “charm,” and “sentiment,” etc. In [[Ayurveda|Ayurveda]], the term denotes taste/flavor, primary circulating nutritional fluid (ahararasa), fresh juice of plant (svarasa). In the context of rasashastra it indicates quicksilver, mercury (parada) and other precious metals. In [[Ayurveda|Ayurveda]], the primary taste is one of the identifying markers of the dravya. Apart from the contemporary meaning of taste, the concept of rasa has a wider pharmacological approach. The taste plays a vital role in deriving the pharmacological activity profile of the medicines. A physician, well acquainted with the classification of rasa and [[Dosha|dosha]], seldom commits blunders in ascertaining the etiology, symptomatology, and treatment of [[Vyadhi|diseases]].<ref>Nishteswar K. Watermark of original Ayurveda: Is it fading away in current clinical practice and research? Ayu [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2022 Oct 10];35(3):219. Available from: /pmc/articles/PMC4649574/</ref> This chapterdescribes concept of rasa (taste) with its applications in pharmacotherapeutics. </div>
{{Infobox
{{Infobox
! Usage of the term “rasa”
! Usage of the term “rasa”
|-
|-
| Ayurveda
| [[Ayurveda|Ayurveda]]
| Taste, flavour as perceived by tongue; <br/>Primary circulation nutritional fluid (rasadhatu)<br/>Fresh Juice of a plant (svarasa)
| Taste, flavour as perceived by tongue; <br/>Primary circulation nutritional fluid (rasadhatu)<br/>Fresh Juice of a plant (svarasa)
|-
|-
== Discussion regarding the number of rasa ==
== Discussion regarding the number of rasa ==
The number of tastes, which has been the subject of much debate in Charak Samhita and ranges from one to infinite, is ultimately determined to be six.<ref>Sharma P. Dravyaguna Vijnana, Part-1 (Moulik Siddhant). Revised Go. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Bharati Academy; 2010. 190–262 p.</ref> [Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 26/28]
The number of tastes, which has been the subject of much debate in [[Charak Samhita New Edition|Charak Samhita]] and ranges from one to infinite, is ultimately determined to be six.<ref>Sharma P. Dravyaguna Vijnana, Part-1 (Moulik Siddhant). Revised Go. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Bharati Academy; 2010. 190–262 p.</ref> [Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 26/28]
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto"
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto"
! Number of Rasas
! Number of Rasas
|-
|-
| Two
| Two
| 1. Sharp, weight reducing (Chhedaniya, langhana) <br/>2. Pacifying, nourishing, weight increasing (upashamaniya, brimhaniya)
| 1. Sharp, weight reducing (Chhedaniya, [[Langhana|langhana]]) <br/>2. Pacifying, nourishing, weight increasing (upashamaniya, brimhaniya)
| Shakunteya Brahmana
| Shakunteya Brahmana
| The argument is based on activity of the ingredient and not specific to taste, hence not acceptable.
| The argument is based on activity of the ingredient and not specific to taste, hence not acceptable.
|-
|-
| Five
| Five
| 1. Earth element predominant (Bhauma)<br/>2. Water element predominant (Udaka)<br/>3. Fire element predominant (Agneya)<br/>4. Air element predominant (Vayavya)<br/>5. Space element predominant (Akashiya)
| 1. Earth element predominant (Bhauma)<br/>2. Water element predominant (Udaka)<br/>3. Fire element predominant ([[Agneya|Agneya]])<br/>4. Air element predominant (Vayavya)<br/>5. Space element predominant (Akashiya)
| KumarashiraBharadwaja
| KumarashiraBharadwaja
| The group represents substances in general and not specific to taste, hence not acceptable.
| The group represents substances in general and not specific to taste, hence not acceptable.
|-
|-
| Seven
| Seven
| 1. Sweet (madhura)<br/>2. Sour (amla)<br/>3. Salt (lavana)<br/>4. Katu (pungent)<br/>5. Bitter (tikta)<br/>6. Astringent (kashaya)<br/>7. Alkaline (kshara)
| 1. [[Madhura|Sweet (madhura)]]<br/>2. [[Amla|Sour (amla)]]<br/>3. [[Lavana|Salt (lavana)]]<br/>4. [[Katu|Katu (pungent)]]<br/>5. [[Tikta|Bitter (tikta)]]<br/>6. [[Kashaya|Astringent (kashaya)]]<br/>7. Alkaline (kshara)
| Nimi
| Nimi
| First six among this group are acceptable, however alkalinity (seventh entity) which is considered as part of saline taste cannot be a separate entity. Hence tastes are six only.
| First six among this group are acceptable, however alkalinity (seventh entity) which is considered as part of saline taste cannot be a separate entity. Hence tastes are six only.
|-
|-
| Eight
| Eight
| Above seven, unperceivable, tastelessness (avyakta)
| Above seven, unperceivable, tastelessness ([[Avyakta|avyakta]])
| BadishaDhamargava
| BadishaDhamargava
| In consideration to the above argument and alsoabsurdity of counting tastelessness as a separate taste, this proposition is not acceptable.
| In consideration to the above argument and alsoabsurdity of counting tastelessness as a separate taste, this proposition is not acceptable.
=== Taste composition based on five primary elements ===
=== Taste composition based on five primary elements ===
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According to the Rasavaisheshika, one may deduce the main elemental makeup of tastes based on characteristics (guna). By grouping tastes according to degrees in terms of six major tastes, the Charak Samhita has provided a clear hint and denotes the proportionate existence of fundamental elements in them.
According to the Rasavaisheshika, one may deduce the main elemental makeup of tastes based on characteristics ([[Guna|guna]]). By grouping tastes according to degrees in terms of six major tastes, the Charak Samhita has provided a clear hint and denotes the proportionate existence of fundamental elements in them.
Using this as a criterion, the elemental makeup of tastes may be deduced. Additionally, the relative positions of the components in each taste should be set appropriately so one can understand both the contribution of the critical features and their relative predominance.
Using this as a criterion, the elemental makeup of tastes may be deduced. Additionally, the relative positions of the components in each taste should be set appropriately so one can understand both the contribution of the critical features and their relative predominance.