SHADRASA—(six tastes)


Swâdu (sweet), amla (sour), [avalla (salt), tikta ibitter), üaa (pungent) and käya (astringent) are the six rasăs (tastes); they are present in the substances, each one is more strengthening (to the body) i’x their order of precedence.
J’totes :-—Taste is also a gua ( quality) of every substance, each subst. ance may have one or more tastes, which becomes known when the substance is put on the tongue. The first, clearly recognisable taste is known as Pradhăna rasa (primary taste) and the remaining tastes which are recognised later and mildly are anurasa (secondary taste). In respect of giving strength to th body, kaäya ( astringent) provides the minium, üsaia (pungent) a little more and so on, swădu (sweet) providing the maximum.

Alleviation of doas by tastes—

The first three tastes ( swŕdu) anila and lavana ) alleviate
mitigate, cause decrease ) maruta (vata); the three starting with tikta (tikta, Uaiia and kaaya) alleviate kapha; kaaya, tikta and madhura alleviate pitta; whereas the others cause their increac (aggravation of the doăs).


Dravyabhedali—(kinds of substances)

Dravyas (substances used as food, drugs, etc.) are of three kinds viz. amana (those which alleviate the dosăs), kopană (those which aggravate the doas) and swasthahita (suitable for bealthf which help maintain health).