THE RASA IN CHARAKASAMHITA

EXPLAIN THE RASA

• 'Rasa' is considered one of the fundamental principles in Ayurveda for understanding the properties and effects of substances, especially diet and medicines.

• The concept of rasa plays a crucial role in identifying the therapeutic qualities of herbs, minerals, and food articles.

• In the Dirghanjivitiya Adhyaya of Charaka Samhita, Acharya Charaka elaborates on the origin, classification, and effects of rasa.

DEFINITION OF RASA

• 'Rasa' is defined as the first experience perceived by the tongue when a substance comes in contact with it.

• It is directly perceived (pratyaksha) through the sense of taste.

SHLOKA:

रसः पञ्चभूतसमुद्भवः। (चरक संहिता, सूत्रस्थान १:६०)

MEANING:

• Rasa is born from the five basic elements (Panchamahabhutas).

PANCHABHAUTIKA ORIGIN OF RASA

• Every rasa is a combination of two predominant mahabhutas, although it has the presence of all five.

• The predominant mahabhutas determine the characteristics of the particular rasa.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RASA AND MAHABHUTAS

• Sweet (Madhura): Prithvi + Jala

• Sour (Amla): Prithvi + Agni

• Salty (Lavana): Jala + Agni

• Pungent (Katu): Agni + Vayu

• Bitter (Tikta): Akasha + Vayu

• Astringent (Kashaya): Prithvi + Vayu

SHLOKA:

पृथिव्यापस्तेजोवाय्वाकाशाः पञ्च महाभूतानि।
एतेभ्यः संयुक्ता बहुधा भावा भवन्ति। (चरक संहिता, सूत्रस्थान १:२७)

CLASSIFICATION OF RASA

• Rasa is classified into six types (Shadrasa).

• The six rasas are:

  • Madhura (Sweet)

  • Amla (Sour)

  • Lavana (Salty)

  • Katu (Pungent)

  • Tikta (Bitter)

  • Kashaya (Astringent)

SEQUENTIAL ORDER OF RASA (RASANAM KRAMA)

• The sequence of rasas is arranged according to their evolutional predominance and therapeutic importance.

SHLOKA:

मधुरः प्रथमः, आम्लो द्वितीयः, लवणस्तृतीयः।
कटुश्चतुर्थः, तिक्तः पञ्चमः, कषायः षष्ठः। (चरक संहिता, सूत्रस्थान १:६१)

MEANING:

• Sweet is the first rasa, followed by sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent.

PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS OF EACH RASA

• MADHURA (SWEET)

  • Increases strength and nourishment.

  • Promotes longevity and ojas.

  • Pacifies vata and pitta doshas.

• AMLA (SOUR)

  • Stimulates digestion.

  • Enhances salivation.

  • Increases pitta and kapha, pacifies vata.

• LAVANA (SALTY)

  • Improves taste perception.

  • Softens tissues.

  • Increases pitta and kapha, pacifies vata.

• KATU (PUNGENT)

  • Stimulates digestion and absorption.

  • Clears the channels (srotas).

  • Increases vata and pitta, pacifies kapha.

• TIKTA (BITTER)

  • Detoxifying and anti-toxic in action.

  • Reduces burning sensations.

  • Pacifies pitta and kapha.

• KASHAYA (ASTRINGENT)

  • Helps in wound healing.

  • Absorbs moisture and stops bleeding.

  • Increases vata and pacifies pitta and kapha.

SHLOKA:

मधुरः स्थैर्यबलवर्णोपचयोपचायकारकः।
आम्लो दीपनः स्तम्भविबन्धविश्लेषणकरः।
लवणः सरः श्लेष्महरः स्नेहकरः।
कटुः कफपित्तहरः दीपनः शोधकः।
तिक्तः शोषणस्तिक्तकफपित्तहरः।
कषायः संरोधनः शोषणः स्तम्भकः। (चरक संहिता, सूत्रस्थान १:६२)

THERAPEUTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF RASA

• Rasa helps in diagnosis and treatment planning based on dosha vitiation.

• Selection of diet and medicines is largely dependent on the rasa and its effects on body doshas.

IMPORTANCE OF RASA IN MAINTAINING HEALTH

• Appropriate intake of all six rasas in proper proportion maintains dosha balance.

• An imbalance due to excessive or deficient intake of certain rasas leads to diseases.