Galore International Journal of Health Sciences and Research Vol.4; Issue: 2; April-June 2019 Website: www.gijhsr.com Review Article P-ISSN: 2456-9321 Shadrasas (Six Types of Tastes) According To Different Ayurvedic Texts - A Literary Survey Dr. Umakant N. Rabb Assistant Professor, Department of Dravyaguna Vijnana, Acharya Deshbhushan Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital, Shamnewadi-Bedkihal, Tal: Chikkodi, Dist: Belagavi, Karnataka, INDIA. ABSTRACT 3. Rasa[3] as one of the pharmaceutical preparation i.e. the juice which is The word Rasa comprises different meanings as expressed through the machine. per classics. Among them, the one which is 4. Rasa[4] as Mansa Rasa perceived through the tongue is known as Rasa, 5. Rasa[5] as Taste perception which is Pradhana Rasa ie primary taste or 6. Rasa as Interest or Abhiruchi.[6] main taste. Whereas that which is perceived Here in this context the word Rasa is taste after a small period of time called Anu-Rasa. The Anu-Rasa also called as Uparasa or perception. And it is felt by an individual through the Rasanendriya ie tongue. As per secondary taste. The taste of the wet drug is [7] always considered as Anu-Rasa whereas the Ayurveda there are six types of Rasa. Viz; taste of dry drug is Pradhana Rasa. The Rasa Madhura- Sweet, Amla- Sour, Lavana- and Anu-Rasa concept is based on the Taste Salty, Katu- Pungent, Tikta- Bitter, Kashya- threshold. The intensity and its determination is Astringent. Acharya Sushruta clarifies that entirely depends upon the ecological condition. different combination of Mahabhuta [8] leads The soil, temperature, rain fall, sun light etc to the formation of six Rasas. All the six factors are mainly take part in the growth and Rasa have Mahabhuta but the predominant development of the plant. The soil nutrients like Mahabhuta determines the Pradhana Rasa. potassium, phosphorous, sulphur, calcium, The Anu-Rasa is the secondary taste magnesium etc salts affects the taste of the drug. The present study reveals that the six types of perception which is perceived after primary tastes, determination, Guna, Karma, Ati taste. The Rasa is Stable in dry state. sevanajanya vikarasa, Rasa-Dosha relation, and Whereas Anu Rasa is unstable. As per some modern aspects. The further scope of the modern science taste organ is nothing but study is to evaluate the controversial aspects of the Taste buds. Each taste bud is made up of tastes of the drug which are enumerated in 100-150 receptors. The life of each receptor classics along with comparative study with the is one to two weeks, after these receptors modern science. are replaced by the other receptors. Keywords: Ayurveda, Shad Rasa, DISCUSSION Atisevanajanya Vikara, Anu-Rasa, Taste All the Dravyas are said to be made up of threshold etc Panchamahabuta, the Panchamahabhuta INTRODUCTION which are non-living entities combine by The word Rasa can be attributed in different permutation and combination by certain contexts. Viz; chemical reactions give rise to Tridoshas. 1. Rasa [1] means the Rasa Dhatu which These Tridoshas have some basic chemical circulate all over the body. structures which further give rise to the 2. Rasa [2] is Parad (Mercury) as per dominant Rasa. Therefore the Doshas can Indian Alchemy. only be understood through Rasa. Eg. The combination of Panchamahabhuta took Galore International Journal of Health Sciences and Research (www.gijhsr.com) 42 Vol.4; Issue: 2; April-June 2019 Umakant N. Rabb. Shadrasas (Six Types of Tastes) According To Different Ayurvedic Texts - A Literary Survey place in order of evolution, ie, Akasha Kshara. He mentioned kshara because it Mhabhuta is combined with Vayu the kshara gives perticular type of Mahabhuta produces Tikta rasa, which sensation on the tongue. further give rise to Vata Dosha. Then Vayu 8. Maharshi Badisha Dhamargava who Mahabhuta combined with Agni Mahabhuta enumerated that Rasas are eight in produces Katu Rasa, which in turn produces number, viz; Madhura, Amla, Lavana, Pitta dosha. Then the Agni Mahabhuta Katu, Tikta, Kashaya, Kshara, and combined with Apa produces Lavana Rasa Avyakta. Avyakta he specified because which in turn produces Kapha Dosha. Thus some tastes cannon be perceived all the three Doshas are produced. through the organ tongue. There are some controversial views related 9. Maharshi Kanakayana Balhika Bhishak- to Rasa accoding to different Ayurvedic He told Rasa are innumerable because Acharyas. To rule out the controversy the degrees and intensities of each Rasa Maharshi Atreya called a symposium which constanly changing. So the Rasas are was held about three thousand years ago. innumerable. The Rishis[9] and scholors came to attend the 10. Maharshi Punarvasu Atreya- He Heard seminar from all around the world to put all the scholors opinion and came into their views on the Rasa. Viz; conclusion that Rasa are only six in 1. Maharshi Bhadrakapya viewed that number, viz; Madhura, Amla, Lavana, number of Rasa is only One, because the Katu, Tikta, Kashaya. Rest all the are Apa Mahabhuta only nature and the actions of these Rasas only. responsible for to taste perception. 2. Maharshi Shakunteya Bramhana- He According to Acharya Sushruta[10] Jala told that the Rasa are two in number; Mahabhuta when combines with different Chedaniya and Upashamaniya. The Mahabhuta produces six Rasa, ie Madhura, earlier one does Apatarpana because Amla, Lavana, Katu, Tikta, Kashaya. Lavana, Amla, and Katu Rasa are Acharya Vagbhata[11] has the same opinion responsible for this particular Karma, that Rasa are six in number; Madhura, and the later one is Santarpana because Amla, Lavana, Katu, Tikta , Kashaya. Madhura, Tikta ,Kashaya are responsible for this particular Karma. The inter-ralation between Rasa and 3. Maharshi Purnaksha Maudgalya- He Mahabhata- (Manifestation of Rasas)[12] enumerated the Rasas are three in Madhura- Jala + Prithvi number viz; Chedaniya, Upashamaniya, Amla- Pritvi + Agni according to Acharya and Sadharana. Charaka, Vriddhavagbhata, and Vagbhata 4. Maharshi Hiranyaksha Kaushika- As Jala + Agni according to Acharya per his view the Rasas are four viz; Sushruta Swadu Hita, Swadu Ahita, Aswadu Hita, Lavana - Jala + Agni according to Acharya Aswadu Ahita. Charaka and Vagbhata 5. Maharshi Kumarashira Bharadwaj- He Prithvi + Agni according to Acharya enumerated Rasas asper Mahabhuta, viz; Sushruta Parthiva, Apya, Agneya, Vyavaya, Agni + Jala according to Maharshi Antarisha/Akasha. Nagarjun 6. Rajarshi Varyovida- He listed the Rasa Katu - Vayu + Agni are six viz; Guru, Laghu, Sheeta, Ushna, Tikta - Vayu + Akasha Snigdha, Ruksha. He divided Rasa Kashaya - Vayu + Prithvi interms of Gunas. 7. Maharshi Vaideha Nimi- He explained Difference between Rasa and Anu-Rasa- Rasa are seven viz; Madhura, Amla, Rasa is primary taste, perceived Lavana, Katu, Tikta, Kashaya and immediately, distinctly, and completely, and Galore International Journal of Health Sciences and Research (www.gijhsr.com) 43 Vol.4; Issue: 2; April-June 2019 Umakant N. Rabb. Shadrasas (Six Types of Tastes) According To Different Ayurvedic Texts - A Literary Survey remains stable in dry state also, whereas the changes into sour taste when kept for Aun-Rasa is secondary taste, perceived after longer duration. some time, and not distinctly perceived, but 2. Patra- Dravyas kept in certain metallic perceived partly but not stable in dry state. utensils changes its taste. Eg: Curd kept in bronze utensil turns pungent taste. Relation between Rutu, Mahabhuta and 3. Samyoga- When the drugs are combined Rasas formation- [13] it changes its taste. Eg: Tamarind is 1. Shishira Rutu- Vayu + Akasha forms combined with Lime turns into sweet Tikta Rasa taste. 2. Vasanta Rutu - Vayu + Prithvi forms 4. Paaka- A drug which is exposed to heat Kashaya Rasa changes its taste. Eg: Tamarind when 3. Grishma Rutu - Agni + Vayu forms heated changes into sweet taste. Katu Rasa 5. Atapa- Certain drugs when exposed to 4. Varsha Rutu - Agni + Prithvi forms sun leads to change in taste. Eg: Amla Rasa Tumburu Phala is exposed to sun light 5. Sharat Rutu - Agni + Jala forms its Kashaya Rasa changes into sweet Lavana Rasa taste. 6. Hemnatha Rutu - Prithvi + Jala forms 6. Bhavana- A drugs when triturated with Madhura Rasa. certain drugs or single gives rise to The disturbance in the seasons may affects different colour. Eg: Tila when it the Mahabhuta also, which may further triturated with Yasthimadhu gives rise to affects the permutation and combination of sweet taste. the Mahabhutas, and there is variation in the 7. Desha- Taste of the drugs may differ Rasa perception. according to Desha (Region), Eg: Tulasi grown in hot climatic conditions are Rasa Upalabdhi- (Perception of Taste)- some different taste which is grown in According to Badhnta Nagarjun the taste cold climatic condition. can be perceived through three Pramanas 8. Kaala- After some time the taste of the viz; Pratyaksha - By direct perception from drug may vary. Eg: The unripe banana is sense organ. Eg: Tikta Rasa of Kirata Tikta, astringent, after some time it changes Vasa, Guduchi etc into sweet taste. Anumana- Through inference. Eg: All types 9. Parinaama- Transformation of the drug of poisonous drugs cannot be perceived from one form into another form can be directly. seen change in the taste. Eg: Curdling of Aptopadesha- Through ancient literature. sweet milk becomes sour. Eg: The Rasa of Gold, Mala, Mutra, their 10. Upasarga- Worm infestation may leads action cannot be perceived through the change in the colour. Eg: Infested Pratyaksha and Anumana. It can only be sugarcane turns in to sour. reviewed through the classical literature. 11. Vikriya- Drugs subjecting into specific methods leads to change in taste. Eg: Rasa Rupantarana- (Transformation of Talaphala when rubbed turns bitter, Rasa) - Panasa squeezed in hands becomes According to Badhant Nagarjun, Rasa can Amla. be changed under the influence of Sthana, Patra, Samyoga, Paaka, Atapa, Bhavana, Rasa Prayoga- Desha, Kaala, Parinama, Upasarga, The usage of the Rasa in food consumption Vikriya.