20 Gunas

In Ayurveda, Vimshati guna refers to the twenty qualities or attributes that are used to describe the nature and characteristics of substances, including herbs, foods, and medicines. These qualities help to determine the effect that a substance will have on the body and mind, and guide Ayurvedic practitioners in their selection of appropriate remedies for specific health conditions.

The twenty gunas in Ayurveda are:

1. Guru (heavy)

2. Laghu (light)

3. Snigdha (unctuous or oily)

4. Ruksha (dry)

5. Mrdu (soft)

6. Khar (rough)

7. Sthira (stable)

8. Sara (mobile or fluid)

9. Visada (clear or transparent)

10. Picchila (sticky)

11. Tikshna (sharp or penetrating)

12. Manda (dull or slow)

13. Shlakshna (smooth)

14. Khara (harsh)

15. Sthula (gross)

16. Sukshma (subtle)

17. Sandra (dense)

18. Drava (liquid)

19. Sheeta (cold)

20. Ushna (hot)

These qualities are used to understand the properties of different substances and to create a customized treatment plan based on the individual's unique needs. For example, if someone has a dry and rough constitution, a practitioner may recommend a diet that includes more oily and moist foods to help balance their body

1. Guru: Heavy - This quality refers to substances that have a heavy, solid, or dense quality. This can include foods that are rich and hearty, or herbs that have a grounding effect on the body.

2. Laghu: Light - This quality refers to substances that are light and easy to digest. This can include foods that are low in fat and calories, or herbs that have a gentle, cleansing effect on the body.

3. Snigdha: Oily - This quality refers to substances that are oily or unctuous. This can include foods that are high in healthy fats, such as avocado or ghee, or herbs that have a nourishing effect on the body.

4. Ruksha: Dry - This quality refers to substances that are dry and rough. This can include foods that are dehydrating, such as popcorn or crackers, or herbs that have a drying effect on the body.

5. Mrdu: Soft - This quality refers to substances that are soft and gentle. This can include foods that are easy to chew and digest, or herbs that have a soothing effect on the body.

6. Khar: Rough - This quality refers to substances that are rough and coarse. This can include foods that have a rough texture, such as bran flakes or raw vegetables, or herbs that have a stimulating effect on the body.

7. Sthira: Stable - This quality refers to substances that are stable and consistent. This can include foods that have a calming effect on the body, or herbs that have a grounding effect on the mind.

8. Sara: Mobile - This quality refers to substances that are mobile or fluid. This can include foods that have a purifying effect on the body, such as watermelon or cucumber, or herbs that have a cleansing effect on the mind.

9. Visada: Clear - This quality refers to substances that are clear and transparent. This can include foods that are light and refreshing, such as coconut water or green tea, or herbs that have a clarifying effect on the mind.

10. Picchila: Sticky - This quality refers to substances that are sticky or adhesive. This can include foods that are sticky or gooey, such as rice pudding or oatmeal, or herbs that have a nourishing effect on the body.

11. Tikshna: Sharp - This quality refers to substances that are sharp or penetrating. This can include foods that are spicy or pungent, such as ginger or cayenne pepper, or herbs that have a stimulating effect on the body and mind.

12. Manda: Dull - This quality refers to substances that are dull or slow. This can include foods that are calming and soothing, such as warm milk or cooked grains, or herbs that have a relaxing effect on the body and mind.

13. Shlakshna: Smooth - This quality refers to substances that are smooth and slippery. This can include foods that have a lubricating effect on the body, such as avocado or flaxseed oil, or herbs that have a calming effect on the mind.

14. Khara: Harsh - This quality refers to substances that are harsh or severe. This can include foods that are bitter or astringent, such as dark chocolate or green tea, or herbs that have a cleansing effect

15. Sthula (gross): This quality refers to substances that are gross or heavy. It can be helpful for conditions that require a grounding or stabilizing effect.

16. Sukshma (subtle): This quality refers to substances that are subtle or refined. It can be helpful for conditions that require a subtle or gentle approach.

17. Sandra (dense): This quality refers to substances that are dense or compact. It can be helpful for conditions that require a compact or dense effect.

18. Drava (liquid): This quality refers to substances that are liquid or fluid. It can be helpful for conditions that require hydration or circulation.

19. Sheeta (cold): This quality refers to substances that are cold. It can be helpful for conditions that require cooling or reducing inflammation.

20. Ushna (hot): This quality refers to substances that are hot. It can be helpful for conditions that require stimulation or warming.

In Ayurveda, each of these qualities is considered to have different effects on the body and mind, and they are used to customize treatments based on the individual's constitution and health condition.

1. Guru (heavy) - Laghu (light)

2. Snigdha (unctuous or oily) - Ruksha (dry)

3. Mrdu (soft) - Khara (rough)

4. Sthira (stable) - Sara (mobile or fluid)

5. Visada (clear or transparent) - Picchila (sticky)

6. Tikshna (sharp or penetrating) - Manda (dull or slow)

7. Shlakshna (smooth) - Khara (harsh)

8. Sthula (gross) - Sukshma (subtle)

9. Sandra (dense) - Drava (liquid)

10. Sheeta (cold) - Ushna (hot)