Astanga Hrdayam of Vaghbata, CH1,11

pittaṃ sasneha tīkṣṇoṣṇam laghu visraṃ saraṃ dravam: ||

The qualities of Pitta are unctuous, sharp, hot, light, foul-smelling, fluid/mobile, liquid.

GUṆAS	QUALITIES/CHARACTERISTICS	VPK↑
Sasneha सस्नेह	slightly oily, unctuous, greasy; affectionate, tender	PK
Tīkṣṇa तीक्ष्ण	sharp, intense, penetrating	VP
Uṣṇa उष्ण	hot	P
Laghu लघु	light	VP
Visraṃ	foul-smelling	P
Sara सर	fluid, mobile, spreading	VP
Drava द्रव	liquid	PK, then K↓

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Astanga Hrdayam of Vaghbata, CH1,18

guru manda hima snigdha ślakṣṇa sāndra mṛdu sthirā

guṇā: sasūkṣma viśadā: viṃśati: sa viparyayā: ||

Heavy, Slow, Cool, Unctuous, Smooth, Dense, Soft and Stable. These qualities, along with subtle, clear and their opposites, comprise the 20 qualities.

• guru (heavy) • laghu (light in weight)
• manda (slow). • tiksna (quick,fast)
• sheeta/hima (cold) • ushna (hot)
• snighda (unctuous) • ruksa (dry)
• slaksna (smooth) • khara (rough)
• sandra (solid) • drava (liquid)
• mrdu (soft) • kathina (hard)
• sthira (stable) • cala/sara (moving, unstable)
• suksma (stable, small) • sthula (big,gross)
• vishada (non slimy) • picchila (slimy)

Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana, CH 1, 41

• Āyus + Vid

Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana, CH 1, 44-45

• Like increases like. Opposite qualities balance each other.

Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana, CH 1, 49

• 20 Gurvādi Guṇas

Normal Functions

• Enables proper digestion of food
• Enables proper perception of visual objects by eye
• Helps in maintaining normal temperature of body
• Provides normal complexion to an individual
• Responsible for manifestation of boldness, pleasure and tranquility

Abnormal Functions

• Will cause improper indigestion of food and production of toxic byproducts (Āma). Āma produces blocks in all channels of body, deplete tissues of nutrition, get accumulated in tissues and channels and damage them over a period of time, causing disorders.
• Causes improper perception of visual object by eye, causes visual errors, eye diseases and blindness
• Responsible for sub-normal or abnormal body temperature which in turn is cause of low metabolism in body and root for many systemic illnesses
• Provides impaired color and complexion to an individual
• Responsible for manifestation of fear, delusion & worry

Seasons

• Accumulates in rainy season
• Aggravates in autumn season

Life Cycle

Middle age: time of productivity, active working & earning. Requires energy, enthusiasm of pitta.

Physical & mental burnout, inflammatory disorders and emotional turmoil.

Bowel Movement

• soft and smooth
• loose stools

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Tastes

INCREASE PITTA ↑	DECREASE PITTA ↓
Pungent	Sweet
Sour	Bitter
Salty	Astringent

Foods

Grains	oats, amaranth, barely, rice, wheat
Spices	turmeric, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cardamom, fennel
Herbs	dill, mint
Veggies	all sweet and astringent types of vegetable, leafy green vegetables, green beans, broccoli, peas, cucumber, potatoes, cabbage, squash, mushrooms, lettuce, celeriac, asparagus, courgettes
Fruits	bananas, pears, plums, figs, pomegranates, cherries, mangos, melons, grapes. Fruit should be consumed at least one hour before or after meals, and not at all in the evening.
Meats	eggs in moderation. Fish should be avoided. Other meat products as well.