Anupāna and the Doṣa-Effects of Foods, Waters, Dairy, Oils, and Preparations
नादेयं वातलं रूक्षं सारसं मदुर लघु / वातश्लेष्महरं वार्प्यं ताडागं वातलं स्मृतम्
nādeyaṃ vātalaṃ rūkṣaṃ sārasaṃ madura laghu / vātaśleṣmaharaṃ vārpyaṃ tāḍāgaṃ vātalaṃ smṛtam
ماءُ النهر يُقال إنه يزيد فاتا ويُيبِّس، وإن كان أيضًا «حاملًا للجوهر»، حلوًا وخفيفًا. وماءُ الآبار والآبار المُدرَّجة يزيل فاتا والبلغم (śleṣman). وأمّا ماءُ البرك والخزّانات فمذكورٌ في التقليد أنه يزيد فاتا.
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda)
Dosha: Vata/Kapha
Concept: Contextual discernment (yukti) in daily necessities: not all ‘water’ is equal; source affects guṇa and doṣa impact.
Vedantic Theme: Yukti and viveka in the empirical realm (vyavahāra) to maintain sattva and reduce avoidable duḥkha.
Application: River-water is described as vāta-aggravating and drying though also sweet/light; well/stepwell water alleviates vāta-kapha; pond/tank water is vāta-aggravating—choose water source according to constitution, season, and cleanliness.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Type: water sources
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.169 (water typology continues)
This verse assigns doṣic effects to river, well, and pond water, showing that the Purana preserves practical health guidance alongside its spiritual teachings.
Indirectly: the text emphasizes disciplined living and bodily regulation; such self-care supports clarity, ritual fitness, and steadiness in dharmic practice, which the Purana links to auspicious outcomes.
Prefer clean water suited to one’s constitution and condition; be cautious with stagnant sources, and note that dryness and vāta symptoms may worsen with certain waters—use discernment and hygiene.