Shloka 20
Rasa-Dravya Varga: Sweet, Sour, Salty, Pungent, Bitter, Astringent; Snehana and Svedana Guidelines
कषायो ग्राहको रोपी स्तम्भनक्लेदशोषणः / एको ऽत्यर्थं सेव्यमानो हृदये चाथ पीडकः / मुखशोषज्वराध्मानमन्यास्तम्भादिकारकः
kaṣāyo grāhako ropī stambhanakledaśoṣaṇaḥ / eko 'tyarthaṃ sevyamāno hṛdaye cātha pīḍakaḥ / mukhaśoṣajvarādhmānamanyāstambhādikārakaḥ
कषाय रस हा ग्रहण करणारा, जखम भरून आणणारा, स्तंभक व ओलावा शोषणारा आहे. पण केवळ कषायाचा अतिरेकाने सेवन केल्यास तो हृदयास पीडा देतो आणि मुखशोष, ज्वर, पोटफुगी, मान जड होणे इत्यादी विकार करतो.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)
Concept: Mātrā (proper measure) and avoidance of ekānta (one-sided excess) even in beneficial substances.
Vedantic Theme: Madhyamā-pratipad (the balanced way); sattvic regulation of the body as an aid to clarity and duty.
Application: Use astringent therapies judiciously; monitor signs of overuse (dry mouth, fever, bloating, stiffness) and adjust diet/medicine accordingly.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.173 (Ayurveda section: guṇa-doṣa, dravya-varga, mātrā)
FAQs
It is described as binding and healing and as drying excess moisture, but the verse stresses that excess use becomes harmful and creates systemic distress.
It frames health as a disciplined practice: even beneficial qualities become harmful when pursued one-sidedly or in excess, aligning bodily restraint with dharmic moderation.
If using astringent-heavy diets or herbs (drying regimens), watch for dryness, bloating, or strain and rebalance with appropriate foods and professional guidance.