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
கசாயச் சுவை உறிஞ்சும் தன்மை உடையது; காயம் ஆறச் செய்யும், இறுக்கச் செய்யும், ஈரத்தைக் காயவைக்கும். ஆனால் கசாயத்தை மட்டும் அளவுக்கு மீறி உண்டால் இதயம் துன்புறும்; வாய்வறட்சி, காய்ச்சல், வயிற்றுப் புடைப்பு, கழுத்து உறைப்பு முதலிய குறைகள் உண்டாகும்.
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.