Dravya (द्रव्य)

Dravya means 'substance'. In Ayurveda, it is the substratum where the qualities (Guna) and actions (Karma) reside. It is.

Ayurvedic Principles (Siddhanta Kosha) 1 min read
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Sanskrit Verse

यत्राश्रिताः कर्मगुणाः कारणं समवायि यत्। तत् द्रव्यम्…॥

— (Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 1/51)

Explanation

Dravya means ‘substance’. In Ayurveda, it is the substratum where the qualities (Guna) and actions (Karma) reside. It is the fundamental cause of any pharmacological effect. A dravya can be any substance in the universe, be it a plant, mineral, or animal product, as all are composed of the Pancha Mahabhutas.

Clinical Importance

Dravya Guna Vijnana (Ayurvedic pharmacology) is the science of understanding substances (Dravyas) and their properties. The entire practice of prescribing food and medicine is based on selecting the correct Dravya with the desired Gunas and Karma.