Prabhava (प्रभाव)

Prabhava is the 'special action' of a substance that cannot be explained by its Rasa, Guna, Virya, or Vipaka alone. It i.

Ayurvedic Principles (Siddhanta Kosha) 1 min read
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Sanskrit Verse

रसवीर्यविपाकानां सामान्यं यत्र कर्मणाम्। विशेषः कर्मणां चैव प्रभावस्तस्य स स्मृतः॥

— (Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 26/67)

Explanation

Prabhava is the ‘special action’ of a substance that cannot be explained by its Rasa, Guna, Virya, or Vipaka alone. It is an inexplicable, unique potency. For example, both ghee and milk are sweet and cooling, but only ghee enhances digestive fire (Agni deepana) - this is its Prabhava.

Clinical Importance

Prabhava explains why certain herbs have very specific and powerful effects that defy simple classification. For example, Brahmi’s specific action on the intellect (Medhya) is considered its Prabhava.