Madhura-Groups

The drugs forming the groups known as the Kakolyadi-Gana, as well as thickened milk, Ghee, lard, marrow, Shali and Shashtika rice, Yava, Godhuma, Masha pulse, Shringataka, Kasheruka, Trapusha, Ervaruka, Alavu, Kalaukata Ankalodya, Piyala, Pushkara, Vijaka, Kashmarya, Madhuka (Moula), Draksha, Kharjura, Rajadana, Tala, Narikela, modifications of the expressed Juice of Ikshu (Sugarcane), Vala, Ativala, Atmagupta, Vidari, Pyashya, Gokshuraka, Kshiramorata, Madhulika, and Kushmanda etc. are generally included within the Madhura group.

Acid Groups

The fruits known as Dadima, Amalaka, Matulanga, Amrutaka, Kapittha, Karamarda, Vadra, Kola, Prachina-Amalaka, Tintidhi, Koshamra, Bhavya, Paravata, Vetraphala, Lakucha, Amla-Vetash, Dantashatha and curd, whey, Sura, Shukta, Sauvira, Tushodaka and Dhanyamla, etc. are generally included within the acid group.

Saline Group

The different kinds of salt such as, Saindhaba, Sauvarchala, Vida, Fakya, Romaka,. Samudraka, Paktrima, Yavakshara (nitrate of potash), Ushara and Suvarchika collectively form the Saline group.

Pungent Group

The component drugs which form the groups known as the Pippalyadi and the Surasadi-Ganas and Shigru, Madhu-sigru, Mulaka, Lashuna, Sumukha, Shitashiva (camphor), Kushtha, Devadaru, Harenuka, Valguja-phalam, Chanda, Guggula, Mustha, Langalaki, Shukanasa and Pilu etc. and the components of the group known as Salasaradi gana collectively form the pungent group.

Bitter Group

The component members of the groups of medicinal drugs known as the Aragva-dhadi-Gana and the Guduchyadi-Gana together with Mandukparni, Vetra-karira, Haridra, Daruharidra, Indra-yava, Varuna, Svadu-kantaka, Saptaparna, Vrihati, Kantakari, Shankhini, Dravanti, Trivrit, Kritavedhana, Karkotaka, Karavellaka, Vartaka, Karira, Karavira, Sumanah, Sankha-pushpi Apamarga, Trayamana, Ashoka, Rohini, Vaijayanti, Suvarchala, Punarnava, Vrishikali and Jyotishmati, etc. collectively constitute the bitter group.

Astringent Group

The component members of the groups known as the Nyagrodhade-Gana, the Amvashtadi-Gana, and the Priyangvadi and the Rodhradi Ganas, Triphala, Shallaki, Jambu, Amra, Vakula, Timduka fruits, Katakha fruits, Shaka fruits, Pashanabhedaka, the fruits of trees known as the Vanaspatis (lit : lords of the forest, such as the Vata, the Ashvattha etc.) and most of the component members of the group known as the Salasaradi Gana, as well as Kuruvaka, Kovidaraka, Jivanti, Chilli, Palanka and Sunishanuaka, etc. and grains and pulse of the Nevara and Mudga species, collectively form the astringent group.

These tastes, in groups of different combinations, number sixty-three in all; as for example, fifteen, computed by taking two at a time; twenty, computed by taking three at a time; fifteen, computed by taking four at a time; six, computed by taking five at a time and six, being severally computed, thus making up an aggregate of sixty-three.

Authoritative Verse On The Subject

The man, who gradually habituates himself to the use of each of the six aforesaid tastes, enjoys a sort of immunity from their injurious action in the same manner as, a strong man, who makes himself successively accustomed to the action of the three deranged humours of his body, is not easily affected by their pathogenetic properties.

Thus ends the forty-second Chapter of the Sutrasthanam in the Sushriita Samhita, which treats of the specific properties of flavours.