Dravya Shreshtatva.

DRAVYA.

*SHRESHTHATVA:-

Sushruta and Badhanta Nagarjuna have given the following explanations and examples for proving the shreshthatva of dravya among its constituent elements such as rasa, virya, vipaka, karma and prabhava.

The first nine points were put forward by Sushruta; while last three points were put forward by Nagarjuna.

1) Swajatyavasthanatwa: (Geo-specificity).

No dravya belonging to one genus/group will change into another; it will always stay within its species. For ex:-We prepare curd from milk by the process of fermentation. This process is the sanskar which brings about the changes in all the constituent qualities of dravya; but milk retains its jaliyatva in the curd through out the whole transformation. 

2) Nityatva: (Eternity).

Certain qualities/properties of a dravya maybe lost after some time. But the original dravya will remain as it is. For ex:-Shatavari is a dravya which is used as a drug. If Shatavari is kept at a place for many days or months; its properties may perish; but Shatavari remains as it was in its initial form.

3) Vyavasthitawa: (Stability).

The dravya is only stable in nature but not the constituents like rasa, guna etc. For ex:-Taste of unripen mango will keep on changing till it ripens. But the fruit is known as mango fruit till the end. In between; the taste will change from astringent to sour and sour to sweet. Even its colour will keep on changing as green to yellow along with reddish sheds. 

4) Panchendriyagahanatwa: (Perceptible through all the senses).

Being made up pf panchamahabhutas; all dravyas posses rasa, rupa, gandha, sparsha qualities in less or more dominance which are nothing but the objects of the sense organs. Whereas virya, vipaka, prabhava etc. cannot be perceived through the sense organs.

5) Ashrayatwa: (Accomodance for the properties).

Dravya provides shelter and coexistence to other attributes. The other attributes along with dravya are rasa, guna, virya, vipaka, karma and prabhava. These attributes resides in dravya only and coexists along with the dravya. In this case, vice versa is not possible. 

6) Arambhasamarthya: (Initiation of action).

Dravya has got the capacity to initiate. For ex: - To prepare Vidangarisha; the one thing most important is the Vidanga. The whole pharmacological action initiates with Vidanga. Hence dravya is the supreme.

7) Shastrapramanyatva: (Scientific references).

  All the ancient Ayurvedic classics have mentioned different medicines or drugs on the basis of dravya only. Different ganas are explained on the basis of dravya but not rasa etc. Even though we find the reference about rasa skandha; they are also represented by group of dravyas but not by rasa. Even modern science accepts existence of molecules which are nothing but the dravyas only; but existence of other attributes cannot be explained so effectively. Hence dravya is superior.

8) Kramapekshitatwa: ()

The properties depend upon the state of dravya. When the drug is tender then the properties will remain incomplete and when the drug matures all the properties will be present in it. That means the degree of maturity of drug and its properties are directly proportional. We can also bring about any gradual or desirable changes in the dravya; which increases their utilization abilities.

9) Ekadeshasadhyatwa: (Utility even through the parts).

We can use any particular part of dravya for utilization. For instance we can use any parts of the plant such as leaves, stem, roots or bark etc. For ex:- In preparation of the drug named Danshmula; only roots of the plant are used. But in case of other attributes; we cannot use any part of rasa, virya, vipaka etc.

10) Taratamayoganupalabdhi: (Non-availability of grading).

Gunas and rasas can be used according to the grading like mild, moderate and severe (Tara-tama yoga). However this type of grading is not possible for dravya. Though constituents vary in their nature dravya remains constant.

11) Vikalpasamarthya: (Possibility of pharmaceutics).

Thus any dravya has the capacity to be used as a drug. For ex: - Ahiphena is poisonous in nature; but its correct formulation leads to a very useful drug.

12) Pratighatasamarthya: (Malleability).

Among the seven constituents of dravyaguna only dravya possess some shape and structure which is visible (i.e., Murtitwa). Therefore dravya can occupy some space while rasa etc. can not exhibit these qualities.

From the above factors it is apparent that Dravya is foremost in dravyaguna and other properties are constituted in it.