Expolring the Elements : जल

Dravyadravya Vigyaniyam is knowledge of liquid and non liquid substance in Ayurveda.

As we all know 70% of our body is made up of water. Water is very essential for survival of life. The first life was originated in Water.


In Ayurveda , Group of water , different sources of Water , its qualities , method of use , contaminated water , effects of cold water , warm water are explain.

Group of Waters : तोय वर्ग

गगन अम्बु : Rainwater

Rainwater which has fallen from the sky is enlivening , satiating , healthy to the heart and mind. It also refreshers and stimulate the intellect. It is thin and of an imperceptible tastes , slightly sweet , cold , easy to digest and nectar like in property.
After coming in contact with sunlight, moonlight and wind , it is utilized considering the region and season concerned.

Test of potable Rainwater

To taste a portable rainwater, one should pour the same in a clean silver plate containing boiled rice. If the rice grains do not get too moist and they do not change colour after remaining inside the rainwater, the same water could be considered worth drinking.

Method to use the Rainwater

One could use that rainwater for drinking that has been collected in a clean vessel and that has not changed in colour, taste, touch and the like. In its absence, one could use the water of the earth that has been collected from places that are clean and vast, having black or white soil, and exposed to sunlight and breeze. This water resembles rainwater in all its qualities.

दुष्ट जल : Contaminated Water

One should not drink or use the water which is dirty, being mixed with slush, algae, weeds and leaves, which is not exposed to sunlight and wind, which is a mixture of old and fresh, which is thick, heavy and not easy to digest, frothy, containing worms, hot by nature and that causes tingling of teeth by being very cold. One should also not take that rain water which is unseasonal or though seasonal that is related to the first rain, that has been contaminated with the webs, saliva, urine, faeces, of spider and the like, and such other poisonous substances.

नदी जल : River water

The water of the rivers which flow into the western ocean that is the Arabian Sea, that are swift and which have pure water is good for health, whereas its opposite is bad for health.

The merits of the Himalayan Rivers :

That water is good for health that is obtained from the rivers arising from Himalaya mountains and that gets churned up well by dashing against rocks.

कूप जल : The water of well

The water which is considered to be similar in qualities and properties to those of the desert , marshy and mountains are the waters of deep well, artificial pond and the like.

जलपान निषेध : Avoiding drinking water

By those suffering from poor digestive function, tumors of the stomach, anemia, enlargement of the stomach, diarrhoea, haemorrhoids, diseases of the duodenum, tuberculosis or dropsy, water should not be consumed. If they strongly feel to the consume water, they should do it by taking very little quantity of water. Except during the autumn and summer, even healthy individual should drink less amount of water.

Effects of drinking water

Individuals who take water at the beginning of the meal, looses weight. One who takes water at the middle of the meal remains normal while those who take water at the close of the meal becomes stout.

शीत जल - Cold Water

Alcoholic intoxication, fainting, vomiting, debility, giddiness, thirst, heat of the sun, burning sensation is alleviated by the use of the cold water. Such water also relives aggravation of pitta, rakta and poison.

उष्ण जल - Warm water

The warm water stimuletes hunger and helps in digestion. It is good for the thorat and is easy to digest. It cleanses the urinary bladder and relieves one from such symptoms as the hiccup, flatulence, and aggravation of vata and kapha. The warm water is ideal for those suffering from nascent fevers, cough, accumulation of undigeted substances, running of the nose, dysponea and pain in the flanks on the days of purificatory therapy.

नारिकेल जल - Coconut water

Benefits of Coconut Water

The water obtained from the coconut is unctuous, sweet, aphrodisiac, coolant and easy to digest. Relieving thirst, controlling the aggravation of pitta and anila. It promotes hunger as well.
Cleansing the urinary bladder is another feature of the coconut water.

For the rainy season rain water is best while the river water is least useful in the qualities and fitness for drinking during the rainy season.

हंसोदकम्   Concept of Hamsodakam

Hamsodakam is the name of water that gets exposure of the hot sunrays during day and is cooked by the cool rays of the moon during autuman night, and for several days so continuously, which has been detoxicated by the rise of the star agastya, which is pure, uncontaminated and capable to mitigate the malas or dosas. This is neither the one producing more secreation or moisture inside the minute channels so as to block them nor is very dry. It does not cause dryness by non producation of sufficient moisture in the channels. For drinking and other purposes such water is like nectar.

Thus concludes the discussion on the group of water.

ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः ।

Om, May All become Happy,

May All be Healthy ( Free from Illness )

May All See what is Auspicious,

May no one Suffer in  any way  .

Thank You ! 

Sagar Ompraskash Ugale 
email : sagarugale71@gmail.com

Dr. .D. Y. Patil College Of Ayurved , Pune