Vipaka comes under the five concepts under the study of a dravya (Rasapanchakas). In Ayurveda the digestion & metabolism of any substance is explained in two stages: Avasthapaka Nishtapaka Avasthapaka is the first phase considered as digestion. In charaka the word “prapaka” is used as the synonym for avasthapaka. Nishtapka or Vipaka is the second phase and considered as metabolism.

1. DR. MADHUBALA P GOPINATH
1st Year PG SCHOLAR
DEPT. OF DRAVYAGUNAVIJNANA
GAVC, TRIVANDRUM

2. 1. INTRODUCTION
Etymology
Definition
Enumeration
2. CLASSIFICATION - VIBHINNA MATA VIVECHANA
3. SHLOKAS
4. VIPAKA TARATAMYA
5. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RASA AND VIPAKA

3. 6. ACTIONS
On doshas
On dhatus
On malas
7. VIPAKA UPALABDHI HETU
8. VIPAKA VIPARYAASA HETU
9. VIPAKA PRADHANYATA
10. MODERN ASPECTS OF VIPAKA
CONCLUSION

4.  The ultimate aim of Ayurveda is to preserve health and cure diseases, which means to
achieve the equilibrium of doshas, dhatus and malas.
 Thorough knowledge of dravya (used as food or medicine) is quintessential to maintain
this equilibrium.
 Vipaka comes under the five concepts under the study of a dravya (Rasapanchakas)
• द्रव्ये रसो गुणं वीर्यं ववपाकःशक्तिरेव च |
पदाराथःपञ्चविष्ठक्ति स्वं स्वं क
ु वथक्ति कर्थ च || (भा. प्र)
• दव्यरसगुणवीर्यथववपाकविवर्त्ते च क्षर्यवृक्ति दोषाणार्् साम्यं च | (सु. सू)

5.  In Ayurveda the digestion & metabolism of any substance is explained in two stages:
Avasthapaka
Nishtapaka
Avasthapaka is the first phase considered as digestion.
In charaka the word “prapaka” is used as the synonym for avasthapaka.
Nishtapka or Vipaka is the second phase and considered as metabolism.

6. Paka
Avastha
paka
Nishta
paka

7. AVASTHA PAKA VERSES DIGESTION

8. Stage of digestion starts in oral cavity –Break
down of starch by Salivary amylase- action persists
for 1 hour after food leaves mouth & at fundus till
it is inactivated by stomach Hcl
Comparable to Madhura avastha paka

9. HCl & Carbonic acid production by parietal cells of
stomach
Lingual lipase – active- in acidic medium-
triglyceride break down
Lipids are acted up on by gastric lipase
Partial digestion of proteins by pepsin – from chief
cells
Protein & fat rich diet spend more time in stomach-
emptying time is longer

10. Digestion of carbohydrates in the form of Sucrose, Lactose &
Maltose – in SI with the help of sucrase, lactase & maltase
Protein digestion – completed by amino peptidase &
Dipeptidase
Lipid – Emulsified by bile & acted up on by pancreatic
lipase- breaks down into fatty acids & monoglycerides
Absorption of monosaccharides, amino acid, di & tri
peptides, fatty acid, glycerol & monoglyceride – in SI ( about
90% of absorption)
Stage of digestion from production of HCl to completion of
digestion of protein, carbohydrates & fats – comparable to
Amla avastha paka

11. No enzymes – produced
Fermentation of remaining carbohydrates by
bacteria & release of H2, CO2 & CH4 gases
Remaining proteins to amino acids, again to indole,
skatole & fatty acids
When chyme remains in LI for 3-10 hrs- becomes
solid or semisolid due to water absorption – feces
Stage of digestion in LI –comparable to Katu
avastha paka

12.  वववशष्ट: जरणनिष्ठाकाले रसववशेषस्य पाक: प्रादुभाथव ववपाकः|
(प्रशस्तपाद)
 The transformed rasa obtained at the end of digestion is defined as vipaka
 वववशष्टः पाको ववपाकः।
(सु.सू /40/10: डल्)
 Paka refers to transformation (parinama). Vishishta (special action) paka is vipaka.
 As it occurs at the last stage( nishtakal ) of digestion , also called Nishtapaka.

13. 1.
जाठरेणावििा र्योगाद्यदुदेवि रसािरर्् ।
रसािां पररणार्ािे स ववपाक इवि स्मृि्: ॥
{अ.हृ.सू.9/20}
The final outcome of transformation of rasa under the
influence of jataraagni is Vipaka

14. INGESTION
OF DRAVYA
JATARAGNI
SAMYOGA
VIPAKA
FORMATION
RASANTAR/
RASAVISHESHA
AVASTAPAKA

15. Commentery by Aruna Dutta
जाठरेण औदार्येण अवििा
र्योगाि् संश्लेषाि्
रसािां पररणार्ािे जरण विष्ठाकाले
र्यद् रसािरं रसववशेषः उदेवि उत्पद्यिे
स ववपाक इवि स्मृिः
{स.सु- अ.हृ.सू 9/20}

16. Commentary by Hemadri
रसािां रसविां द्रव्याणां जाठरावििा सम्योगाि् र्यद्रसािरर्ुत्पद्यिे
स ववपाक।
{आ.र- अ.हृ.सू. 9/20}

17. 2. mÉËUhÉÉqÉsɤÉhÉÉå ÌuÉmÉÉMü: | ( U.uÉæ.xÉÔ
1.170 )
Parinama – avasthantara prapti
Transformation of dravya into another form is vipaka.

18. Vipaka is basically classified into
Madhura
Amla
Lavana
सवथद्रव्याणां ववपाको जाठराविसम्बन्धाि् द्रव्यस्य स्वरूपापािर प्रादुभाथवः।
ित्र वकवञ्चि् स्वादु ववपाकर््। वकवञ्चि् अम्लववपाकर््। वकवञ्चि् कटुववपाकर््।
{इन्दु- अ.स्.सू 7/27}

19.  There exists difference of opinion regarding no. of vipaka between different school
of thoughts. Following are the theories put forth by different scholars:
Shadvidha vipaka vada 6
Panchavidha vipaka vada 5
Trividha vipaka vada 3
Dwividha vipaka vada 2

20. Vipaka
Shatvidha
Yatharasa Aniyatha
Pancha
vidha
Thrividha Dwividha

21.  According to this school of thought vipakas are 6 in number. There exists different
opinions in shadvidha vipaka vada itself.
Niyata / Yatharasa vipaka vada
Aniyata vipaka vada
NIYATA / YATHARASA VIPAKA VADA
 Its not clear on who supports this theory. We only get cross references in
susruta Samhita and rasavaisheshika, both of whom disagree with this
concept. Scholars of this view opines that there are 6 vipakas for respective
rasas.
 Madhuraadi rasas will transform into madhuraadi vipakas.
 The later authors, Yogindranath Sen and Sivadas Sen also mentions this
theory that respective rasas undergo respective vipaka with some
metaphors –
 Just like how shali, yava and mudga sprout from their seeds, madhuraadi
rasa will not leave their qualities and so undergo respective vipakas

22. Madhura rasa Madhura vipaka
 Amla rasa Amla vipaka
 Lavana rasa Lavana vipaka
 Tikta rasa Thikta vipaka
Kashaya rasa Kashaya rasa
Katu rasa Katu vipaka
However Susruta, Nagarjuna and Vagbhata rejects this theory.

23.  However Susruta, Nagarjuna and Vagbhata rejects this theory.
REASONS FOR REJECTION
1) Vagbhata puts forth various instances to reject this theory.
The above table reiterates that vipaka of a dravya will not be similar to
rasa.
2) Also if rasa and vipaka are the same, there was no need for an
independent description of vipaka.
3) Badanta Nagarjuna says characterstics of Rasa and Vipaka are
different
S. NO DRAVYA RASA VIPAKA
1 VRIHI MADHURA AMLA
2 PIPPALI KATU MADHURA
3 AMALAKI AMLA MADHURA
4 PATOLA TIKTA MADHURA
5 KULATHA KASHAYA AMLA
6 HARITAKI KASHAYA MADHURA

24. ANIYATA / YATHARASA VIPAKA VADA
According to this school of thought also, vipaka are six in number but is
indefinite for a dravya.
Its once again not clear about the proposers of this theory. We get cross
references from Susruta Samhita and commentators like Yogindranath
Sen and Sivadas sen.
The scholars of this view opine that predominant rasa overpowers the
other rasas during digestion and hence resultant vipaka will be
according to the predominant rasa.
As it is difficult to assess the predominance of rasa at different stages, it
is unable to assess definitely the vipaka of the dravya and hence is
indefinite. Madhura rasa dravya may undergo Amla vipaka due to the
predominance of amla rasa during digestion and likewise.
This theory is also not accepted by other scholars because of its
unscientific approach. Also because there are no 6 doshas this cant be
accepted.

25.  This thought supports the view that, since ahara consumed by the person is
panchabhautika, vipaka is also of 5 types.
 This is mentioned by Susruta in the sootra stana,46th chapter
 But the commentator Sivadas sen contradicts this concept saying that this theory can be
explained within Dwividha vipaka vada itself. Here the five vipakas are explained
separately by attributing it to each mahabhoota. But these 5 can be under guru and
laghu vipaka.
Mahabhoota Vipaka Dwividha vipaka vada
1 Prthvi Paartheeva Guru vipaka
2 Ap Apya Guru vipaka
3 Agni Agneya Laghu vipaka
4 Vayu Vayavya Laghu vipaka
5 Akasha Akaasheeya Laghu vipaka

26.  Charaka proposed trividha vipaka vada.
 Chakrapani explains trividha vipaka with
few examples like pippali which has katu
rasa but undergo Madhura vipaka and says
this may be the probable reason to charaka’s
reference of prayaha. Even kulatha is an
exception. But finally he concludes, whatever
the Vipaka may be, it will be of three types,
viz. Madhura, Amla and Katu.
 Acharya Vaghbata also supports Trividha
vipaka vada.
 In Ashtanga sangraha, we come across a
cross reference to Parashara’s view on
vipaka. He mentions Madhura, Tikta,
Kashaya and Lavana undergoes Madhura
vipaka, Katu undergoes Katu vipaka, Amla
undergoes Amla vipaka. He argues that if
Tikta, Kashaya undergoes Katu vipaka, it
becomes difficult to explain the Pittahara
karma.
 But Indu comments Tikta rasa is mainly
responsible for pitta shamaka action. In
dravyas where the degree of Katu vipaka is
weak, there vipaka is suppressed by rasa and
exhibits its karma. Ex: though nimba is tikta
rasa and undergoes katu vipaka, its
pittashamaka as Tikta rasa exhibits its
karma
Rasa Vipaka
1 Madhura Madhura
2 Lavana ”
3 Amla Amla
4 Katu Katu
5 Tikta ”
6 Kashaya ”

27.  Susruta has proposed dwividha vipaka concept. Acc., to him vipaka is of two types –
Madhura and Katu. Madhura vipaka is guru vipaka and Katu vipaka is laghu
vipaka.
 Further Susruta describes Madhura vipaka exhibits certain qualities which have
dominance of Prithvi and Ap mahabhoota. On the other hand, Katu vipaka exhibits
qualities of Agni, Vayu and Akasha Mahabootas.
 Both Chakrapani and Dalhana have supported Susruta’s view.
 Even Badanta Nagarjuna has supported Dwividha vipaka theory. He gives two new
terms in addition, chira (guru) and achira (laghu) considering the time to undergo
paka.
 BHOOTHA VIPAKA VADA and GUNA VIPAKA VADA are the other names of
dvividha vipaka vada.

28.  RASA VAISESIKA condemned the concept of three vipakas. He delineated three
reasons in support of his view,
1.Kalatah: based on time taken for digestion it is of two types only
chirakalika(guru)
achirakalika(laghu)
2.Gunatah: on the basis of qualities we could classify it to 2 types
guru
laghu
3.Rasatah: on the basis of rasa also, the categorization can be under two broad
categories :
madhura, amla, lavana rasas- guru
katu, tiktha, kashaya rasas- laghu

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xÉuÉåïwÉÉÍqÉÌiÉ | (xÉÑ. xÉÔ 40.10 )
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(U.uÉæ 4.31-32 )
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CÌiÉ | ( xÉÑ.xÉÔ.40.10 )
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̧ÉkÉÉ ÌuÉmÉÉMüÉå SìèurÉxrÉ xuÉɲqsÉMüOÒûMüÉiqÉMü:| (

30. RASA VIPAKA
Rasa is aswadarupa, known by means of
rasanendriya.
It is known by means of parinamalakshana.
Asukarithwam in action (quick) Vilambitham in action (delayed)
Sthanika prabhavam (local effects) Sarvadehikam (systemic actions are seen)
Prathyakshagamyam (directly perceivable) Anumeyagamyam, Aptopadesha (perceived
by inference)
Karmakarana is less Karmakarana is more
Manasareera prabhavam i.e. hladanadi
manasika lakshanas are produced.
Sareerika prabhavam

31.  The degree of variation of vipaka depends on the variation of rasa and guna in the
dravya. Charaka expresses this as three degrees: Alpa, Madhya and Uttama
 The Madhura rasa undergoing Madhura vipaka exhibits maximum effect on the
body when compared to Madhura vipaka from Lavana rasa with regard to its
actions like srushta vinmootra, srushta kapha and shukra vruddhi.
 This is based only on the action and not on the effect
S.N VIPAKA UTTAMA MADYAMA AVARA
1. MADHURA MADHUR
A
AMLA LAVANA
2. KATU KASHAYA KATU THIKTA

32. S.N TYPES OF
VIPAKA
PROPERTIES EFFECT ON
DOSHA
EFFECT ON
DHATUS
EFFECT ON
MALAS
1 MADHURA SNIGDHA
GURU
KAPHA,
VATA-
PITTA
IMPROVES
DHATUS,
SUKRALA
INCREASES
MUTRA AND
MALA
2 AMLA SNIGDHA
LAGHU
E PITTA-
KAPHA
VATA
SUKRAHARA INCREASES
MUTRA AND
MALA
3 KATU RUKSHA
LAGHU
PITTA -
VATA
KAPHA
SUKRAHARA DECREASE
MUTRA AND
MALA

33. S.N TYPES OF VIPAKA BHUTA
PREDOMINANCE
EFFECTS ON
DOSHAS
EFFECTS ON
MALAS
1. GURU (MADHURA) PRITHWI AP KAPHA VARDHAKA
AND
VATAPITHAHARA
SRISHTA VIT
MUTRA
2. LAGHU (KATU) VAYU AGNI AKASA KAPHA HARA AND
VATA PITH
VARDHAKA
BADHA VIT
MUTRA

34.  Charaka opines that vipaka is determined by its actions on the body. Chakrapani
comments that vipaka is always assessed by Anumana pramana i.e it is inferred
through its effect in the body.
निपाक: कर्म निष्ठया (च सू २४)
 Commentators Gangadhara and Yogendranath Sen are of the same opinion that
vipaka of Dravya can be determined by therapeutic actions observed after
digestion. The effect of dravya on dosha, dhathu and mala in the form of kshaya
and vruddhi infers its vipaka.
 It can also be understood by aptopadesha.
 Vaghbhata also mentions the same by quoting “dosavruddhi kshaya visheshena
vidyaat”.

35.  Nagarjuna enlists the following as the reasons or factors responsible for variations in vipaka of
a dravya:
द्रव्यप्रर्ाण-संस्कार्-सात्म्यानिबलाबल-देश-काल-संयोग-पाक निशेषैनिमपाकनिपयामस:|
(र. िै. सू. अ 4/55)
Dravya pramana
Samskara
Satmya
Agnibalaat
Deshavisheshaat
Kalavisheshaat
Samyoga visheshaat
Paka visheshaat

36.  Nagarjuna puts forth the following points in support of vipaka pradhanyata:
1. Dosha prashamana vardhana karanaad
2. Dhaatu upadehaat
3. Vipaka apekshitatvaat
4. Vipaka vaigunya causes dosha
5. Shastra pramanyaat
6. Chikitsa abhaavat
7. Arogya prayojanatwaat
8. Vipaka dushti causing sarva shareera pradosha
9. Shareera anugrahaat

37. Madhura vipaka dravyas end up as absorbable form of
nutrients for nourishment like simple sugars, amino acids,
fatty acids & glycerol
End products of Amla vipaka dravyas being acidic in nature
augment enzymatic activity inducing rapid catabolism
Katu vipaka dravyas being light in nature enhance absorption
& metabolism

38.  In recent years, research has emphasized the role of gut
microbiota in human health and metabolic processes. A
thorough review was done to understand the role of
microbiota in drug metabolism if any.
The holistic mechanism of gut microbiota coincides to
some extent, with the doctrines of Ayurveda in the context
of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.
Hence the elucidation of the concept of Vipaka vis-a-
vis gut microbiota functions is gaining attention.

39.  Vipaka is a stage after normal digestion
 It is the result of absorption & metabolism
 Detected by assumption from the karma performed
 Difference of opinion gives different ways of perceiving the same basic concept
 It is an important aspect of food & drug as it is one of the causes of karma
 Vipaka deals with the digestion, assimilation, metabolism, absorption and bio-
transformation of ingested drug or food, it says about what body does with drugs.
Vipaka somehow refers final outcome of the biotransformation of the rasa of
dravya