Page:Sushruta Samhita Vol 1.djvu/294

190 Saline and pungent things are incompatible to each other as regards their respective flavour (Rasa) and digestive (chemical) transformation.

Similarly, saline and bitter things or saline and astringent things are incompatible to each other in respect of all the three abovesaid relations and categories. Pungent and bitter tastes are incompatible to each other in respect of flavour and digestive transformation, whereas substances of pungent and astringent or bitter and astringent tastes are incompatible to one another as regards their respective potencies, flavours and digestive (chemical) action or transformation.

Degrees of incompatibility:-Substances that are incompatible with, or antagonistic to, the system through a difference of degree or intensity, as well as things which bring about an extreme dryness of the organism, or those which are extremely oily in their composition or are characterised by extreme cold or warmth, should be categorically rejected.

Authoritative verses on the subject:—Things or substances which are incompatible to one another in their respective tastes, potencies and reactionary transformation should be denied as abso- lutely unwholesome, while the rest should be considered as possessed of mixed virtues (wholesome or