That is, the combined form of Dravya and their properties is Dravya Guna. Here, by the word Guna, all the essence of Ras, Guna, Virya, Vipaak, Prabhav etc. are understood. In the ChikitsaChatushpad, priority has been given to the Dravyasafter Vaidya. Without medicine, the doctor looks like a warrior standing in the battlefield, who has a war in front of him but has no weapon. It is clearly mentioned in Charaka Samhita that due to the complete description of Ayushya Anayushya (beneficial and harmful for age) Dravya and their properties, the entire Ayurveda itself is Dravya Guna, as –
Yatashchayushyanyanayushyaani cha DravyagunkarmaniVedayatyatopyayurvedah. Tatrayushyanyanayushyaani cha dravyagunkarmanikevalenopadeshyantetantren. (CharakasamhitaSutrasthan Chapter 30/23). The scripture which specifically studiesabout Dravya is Dravyaguna Shastra, i.e. Dravyaanaam Naam Rupani GunaKarmaani Kalpana. Prayogyayatra VarnayanteShastram Dravyagunam Hitat.
(Acharya P.V. Sharma)