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Vol I Issue Ii 1262 1268 PDF
Vol I Issue Ii 1262 1268 PDF
various ways and are essential to lower metals into gold. According to
understand related science. It is clear that ancient classical texts both Dehavada and
every science has its own basic principles. Lohavada were in existence till 13th
Available literature of Rasashastra has few century AD, but this science was too
fundamental concepts which are associated secrete and known to very few seers.
with foundation and development of this Today, many references are available
pharmaco-therapeutical science. The related with conversion of copper and lead
description of these concepts is not very into silver and gold but the exact
clear and scattered in various ancient knowledge to achieve successes is lost in
classical texts. It is need of hour to make a the timeline.
review of these fundamental principles in 2. Concept of Parada Ashtadasha
systemic and explanatory way. Therefore Sanskara (Eighteen processing methods
in present work an attempt has been made of mercury): There are 18 processing
to make a comprehensive review of basic methods of mercury which aimed to
principles of Rasashastra and to elucidate remove blemishes and to make mercury
their distinguishing features. Available such potent that it can be used to achieve
classical texts have been studied basic the purpose of Dehavada and Lohavada.
principles has been collected from texts of Among the 18 processing methods, first
Rasashastra such as Rasendramangala (8th five are narrated for removing blemishes
century AD) Rasendracuḍamani (12th from mercury; next three are mentioned
century AD), Anandakanda (12th century for increasing potency of mercury; next 8
AD), Rasaratnasamuchchaya (13th century methods are related with initiating
AD), Rasendrachintamani (13th century transformation power in mercury to
AD), Rasendrasarasamgraha (14th century convert any metal into gold; the 17th
AD), Rasakamadhenu (17th century AD) processing method is testing of
and Rasatarangini (20th century AD) etc. transformation power of mercury and the
These basic principles have been last one is the administration of mercury in
interpreted according to their rationality, human beings.1
importance and application in view of 3. Concept of Paribhasha (terminology
current scenario. in Rasashastra): A statement of exact
OBSERVATION: The critical review of meaning of a word or phrase etc is known
classical texts of Rasashastra showed that as Paribhasha (technical term).2 There are
following concepts are the basic principles 78 different terms mentioned in
of Rasashastra. Rasaratnasamuchchaya.3 The words which
1. Concept of Lohavada and Dehavada: are cryptic and ambiguous are better
Conversion of low precise metals into understood with the help of Paribhasha.
precious metals such as gold by using The study of Paribhasha engenders of
specifically processed mercury is known better comprehension about the science
as Lohavada. Utilization of such potent Rasashastra.
mercury for gaining healthy and long life 4. Concept of Yantra, Musha, Koshthi &
is termed as Dehavada. Rasashastra was Puta (instruments, crucibles, blowers
originated based on this concept of and pit for incineration of
achieving healthy long life by means of metals/minerals): Ancient seers of
processed mercury which can convert Rasashastra have invented various
1263 www.ijaar.in IJAAR VOLUME II ISSUE 9 SEP-OCT 2016
[Rajput Dhirajsingh et al :Basic principles of Rasashastra – The Indian pharmaceutics of herbo-mineral preparations]
instruments, crucibles, blowers and pit for seven times in each liquid media viz Til
incineration of metals/minerals. Acharya Taila (sesame oil), Takra (clarified butter),
Somadev, author of Gomutra (cow urine), Kanji (sour gruel)
Rasaratnasamuchchaya have narrated 31 and Kulattha Kwatha (decoction of
instruments, 17 types of crucible, 4 types Dolichos biflorus Linn) respectively.6
of blower and 10 types of pit in 9th and 10th However Samanya Shodhana is preferred
chapter of his treatise. This concept only for metals and not for minerals and
provides guideline for requirement of poisonous herbs. Vishesha Shodhana
various apparatus in pharmacy for involves similar procedure of heating or
processing of mercury, metals, minerals quenching but the liquid media is different
and herbal drugs. Apparatus is one of basic for different metals.
requirement for medicine preparation and 6. Concept of Marana (incineration):
hence to understand Rasashastra and for The metals and minerals are not bio-
research and development in Rasashastra, assimilable in their natural forms. They
knowledge of all these apparatus is needed to be converted into such fine form
necessary. which can be easily assimilable in human
5. Concept of Shodhana (purification): body, able to cure various illnesses and did
In Rasashastra generally the not cause any harmful effect. To achieve
metals/minerals and some time few drugs this purpose, concept of Marana
of poisonous nature are found used which (incineration) was discovered by ancient
are likely to contain some toxic effect also. seers of Rasashastra. The process of
Hence with a view to remove or minimize making the metals/minerals into a fine
their toxicity and to make them suitable for powder by applying required quantum of
further process a number of purification heat is known as Marana.7 In brief,
procedures have been found evolved Marana means conversion of
which is known as Shodhana.4,5 Here it metal/mineral into fine nano particles
should be noted that Ayurvedic which herbo-mineral, organo-metallic
purification does not mean making metal nature and therapeutic potency. In classical
100% in its original elemental form, in fact texts various methods incineration are
this procedure is related with impregnation mentioned for every metal. These methods
of organic molecules in inorganic can be divided into some categories based
substances and increasing their bio- on the principle procedure such as
accessibility as well as reducing unwanted incinerated metal prepared after Jarana
effects. The metallic preparations are used (open pan frying) process, prepared from
in the form of Bhasma (incinerated Pishti (amalgam), prepared by Lepa
powder) and Shodhana is first and most (application of layer over metal) method
important step before preparing their and prepared after open pan frying process
Bhasma. Shodhana of metals is divided in followed by Bhavana (levigation) and
two steps viz Samanya Shodhana (general Puta (incineration cycles) etc. Many times
purification) and Vishesha Shodhana ancient seers of Rasashastra utilized more
(special purification). Samanya Shodhana than one principle procedures. Detail
is mostly performed by heating the metal understanding of incinerated preparation of
up to red hot stage or up to complete any metal by a principle process helps to
melting then quenching for either three or
1264 www.ijaar.in IJAAR VOLUME II ISSUE 9 SEP-OCT 2016
[Rajput Dhirajsingh et al :Basic principles of Rasashastra – The Indian pharmaceutics of herbo-mineral preparations]
herbal media for Bhavana. Depending century AD. It is believable that few seers
upon different references available in texts, achieved success in conversion of copper
the Bhavana process can be carried out by and lead into gold by using processed
adopting these two methods.15,16 mercury. However the science of mercury
Lavigation method in which the material is processing was kept highly secret and
mixed with liquid media and ground till rarely passed to next generation which
the whole material becomes like dough.17 resulted in complete vanishing of such
The material is mixed with particular miraculous knowledge. Great facility and
liquid media and ground continuously for financial support is needed for research in
the specific period. Soaking method in the field of Lohavada and Dehavada.
which the duration of whole process is not Similar situation is applicable to 18
indicated, then liquid media is to be added processing methods of mercury. Today
to the material and whole recipe should be these methods are considered as tedious,
left under sunrays during day time and as it time consuming and expensive. First eight
is in vessel during night time.18 Quantity processing methods are possible to
of Bhavana Dravya (amount of liquid perform and are used upto some extent.
media) should be taken either as much as Therefore the knowledge of atleast first
that the powdered drugs becomes eight processing methods is essential for
completely wet,19 the material can get understanding of Rasashastra.
completely immersed,20 the whole recipe Using a specific term for a
can be made into dough, or the weight of particular process, for a group or for
Bhavana Dravya should be equal to the defining a special concept is one of the
amount of material to be levigated.21 best way to make a science precise as well
Kwatha/Swarasa or any other Dravya used as systematic. The Paribhasha i.e.
for Bhavana should be equal or similar in terminology utilized in Rasashastra are
properties and potency of Bhavya Dravya. very well explained by Acharya Vagbhat
It is the basic relation between the in 8th chapter of his treatise
particular the particular media and specific Rasaratnasamuchchaya. The classical
material.22 description of instruments, crucibles,
DISCUSSION: It is a well known fact that blowers and pit for incineration of
every science has gone through changes metals/minerals is with the view of ancient
and modifications done by researchers in knowledge availability of materials. Much
related field. Advancement in advancement have been done in this field
technologies, new researches according to in recent time and this have included in
contemporary needs can be considered as Ayurvedic drug manufacturing such as use
basis of changes and modifications in any of distillation apparatus in place of
branch of science. Rasashastra is not an Tiryagapatana Yantra, cast iron crucible at
exception to this reality. Achieving place of Vajramusha, electric muffle
salvation was the main aim of ancient furnace and use of liquid petroleum gas
Indians and maintaining health, longevity replaced Koshthi and Puta etc. Such
of life for continuous meditation was the modifications are acceptable and need of
key requirement. Therefore prime hour for large scale manufacturing,
importance was given to concept of minimizing labor cost, time and for large
Lohavada and Dehavada from 8th to 13th scale manufacturing of medicines.
1266 www.ijaar.in IJAAR VOLUME II ISSUE 9 SEP-OCT 2016
[Rajput Dhirajsingh et al :Basic principles of Rasashastra – The Indian pharmaceutics of herbo-mineral preparations]