Concept of Shodhana
Concept of Shodhana
or alteration in the properties is seen along meaning the process through which
with changes in Physical, Chemical or Bio- unwanted or toxic properties are removed1.
logical properties. The same concept has been adopted by
In Ayurvedic Medicine the concept of Acharyas of Rasashastra from 8th century
shodhana treatment was in practice since the A.D., onwards for drugs of herbal, animal,
times of Charaka Samhita and it also metal or mineral origin. The texts also
included the measures claimed to be explained separate shodhana process for
responsible for the alteration or addition of individual drugs along with certain common
the properties of the drugs while subjected to procedures for group of drugs2.
various pharmaceutical operations and According to texts of Rasashastra, Shodhana
treatments. Though references regarding the process is carried out by subjecting a drug to
shodhana treatment are available since the different procedures like Bhavana,
time of Ayurvedic classics but the details Nirvapana, Dhalana and Swedana etc3. The
about procedure could be traced only after process by which purification is done is
the development of Rasashastra/ called as Shodhana. Pearls and other Ratnas
Rasachikitsa (Mineral therapy) in Ayurvedic are purified not for actual detoxification or
medicine during medieval period in which to remove impurities, to intensify the
mineral/ poisonous and sub poisonous drugs potency of them4.
acquired prominence over other types of In case of mercury also it has been
drugs in the therapy. These drugs acquired mentioned that when it is mixed with doshas
prominence because of many superior like Kanchuka, Naisargika, Yougika,
qualities these possess, than their Prayogika it is not used in rasa preparations.
counterparts. In this stage it is said to be poison or Visha.
It is with this view mind the shodhana If it is processed with herbal decoctions or
method of Ayurvedic pharmaceutical subjected to Ashtadasha or Ashtavidha
science has been developed to the extent samskara it is ready to use in any rasayoga
that, when applied properly render these and is considered to be nectar.
drugs either completely free from Though the literal meaning of word
toxic/undesired side effects or minimize shodhana is purification, it has wider
them to the desired extent. Scholars of Rasa implications. The collective definition of
shastra developed shodhana treatment not shodhana is that Shodhana is a process
only to remove their toxic materials where it removes unwanted part from the
completely or minimize them to the least drug or its ill effects, which enhances the
possible level, but to convert them to the properties of the drug suitable for desired
pharmaceutically suitable forms in which actions.
these may be absorbed into the system if OBJECTIVES OF SHODHANA:
used internally or may be treated further. 1. Removal of impurities
DEFINITION 2. Elimination of harmful material
Charaka Samhita has mentioned Shodhana 3. Modification of un-desired properties
as Shauchakarana (Shuddhikarana) 4. Augment the qualities
described. There are variations in medicinal source of material, its chemical composition,
substances, instruments and also duration. impurities and its physical properties. By
The process of shodhana to be adopted shodhana process many material changes are
depends upon the material for which elicited both physically and chemically.
shodhana to be done. This depends upon the
Table No. 2: DIFFERENT SHODHANA METHODS OF RASA SHASTRA
S.NO PROCEDURE EXAMPLE PURPOSE
1. Abhisheka Not in Common Practice Removal of external impurities22
2. Bharjana Gairika Shodhana Removal of Moisture content23
3. Bhavana Sasyaka Shodhana Reduction of particle size and
also transfer of impurities from
material to liquid media24
4. Dhalana Gandhaka Shodhana Separation of fat soluble
impurities25
5. Gaalana Gandhaka Shodhana Separation of adulterants and
heterogeneous substances26
6. Gharshana Bhallataka Shodhana Brings down the toxicity and
also separation of outer
27
covering
7. Mardana Kaseesa Shodhana Reduction in particle size28
8. Murcchana Parada Shodhana Reduction in particle size29
9. Nimajjana / Stapana Vatsanabha Shodhana Brings down the toxicity and
Removal of outer covering30
10. Nirjalikarana Kankshi Shodhana Evaporation of water
31
molecules
11. Nirvapa / Nisheka / Abhraka Shodhana To brittleness & softness32
Snapana
12. Pachana Guggulu Shodhana Reduction of stickiness &
Softening the material33
13. Patana Parada Shodhana Removal of Lead & Tin34
14. Prakshalana Shilajith Shodhana Removal of dust & Spurious
material35
15. Pruthakikarana Guggulu Shodhana Removal of adulterants and
external impurities36
16. Puta Swarna Shodhana To bring brittleness & softness37
17. Shoshana Karpasa Beeja Shodhana Removal of Moisture content38
18. Sinchana Tamra Shodhana To make the substance brittle39
19. Swedana Haratala Shodhana Reduction of Toxicity, Removal
of impurities and to soften40
20. Vilayana Shilajith Shodhana Removal of physical impurities41
gata and aushadhagata doshas and makes it 7. P.C. Ray, Rasarnava, English Translation,
more marana upayogi and also helps in New Bharateeya Book Corporation, 1st
achieving guna vriddhi of the drug. Apart Edition, 2007.
from removing the impurities shodhana 8. Ibid
treatments of Rasa Shastra also impregnate 9. Ibid
organic materials and their properties in the 10. Ibid
inorganic drugs/ products to facilitate their 11. Ibid
utilization by the body tissue and organs. 12. Ibid
Hence, the concept of Shodhana (processing 13. Ibid
or purification) in Rasashastra is not merely 14. Acharya Somadeva, Rasendra
a process of purification/detoxification but Chudamani with Siddhi Priya Hindi
also a process resorted to enhance the Commentary, Varanasi, Chaukhambha
rd
potency and efficacy of the drug. That’s why Orientalia, 3 Edition, 2004.
the shodhana plays an important role in
Rasashastra. 15. Ibid
16. Ibid
REFERENCES
1. Sharma, R.K & Bhagawan Das, Charaka 17. Ibid
Samhita, Varanasi, Chaukhambha 18. Ibid
Sanskrit Series office, Edition 2001. 19. Ibid
2. A.D. Satpute, Rasa Ratna Samucchaya 20. P.C. Ray, Rasarnava, English
English Translation, new Delhi, Translation, New Bharatiya Book
st
Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishtan, Corporation, 1 Edition, 2007.
Reprint Edition, 2014 21. Ibid
3. Pandit Kashinath Shastry, Rasa 22. A.D. Satpute, Rasa Ratna Samucchaya
Tarangini, New Delhi, Motilal English Translation, New Delhi,
Banarsidas, Reprint Edition, 2014. Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishtan, Reprint
4. Acharya Siddhinandan Mishra, Rasendra Edition, 2014.
Chinamani Hindi Commentary, Varanasi, 23. Gulraj Sharma Mishra, Ayurveda
Chowkhambha Orientalia, Reprint Prakasha Hindi Commentary, Varanasi,
Edition, 2011. Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Reprint
5. A.D. Satpute, Rasa Ratna Samucchaya Edition, 2012.
English Translation, New Delhi, 24. Pandit Kashinath Shastry, Rasa
Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishtan, Tarangini, New Delhi, Motilal Banarsidas,
Reprint Edition, 2014. Reprint Edition 2014.
6. Dr. Vilas Dole and Dr. Prakash 25. Ibid
Paranjape, Text Book of Rasashastra, 26. Ibid
New Delhi, Chaukhamba Sanskrit 27. Ibid
Pratishthan, 2nd Edition, 2010. 28. A.D. Satpute, Rasa Ratna Samucchaya
English Translation, New Delhi,
Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishtan, Reprint
Edition, 2014.
29. Pandit Kashinath Shastry, Rasa 41. A.D. Satpute, Rasa Ratna Samucchaya,
Tarangini, New Delhi, Motilal Banarsidas, English Translation, New Delhi,
Reprint Edition, 2014. Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishtan, Reprint
30. Ibid Edition 2014.
31. Gulraj Sharma Mishra, Ayurveda
Prakasha Hindi Commentary, Varanasi, CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Reprint Dr. Swati Patil
Edition, 2012. Asso. Prof. Dept of Rasashastra & BK,
32. Pandit Kashinath Shastry, Rasa Yashwant Ayurvedic College, Kodoli-
Tarangini, New Delhi, Motilal Banarsidas, Maharashtra-India
Reprint Edition, 2014 E-mail: [email protected]
33. Vd. Bhudev Mukharji, Rasa Jalanidhi,
Varanasi, Sri Gokul Mudranalaya, Reprint Source of support: Nil,
Edition 1984. Conflict of interest: None Declared
34. Acharya Somadeva, Rasendra Cite this article as
Chudamani with Siddhi Priya Hindi Dr. Swati patil: Concept of Shodhana - A
Review With Reference to Rasashastra.
Commentary, Varanasi, Chaukhambha
ayurpub;II(5):632-639
Orientalia, 3rd Edition 2004.
35. A.D. Satpute, Rasa Ratna Samucchaya
English Translation, New Delhi,
Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishtan, Reprint
Edition, 2014.
36.Vd. Bhudev Mukharji, Rasa Jalanidhi,
Varanasi, Sri Gokul Mudranalaya, Reprint
Edition 1984.
37. A.D. Satpute, Rasa Ratna Samucchaya
English Translation, New Delhi,
Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishtan, Reprint
Edition 2014.
38. Prof. K.C. Chunekar, Bhavaprakasha
Nighantu, Varanasi, Chaukhambha Bharati
Academy, Reprint Edition 2013.
39. Pandit Kashinath Shastry, Rasa
Tarangini, New Delhi, Motilal Banarsidas,
Reprint Edition, 2014.
40. Gulraj Sharma Mishra, Ayurveda
Prakasha, Hindi Commentary, Varanasi,
Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Reprint
Edition 2012.