RASAMRITAM

RASAMRITAM

The Rasamritam text has been published in 20th century, late Acharya

Yadavaji Trikamji has edited this text. Motilal Banarasi Das from Kashi

published this text from Nirnayasagar press Mumbai. Yadavaji has written

this book in the light of modern scientific knowledge and made it useful as a

text and reference book for students, vaidya & modern scholars.

ABOUT AUTHOR

Author can be called as modern Rasacharya in true terms. He has edited

many classical texts like Charak samhita, Sushrut samhita but his devotion

to Rasashastra is unique. He was not only physician but good researcher

also. He has not only prepared all aushadhi yoga but proved them clinically.

He inspired many students & turned their lives. He has prepared all aushadhi

yogas mentioned in Rasamritam not only once but several times and

overcome difficulties during actual preparations and added his experience.

He tested drugs on Ayurvedic as well as modern parameters. He has studied

all Rasagranthas thoroughly, added comment on them and written book

which is essence i.e. Rasamritam.

ABOUT TEXT

Yadavaji has written Rasamritam in light of modern scientific knowledge

and made it most useful as a text for students, vaidyas, and modern scholars.

Specialty of this book is Unani drugs which are mentioned with similar

Ayurvedic drugs. Chemical formulae of most of drugs are mentioned.

Author has tried to avoid the description of drugs and processes about which

any confusion or controversy present. In many places where subject material

is not clear he tried to explain it either on the basis of descriptions of other

contemporary texts or on the basis of modern knowledge. While classifying

the drugs of mineral origin found described in Rasashastra he has followed

his own pattern. The purification and incineration processes (shodhana and

marana) mentioned in Rasamritam are popular in vaidya, easy to prepare,

self tested and no one have objection on it. The opinions of Dr.D.A.Kulkarni

and Dr.V.G.desai are quoted wherever necessary.

Vd Damodar joshi has translated text in English language for sake of

students who are not aware with hindi and for foreign students. He has

added X Appendix which contains information regarding Puta, Musha, and

Yantra. In 1998 it was published by Chaukhamba series Varanasi.

CHAPTER SEQUENCE IN THIS TEXT

1 Rasavijnyaniyam 2 Gandhakvijnyaniyam

3 Lohavijnyaniyam 4 Mallavijnyaniyam

5 Sudhavinyaniyam 6 Sikthavijnyaniyam

7 Lavan-Ksharvijnyaniyam 8 Ratnavijnyaniyam

9 Rasa yoga vijnyaniyam

1. Parada is main drug in Rasashastra so it has been described in first chapter

named Rasavijnyaniyam.

2. After Parada, Gandhak is the most important hence it has been described in

second chapter named Gandhak vijnyaniyam.

3. Loha Vijnyaniyam has third place. All minerals in Rasashastra are classified

in Maharasa, Uparas. This classification changes according to author’s

perception. In this chapter all minerals found collectively. Minerals either

contain particular metal or these are prepared with that metal. From these

minerals respective metal can be extracted as Satva hence minerals are

described along with respective metals in this chapter.

4. The fourth chapter s known as Malla Vijnyaniam. In this chapter arsenic

(malla) and arsenic containing minerals like Haratal and manahshila are

described.

5. Fifth chapter is known as Sudha Vijnyaniyam. In this chapter Sudha (lime)

and calcium containing minerals like Khatika, Godanti Sapheda Surama are

described as these are calcium compounds.

6. Siktha Vijnyaniyam is sixth chapter. In this silica and silica containing

substances e.g. Dugdh pashana etc are described.

7. Seventh chapter is Lavan-Kshar Vijnyaniyam. Here popularly used Lavan

and Kshar are mentioned.

8. Eigth chapter is Ratna Vijnyaniyam. In this Ratna.Upratna and some Unani

drugs like Sanga Yasav, Akik, Kaharuba are described.

9. Rasayoga Vijnyaniyam is ninth chapter. Here sixty six popularly used

medicinal compounds are given in sequence.

At the end nine appendices are added.

In first appendix important information for preparing Bhasmas and applying

putas have been collected and described.

In second and third appendix additional information regarding Chapal and

Shilajita has been described.

In fourth appendix special comment on Vimal and Makshik is added.

In fifth appendix various opinions regarding Rasanjana and also authors

view has been given.

In sixth appendix due to unpurified and improper incineration of metals,

which harmful effects can occour has been collected.

In seventh appendix the methods for Satva patana of different minerals are

described. Though at present this Satva patina process is not in common

practice among vaidyas. However considering its importance in parada

Sanskaras and in therapeutics have been collected.

In appendix eight purification methods of Visha Upavisha group have been

colleted and described.

References of rasa drugs found in charak and sushrut are collected in

sequence considering their historical and other therapeutic importance.

RASA VIJNYANYAM

Its tradition, beginning of good thing is done after praying god. Lord Shiva

is godfather in Rasashastra.

lÉqÉxM×üirÉ ÍzÉuÉÇ pÉYiÄrÉÉ UxÉÉaÉqÉ qÉWûÉåSkÉÏqÉç| ÌlÉqÉÏïrÉiÉå ÌuÉÌlÉÍqÉïirÉ rÉÉSuÉålÉ UxÉÉqÉ×iÉqÉç|| 1/1 After bowing Lord Shiva with devotion and after churning the ocean of Rasa

literature the classic Rasamritam is being composed by author.

Here, Rasamritam word contains two parts.

Rasa-parada

Amrita-the substance makes man immortal. i.e. parada is like Amrita with

use of this man can be immortal.

This chapter can be studied in three steps.

1. Parada- Names, properties(guna), impurities(dosha)

2. Ashtsamsakaras-

3. Rasapradhan yogas-drugs containing parada.

Parada is one of few drugs which possess all six Rasas, it pacifies tridosha.

As parada found in nature combined or in free form it carries many

impurities, for their removal eight mercurial processes (ashtasanskaras) have

been described. Only after that mercury is used in medicinal compounds.

Samanya Shodhan of parada is not mentioned here means author believes

only ashtasamskarit parada in medicine.

The eight samskaras are as follows

1 Swedana(boiling)

2 Mardana (grinding)

3 Murchhana(swooning)

4 Uthapana(regaining)

5 Patana(sublimation)

6Bodhana (potentiation)

7 Niyamana

8 Dipana (appetization)

These processes are comparatively easy commonly used and useful also.

Most of the references are from RasahridayTantra (available most ancient

rasagrantha), Rasendra Chudamani and Rasayan sara sangraha.

Next, procedure of Hinguloth parada (mercury gained by hingula ) is given.

Here author modifies Tiryak patana yantra for maximum yield and minimum

loss of parada.

Opinion of Dr.Kartik Basu (Bha. Bh. R.) have been quoted that Hingula or

mercury should be mixed with lime in equal quantity and grounded well.

Mixture should be filled into Tiryak patana yantra upto one third part and

remaining part with lime powder and be heated. In absence of eight

processed mercury this parada gained by Hingula is considered as pure and

can be used in medicine. Few mercurial processes like Kajjali, Rasa

parapati, Rasa sindoor , Rasakarpoor are given and added tips.

Two minerals of mercury Hingula and Girisindoor are given. Name,

properties purification process of Hingula is given and one preparation of

Hingula- Daradvati is described.

Author has quoted opinion of Dr. D.A. Kulkarni about Girisindoor.

According to that Girisindoor is compound of mercury and oxygen. To

differentiate Girisindoor from red lead (Nag sindoor) ancient scholars of

rasashastra might have added the adjective Giri to it

Contents of Parada vidnyaniyam are shown here in picture.

Hingultha Parada

RASADHATU

KAJJALI PARPATI RASASINDUR RASAKARKURA

PARADA

GUNA DOSHA

ASHTASAMSKARA

HINGULA

GANDHAK VIJNYANIYAM

Synonyms –Lelitaka, Balivasa etc.

In nature native sulpher is available in small quantity. It is generally found in

mineral form compounded with iron, copper, lead. There are four varieties

of Gandhak but among them yellow is recommended for medicinal purpose.

Gandhak is rasayana and yogavahi. Purification of Gandhak is actually

mentioned in context of Rasaparpati, either in cows milk or in bhringraj

swaras (juice of Eclipta Alba)

Gandhak Rasayana is very important preparation of Gandhak in which only

single Gandhak is used and triturated with twelve herbs. This reference is

from Ayurved Prakash. Author remarks that it should be used in 4-8ratti

(480-960mg) with different anupana i.e. with honey, milk etc.

GANDHAKA

DOSHA

SUDDHI

GUNA

GANDHAKA RASAYANA

LOHA VINJYANIYAM

Loha Luha- To attract or to extract.

At present the term Dathu is being used for gold, silver, copper etc metals

but in rasa texts the term Loha was being used for these metals since ancient

times and the term Ayas for iron, while the term Dhatu was being used for

Hingula, Makshik, Gairik etc minerals which contain mercury, copper iron

etc metals respectively. In this chapter all minerals occoured in earth are

collected, here Maharasa,Uparasa,like classification is not done. Thirty two

minerals have been explained.

Gold,silver like suddha loha ,

Nag vang yasad like putiloha

Kansya pittal are alloy and

Gile Armani Jangar this Unani drug all are explained in one chapter neatly.

Which common metal is extracted from minerals are described along with

metal. While describing drug various names of drug in different languages

Sanskrit, English Tamil which helps proper identification of drug. It has

been followed by brief description of drug along with properties, physical

properties as described in physics and chemistry, Unani opinion on that

drug, Rasashastriya important purification and incineration processes.

Suvarna

While in context of Suvarna he has quoted a special reference of Ra Pra Su

Gold is mixed with silver copper metals then it becomes asuddha hence such

gold should be purified before use but pure gold does not require any

purification however the other metals certainly require purification. In last

page (suddhi patra) additional sutra has been given regarding suvarna

properties.

Purification mentioned in Rasataangini where sulphuric acid and nitric acid

is used is also described here. This reference is different from ancient rasa

granta. Though according to some texts chemically pure gold does not

require any purification. However in some texts suvarna shodana methods

are mentioned to improve its colour.

Tamra

Next in context of Tamra a simple method of extraction of copper from

Tutha has described. Pittal and Kansya are copper containing alloy are

explained. Though bhasmas of pittal and kansya are not used separately in

practice but used in medicinal compounds e.g. Pittal Rasayana.

Makshik also contains copper .There are two types of Makshik i.e.Hema

makshik and Raupya makshik. Few scholars mentioned its third type

i.e.Kansya Makshik.For Suvarna Makshik it is said that,

Author remark on this, now a day purity of gold is measured in terms of

carats. In Europe 24 carat gold is supposed to be pure, while in India also

hundred tanch was purity parameter. Same like that ancient time 16 varna

was supposed to be pure .The colour less than this is impure the gradation

depends upon number.

Tutha

Tutha is also principle ore of copper. Now a day it is prepared chemically.

Nilkantha rasa, Tutha malahara and tutha drava these yoga are given along

with tutha which are used internally and externally.

Jangar

Acidic liquid kept in copper vessel and mixed with saindhav lavana (rock

salt) or milk and kept for three days in covered state change into Tutha like

blue material known as Nilakantha rasa (Jangar) according to unani it is of

two types one is natural and another is artificial. Natural is Dahane phirang it

may be taken as sasyak of rasashastra Jewelers consider Dahane phirang as

semiprecious stone.

Vanga

Description of vanga along with suvarnavanga is given.

Nag

Metal nag (lead) its properties,purification process, incineration process are

given.

Minerals of nag are given

1. Sindoor

2. Mriddarsring

3. Sapheda

4. Saurviranjana are described.

Sindoor /Nagsindoor (red lead)

When lead melts in iron crucible in hot air the surface layer reacts with

oxygen in air and forms red coloured powder i.e. Nagsindoor. It is used

externally only.

Mriddarsringam

It is scaly and yellow in appeareance and it is produced in Gujarat near Abu

Mountain. It is compound of lead and oxygen called Litharge available in

market artificially prepared. Unani physician use purified Mriddarshring (in

Saindhav lavan for week)for purgation and removing worms.

Saphed a (white lead)

It is white soft heavy powder used for wound healing and drying It is lead

corbonate available in market artificially prepared and not recommended for

internal use.

Souviranjan

Authors opinion is Sauviranjan is Nilanjan, a lead compound blackish blue

in colour .After studying Carak Susrut and Rasarnava statements of

Sauviranjan he cocluded that at present we may take Sauviranjan as

antimony sulphide, Strotonjan as Surama Isphahani and Nilanjan as lead

sulphide or Galeana

Yashada

It is not found described in ancient rasa literature. it is described as Rasak

satva.The earliest description of Yasad is found in Bhavprakash followed by

Ayurved prakash.

Rasaka

Now a days 3 types of Rasaka are available in market

1 Sanga Basar- Banaras, Iran

2 oval , red coloured

3 Palatantu- south India

Loha-

Types of Loha are given here

Munda – Samanya Loha - iron pan

Tikshna – polada –sword

Kanta – chumbaka- rar

Substances containing iron are mentioned together which are

Ayaskriti, Mandur, Vimal, Kasis, gairik, gile Armani,

Gile makhtum Abraka, Ayaskanata

4 MALLA VIDNYANIYA

The substance possessing Arsenic as a main active ingredients are collected

under this heading, these are

Haratala – (orpiment)

Types of Haratala, i.e.Pinda and Patri are given out f which Patri HAratala is

used in medicines and yields more extract. Two formulations first is

Talasindur from Siddhabheshaja Manimala and Rasamanikya from

Rasatarangini is given.

Manahshila

Purification is mentioned along with Silasindur formulation.

Gouripashana

Formulations – Malla vati, fenashma drava

5 SUDHA VIDNYANIYAMA.

Sudha- means lime. Lime stone is heated in furnace and lime is obtained. In

this chapter Sudha, khatika and Godanti

Khatika-

Churnodaka mentioned in Rasatarangini is refered here with its therapeutic

effects.

Sudha parpati- Sudha – 1 part

Gandhaka _ 2 parts

A parpati prepared by this is used for external application in Acne, boils etc.

Lekahana mrittika

This is a white coloured type of sand used after purification also known as

Khatika.

Godanti- calcium sulphate

It is also called as Godanti Haratala it is purified with only washing.

Surma E Sapheda

This is a drug used in Unani medicine, white in colour acts as Godanti

6 SIKATA VIDNYANIYAMA

In this chapter sikata and sikata containing medicines are collected which

have silica as main component. These drugs are not found in any ancient

rasa texts these are included in later period. The author has studied them and

put them here.

Sikata

It is mentioned in earlier texts like Bhava prakash, Dhanvantari nidhantu and

also found in Gadanigraha in Kasadhikara.

Dugdha pashana

It is silicate of Magnesium used in excessive bleeding to stop bleeding and

used in dental caries.

Kausheyama- asbestos

It is a soft stone and it contracts on pressure it is good conductor of heat. It is

used in tooth powder in south India.

7 LAVANA –KSHARA VIDNYANIYAM

Salt is inevitable substance in daily food. It changes from place to place.

Following chart shows lavana mentioned in text along with origin, physical

and therapeutic properties.

Name Source Physical property Therapeutic

properties

saidhava Mines in Panjab White, reddish

white

Good for eyes,

aphrodisiac

Samudra Sea water White Bhedhan,

antispasmodic

Romaka Sambhara lake White Pittal, vidbhedi

Bida lavana Navasagar

From waste of animals

White Vatanuloman,

tikshna

sourvachala Kangada district Blakish Taste inproving,

Audbhida Ushara bhumi Blakish white utkledi

Following chart shows kshara mentioned in text along with origin, physical

and therapeutic properties.

Name Source Therapeutic effects

Yavakshara

Mixture of

potassium salts

Ash from dried Yava

plant

Ashmari, hritpandu nashana

Sarjikshara Panjab, kshara vanspati Kledi,

Tankana

borax

Nepal, tibbat,near salty

lake

Mudhagarbhapravarataka

Spatika

Alum

Sourashtra Vrana ropana, shvritrapaha

Papadakshaa

Sourkshara

Potassium nitrate

Mutrakriccha

8 RATNA VIDYANIYAM

Ratnas are termed as precious stone in English , javahara in Arabi.

The author has mastery in the study of Ratna. He has prepared many Ratna

Pishti and bhasma. He has described, Ratna, its source, active principle,

chemical formula purification menthods, physical properties external

appearance and acceptable and rejectable criterias of ratnas.Uparatnas are

also described.

List of Ratna and Uparatnas mentioned in the text are as follows.

Ratna Uparatna

Manikya – ruby RAjavarta- Lapis luzali

Nilama – sapphire Sangeyashaba Jade

Pushparaja –topaz Akika –Agate

Gomeda –hesserite Chandrakant – moon’s stone

Vaidurya- cat’s eye Suryakanta- sun’s stone

Tarkshya – emerald Vaikrant – fluor spar

Vajra- diamond Kaharuba – Amber

Some Ratna and Uparnas are described below

Vaikrant- fluorspar

Author has quoted opinions of Dr. D. A. kulkarni that fluorspar can be

confirmed as Vaikrant. According to author Vaikrant included in Maharasa

is Manganese while Vaikrant as Uparatne is Fluorspar.

Kaharuba -Amber

Thia is a fossil resin.

Kaha- meand hay ruba – to attract

This generates heat when it is rubbed on cloth and attract the hay. This is

used as grahi.

Author has mentioned a process for Ratna bhasma

A piece of Ratna is heated over coal to become red hot and qeunche din

Amalaki swaras. This procedure is repeated for 50 – 60 times. Them it is

powdered and incinerated. This is done for 30 times it improves colour of

bhasma.

9 RASA YOGA VIDNYANIYAMA

This chapter contains different formulations alphabetically. Total 66

formulations are given from some other texts and some are altered. All types

of formulations are mentioned as Asava, Khalviya Rasa, Parpati, Pottali.

The important peculiar part of the text is nine appendices. The very

important basic principles of Rasashstra are discussed here, discussion about

ambiguous drugs and expert opinion of author is mentioned.

I appendix

Incineration is an important procedure in the Rasashastra. Agnivid is a

degree given to that person who has good judgment of heat. Some tips

related to incineration given by author are below

1 bhasma becomes fine and faster when it is triturated well.

2 Chakrikas should be properly dried so colour of bhasma will be

fair and chakrikas will be soft.

3 weights of the chakrikas should be 10 -20 gms and flat in shape.

4 Shape of Sharav should be shallow like pan.

5 For Abraka bhasma initially bigger Putas are required and then smaller

Puta are required. Exactly apposite condition about metals like Gold and

silver that is it requires small puta initially and big later on.

II Appendix

The detail description of Chapala is given as these drugs are not mentioned

in the text earlier. According to Dr. V. G. Desai and D.A. Kulkarni Chapal is

considered as Bismuth. Author remarks that it should be use in practice after

shodhana and Marana process. According to Narendranath selenium is

Chapala.

III Appendix

The detail description of Chapala is given as these drugs are not mentioned

in the text earlier. References of Shilajatu from Charaka and Sushruta are

mentioned. Its source, tests for genuinity and possible adulterations are

given. According to modern therapeutics it is pain killer and contracts

arterioles.

IV Appendix

The detail description of Suvarna makshika is given. The similarities and

differences between Makshik and Vimal are explained.

V Appendix

There are different opinions regarding Rasanjana. All opinions are

mentioned here with reference. According to author Rasanjana refered in

Samhita is Ghanakriya while Rasanjana mentioned in Rasa text is Yellow

oxide of mercury.

VI Appendix

Ill effects caused by consumption of properly not processed bhasma are

listed.

VII Appendix

Satvapatana procedures of different minerals are listed.

VIII Appendix

Purification processes of herbal drugs used in Rasashastra are mentioned

collectively.

IX Appendix

References of important Rasashastriya drugs present in Charaka samhita and

sushruta samhita