INTERNATIONAL

AYURVEDIC
MEDICAL JOURNAL
Review Article ISSN: 2320 5091 Impact Factor: 4.018

COLLOCATION OF RASA DRAVYAS – AN EXPLORATION

Chaithra G.T1, Radhika Ranjan Geethesh P2, Ravindra Angadi3

1
PG Scholar, 2Associate Professor, 3HOD;
Department of PG studies in Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara
College of Ayurveda,
urveda, Kuthpady, Udupi, Karnataka, India

Email: chthr15@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
Rasashastra is an ancient science that was in practice in the samhita kala itself. Even though the usage of rasa
dravyas were mentioned in ancient classical texts their usage began after the Buddhist era, i.e. 8 th century. The
classification of rasa dravyas have been explained differently by different acharyas. Rasa chikitsa was recognised
due to its therapeutic superiority to other chikitsas.. Due to its quick effect, lesser dose and maximum therapeutic
efficacy, the usage of rasa dravyas became quite common. The objective of this article is to review the opinions
of various authors
ors and the ideology behind these. From maharasa to vishavarga different rasadravyas have been
explained which depict the practices of different era. This can throw light on importance of these classifications.

Keywords: Rasa Dravya,, Classification, Rasashastra.

INTRODUCTION
Main aim of ayurveda is attaining long life span. tra, Chanakya has mentioned rasavedhaja i.e. gold
And the ultimate goal is to attain moksha
moksha. For the prepared artificially with the help of mercury. Rasa-
fulfillment of this a separate science called shastra evolved through deha vada, dhatu vada and
Rasashastra began to develop. It has been me men- chikitsa vada. Dhatu vada developed to transform
trans
tioned in Rasendra sara sangraha that with the uus- lower metals into higher metals wheras deha vada
age of small dosage of these rasa preparations
preparations, quick concentrated on strengthening the body by using it
therapeutic action could be achieved.1 internally mainly to achieve moksha. In the later
Rasashastra is a science that has evolved from aan- years after 20th century, chikitsa
hikitsa vada began to de-
cient times from deha vada to chikitsa vada
vada. Though velop where main focus was therapeutics.
the prehistoric texts like Rigveda and Atharvaveda Rasa word has various meanings contextual wise. In
have mentioned some of medicinal values of Rasashastra rasa refers to parada.
parada Rasa ingests all
swarna, rajata etc.,, the regular use in Ayurvedic types of dhatus so it is called rasa. It is shiva virya
therapeutics started from Buddhist era
era. During this mrutyu 2 Based on parada
and destroys roga, jara, mrutyu.
time i.e. 8th/9th century A.D. procedures such as the rasa dravyas have been mainly classified.
shodhana, jaarana,
rana, marana, moorchana and rasa
samskaras were developed. In Kautilya
autilya Artha Shas-
 Chaithra G.T et al: Collocation Of Rasa Dravyas – An Exploration

Broadly classified as: Dravyas in this classification are potent with metals.
1. Maharasa They are used for processing parada and for thera-
2. Uparasa peutic purposes. They are: Abhraka (Mica; Double
3. Sadharana rasa silicate of aluminium and Potassium or sodium),
4. Dhatu and Upadhatu Vaikranta (Tourmaline; K2OAl2O36SiO2), Makshika
5. Ratna and Uparatna (Chalcopyrite/Copper pyrite; Cu2S, Fe2S3), Vimala
6. Sudha, Sikatha and Kshara varga (Iron pyrite; Fe2S3), Shilajatu (Black bitumen or
7. Visha and Upavisha mineral pitch), Sasyaka (Copper sulphate/blue vitri-
ol; CuSO4 7H2O), Rasaka (Zinc ore; ZnO, ZnS,
1. Maharasa ZnCO3), Chapala (Bismuth/selenium).3

Table 1: Maharasa
Dravya name Rasahrudayatantra 9/4 Goraksha Samhita 2/20 Rasaratnasamuchaya 2/1
Abhraka --- + +
Vaikranta + + +
Makshika + + +
Vimala + + +
Shilajatu + + +
Sasyaka + + +
Chapala --- --- +
Rasaka + + +
Kantaloha + --- ---
Hingula + + ---
Dravya name Rasarnava 7/2 R.Cu. 10/1 R.P.Su 5/2 Rasop. 4/4 Rasapadhati 1/38 Ayu.Pra 2/347
Abhraka -- + + -- + --
Vaikranta -- + + + + --
Makshika + + + + + --
Vimala + + + + -- --
Shilajatu + + + + + --
Sasyaka + + + + + --
Chapala + -- -- + + --
Rasaka + -- + -- -- --
Hingula + -- -- -- -- --
Anjana + -- -- -- -- --
Rajavarta -- + + -- -- --
Parada -- -- -- + -- +
Tutha -- + -- -- -- --
R.Cu - Rasendra Chudamani, R.P.Su - Rasa Praka- parada or its action towards parada. They are:
sha sudhakara, Rasop. - Rasopanishat, Ayu.Pra - Gandhaka (Sulphur; S), Gairika (Ochre; Fe2O3),
Ayurveda Prakasha Kasisa (Ferrous sulphate/ green vitriol; FeSO4
7H2O), Kankshi (Potash alum; K2SO4 Al2
2. Uparasa (SO)324H2O) , Haratala (Orpiment, yellow arsenic;
They have been explained after maharasa. It may As2S3) , Manahshila (Realgar; As2S2) , Anjana
indicate its usefulness in different procedures of (Collyrium) , Kankushta (Gambose tree extract).4

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 Chaithra G.T et al: Collocation Of Rasa Dravyas – An Exploration

According to Anandakanda- Gandhaka, gairika, kampillaka, visha, gouripashana, saurashtri,

kasisa, kanksi, haratala, manashila, anjana, mruddarashringa, ahiphena, shukti, shambuka,
kankushta, abhraka, kharpara, tutha, swarna sabuni, navasara, chinaksara, guggulu, laksha,
makshika, varatika, hingula, sankha, bhunaga, kshara, lavana, gorochana, amlavetasa, vanopala,
tankana, silajatu, sindura, sambuka, chapala, valuka.5
haridra, agnijara, girisindura, kacalavana,

Table 2: Uparasa
Dravya Rasarnava R.H.T Go.sam R.Pr.Su R.Cu R.R.S R.Paddhati Rasop.
name 7/56 9/5 2/29 6/1 11/1 3/1 1/55 4/5
Gandhaka + + + + + + + +
Haratala + + + + + + + +
Manashila + + + + + + + +
Sphatika + + + + + + - +
Kasisa + + + + + + - +
Gairika + + + + + + - +
Rajavarta + - - - - - - -
Kankushta + + + + + + - -
Anjana - + + + - + - +
Sauveera - - - - + - - -
R.H.T- Rasa Hridaya Tantra, Go.sam- Goraksha
Samhita, R.Cu - Rasendra Chudamani, R.Pr.Su - 4. Dhatu varga:
Rasa Prakasha sudhakara, R.R.S - Rasa ratna Although the above 3 are important classifications,
samuchaya, R.Padhati- Rasa Padhati, Rasop. - Ra- dhatu varga is also having its own significance.
sopanishat They are mainly Shudha loha, Putiloha and Mishra
loha. Shuddha loha- Swarna(Gold), Rajatha(Silver),
3. Sadharana rasa Tamra(Copper), Loha (Iron), Putiloha- Naga (Lead),
It is explained only by Rasaratna samuchaya. They Vanga (Tin), Mishra loha- Pittala(Brass),
are Kampillaka (Mallotus philippinesis Muell-arg), Kansya(Bronze), Varta(Bronze).7 Rasa hrudaya tan-
Gouripashana (Arsenious oxide; As2O3), tra8- has explained the classification as Saraloha-
Navasadara (Ammonium chloride; NH2Cl), Swarna, Rajatha, Satvaloha-Tamra, Pittala,
Kapardika (Cowries), Agnijara (Amber), Teekshna, Kanta, Abhraka satva, Putiloha- Naga,
Girisindura (Red oxide of mercury; HgO), Hingula Vanga. Yoga Ratnakara-Parada is considered as
(Cinnabar; HgS), Mruddarashringa (Litharge; loha. But other texts do not consider it under this
PbO).6 group because of its liquid state.

Table 3: Dhatu varga

Dhatu Rasarnava Rasop.4/3 Ananda Sha.sam Rasapadhati R.T. 15/2 Ayu.pra 3/1
name 7/97 kanda 1/9 11/1 1/11
Swarna + + + + + + +
Rajata + + + + + + +
Tamra + + + + + + +
Teekshna + + + + -- -- --
Vanga + + + + + + +

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 Chaithra G.T et al: Collocation Of Rasa Dravyas – An Exploration

Naga + + + + + + +
Abhraka -- + + -- -- -- --
satva
Loha -- -- (kanta,munda) -- + + +
Yashada -- -- -- -- -- + +
Pittala -- -- + + + -- --
Kansya -- -- + -- + -- --
Varta + -- + -- --
Rasop. - Rasopanishat, Sha.sam - Sharangadhara 5. Ratna Varga
Samhita, R.T - Rasa tarangini, Ayu.pra - Ayurveda They are of mineral & animal origin which are found
Prakasha in rocks and are formed during the crust formation of
the earth. They are durable, colorful & rare and the
Upadhatu: most valuable entity. These are classified on the ba-
These drugs are having similar qualities of dhatu or sis of; Structure, Relation to the planets, Opacity &
vary somewhat from dhatu. These can be used as Transparency, Beauty and scarcity. They are; Mani-
pratinidhi dravya in the abhava of dhatu. In the kya (Ruby), Mukta (Pearl), Pravala (Coral), Tark-
abhava of Swarna - Swarnamakshika is used. Simi- shya (Emerald), Pushparaga (Topaz), Vajra (Dia-
larly Rajata - Rajatamakshika, Tamra - Tutha, mond), Nila (Sapphire), Gomeda (Zircon / Hesso-
Vanga -Kamsya, Yashada - Riti, Naga - Sindura, nite), Vaidoorya (Cat’s eye).10
Loha - Shilajatu.9

Table 4: Ratna varga

Ratna names R.R.S 4/5 R.Cu 12/1 Rasop. 4/9 R.P.Su 7/2 An.Ka 1/9 R. Padhati 88 R.T 23/2
Manikya + + + + + + +
Mukta + + + + + + +
Pravala + + - + + + +
Tarkshya + + - + + + +
Pushpa + + - + + + +
Vajra + + + + + + +
Nilam + + + + + + +
Gomeda + + + + + + +
Vaidoorya + + + + + + +
Vaikranta - - + - - - -
R.R.S - Rasa ratna samuchaya R.Cu - Rasendra Uparatna:
Chudamani, Rasop. - Rasopanishat, R.P.Su - Rasa They are Vaikranta (Tourmaline), Perojaka (Tur-
Prakasha sudhakara, An.ka - Ananda kanda, quoise), Suryakranta (Sun stone), Sphatika
R.Padhati- Rasa Padhati, R.T-Rasa tarangini (Quartz/rock crystal), Candrakanta (Moon stone),
Rajavarta (Lapis lazuli).11

Table 5: Uparatna
Uparatna An. ka 1/12 Ayu.Pra 5/8 R.T 23/145
Suryakantha + + +
Chandrakantha + + +
Vaikranta + + +

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Rajavarta + + +
Perojika + + +
Sphatika -- -- +
Tarakanta + -- --
Kanta + -- --
Sasyaka + -- --
Vimala + -- --
Lalamani _ + --
Muktashukti -- + --
Shankha -- + --
Karpoorashma -- + --
Kaacamani -- + --
Nilamani -- + --
Pitamani -- + --
Vishaharamani -- + --
Agnistambhakamani -- + --
Jalastambhakamani -- + --
An.ka - Ananda kanda, R.T - Rasa tarangini, Ayu. Lavana varga- consists of Saindhava, Samudra,
Pra - Ayurveda Prakasha Vida, Sauvarchala, Audbhida lavana15

6. Sudha varga 7. Visha:

It was first categorized by Rasamrita. The main con- • They are useful in rasakarma and
tent is calcium. They are useful in parada bandana, rasabandhana.
jarana and mrudukarana of rasa dravyas along with • With its help parada can digest metals.
lliquefying metals like gold and in shodhana of Rasarnava appears to be the first text to mention
dravyas like haratala. Drugs taken under this varga about Visha and Upavisa classification. After
are: Sudha (lime/calcium), Shambhuka (pila), Rasarnava, Rasendra Cudamani and Rasa Ratna
Khatika (chalk/pipe clay), Samudraphena (cuttle fish Samucchaya have mentioned five Visas. Rasa
bone), Godanti (gypsum), Kurmaprushta (tortoise tarangini-16 Sthavara- visha and upavisha, Jangama-
bone), Svetanjana (calcite), Kukkutandatwak (egg sarpadi jantu visha. Rasa tarangini, Bhava prakasa
shell), Mrugashringa (hart’s horn/deer horn), Shukti have enumerated nine dravyas as Visha.
(pearl oyster), Shankha (conch shell).12 Rasamanjari, Rasendrachintamani, Rasa jala nidhi
Sikta varga - consists of Dugdhapashana (talc/soft have explained 18 kanda visha. They are- Kalakuta,
stone), Kousheyashma (asbestos), Nagapashana Saktuka, Vatsanabha, Shringika, Mustaka,
(serpentine), Badaraashma (silicate of lime).13 Halahala, Haridra, Mayura, Binduka, Sunama,
Kshara varga - consists of Tankana, Yavakshara, Shankhanabha, Sumangala, Pushkara, Bhramara,
Sarjakshara.14 Karkotaka, Shuklakanda, Raktashringi, Visha or
Chakra.

Table 6: Visha varga

Visha names Rasarnava 5/33 R.Cu 9/11 R.R.S 10/82 R.T 24/8 B.P(dhatvadi 191) Ayu.Pra 6/12
Kalakuta + + + + + +
Shringika + + + + + +
Saktuka + + + + + +

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Vatsanabha -- + + + + +
Pita -- + + -- -- --
Halahala -- -- -- + + +
Pradeepna -- -- -- + + +
Haridra -- -- -- + + +
Brahmaputra -- -- -- + + +
Sourashtrika -- -- -- + + +
Krishna visha + -- -- -- -- --
Sitamusta + -- -- -- -- --
R.Cu- Rasendra cudamani, R.R.S- Rasaratna Vaikranta has been explained under maharasa and
Samuchaya, R.T- Rasatarangini, B.P- in uparatna. The same applies to all other vargas
Bhavaprakasha, Ayu Pr- Ayurveda Prakasha too. Some drugs among these are also controversial
like Chapala, Kankusta, Agnijara, Girisindura etc.
Upavisha: Looking at all these we can say that they may be
They are 7 according to Rasaratna Samuchaya- classified based on
Langali, Vishamushti, Karavira, Jayapala, Nilaka, 1. Availability, utility towards parada & properties
Kanaka, Arka.17 Rasa tarangini has explained 11 of the substances. As the various classics date
types- Ahiphena, Vijaya, Bhallataka, Snuhi ksheera, from different era, depending on the availability
Vishatinduka, Jayapala, Dhattura, Arka ksheera, of rasa dravyas in their era the classification
Langali, Karavira, Gunja.18 might have been done. Their role in various
murchana, bandha or jarana procedures of
DISCUSSION parada and 16 samskaras of parada may have
There is difference of opinion among different au- also been the basis.
thors of rasa granthas about classification of 2. As Therapeutic agents- These rasa dravyas are
rasadravya from Rasarnava to latest texts like used in preparation of different formulations af-
Rasatarangini. Although main classification taken in ter undergoing purificatory procedures which are
practice is of maharasa, uparasa, sadharana rasa beneficial in treating many diseases. For
according to Rasaratna samuchaya, there are other abhraka- sahasraputa bhasma has more thera-
rasa dravyas like dhatu, upadhatu, ratna, uparatna, peutic properties when compared to shataputa
visha, upavisha etc. There are no particular criteria abhraka bhasma.
explained for these classifications. We can see that 3. Potency with metals and minerals. The dravyas
one dravya is explained under the maharasa by have many minerals as their components which
some texts, but other texts may have included it un- are responsible for their potency. For ex- In
der another group. maharasa- Abhraka is having the components of
For ex- Hingula has been told as maharasa by Rasa aluminium, silica, sodium, potassium, rubidium,
hridaya tantra, Goraksha Samhita, Rasarnava but lithium, magnesium, hydrogen and other trace
the same is told as sadharana rasa by Rasa ratna elements.
samuchaya. Similarly Anjana is maharasa according 4. Physical and chemical components of the sub-
to Rasarnava, but uparasa according to Rasa ratna stances. The physical appearance of the dravyas
samuchaya, Rasa hridaya tantra, Goraksha Samhita, and their chemical nature can also be one of the
Rasa prakasha sudhakara, Rasopanishat. aspects for classification. Like ratna and
Ananda kanda has included guggulu, kshara, uparatna varga dravyas are known for their at-
lavana, valuka, vanopala etc under uparasa.

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tractive appearance. Sudha varga dravyas have turbhuja misra. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Publish-
main component as calcium. ers;2005; p.127
5. Belief & practices prevalent in those periods- 9. Bhavamisra, Bhavaprakasha, edited by Brahma-
Dehavada, Dhatuvada, Chikitsa vada. The earli- sankara Misra and Rupalalji Vaisya with Vidyotini
commentary. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Bha-
er text books of Rasashastra like Rasarnava
wan; 2010; p.609
aimed at dhatuvada and dehavada whereas later
10. Vagbhatacharya, Rasaratnasamuchaya, edited by
texts of 20th century like Rasa tarangini gave Siddhi Nandan Mishra with Siddhiprada commen-
importance to chikitsa vada. So in Rasa tary. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2011; p.96
tarangini, gandhaka is explained first followed 11. Sharma Sadananda, Rasa Tarangini, edited by Kashi-
by other rasa dravyas owing to its therapeutic nath Shastri. Varanasi: Motilal Banarasidas;2014;
importance. p.632
12. Jha Chandrabhushan, Ayurvediya Rasashastra, Vara-
CONCLUSION nasi: Chaukhambha Surbharti Prakashan; 2007; p.433
13. Trikamji Acharya jadavji, Rasamritam, Translation
These classifications depict how rasa dravyas have
by Damodar joshi. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit
evolved from ancient time. Rasaoushadhies contain-
sansthan; 2007; p.123
ing purified and processed metals, minerals, other 14. Jha Chandrabhushan, Ayurvediya Rasashastra, Vara-
elements and herbs in small quantity provide quick nasi: Chaukhambha Surbharti Prakashan; 2007; p.449
relief from the disease. The introduction of 15. Trikamji Acharya jadavji, Rasamritam, Translation
Rasaoushadhies to Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia has by Damodar joshi. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit
revolutionized the treatment aspect of the system. sansthan; 2007; p.128
16. Sharma Sadananda, Rasa Tarangini, edited by Kashi-
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