Importance of Rasashastra

pUv<l
R aehe prI]et ttaedehe àyaejyet!, (Rnv.7/64)

th
After 7 century, some scholars of Rasashastra were opined that before administration of
processed mercury into body, it is advisable to be examined on metals by doing various
alchemical procedures. The reason behind this, if mercury is adequate in this transmutation of
metals, then it is surely suitable in the promotion of positive health of individuals.

isÏe rse kir:yaim indaRirÔ(gd< jgt!, (R.R.S.1/31)

Siddha Nagarjuna has given the significant contributions in the field of Rasashastra and
was expert in many alchemical procedures for transmutation procedures of metals. By quoting
this verse, he announced that ‘he shall make the entire world free from poverty by
metamorphoses in mercury.

Definition of Rasa

rsnat! svRxatuna< rs#TyiÉxIyte, jraé=m&Tyunazay rSyte va rsae mt>. (R.R.S.1/77)

Importance of Rasaushadhi

rsiv*a pra iv*a ÇElaeKye=ip suduLlRÉa, Éui´mui´krI ySmat! tSmaÎeya gu[aiNvtE>.

(Rnv.1/46)

Rasashastra is a very important branch of Ayurveda which deals with the knowledge of
metals and minerals and manufacturing medicines from these Rasa Dravya. Our Acharya has
mentioned the supremacy of Rasa Chikitsa from all the sciences at many places.
2) Treatment

ALpmaÇaepyaeigTvad Aruceràs<gt>,

i]àmaraeGydaiyTvadaE;xe_yae=ixkaers>. (R.R.S.28/1, R.S.S.1/4)

Rasaushadhi are used in Alpamatra (small doses); Arucheruprasangatah (has no taste)

and Kshipramarogyadayitvat (fast acting). Due to different processes like Shodhana, Marana,
Samskara etc, the material converts into Nano form which makes quick assimilation in small
doses in the body. Due to its tasteless property, the patient can overcome the unpleasant taste of
herbal drugs by using it. It gives quick result when compared to herbal drugs.

n dae;a[a< n dU:ya[a< n c pu<sa< prI][m!, n dezSy n kalSy kayaRrsicikTskE>.

(B.R. Jwara Chikitsa 5/479)
This stanza shows the mode of action of Rasaushadhi in cellular level. There is no need to go
through the details of Dosha, Dushya, Rogipariksha, Desha and Kala while prescribing
Rasaushadhi.
 m&tain laehain rsIÉviNt yu´ain ×iNtmhamya<Â,

A_yasyaegad! †FdehisiÏkuvRiNték!jNmjraivnazm!. (R.R.S.5/142)

Acharya mentioned Rasibhavana state for Loha (metals and minerals) which are
converted into absorbable form i.e. organo-metallic compound form by applying various
techniques such as purification, incineration etc. Research has proved that Rasaushadhi are
transformed in the nano particles form since their absorption is only possible in nano particle
form by our body fluids. So bioavailability of mercurial compounds is enhanced through
assimilation in the Rasa (nutrient fluid).
Concept of Rasa – Rasayana
At>isiÏ nR svRÇ rsevaip rsayne, (A.P.1/12)

In the commentary of this stanza, the commentator explained the word Rasa and Rasayana
as;

rse rsiv;ykkmRi[, rsaynevaip yJjraVyaixnazn< tiSmn!,

Rasa means Parada related procedures while Rasayana means rejuvenation.

Concept of Raseshwara Darshana

n c rszaö< kevl< xatuvadawRmeveitmNtVym!,

ikNtudehvexÖaramui´revprmàyeajnTvat!, (Raseshwara Darshana)

th
In 14 century, the author of Raseshwara Darshana text, Shri Sayana Madhvacharya has
revealed the principles of liberation through using processed mercury and stated the importance
of Rasashastra. Dhatuvada is not only the aim of Rasashastra but liberation is the ultimate goal.

mairt< dehisÏywR mUiCDRt< Vyaixnazne, rsÉSm< Kvicdyaege dehaweR mUiCDRtKvict. (A.P.1/396)

Parada Bhasma is used for Dehasiddhi and Murchchhit Parada is used for
Vyadhinashana (disease curing ability). But at some places Parada Bhasma is indicated for
Rasayana Karma and Murchchhit Parada for Dehasiddhi. By doing Murchchhana, Parada is
converted in different compound form which is used for curing disease.

mUiCDRTva hrit êj<, bNxnmnuÉUy mui´dae Évit,

AmrIkraeit sum&t> kae=Ny> ké[aprStSmat!. (R.H.T.1/3)

Place for Rasa Shala

Aat»rihte deze xmRraJye mnaerme, %mamheñraepete sm&Ïe ngre zuÉe.

ktRVy< saxn< tÇrsrajSy xImta, (R.R.S.6/11-11½ )

Division of work
Rasashala has divided in different sections according to directions for carrying different
types of works. There is scientific logic behind the direction wise work distributions.

zalaya> pUvRidGÉag SwapyeÔsÉErvm!,

viûkmaRi[ ca¶eye yaMye pa;a[kmR c.

nE§Tye zôkmaRi[ vaé[e ]alnaidkm!,

zae;[< vayukae[e c vexkmaeRÄre twa.

Swapn< isÏvStUna< àkuyaRdIzkae[ke,

pdawRs'¢h> kayaeR rssaxnhetuk>. (R.R.S.7/3-5)

Paribhasha (Technical terminology)

AVy´anu´lezae´ s<idGxawR àkaizka>, pirÉa;a àkWyNte dIpIÉUta> suiníta>. (Vai.P.P.)

In Ayurveda, Paribhasha is highlighted the things by throwing light on that is not

expressed clearly or articulated; not mentioned anywhere; said not as much of and controversial
things.
Shodhana

%iÎ:qErae;xE> saxR¡ i³yte pe;[aidkm!!, mliviCDyte yÄu zaexn< tidhaeCyte. (R.T.2/52)

Shodhana is a process by which Mala (physical and chemical impurities) get separated
from the substances by Peshanadi Karma (different treatment) with mentioned drugs. These
impurities are separated from the substance by various processing like Bhavana, Mardana,
Swedana with specific drugs.
 Dhalana (melting and quenching):

s<ÔaivtSy ÔVySy Ôve in]ep[Ntu yt!, Faln< tTsmuiÎò< rskmR ivzardE>. (R.T.2/26)

When metal is molten and poured in prescribed liquid media for specific time, it
is called Dhalana. e.g. Naga, Vanga and Yashada Shodhana.
 Nirvapa (heating and quenching):

tPtSyaPsu ivin]epae invaRp> Snpn tt!. (R.R.S.8/54)

When the red hot material is dipped into the prescribed liquid media for specific
time, it is called Nirvapa and Snapana. e.g. Samanya Shodhana of Dhatu.
Bhavana

yCcUi[RtSy xaTvade ÔvE> sMpe:y zae;[m!, Éavn< tNmt< iv}E Éavna c ing*te. (R.T.2/49)

Bhavana is the process in which the powdered material of Dhatu etc. levigated with
prescribed liquid till its dryness.
Importance:

ÉUyZcE;a< blaxan< kayR< SvrsÉavnE>, suÉaivt< ýLpmip ÔVy< SyaÓhukmRk&t!.

SvrsEStuLyvIyERva tSmad! ÔVyai[ Éavyet!, (Cha.K.12/47-47½)

Amount of Bhavana Dravya:

idva idva==tpe zu:k< raÇaE raÇaE invasyet!, zu:k< cU[IRk&t< ÔVy< sPtah< Éavnaivix>. (B.R.4/117)

Marana

zaeixtan! laehxaTvadI ivm*R SvrsaidiÉ>, AiGns<yaegtae ÉSmIkr[< mar[< Sm&tm!. (D.G.V.)

Marana is the process in which the purified metals and minerals converted into Bhasma
subjecting them into levigation and incineration.

Mrita Lauha Pariksha (Ancient parameters for Bhasma)

(a) Varitara

m&t< trit yÄaeye laeh< vairtr< ih tt!. (R.R.S.8/26)

A little amount of Bhasma → put on the surface of water in a transparent glass → float on
the surface of water.
(b) Rekhapurnata

A<¼‚ótjRnI Sp&ò< yÄÔeoaNtre ivzet!, m&tleah< tduiÎò< reoapU[aRiÉxant>. (R.R.S.8/27)

A little amount of Bhasma → rub in between the index finger and thumb → it easily
enters into the lines of finger.
(c) Unama

tSyaepir gué ÔVy< xaNy< caepyend!Øuvm!, h<svÄIyRte vair{yuÄm< pirkIitRtm!.

(R.R.S.8/29) Put a grain of rice on the floated Bhasma → it does not sink.
(d) Apunarbhava

gufguÃasuoSpzRmXvaJyE> sh yaeijtm!, nayait àk&it ¸manadpunÉRvmuCyte. (R.R.S.8/28)

Apunarbhava means irreversible state. This test is indicated for metallic Bhasma. If
 the Bhasma is prepared properly, it does not convert again into its original metallic
form.
(e) Niruttha

raEPye[ sh s<yu´ ¸mat< raEPye[ nae lget!, tda inéTwimTyu´ laeh< tdpunÉRvm!. (R.R.S.8/30)

Bhasma + fixed weight of silver piece → subject to Puta → the weight of silver
piece does not increase.
Amritikarana

laehadIna< m&tana< vE iz:qdae;anuptye, i³yte yStu s<Skar Am&tIkr[< mtm! . (R.T.2/58)

The remaining Dosha (blemishes) from Bhasma of metals and minerals is removed and
induced the qualities like Amrita (nectar) by the process termed as Amritikarana.
Satvapatana

]araMlÔavkEyu´< ¸matmakrkaeóke , yStt! ingRt> sar> sÅvimTyiÉxIyte . (R.R.S.8/34)

Satva is obtained from the powdered metals and minerals with the help of Dravaka Gana,
Kshara or Amla by Dhamana process. This process is called Satvapatana.
Druti

AaE;xaXmanyaegen laehxaTvaidk< twa, siNtóte Ôvakar< sa Ôuit> pirkIitRta. (R.R.S.8/81)

Druta means to liquefy. When any metals or minerals are to be treated with particular
drugs and subjected for heating, they are converted into liquid state from their solid form and
remained in that liquid state. This process is known as Druti. e.g. Swarna Druti, Ratna Druti,
Gandhaka Druti etc. After Charana Samskara of Parada, Grasa is digested by Garbha or Bahya
Druti Samskara.
Characteristic (Lakshana):

inleRpTv< ÔutTv< c tejSTv< l"uta twa, As<yaeg sUten pÂxa Ôuitl][m!. (R.R.S.8/82)

The five characteristic of Druti are as follows:

1. inleRpTv< - Not stick to the vessels

2. ÔutTv< - Remain in liquid state

3. tejSTv< - Having lustre

4. l"uta - Become lighter

- Though mix in Parada not mixed with
5. As<yeag sUten Parada
Jarana
Ôutgaas]y @v jar[a,
 The substance (molten Grasa) which is to be digested in Parada is called Jaraka. Jarana is an
th
important and 13 Samskara of Parada. After Druti Samskara, it is necessary to digest Grasa
(different Satva obtained from metal, minerals and gems) in order to make Parada more
potentiated for Lohasiddhi and Dehasiddhi. So, Jarana Samskara is done.

Ôut¢asprI[amae ibfyNÇaidyaegt>, jar[eTyuCyte tSya> àkara> siNt kaeiqz>. (R.R.S.8/83)

With the help of Bida (prepared with Kshara, Amla, Lavana) different Yantra (Jarana
Yantra, Kachchhapa Yantra, Tula Yantra etc.) and procedures, liquefied Grasa is to be
assimilated in Parada. This process is known as Jarana Samskara.

jar[a ih nam galnpatnVyitreken ¢St"nhemaidrsSy pUvaRvSwa àitpÚTvm!. (A.P.1/107)

The process by which Grasa of Ghana, Hema, Satva, Ratna etc. are to be digested by
Parada without doing any procedures such as Galana, Patana etc. and remain in its original form
pUvaRvSwa àitpÚTvm!.

Murchchhana

tÄivixàÉeden rsSyaiÉcart>, Vyaix"atkta ya Syat! sa mta mUCDRna buxE>. (R.T.10/65)

By doing various processes on Parada with or without Gandhaka etc, drugs, it becomes
lustreless, achieves Nashtapishtatwa stage and converts into suitable compound form which used
for curing disease. This process is known as Murchchhana.
Kajjali

xatuiÉ gNxka*EÂ inÔRvEmRidtae rs>, suðú[> kJjlaÉa=saE kJjlITyiÉxIyte. (R.R.S.8/5)

When purified mercury is triturated with the other purified metals and sulphur etc. drugs
without adding any liquids till the mixture becomes Sushlakshna (fine form) and Kajjalabha
(black colour), it is called Kajjali.

Yantra

SvedaidkmRinmaRtu< vaitRkNe ÔE> àyTnt>, yNÈyte pardae ySmaÄSma*NÇimit Sm&tm!. (R.R.S.9/2)

The instrument used in Swedana etc. processes of Parada and by execution of these
procedures the mobility of Parada to be controlled is known as Yantra.

Musha

mu:[ait dae;an! mU;eyan! sa mU;eit ing*te. (R.R.S.10/2)

 Moosha is used to remove Dosha from various metals and minerals. They are specially
designed for preparing Bhasma and the extraction of Satva from Dhatu i.e. one can eliminate the
impurities.

Upadana Dravya (basic material)

%padan< ÉveÄSya m&iÄka laehmev c. (R.R.S.10/3)

The basic ingredients of Moosha are Mrittika and Loha.

Koshthi

sÅvaidpatna*waR ÔVyFalnsaixka, viûsNxainka ya tu kaeióka sa ing*te. (R.T.3/24)

The different size and shape of heating devices which are used for Satvapatana and
furthermore Satva Shodhana of that extracted material (Satva) are known as Koshthi.
Puta

rsaidÔVypakana< àma[}apn< puqm!, neòae NyUnaixk> pak> supak< ihtmaE;xm!. (R.R.S.10/47)

Puta indicates the quantum of heat required for incineration of Rasa etc. drugs. The
quantity of such heat is that neither more nor less. So, incineration process of different metals and
minerals is performed by sufficient quantity of heat and made the same in absorbable and
assimilable form to our body i.e. ihtmaE;xm.
Parada Gati

jlgae jl êpe[ Tvirtae h<sgae Évet,

! mlgae mlêpe[ sxUmae xUmgae Évet.
!

ANya jIvgitdERvI jIvae={faidv in:³met,

! (R.R.S.1/82-83½ )

Grahya-Agrahyata of Parada

ANt>sunIlae bihéJJvlae va mXyaûsUyRàitmàkaz>,

zStae<=w xUè> pirpa{furí icÇae n yaeJyae rskmRisÏye. (R.Mj. 1/15)

The mercury which is suitable for Rasakarma is having intence black colour internally
and shiny externally or exactly resembling midday sun. Smoky, glittering white and different
colour radiance of mercury should not be used for Rasakarma.

Parada Bandha

yen yen ih caÂLy< du¢RhTv nZyit, rsrajSy sMàae´ae bNxnawaeR ih vaitRkE> . (R.R.S.11/60)

Maharasa
AævE³aNtma]IkivmlaiÔjsSykm!, cplaerskíeit }aTva=òaE s<¢heÔsan!. (R.R.S.2/1)
 There are eight Maharasa, viz, Abhraka, Vaikranta, Makshika, Vimala, Adrija
(Shilajatu), Sasyaka, Chapala and Rasaka (Kharpara).

Uparasa

gNxaZmgEirkasIska<]ItalizlaÃnm!, k»uó< ceTyursaíaòaEpardkmRi[. (R.R.S. 3/1)

There are eight Uparasa, viz, Gandhaka, Gairika, Kasisa, Kankshi, Haratala,
Manahshila, Anjana and Kankushtha.

Sadharana Rasa

kiMp‘Âaprae gaErIpa;a[ nvsadr>, kpdaeR viûjar igirisNdUrih¼ulaE.

m&Îarï&¼imTyòaE saxar[rsa>Sm&ta>, rsisiÏkra àae´a nagajuRnpurSsrE>. (R.R.S.3/120-121)

There are eight Sadharana Rasa viz, Kampillaka, Gauripashana, Navasadara, Kaparda,
Agnijara, Girisindura, Hingula and Mridarashringa.

Samanya Shodhana of Dhatu

tEle t³e gva< mUÇe ýarnale k…lTwje, ³maiÚ;ecyeÄÝ< Ôave Ôave tu sÝxa.

Sv[aRidlaehpÇa[a< zuiÏre;a< àzSyte. (R.R.S.5/13)

Thin sheet of Ashuddha Dhatu → Nirvapa (heating and quenching) in Tila Taila (sesame
oil), Takra (butter milk), Gomutra (cow’s urine), Aranala (fermented liquors) and Kulattha
Kwatha (decoction of Kulattha) consecutively for 7 times in each liquid media → Shuddha Dhatu

Dhatu Marana

laehana< mar[< ïeó< sveR;a< rsÉSmna, mUlIiÉmRXym< àahu> kinó<

gNxkaidiÉ>, Airlaehen laehSy mar[< duguR[àdm!. (R.R.S.5/14)

According to four different media used for Loha (Dhatu) Marana, Bhasma can be
classified into four categories viz,
(1) Shreshtha - By using Parada Bhasma
(2) Madhyama - By using Kashthaushadhi
(3) Kanishtha - By using Gandhakadi
(4) Durgunaprada - By using Ariloha

Ashuddha Tamra Sevanajanya Dosha

n iv;< iv;imTva÷Staè< tu iv;muCyte, @kae dae;ae iv;e taèe TvòaE dae;a> àkIitRta>.

æmae> mUCDaR ivdahí Sved¬ednvaNty>, AéiciíÄs<tap @te dae;a iv;aepma>. (A.P.3/115-116)

 Tamra is a dangerous poison. Visha has only one Dosha but Tamra has 8 Dosha like
Bhrama, Murchchha, Vidaha, Sweda, Kleda, Vanti, Aruchi and Chittasantapa.