rasa ratna samuchaya by rasa vagbhatta.pptx

Pharmacopoeia of Ayurveda in the beginning consisted mainly of plant and plant based drugs. Caraka Saṃhitā and other classics of Ayurveda utilized these medicinal plants extensively.
It is difficult to establish the exact period in which the evolution in therapeutic application of metals and minerals got initiated. Perhaps it is during 6th century C.E. the use of metals and minerals as medicine gradually picked up and gained momentum.



From the history, it is clear that Rasaśāstra was at its greatest glory during 8th Century because of the contribution of Nagārjuna.

Many works were written and universities like Nalanda, Takshashila and Kashi were created for research and teaching of Rasaśāstra. Unfortunately in the attack of Mohammed of Ghazni (11th century C.E.), nearly all available works of Rasaśāstra were destroyed. Though some texts were available; most of them dealing with lohavāda and majority of other texts were incomplete.
Hence, it gave rise to a need to systematically compile the scattered knowledge of Rasaśāstra. This need was perfectly fulfilled by Vāgbhaṭa in the form of his written text RASARATNA SAMUCCAYA (RRS).
This treatise was written in 13th century C.E. by Vāgbhaṭa, son of Siṃhagupta
Composition of RRS RRS consists of 30 Adhyayas (chapters) and the names of chapters are their respective numerical forms instead of the subject matter therein.

1. By, Dr. V. SRIKANTH 1 st year MD RS & BK Department, Dr. N R S G A C, Vijayawada Critical study of Rasaratna Samucchaya wsr to Aushada-Nirmana

2. Introduction Pharmacopoeia of Ayurveda in the beginning consisted mainly of plant and plant based drugs. Caraka Saṃhitā and other classics of Ayurveda utilized these medicinal plants extensively. It is difficult to establish the exact period in which the evolution in therapeutic application of metals and minerals got initiated. Perhaps it is during 6th century C.E. the use of metals and minerals as medicine gradually picked up and gained momentum. From the history, it is clear that Rasaśāstra was at its greatest glory during 8th Century because of the contribution of Nagārjuna . LOHA VADA RASA TANTRA DEHA VADA RASA SHASTRA

3. Many works were written and universities like Nalanda , Takshashila and Kashi were created for research and teaching of Rasaśāstra . Unfortunately in the attack of Mohammed of Ghazni (11th century C.E.), nearly all available works of Rasaśāstra were destroyed. Though some texts were available; most of them dealing with lohavāda and majority of other texts were incomplete. Hence, it gave rise to a need to systematically compile the scattered knowledge of Rasaśāstra . This need was perfectly fulfilled by Vāgbhaṭa in the form of his written text RASARATNA SAMUCCAYA (RRS). This treatise was written in 13th century C.E. by Vāgbhaṭa , son of Siṃhagupta .

4. The Author and Abidance of Period In the first chapter, while listing the names of Rasa Siddhas Vāgbhaṭa lists Nāgārjuna (8th Century C.E.), Govinda (10th Century C.E.) and Bhairava (12th Century C.E.) which hints the period of Vāgbhaṭa to be post 12 Century C.E. The author has also mentioned a disease, Somaroga which is not found mentioned before 12th Century C.E. The text has many references to Rasārṇava (8th Cent. C.E.), Rasendra Maṅgala (11th Cent. C.E.) and Rasendracūḍāmaṇi (12th Cent. C.E.). Hence, RRS must have been written after 12th cent. C.E. A formula: Vaiśvānara Poṭṭali Rasa mentioned in chapter 16 of RRS was prepared by King Siṅghal (1200 to 1247 C.E.). Also, mention of drugs such as Ahiphena and Vijayā,which are not found mentioned before 12th Century C.E. strongly suggest the period of RRS to be from 1250 to 13th Century

5. Composition of RRS RRS consists of 30 Adhyayas (chapters) and the names of chapters are their respective numerical forms instead of the subject matter therein . R.R.S First 11 chapters Information regarding pharmaceutical procedures of metals and minerals and theoretical basis of Rasaśāstra 19 chapters deal with pathology, symptoms, and types of diseases in brief & description of many herbo‑metallic and mineral formulations in detail.

6. Chapter‑wise Description of RRS Chapter 1 At the beginning, Vāgbhaṭa worships to Śiva , the originator of Rasaśāstra . Vāgbhaṭa , salutes 27 Rasa Siddha s and seeks their blessings, Description of Himālaya , Five types of rasas (mercury) worship of rasa , Importance and effect of mūrchhita pārada are mentioned in this chapter. The commentator ( Ambikadatta Shastri ) has given an impressive contemporary clarification of blemishes of mercury mentioned in Rasaśāstra and also added detailed and valuable modern information regarding the origin, ores, availability and extraction of mercury

7. MURCHITA PARADA D estroys all diseases BANDHA PARADA Responsible for Emancipation MRITA PARADA Brings about I mmortality Description of Origin of Parada VARIETIES and Properties of Parada Definitions of rasa Parada GATI Origin of Hiṅgula

8. Chapter 2 This chapter describes eight mahārasas Types of each mahārasa , Acceptable variety, Therapeutic attributes, Detailed procedures of purification and calcination ( Shodhana & Marana ) अभ्रवैक्रान्तमाक्षीकविमलाद्रिजसस्यकम् चपलो रसकश्चेति ज्ञात्वाऽष्टौ सङ्ग्रहेद्रसान् ।। देव्या रजो भवेद् गन्धो धातुः शुक्रं तथाऽभ्रकम् । Gandaka ---- raja (Menstrual fluid) of PARVATI Abhraka ---- shukra of PARVATI

9. Capala i s a controversial drug and may be either Bismuth or Selenium, but the commentator of RRS without providing any proof, correlates Capala with Bismuth. Relevant information of Abhraka (mica) and Mākṣika (pyrite) with the help of modern chemistry have made this chapter informative

10. DHANYABRAKA – Churnabrka + shali tied in cloth, kept in Kanji pressed vigorosly ,powder which comes out of cloth is called DHANYABRAKA Marana of DHANYABRAKA– titurated with Kasamada swarasa then gajapta = bhasma Sattva shodana , marana of abhraka sattva ( divyabraka ) taken in 1 valla will cure kshaya , pandu , sula , amavata , kusta etc.. abraka druti not mentioned VAIKRANTA Shodana marana sattvapatna , vaikranta bhasma + 1/4 th of gold bhasma + VIDANGA+PIPPALI+ GHEE in 1 ratti cures Rajayakshma,jara,pandu,arshas,svasa,kasa,urakshata,dusta grahani Administration of SHILAJITU – bhasmas of shilajit , kantaloha vikranta + Triphala trikatu in 1valla cures Pandu kshaya agnimndya prameha arshas glma udara sula KARPURA SHILAJIT is Mutrakrichra , ashmari , prameha , kamala, pandu nashanam RASAKA & RASA ( MERCURY ) Considered as BEST SIDDHA RASAS

11. Chapter 3 This chapter deals with the description of 8 Uparasas and 8 Sādhāraṇa rasa . गन्धाश्मगैरिकासीसकाङ्क्षीतालशिलाञ्जनम्। कुङ्कुष्ठं चेत्युपरसाश्चाष्टयै पारदकर्मणि ।। Described their Properties, Varieties, Shodanas , Marana, Satvapatana etc

12. Shud.Gandhaka 1shana + triphala churna + bringaraj rasa+ madhu ghrita = eye vision sharp(eagle) , deerghayu GANDHAKA DRUTI mix shud gandak+16 parts of trikatu,spread on 1aratni cloth & a varti prepared , soak it in tilatila for 3 hours, take out ignite one end of it , collect the melted gandaka drops in vesssel ...3 drops of drti taken in nagavalli patra add rasa sindur cures kshaya shvasa shula grahani , HARATALA ashudha sevana dosas , MANASHILA ashudha sevana dosas are mentioned SAUVIRANJANA eradicates raktapitta visavikara hikka vrana shodana ropana , RASANJANA -- Svasa hikka mukka roga vatarakt raktpita , SROTANJANA – Netrya , hikka visavikara

13. कम्पिल्लश्चापरो गौरीपाषाणो नवसादरः । कपर्दो वह्निजारश्च गिरिसिन्दूरहिङ्गुलौ ।। मृद्दार शृङ्गमित्यष्टौ साधारणरसाः स्मृताः। रससिद्धिकराः प्रोक्ता नागार्जुनपुरस्सरैः ।। Properties, Shodhana of Sadharana Rasa are mentioned in this Chapter 3

14. Chapter 4 Fourteen different Ratna (gems) Five best Ratnas , Useful in PARADA BHANDANA, Help in JARA & VYADHI NASHANA

15. Chapter 5 Detailed and systematic description of lauhas (metals) is found in RRS for the first time. Types, attributes, purification, calcination and indications of each lauha are mentioned But methods to convert lower metals into precious metals is not given. It points towards the end of Lohavāda concept of Rasaśāstra . Four shuddha lohas , viz. svarna (gold), rajata (silver), tamra (copper), and loha (iron). Puti lohas are two, i.e. naga (lead) and vanga (tin). Mishra loha are three Pittala (brass), kamsya (bronze) and vartaloha (bell metal)

16. SWARNA – Types, properties,shodana , marana , asudha svarna dosa,Swarna druti mentioned... लोहानां मारणं श्रेष्ठं सर्वेषां ..... RAJATA– Rajata druti ,equal parts of rajata,abhraka,tamra bhasma + trikatu taken with madhu and ghrita eradicates rajayakshma , pandu , udara,arshas , swasa , kasa , netra roga and all pittaa roga TAMRA– tamra bhasma eradicates swasa , kasa , kshaya , pandu , agnimandya , aruchi , gulma , yakrit pliha roga , murcha,sula , dhatugata jwara ..rasa and rasayana karma, SOMANATTHIYA TAMRA BHASMA NIRMANA VIDHI explained LOHA– 4 shodana , 12 methods of marana , loha dravana vidhi MANDURA > MUNDA LOHA > TIKSHNA LOHA> KANTA LOHA VANGA RASAYANA 20 types of prameha

17. NAGA Rasayana – dose of 1 valla eradicates 80 vata diseases, mutravaha sroto vikara , swasa , kasa , kshaya , pandu , shota , etc.. PITTALA Bhasma , kantaloha basma , abraka satva bhasma , trikatu , chitrak,bhallatak , tila mixed , this cures krimi , kusta , swethakusta KAMSYA – 8Parts of shudh . Tamra + 2parts shud.Vanga are melted to obtain kamsyas VARTA LOHA – Kamsya , tamra , pittala , loha , naga are taken in equal quantity and melted to prepare the varta loha ,, called panchaloha . BHUNAGA SATVA– Used for dravana of vajra , satva patana vidhi , satva mudrika nirmana vidhi , TAILA PATANA VIDHI are mentioned

18. Chapter 6 Good qualities required in a Guru and Shishya , Attendent are quoted similar to that of Caraka Saṃhitā . Location and establishment of pharmacy, preparation of Rasaliṅga , method of worship of Rasaliṅga , Aghora Mantra and the initiation ceremony for disciples are mentioned in detail. Duties of Disciple, Method of Worshipping Instruments, Names of Rasasiddhas This treatise is not related with Dhatuvāda , although at the end of this chapter, the author suggests keeping the knowledge of Rasaśāstra a secret.

19. Chapter 7 This chapter presents systematic knowledge of pharmacy. Descriptions regarding ideal location required for building pharmacy, arrangement of instruments various departments and eligibility of staff required in pharmacy etc., are relevant even in the contemporary times

20. Chapter 8 For the benefit of the less intelligent physicians, the paribhasha (technical terminology) of Rasashastra , which is accepted by the scholors and expounded in scriptures, has been described here by Shri Somadeva . Terminology is an essential part of Rasaśāstra Because meaning of a word or collection of words may be quite simple in day to day affairs but could be totally different technically e.g., Kajjalī means a black coloured powder But when this word is used in Rasaśāstra , it means black sulphide of mercury prepared from definite proportions of Mercury and Sulphur. This chapter contains 78 terms which were originally defined by Somadeva in his famous treatise Rasendracūḍāmaṇi .

21. Chapter 9 This chapter provides information on 31 different instruments required in pharmacy based on the description of Somadeva . Description of Dola yantra , svedana , patana ( urdhva ), adha and tiryak , kachapa , deepika , valuka , lavana , jarana , vidyadhara etc 31 yantras Toya mrittika - sandhi bandhana wont be lost in water. Vahni mrittika - ghora vahni tapa saha , parada rodhita by this wont get lost by any gati Recommend➤ Svarna dhupana dravya ➤3 types of khalva yantra - ardha chandrakara , vartula and tapta Kalva yantras .

22. Chapter 10 17 types of Muṣa (crucibles), their manufacture 4 types of koṣṭhi (furnace) 10 types of puṭa (various sized pits) for calcination of metals and minerals and terminology of 24 frequently used groups are mentioned in this chapter Rakta varga , peeta varga,swetha varga , krishna varga , shodaneeya gana , dravaka gana , etc are mentioned.

23. Chapter 11 Explanation of various units of measurements and Pārada aṣṭa saṃskāra are mentioned. Use of mercury is contraindicated in cases where the marmas are damaged by chinna (cutting), and by kshara agni . Dos and don’ts of diet while using mercury internally, measures to treat the adverse effects developed due to improper use of mercury or improperly processed mercury 12 blemishes (DOSHAS) of impure mercury and procedures to remove them 25 Pārada bandhas (stable mercury) are the contents of this chapter. Kakaradi gana , vyapath and management during intake of Parada mentioned

24. Chapter 12 to 30 This section presents therapeutic aspects of Rasaśāstra . From 12th to 25th chapter, treatment of 64 diseases is mentioned which include pathology, types and symptoms in brief and description of many useful formulations in detail . The 26th and 27th chapters are devoted to jara roga (geriatric diseases) , rasāyana (rejuvenation) vājīkaraṇa cikitsā (aphrodisiac therapy) 28th to 30 th Chapters are extraordinary and in that each chapter represents treatment of many ailments through the use of specific drugs e.g. lauha kalpa (formulations of iron ) viṣa kalpa (formulations prepared from poisonous drugs) Pārada bhasma kalpa (formulations of calcinated mercury).

25. Commentories 1) 18th centurty - Shivadas Sen - Sanskrit teeka 2) 1983-Pdt. Hazarilal Shukla – Sanskrit 3) 1996-Ambika dutta Shastri 4) 1945-Pdt. Dharmananda Sharma 5) Prof Duttatreya Ananta Kulkarni - First 11 Chapters - Vijnana Bodhini 6) 1942-Meherchandra lakshman das 7) Chintamani Shasatri - " Saralartha Prakashini “ 8) S. N Mishra - Sidhiprada hindi teeka

26. Conclusion Most important book of rasa shastra , which is a compilation work Systematic classification of rasa dravya based on their use in rasa karma 1st 11 chapters deals with basic principles of rasa shastra 12th-30th chapter deals with treatment of many disorders Extensive explanation of paribhasha , loha kalpa , visha kalpa are the peculiar features of this book All types of kshudrarogas , their separate symptoms, & treatment and Pathyapathya (dietary regimen) are described by taking help of other rasa granthas . Rasayana vajikarana laxana (symptoms), kuti niramana procedure, Achara rasayana according to charak etc.