(History and Chronological Development of “Rasashastra”
The word “Rasashastra” literally means the “Science of
Mercury”. It is a specialized branch of Ayurveda dealing mainly with materials
which are known as ‘Rasa dravyas’.
Pharmacopoeia of ‘Ayurveda’ comprises of drugs derived not
only from herbs but also from minerals, metals and animal products. According
to the principles of ‘Ayurveda’, there is not a single substance in the
Universe which does not have a potential to be used as a drug, provided it is
used judiciously by the physician where it is required.
In ‘Rasashastra’ the term rasa is indicative of ‘parade’ (mercury).
(Its symbol is Hg, Atomic weight 200.6; specific gravity 13.6 and boiling point 357 *C)
It is capable of digesting other metals and minerals that come in contact with it. Therefore it is define as:
“ रसनात् सर्वधातूनां रसः इत्यभिधीयते । जरारुक्मृत्युनाशाय रस्यते वा रसो मतः । " (R.R.S 1/76)
The one which has the capability to digest all the
other metals and minerals in it, one which is capable of relieving old age,
pain and disease. Mercury does the ‘rasana’ or ‘aswadana’ (engulf) of
‘abhrakadi rasa dravyas’ and ‘swarnadi dhatu’ it is called as ‘RASA’.
(Origin
and Brief History of ‘RASASHASTRA’)
‘Rasashastra’ or the Ayurvedic alchemy is an important branch of
Ayurvedic pharmacology. This branch deals with use of metals, minerals,
gemstones and their processing.
History (Chronicle Development)
|
VEDIC PERIOD |
Medieval Period |
MODERN ERA |
RIGVEDA |
|
BHAISHJYA RATNAVALI |
|
YAJURVEDA |
RASA RATNA SAMUCCHYA |
RASA TARANGINI |
|
ATHARVAVEDA |
RASA HRIDYA TANTRA |
RASAYOGA SAGAR |
|
CHANDAYOGA UPNISHAD |
ANAND KHANDA |
RASA DHATU VIGYANA |
|
MANUSMRITI |
|
|
|
BRIHATTRAYI |
|
|
Ø Vedic Period:
|
RIGVEDA |
Reveals the use of copper, gold and
iron during the substituting of lost leg of VISHALA by a thigh made of iron
by Aswins. |
|
YAJURVEDA |
Enumerated list of metals and minerals
like; Ayas, Hirnaya, Syam (copper), Loha, Sisa (lead),
Tropen(tin). |
|
ATHARVAVEDA |
Hiranyadarshanaphala and its int, uses
are mentioned. |
|
CHANDYOGA UPANISHAD |
Tikshnaloha is used as medicine. |
|
MANUSMRITI |
Swarnprashan is indicated as birth
ritual of a baby. |
Early in Vedic period, single herbs were used for medication. Minerals and animal substances were also in use but no compound preparations were prepared.
Alchemy in India started as:
o
Lohasiddhi and Dehasiddhi
Lohasiddhi-where trial and error methods
were carried out to convert lower metals into gold .
Dehasidhhi- had an aim of retaining good health and virility as long as possible.
Ø
Samhita Period:
The reference for ‘Rasa dravya’ and
their use for the therapeutic purposes may be readily traced from all the three
‘Bhrattrayi’ (Charaka samhita, Susruta samhita and Ashtanga Hrdaya)
CHARAKA SAMHITA:
This book belonged to 2-3 century B.C. Originally written by Maharishi Agnivesha, pratisamskarana doneby Maharishi Charaka. It has 8 chapters in it. Reference of ‘Lauhadi rasayana’(ayaskrti) is found in 1st chapter ,3rd pada of chikitsa sthana.
Rasa dravyas: purposed in this book
are: shilajitu, hartala, manishila, tuttha, swarna, mashika, roupaya,
gandhaka, anjana, rasanjana adi and sphatika.
Dhatu: Swarna, rajata, tamra, loha, naga, vanga, kamsya, pitala and
mandura.
Ratna: Manikya, mukta, pravala, vajra ,vaidurya,
suryakanta,nagamani, sphatika ,shankha and sukti.
SUSHRUTA SAMHITA: Book belonged to 2nd century A.D. written by Maharshi Sushruta. Pratisamskarana of book was done by Acharya Nagarjuna in 4th century A.D. Book has 5 stahana and 120 chapters.
Referrence of Aushadha Ayaskriti and Maha
aushadha Ayaskriti is found in10th chapter of Chikitsa Sthana ‘Mahakushtha
chikitsa’
Rasa dravyas: silajatu, haratala, manashila, tutha, makshika,
kasisa, sphatika,
Anjana, tankana, rasanjana, gandhaka,
Dhatu: Swarna,
arajata, tamra, loha, naga, vamga, kamsya, pittala, mandura.
Ratna: manikye, mukta, pusparaga, prvala, vajra, vaidurya,
suryakanta,
nagamani, sankha, sukti.
ASHTHANG
SANGRAHA ANDF ASTHANGA HRIDYA:
It was written by Vrddha Vagbhatta in 6th century
A.D. It has 6 Sthana and 150 chapters.
Astanga Hrdaya of Laghu Vagbhatta is concise form of main book.
“Ayaskriti” for Prameha Chikitsa
is given (Chikitsa Sthana 12/28-32)
In this, first reference of ‘andha musha’ is also found.
Rasa dravyas: parad, silajatu, hartala, manashila, kanshi, kasisa,
gandhaka,
pasana, gairika, makshika, tutha, souvianjan,
Dhatu: ayaskriti,
ayoraja, ayomala, swarn, rajata, tamra, loha, naga, vanga,
kamsya, krsnaloha raja, tiksnaloha, tritipushpa.
Ratna: Manikye, mukta, pravala, pusparaga, vajra, vaidurya,
suryakanta,
aphatika, nagamani, gardhamani, gajamukta, sankha, sukti, varatika, samudraphena.
KOUTILYA ARTHASHASTRA- Written by Chanakya:
Composed in 4th century BC, Lohavada was at peak during this time. Shodhana
and mardana processes were mentioned. 7 types of loha are mentioned, 3 types of
gold were used (made of parad)
IN MEDIVIAL PERIOD
NAGARJUNA:
Systemic evolution of rasa shastra took place during this time. Most
nos. of valuable rasa preparations with pharmacological processing were mentioned.
They are:
1. Siddha Nagarjuna
2. Bhiksu Nagarjuna
Siddha Nagarjuna wrote treatise Rasaratnakara, Rasahrdaya and Rasendra-mangala that deals with preparation of rasa (mercury) compounds. He also wrote Uttaratantra as a supplement to Susruta Samhita.
RASA RATNA SAMUCCHYA
It is a comprehensive treatise of rasa shastra and is best available
texts which describes not only pharmacological and therapeutic but also
explains 8 branches of Ayurveda in detail.
RASA HRIDYA TANTRA: Gives elaborate description of ASHTADASH PARADSAMSKARA.
ANANDA KHANDA: Gives elaborate description of rasa shastra also described Lohavada as well as dehavada in detail.
IN MODERN ERA
BHAIJYA RATNAWALI:
Written by Kavi Raj Govinda Das and composed in 18th century A.D. Compiled book mainly from chakradutta, rasaendra satra sangraha, caharak Samhita, Paribhasha prakaran, Mana paribhasha. Rasa Dravyas are mentioned in detail along with different yogas (Preparations).
RASATARANGINI:
Written by Pranacharya Sadananda Sharma. It is an authoritative text on
rasa shastra and contains details of various procedures involved in drug preparations.
RASAYOGA SAGAR:
Written by Shri Hari Prapanna Sharma in 1930.
In this text, various preparations from different texts have been compiled.
Additionally, some new formulations also have been mentioned.
RASA DHATU VIGYANA:
Granth is written by Shri Badrinarayan Shastri. All the gemstones (
ratna, upratna) and other
rasashastriya Dravya ( parad, rasa, uprasa) have been mentioned.
Ø CONCLUSION
Historically, the drugs of mineral origin are in use since ancient times. However, since the time of Nagarjuna (8th –9th century) who is considered as the FATHER OF INDIAN ALCHEMY and metal related pharmaceutical procedures there use of mineral drugs have started to become more popular and frequent. The main foundation being the concept that the objective of science and mercury is not limited to Dhatuvada but also to maintain health and strengthen the body to attain Mukti.
Significant books that have contributed in the development of ‘Rasashastra’:
|
Book |
Author |
Century |
|
Rasarnava |
Bhairavanatha yogi |
Not clear |
|
Rasahrdaya-Tantra |
Bhagavatpada Govinda |
7th
century |
|
Rasendra-Cudamani |
Somadeva |
12th
century |
|
Rastantra-Samuccaya |
Simhagupta-putra Vagbhatacharya |
13th
century |
|
Rasa-Ratnakara |
Nitya-anatha Acharya |
13th
century |
|
Bhava -Prakasa |
Bhavamisra Bhatta |
16th
century |
|
Rasakoumadi |
Chandrasekhara Muniswara |
16th
century |
|
Ayurveda-Prakasa |
Madhava Acharya |
18th
century |
|
Bhaisajya-Ratnavali |
Govindadasa Sena |
19th
Century |
|
Rasa-Tarangini |
Sadananda sharma |
20th
century |