LITERARY REVIEW OF RASASHASTRA-15 AD Nischitha *

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1 Impact factor: /ICV: Pharma Science Monitor 7(1), Jan-Mar 2016 PHARMA SCIENCE MONITOR AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES Journal home page: LITERARY REVIEW OF RASASHASTRA-15 AD Nischitha * Assistant Professor, Department of Rasa Shastra, JSSAMC, Mysore ABSTRACT Rasashastra is a branch of learning of Ayurveda pharmaceuticals, specially dealing with the minerals, metals, precious stones, certain poisonous herbs and their processing. These materials are very important in eliminating dreadful diseases and also for rejuvenation purposes. When one tries to seek origin of any science one depends on various materials like manuscripts, books, etc. as well as references about that science in the contemporary and allied literature. So, here attempts have been made regarding the history of Rasashastra in the 15 th century. There are lot of controversies about the time period of the works, in spite of which some works which are considered to be the works of 15 th century are named and brief description of all such works are collected. KEYWORDS: Rasashastra, history. INTRODUCTION History of science constitutes an integral part of the history of human civilization or of the true annals of the earth & as knowledge and wisdom grows only on the accumulated experience of the past. It forms an essential element in the study of science itself. It can be said that the science of Rasashatra as it is practiced presently has its origin about 4000 years back. However, actual development as far as medicinal use began in 2 nd and 3 rd century but its peak period of development was from 8 th century onwards. After 16 th century the knowledge appears stagnant and presently after learning the science like chemistry, again it is in the developmental stage. Though history of Rasashathra dates back even before B.C. when valuable additions on the subjects were recorded during 12 th -16 th century.3 Having proper knowledge of rasashatra, without tracing its history will be incomplete. So knowing history is mandatory. When one tries to seek origin of any science one depends on various materials like manuscripts, books, etc as well s references about that science in the contemporary and allied literature. So, here attempts have been made regarding the history of Rasashastra in the 15 th century. There are lot of controversies about the time period of the

2 Impact factor: /ICV: works, in spite of which some works which are considered to be the works of 15 th century are named and brief description of all such works are collected. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE 1. To know the history of Rasashastra of 15 th century. 2. To collect brief description regarding the contents of works of 15 th century and also about their authors. MATERIAL AND METHODS The latter part of the iatrochemichal period is the A.D, representing practically the final phase of the Hindu chemistry and material Medica. 13 th 15 th century is considered as Praud Kala in the evolution of Rasashastra. This period is characterized by the fact that over and above opium, some other foreign drugs were incorporated into its pharmacology. During this century, the Portuguese had fairly established themselves at Goa and other parts of India and as a result of intercourse them, that dreadful scourge the veneral disease had made its appearance. Sanskrit medical treatises, from the Charaka and Sushruta downwards and ending Sharangadhara are salient about the malady, through they give fairly accurate description of the disease of the genital organ [Upadamsha]. But syphilis had none to be reckoned and a new name had to be coined for it accordingly we find prescribing Rasakarpoora and Chopachini [china root, Smilax China] for what is now termed for the first time Phiranga roga or the disease of the Portuguese. The use of this drug as a remedy for syphilis, it is believed, was made known to the Portuguese at Goa by Chinese traders about 1535.A.D. 3 A detailed process for the preparation of minerals acids by distillation is named as Sankhadravaka [a solvent for conch shell] was mentioned in this period. This is described as a substance endowed the property of dissolving metals. It is thus evident that the use of minerals acids as a solvent for metals was unknown in the India before this time. 1. Rasendra Chinthamani: This work of 15 th century is written by Acharya Dundukanatha, student of Siddha Kalanatha. This is an important book of Rasashastra. Even though this work is the compilation of previous Rasagrantha, it retains its originality too. This author has followed Acharya Nityanantha. This is a work having 9 Adhyayas. All the yogas are those of self-experience. 2 This book has been published by Acharya Yadavji in the year In the year 1991, Vaidya Maniramaji Shastri published this work from Ramgadh (Jaipur), Rajputana (Rajasthan) along with Maniprabha Sanskrith commentary. It got printed from chitrashala press, Puna. The publisher Maniramaji has dedicated this work Tajavadiya swamy Lakshmiram. Another

3 Impact factor: /ICV: grantha by same name is written fully in an Adhyayas by Acharya Shri Ramachandra Guha, which has been published by Pandith Shree Jeevananda Vidyasagar, resident of Calcutta, in the year Rasa Chinthamani: This grantha is written by Acharya Shree Madanathadeva Suri. This is an complete work having 11 sthavakas. The Prathama sthavaka includes 20 types of Parada Bhasma preparation procedure. In 5 th and 6 th sthavaka, there is a description of Parad Samskara, Bubhuksthitheekarana, Bhasmikarana of dhatus, 11 types of Swarna raupya Nirmana. In the remaining sthavakas i.e., 2,3,4,7, sthavaka, there is detail description 177 Rasaushadhi yoga.1 Chemistry in Rasachintamani Svetabhasma: - the preparation is very similar to that described in the previous chapter for karpoorarasa. Two process for the fabrication of gold are described are much the same as quoted by Yasodhara. Process for the fabrication of Silver:-Take one part of bell metal, two parts of silver, and four parts of steel. These are to be fused tin & borax, by this process silver can be made & will pass current for commercial purpose. Copper from blue vitriol:-blue vitriol rubbed with 3 varities of myrobalans, honey, borax etc when heated strongly, gives its essence. Extraction of zinc from calamine:- The process is much the same as by Yasodhara, with this difference that whereas Yasodhara hits off completion of reduction when the flame the pot ceases to be blue, the present author that the pot is to be taken out of the furnace as soon as with fumes begin to appear. The crucible is then to be held in an inclined position so that the lead like essence of calamine drops on the ground. 3 Shree Jeevaram Kalidas had invented and Khemraj shree Krishnaraj published this book in the year 1930 with the contemporary of Shree Muralidhar Sharma in Shree Venkateshwara press Bombay. 3. Rasa Manjari: The author is Siddha Shalinatha. He has given very brief description about himself and his work initially in 3 rd shlokas. Acharya Shalinatha is the son of Shree Vidyavatha. Acharya has studied many granthas and written Rasa Grantha by name Rasa Manjari. More than this no information is known about his place, Kula, his time. These remains unanswerable. Recent authors climes that his time around 15 th century.

4 Impact factor: /ICV: Rasamanjari is a compiled book, but some new ideas are also found. This book is a compiled book but some new ideas are also found. This book express specialty even in its small volume. Description of many rasaushashadis can be seen here. It consists of 10 Adhyayas. 2 This text was not available for 50 years. Later it got published along with Hindi commentary by Shree Krishnadasji has published from Chukambha orinentalia, Banaras in 1995, got printed in Shree Lakshmi Venkateswara press. It includes the commentary of Mukhiyaji Khunathji Shri Krishna Lal. 4. Rasa Padathi: The author of this work is Achrya Bindu. It has been mentioned in the first sholoka of this grantha. His son Shree Mahadev is the commentator. By observing its contemporary, we can say this grantha is written after rasa Rathanakara, Rasaraja Lakshmi and Rasa Rathana Samuchaya and before Rasa kamadhenu and Ayureveda prakashana so its period can be considered as in between 14 th 17 th century. Acharya Priyanrita Sharma considers its time as 15 th century. Rasa padhati totally contains 231 shlokas. Most of the shlokas are in Shardula Vikreedita chanda and only few in Shikhirini and Anustapadi chandha Shree Yadavji Acharya has told that the author belongs to Maharastra because 10 th shloka of this grantha has the word Kshmashigru which is a place in Maharastra and also we can see usage of many Marathi words.in this grantha, there is explanation of different types of Samskara, Shodhana, Jarana, Sarana, Karmana, Moorchana of parade and details of Maharaja, Uparasa, Ratna, Upratna and all dhatus, their shodhana, Marana. It includes the details description of rare and very useful 49 Rasayoga preparations. Vidvan Vaidyavara Acharaya Mahadev has commented very well on this book. The specialty of this commentary is that the left out explanation is the original book has been told and completed the work by referring the other granthas. The granthas starts with the types of Chikitsa i.e., 3 types Daivi, Manushi, Asuri and explained in detail about Daivi chikitsa, It includes 8 types of parade, Samskara, Jaarana, Sarana, Kramana, Vedha Samskara and shodhana, Moorchana and also description of the procedure of preparation of rasakarpoora, rasasindhoora, and also details of swarna and other 10 dhatus, their shodhana, marana, guna. He has told an important aspect that rajatha and Naga bhasma should not be used alone. In maharasa varga, only 6 dravyas are explained [vaikrantha, Abharaka, Shilajatu, Chapala, Makshila, Tuttha]. Gandhaka, Tala and Manashila are the three dravyas which are considered as vparasa. While mentioning told 9 rathnas, but explained Vajra and Muktha only. Author has told leaving these

5 Impact factor: /ICV: , remaining all are uparathas. Author has told detailed description of vajra and muktha its utpatti, bheda method of examination, pareeksha sangosthi, knowledge of the examiner, light in their rates, Dhosha guna. This is the foirst rasagrantha where wuch explanation is aeen. No mentioning if other ratnas any were and no shodhana marana have been told. Utpattisthana of muktha hasthi, shookra, vama, matsya, megha, kambu, sarpa, shukla. 3 We can also find the chikitsa sutra and vidhi of the diseases like Raktapitta, Swau, Kasa, Prameha. This work got published by Acharya Yadavji from Ayurveda Granthamala Bombay in 1955 from Nirnayasagar press. 5. Rasa Nakshatra Malika: The author of this book is Rajavaidya Mathana Simha of Malava. The limw of one of its Pandu Lipi is So the time of this grantha must be before or during 15 th century. It got completed in Ashwini Krishna Panchami on Monday Chemistry: there are several prescriptions giving in this work in which mineral preparation play is conspicuous part. In Sanskrit test, two such have been quoted. In the first, among other ingredients, opium occurs, in the second the svachchandha brairava rasa, probably named after the celebrated alchemist, we have the cases of Tin, Iron and mercury along with other drugs. 6. Rasa Ratna Pradeepa: Author is Ratnapalsuta Ramaraia. His tie is considered as 15 th century. In this work, author has explained about his varushavali, completed in 5 Adhikara pundit Takuradutta Sharma has published along with commentary. 7. Loha Sarvasvam:- This work is written by Acharya Bhadreshwaratmaja Sureshwara. He was good poet from Ras kamadhenu and Ayurveda Prakashakara have mentioned about Loha Sarvasvam in their work, so this work should be before them. This work is completed in 318 shlokas, written in Sundara chanalas. This work mainly deals with the aspect of loha and its application in treatment. Many yogas counting loha is of 8 types, but only 4 types are in use. So explained about Teekshna, Abhisheka,Hema and Tamra loha, its Shodhana, Marana etc. Acharya Yadavji this grantha and published in the year 1925 A.D. later it got published by Chaukamba Sanskrita Seerja in the year At present book published from Chaukamba, Varanisi is available Rasa Ratanakara The work of consists 5 kandas Rasa kanda Rasendra Kanda Vadi kanda Rasayana kanda and Mantra kanda.

6 Impact factor: /ICV: Detailed description of mercury and mercurial process and the equipment and material which are useful in this karma are dealt in detail. We can also find the list of Ahipena. This total grantha is published by Jeevana vidyassagar in 1878, by Khemaraj from Bombay in 1945, its Rasayana kandha published by Achraya Yadavji in Jeevanram Kalidas published Vadi kanda, and Mantra kanda form Gondal, Nirnay sagar press published Rasayana Kanda from Calcutta. It has been mentioned that for Vaidyas Rasa kanda, for Vyayitha Rasendra Kanda, Vadis Vadi khanda, Vruddhas these are mentioned for rasa siddi, by that Deha siddi and Dhatu siddi. In this work initially told about Shodhana, Marana and other Rasavidhyas in Rasa Kanda then explained about Jwaradi Roga Chikitsa especially Rasayogas. First kandha delt with 12 types of shodhana marana of parade. In second upadesha of Rasayana kanda there is a mentioned of preparation of vajrapanjara rasa, vajreshwara rasa, shilaveera udayadithya Rasa, Vateshwara rasa and others. In third upadesha, Murthasanjeevini gutika, vajreswara gutika, hemasundari gutika, khechari gutika, and others gutika amd in fifth upadesh, method of Kesharanjana has told this work has tough language Rasashana of kakini sthree is mentioned. Upadesha according to this text are gairika, Tanaka, Naga, Avyjana, Shanka, Kapurda and Kasesa unique prepatration like trarista and shiddha Choorna are explained special yantra by name Charaka yantra is explained. Many methods of Dhathu mrudukarna is dealt with. They knew about kachakupi at the time. 2 Rasa Sanketa kalika: This work is written by Naigama Kayastha Chamunda, belong to 15 th 16 th century. The work has 5 ullasa and 299 sholokas we can see the description of Ahiphena. It is classified into 4 types depending on Pusha shweta, Rakta, Peeta, Krishna. Utpatti of parada has been told as by shiva parada samskara told to eradicate Naisargika dosha Swarana and others dhathus shodhana, marana, Abhraka shodhana, marana, Rasayogas for many diseases has been explained. It got completed in yoginipur in the year Rasa Sara: The author of this work is Govindhaacharya. He has taken Deeksha from Kayalika parampara. We can find the appreciation of kapilika acharya in his writing in each sthana. This work is not available nowadays. Thus ends the information regarding the history of 15 th century. The author Govindaacharaya as a devout Hindus begins with his adoration of Shiva and Vishnu. And tells us at the outset that his treatise is a composition and epitome based upon standard works on the subject and the contribution of the adepts. It is interesting to note that he declares

7 Impact factor: /ICV: his indebtedness to Buddhists of Tibet for knowledge of certain process. This seems to indicate that cultivation of alchemy and chemical knowledge had become neglected almost forgotten in India proper and the earnest searches for the lore hand to repair during the time out another to Tibet. In this grantha, only description about parade is available. 18 types of parade samskara are explained. And there is mention of Ahiphena in it. But the origin of Ahiphena, which he believed to be derived from certain kind of poisonous sea fish or sharks. 2 DISCUSSION 1) The one characteristic feature of the work of 15 th century is that the description of Ahiphena [opium] began to start and its use in treating the disease was explained which the new addition to the pharmacology of Rasashastra is. 2) Rasa Paddati the commentator Shree Mahadeva, son of the author Acharya Bindu, completed the left out parts by referring to Rasa Ratanakara, Rasa kamdhenu and Ayurveda prakasha quotes this work. So the time of this work can be taken as between th century. Acharya Priyavrata Sharma considers its time as 15 th century. 3) Rasa Nakshatra Malika: the time of its Pandulipi is It got completed in 1557, so that the time of this Grantha must be on or before 15 th century. 4) Rasa Sanketa Kalika it got completed in the year So its time period must be before this. Hence, it is considered as a work of 15 th century. Acharya C.B Jha opines the same. 5) Loha Sarvasvam - The authors of Rasa kamadhenu and Ayurveda Prakasha Quotes Loha Sarvasvam in their work. So this work must be before to them and also Acharya Siddinadana Mishra and Acharya C.B.Jha mention that this work is of 15 th century. 6) Rasa Ratanakara Acharya P.C Ray state that another work by name Rasa Ratanakara whose author is not Nityanatha belongs to 15 th Century. The author Nityanatha refers to Rasarnava, Rasamangala, and Rasendra chuddamani in this work. So this must be after these work and also Acharya Santhosh Kumar Khandal enlisted this book under the work of 15 th century. 7) Acharya Siddinandana Mishra and Acharya C.B.Jha considers the Rasa Chinthamani, Rasendra Chinthamani and Rasasara as the work of 15 th century. 8) Acharya C.B.Jha says that Rasa Sanketha kalika, Rasarathna Pradeepa are written in 15 th century.

8 Impact factor: /ICV: ) By observing the contents of the works of the 15 th century, the fact is noticed that all the authors have compiled the aspects of Rasashastra in their own style, be adding some new ideas and also some successful formulation prepared and tried by them. 10) Some works have chiefly considered parade and mainly its description were found, but many works have given importance even to other rasa, dhatu, ratnoparatnas etc. CONCLUSION 1) In 15 th century, opium is considered ad an official drug in the material medica portion. 2) In spite of many discussions different opinions are there regarding the time period of the works mentioned earlier. 3) The book written during this century appears to be mere compilation from the older texts with little or no inclusion of new ideas. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Ayurvediya Rasashastra by Dr.Chandrabnusan Jha, Chaukambha Surabharathi publications Banaras (2004). 2. Ayurvediya Rasashastra by Proof. Siddhinandan Mishra, Chankhambha orientalia, Varanasi, 14 th edition (2004). 3. History of chemistry in Ancient and Medival India by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray, Edited by P.Ray, Chowkambna krishnada acadamey, Varanashi (2004). 4. Loha Sarvasvasvam with Vidyotini Hindi commentrary by Sri Pavani Prasad Sharma. Edited by Shri Brahma Shankar Mishra, Showkamba Vidya Bhawan, Varanasi I edition (1965). 5. Rasa Bhaishajya kalpana Vijnan by Santhos Khandal, publication scheme, Jaipur, VI edition (2005). For Correspondence Nischitha drnischitha@gmail.com