g Zz B E 3 te 3 Chaukhamba Sans!THE CHAUKHAMBA AYURVIJNANA STUDIES 56 A TEXT BOOK OF RASASHASTRA By Dr. Vilas A. Dole BAM. & S.,.M_D. Head of Dept. of Rasashastra Jt. Director, Centre for Post Graduate Studies and Research in Ayurveda Tilak Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Pune & Dr. Prakash Paranjpe B.A.M. & S., M.B.B.S., Ph.D. Director Ayurveda Research Foundation Pune CHAUKHAMBA SANSKRIT PRATISHTHAN DELHIPublishers : © CHAUKHAMBA, SANSKRIT PRATISHTHAN (Oriental Publishers & Distributors) 38 U.A. Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar Post Box No. 2113 Delhi 110007 Tel. # 23956391 All Rights Reserved First Edition 2004 Abo can be had from: ‘ CHAUKHAMBA SURBHARATI PRAKASHAN K. 37/117, Gopal Mandir Lane Post Box No. 1129 Varanasi 221001 Tel. # 2335263, 2333371 CHOWKHAMBA VIDYABHAWAN Chowk (Behind to Bank of Baroda Building) Post Box No. 1069 Varanasi 221001 ‘Tel. # 2420404 ISBN : 81-7084-229-0 (PB) | 81-7084-230-9 (HB) Laser Type-setters : V.V. Computers, Varanasi Printers : A.K. Lithographers, Delhi _ Photographs : Dr. Prakash Paranjpe Foreword According to Indian philosophy, the ultimate aim of hu- man life is to achieve salvation. In the developmental stream of civilization, hunger and sorrow are the impor- tant factors, which compelled mankind to search a solu- tion. Man identified many things from his surroundings, which were found to be useful in eliminating hunger and sorrow. In this series, various nutritive food and drug ma- terials have been explored. Chronologically, different kinds of knowledge were developed and society became civilized. Time, season, food habits and life-style influ- enced the human health. Due to change in food habits and life-style, various new diseases were produced. Simulta- neously their remedy and management were also deve- loped. Man has specific sense organs and wisdom, which differs him from other creatures. Hence, man is able to think about the future and recollect the past. In this con- nection, spiritual thoughts and findings were evolved. Spiritual achievement is possible with the specific mental status and concentration. Feeling and realization of truth or existence of God is possible with the super concentra- tion. This type of super concentration is possible with good physical and mental status. After achieving amenities essential for the human life, spiritual thought appears, which compels the person to think about the future. Diseases and senility are the important factors, which cre- ate hindrance in happiness and pleasure of life. For the prevention of disease and senility, various measures and ways were explored. In the ancient therapeutics, this mea- sure is known as Rasayana therapy. It provides resistance