THE FUNDAMENTAL

PRINCIPLES OF RAS SHASTRA

PRESENTATION BY
SCHOLAR
DR. DIVYA YADAV
BATCH-2020
DEPT. OF R.S.&B.K
 INTRODUCTION
• न दोषाणां न दुष्याणां न रोगानां परीक्षणं ।
न देशस्य न कालस्य कु र्याद् रस चिकित्सिते॥(भै.र)
• Basic principles of ras shastra are those facts which are repeatedly tested in
various ways and are essential to understand the related science.
• Available literature of ras shastra has few fundamental concepts which are
associated with foundation and development of this pharmaco-therapeutical
science.
• The description of these concepts is not very clear and scattered in various
ancient classical texts.
 INTRODUCTION
Importance of Rasaushadhies:-
• अल्पमात्रोपयोगित्वात् अरुचेरप्रसंगत: ।
क्षिप्रं आरोग्यदायित्वात् औषधेभ्योऽधिकोरसः।।
साध्येषु भेषजं सर्वमीरितं तत्ववेदिना ।
असाध्येष्वपि दातव्यो रसोऽत: श्रेष्ठ उच्यते।।
हृतोहान्ति जराव्याधि मूच्छितो व्याधिघातकः ।
बद्ध: खेचरतां धत्ते कोऽन्यः सूतात् कृ पाकर:।।(र.सा.सं.१/४-६)
 LIST OF BASIC PRINCIPLES OF RAS SHASTRA

These following basic principles have been interpreted according to their rationality, importance
and application in view of current scenario-
• Concept of Loha-vada and Deha-vada
• Concept of Paribhasha (Terminology in ras shastra)
• Concept of Mana (Measurement)
• Concept of Yantra and Upkaran (Tools and devices)
• Concept of Chaturavidh-Kalpana
• Concept of Parada Ashtadasha Sanskara (Eighteen processing methods of mercury)
 LIST OF BASIC PRINCIPLES OF RAS SHASTRA

• Concept of Processing technologies and their sequences-

 Shodhana
 Marana/Bhasmikarana
 Satvapatan
 Amritikaran
 Lohitikaram
 Drutikaran
 CONCEPT OF LOHAVADA AND DEHVADA

• "न च रस शास्त्रं धातुवादार्थम् एव इति मन्तव्यं, देहवेधद्वारा मुक्ते रेव परम प्रयोजनत्वात् ।" (सर्वदर्शन संग्रह)
• Conversion of low precise metals into precious metals such as gold by using specifically
processed mercury is known as Lohavada.
• Utilization of such potent mercury for gaining healthy and long life is termed as Dehavada.
• Rasashastra was originated based on this concept of achieving healthy long life by means of
processed mercury which can convert lower metals into gold.
• According to ancient classical texts both Dehavada and Lohavada were in existence till 13
century AD, but this science was too secrete and known to very few seers.
• Today, many references are available related with conversion of copper and lead into silver and
gold but the exact knowledge to achieve successes is lost in the timeline .
Rajput Dhiraj singh et al, Basic principles of Ras shastra- The Indian pharmaceutics of herbo-mineral
 CONCEPT OF PARIBHASA (TERMINOLOGY)

• अव्यक्तानुक्त लेशोक्त सन्दिग्धार्थ प्रकाशिका:।

परिभाषा प्रकथ्यन्ते दीपीभूता सुनिश्चिता:।।(र.त.२/२)
The abbreviated and indicative words by which a clear and definite meaning of secret, unmanifest and doubtful
meaning of the scriptures are obtained, it is called a Definition.
Example- त्रिफला ; अव्यक्त= फल के नाम व्यक्त नही हैं,
अनुक्त= उनका ratio व प्र्योज्यांग उक्त नही हैं,
लेशोक्त= त्रि/३ फल कहे हैं,
संदिग्धार्थ= चन्द्रप्रभा वटी में चंद्रप्रभा एक संदिग्ध द्रव्य हैं जिसे संहिताओ में कर्पूर, शटी, कचूर आदि द्रव्य ग्रहण किये जाते है
 CONCEPT OF MANA (MEASUREMENT)

• न मानेन विना युक्तिर्द्रव्याणां जायते क्वचित् ।

अतः प्रयोग कार्यार्थं मानं अत्रोच्यते मया।।(शा.सं.पू.ख.१/१४)
Drugs cannot be used on a diseased and unhealthy body without the knowledge of measurement.
Ras shastra is the topic of medicinal diagnosis, dosages calculation and clinical usage of rasaushadhies (Herbo-
mineral preparation) and thus proportions are important instruments to use.
Rasaushadhies contains drugs made from Hg, As, Pb, Sn, Cu etc. thus, the utmost precaution must be taken with
respect to the assessment during the determination of the medication, since the actual dosage type is to be given to
the human body. E.g. 1रत्ती=125mg, 1तोला=12.5gm, 1पल=50gm etc.
 CONCEPT OF YANTRA AND UPKARAN (TOOLS AND DEVICES)

• रसोपरसलोहाद्या मारणाद्यर्थ सिद्धये।

यन्त्र्यतेऽनेन यस्मात्तु तस्मात् यन्त्रं प्रकीर्तितम्।।(र.त.४/१)
Instruments which are used for the success of shodhana-marana karma of parad, maharasa, uprasa, dhatu etc. or to
prevent rasadi dravyas from falling, burning, flying etc. ( yantran) are called yantras.
They not only play role in handling raw materials but also induce an improvement in potency of prepared drugs and
at the same time decrease the toxic impact of the so-called doshas of the raw materials.
Yantra etc. are basically of two types-
1. Non-heating instruments like उलूखल यन्त्र
2. Heating instruments like मूषा, कोष्टी
 CONCEPT OF CHATUR-VIDH KALPANA

• The basis of rasaushadies is parad (mercury) but cannot be used singularly. So, to prepare any medicine various
materials are combined with change in their forms.
• According to the processes, the formulations made from parada are mainly categorised in four groups-
 खरलीय कल्पना
 पर्पटी कल्पना
 पोटली कल्पना
 कू पीपक्व कल्पना
• And, most prominent and important is kharaliya Kalpana. Due to no need of Agni sanyog, can be Sgandh or
Nirgandh and used in treatment very immense fully.
 CONCEPT OF CHATUR-VIDH KALPANA

Example:- चतुर्विध कल्पनाओ से निर्मित पारद और गन्धक के विभिन्न योग -

 खरलीय कल्पना- कज्जली;
 पर्पटी कल्पना- रस पर्पटी;
 पोटली कल्पना- रस पोटली;
 कू पीपक्व कल्पना- रस सिंदूर
गलस्थ/कं ठस्थ- रससिंदूर, रसकर्पूर, मल्लसिंदूर
कू पीपक्व तलस्थ- समीरपन्नग रस

उभयस्थ- पूर्णचंद्रोदय रस, माणिक्य रस

 CONCEPT OF PARADA ASHTADASHA SANSKARA
(EIGHTEEN PROCESSING METHODS OF MERCURY)

• There are 18 processing methods of mercury which aimed to remove blemishes and to make mercury such potent
that it can be used to achieve the purpose of Dehavada and Lohavada.
• Among the 18 processing methods-
• स्वेदन
• मर्दन
• मूचर्छ्न Removing Blemishes From Mercury
• उत्थापना
• पातन
• रोधन
• नियामन Increases Potency Of Mercury
• दीपन
• गगनभक्षण
• चारण
• गर्भद्रुति
• बाह्यद्रुति
• जारण Transformation Power In Mercury To Convert Any Metal Into Gold
• रन्जन (Lohavada)
• सारणा
• क्रामण
• वेध Testing Of Transformation Power Of Mercury
• भक्षण Administration Of Mercury In Human Beings
 CONCEPT OF SHODHANA

• उद्दिष्टैरौषधैः सार्द्धं क्रियते पेषणादिकम् ।

मलविच्छित्तये यत्तु शोधनं तदिहोच्यते ।। (र.त.२/५२)

Any metal/minerals which are used in any formulation must be detoxified by aushadh as per
mentioned in classical texts with the help of swedana, mardana, prakshalan, peshan etc methods.
Here it be should be noted that ayurvedic purification does not mean making metal 100% in its
original elemental form, in fact this procedure is related with impregnation of organic molecules in
inorganic substances and increasing their bio-accessibility as well as reducing unwanted effects.
The metallic preparations are used in the form of Bhasma (incinerated powder) and shodhana is first
and most important step before preparing their bhasma.
 CONCEPT OF SHODHANA

• Shodhana signifies:-
Reduction of doshas (impurities)/toxic effect
Induction of therapeutic property
Reduction of size of raw drugs
Facilitation of Marana(incineration process)
Probably addition of certain necessary trace elements.
 CONCEPT OF MARANA

• शोधितान् लोहधात्वादि विमर्द्य स्वरसादिभिः।

अग्निसंयोगतो भस्मीकरणं मारणं स्मृतम् ।।(र.र.स.५/१४)
The purified lohaadi dhatu’s are converted into fine powder by preforming mardana with different
aushadh bhawanas and by applying required quantum of heat.
The metals and minerals are not bio assimilable in their natural forms. They needed to be converted
into such fine form which can be easily assimilable in human body, able to cure various illnesses and
did not cause any harmful effect.
To achieve this purpose, concept of Marana (incineration) was discovered by ancient seers of
Rasashastra.
 CONCEPT OF MARANA

• लोहाना मारणं श्रेष्ठं सर्वेषां रसभस्मना ।

मूलिभीर्मध्यः प्राहु कनिष्ठं गन्धकादिभिः|
अरिलोहेन लोहस्य मारणं दुर्गुणप्रद|| (र.र.स.५/१३)
• In brief, Marana means conversion of metal/mineral into fine nano particles and menifesting
organo-metallic nature and therapeutic potency.
• In classical texts various methods of incineration are mentioned for every metal.
Rasa Dravya Colour of Bhasma
Abraka Ishtika Varan
Vaikranta Rakta
Makshika Rakta
Vimala Rakta
Chapala Rakta
Kharpara Peetabh
Kasisa Raktabh
Sphatika Shweta
Gowripashana Shweta
Karpada Shweta (शरदिन्दुनिभं)
Swarn Champaka varn
Rajata and Tamra Krishna
Kamsya Kajjal sam varn
Naag Kajjal sam varn
Vang Shweta
Tikshna loha Pakwa jambu phal
 CONCEPT OF SATVAPATNA

• क्षाराम्लद्रावकै र्युक्तं ध्मातमाकरकोष्ठके ।

यस्ततो निर्गतः सारः सत्त्वमित्यभिधीयते ।। (र.र.स.८/३६)
Satvapatna is a process wherein the mineral ores are mixed with other substances and subjected to
heat by which the satva or essence of the mineral is obtained.
In this metal/mineral bhasma is mixed with kshara, Amla, or Mitrapanchaka/Dravak Gana is
collected and stored in Musa and heated in an extreme fire in koshti with the intention of
removing the metal essence.
Since it is believed that sattva bhasma is more therapeutically active than bhasma of a particular
substance.
Rasa Dravya
Abhrak (Mica)
Vaikranta (Tourmaline)
Makshika (Chalcopyrite)
Vimala (Iron pyrite)
Ardrija (Black bitumen)
Sasyaka (Blue vitriol)
Rasaka (Zinc ore)
Hartala (Orpiment)
Gauripashana (White Arsenic)
Hingula (Cinnabar)
Mruddarshringa (Litharge)
Bhunaga (Earthworm)
Mayurapiccha (Peacock’s Feather)
Color of Satva
Loha-nibha, Swarna-varna, Kamsya-nibha
White like sankh (conch shell) and chandra
Gunja nibha(Red color)
Sheesh sanibham (White or greyish)
Loha sannibha
Indragopa samkasha, Tamra rupak( red in color)
Seeshopma, Vangabh (White color)
White like Vajra
White
Suta samkasha (White)
Naga sankasha (like Lead)
Like Copper
Copper
 CONCEPT OF AMRITIKARAN

• लोहादीनां मृतानां वै शिष्टदोषापनुत्तये।

क्रियते यस्तु संस्कार अमृतीकरणं मतम्।। (र.त.२/५८)
Amritikarana (Annihilating harmful properties from incinerated metals/minerals) is done to remove the remaining
bad effects of incinerated metals/minerals which are likely to remain even after Marana process.
To eliminate Residual dhoshas(Toxic effects) in dhatuadi bhasma, with the intention of ensuring the best quality of
bhasma with no or reduced toxicity.
It is shown in a scientific analysis that Tamara bhasma contains highly toxic mercury oxide compounds, while after
amritikarana tamara bhasma does not contain any mercury oxide compounds.
 CONCEPT OF LOHITIKARANA

• अथ नागबलाभद्रमुस्ताक्वाथैवर्टस्य च ।
दुग्धैर्वटजटातोयैर्हरिद्रावारिणाऽपि च ।।
मंजिष्ठाक्वाथतोयेन सर्वैरेभिर्यथाक्रमं।
पुटितं हृरुणं चाति भस्म वज्राभ्रकोद्भवं।। (आ. प्र. २/१३३-१३४)
Lohitikarana is the pharmaceutical procedure carried out on prepared bhasma to induce specific colour
to bhasma.
Generally, the bhasmas prepared with loha (iron) or any mineral that contains iron are turned to red in
colour when prepared into bhasma. It is believed that red coloured drugs would affect the blood
qualitatively and quantitatively.
 CONCEPT OF LOHITIKARANA

• Lohitikarana has been specified for Abhraka as after marana, Abhraka bhasma turns black in
color. The color specified for Abhraka bhasma is Ishtika varna. To get the red color for Abhraka,
lohitikarana is specified.
 CONCEPT OF DRUTIKARANA

• तुषधान्यादियोगेन लोहघात्वादिकं सदा ।

संतिष्ठते द्रवाकारं सा द्रुति परिकीर्तिता।। (र.चू.४/१०१)
The combination of tusha, dhanyadi dravyas with loha dhatuadi bhasma, heated on an extreme fire to liquify them
and they remained in liqified state only is called Drutikarana.

द्रुति के लक्षण:-
निर्लेपत्वं द्रुतत्वं च तेजस्त्वं लघुता तथा।
असंयोगश्च सूतेन पञ्चधा द्रुतिलक्षणं ।। (र.र.स. ८/८३)
Properties of druti of any metal are doesn’t stick with utensil, remain in liquid state, shiny, lighter than original
compound and does not assimilate with parad again.
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