COVER STORY

Rasashastra: Treasure of knowledge and wisdom.

Dr Asmita Wele Rasashastra The science of metal and mineral medicine is one of the oriental sciences mainly of Hindu origin. It comes in the domain of God Shiva or Rudra an im!ortant deity of Tantric cult. "nd it gets a mystical dimension# as it is associated $ith the Shaivite school of thought# $hich em!hasi%es a systematic !ractical teaching from creation till sal&ation of the cosmos# in the form of discussion 'et$een (ord Shiva and )oddess Parvati. Historical e&idences of metallic artifacts from Hara!!a and *ohen+odaro along $ith the manuscri!ts indicate the de&elo!ment of the science of metallurgy in ,-.. /C. Similarly $e find e&idence of use of metals# metal0ores and other minerals as medicine in the "yur&edic Samhitas# $hich date 'ac1 to2... /.C. "'out 3... years ago# the Indian "lchemy 4Rasa Vigyan4 $as so ad&anced that the !ractitioners had !ro'a'ly succeeded in transforming the molecular structures of &arious metals and changed them into gold. They could solidify 4*ercury4 and li5uefy 4Sulfur4. Rasashastra is Ayurvedic pharmaceutics, which deals with the drugs of mineral origin, their varieties, characteristics, processing techniques, properties and their therapeutic uses. According to Ayurveda, 'Parad' !ercury" and '#andhak' $ulfur" are the most important minerals as they represent %ord $hiva and #oddess Parvati, the deities of purity and strength, respectively. &oth mercury and $ulfur could 'e to(ic separately, 'ut 'lended together, they form a 'lack amalgam known as )a**ali, which is relatively safe and makes an ideal 'ase for most of the preparations. )a**ali is claimed to e(ert a potent effect on the properties of other drugs and makes them easily assimilated in 'ody tissues. A large percentage of the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia is of mineral origin and many formulae contain some minerals. Their appearance in Ayurvedic medicine marks a coming together with the tantric tradition. The Ayurvedic goal of long+life 'ecomes intermingled with the tantric yogic goal of immortality. Alongside this esoteric union is the clear fact that minerals are stronger than her's, have a longer shelf life and are very effective. !ineral preparations are usually calcified in stepwise fashion 'y dipped in deto(ifying solvents such as cow's urine, her' decoctions or sesame oil and then ground to the finest powders and su'*ected to high temperatures repeatedly to o'tain 'hasma. They 'ecome ,comple(- o(ides or sulphides or sufo+o(ides. .rom mercury, gold and diamonds to iron and eggshell, innate materials are transformed from their 'raw' state to potent medicines. Origin and !hiloso!hy: The science of Rasashastra has trailed through the ages, contemporari/ing itself with the changing times and situations. The development of Rasashastra as an independent 'ranch started since eight or ninth century A.0. and then onwards num'ers of ancient scholars have contri'uted in its development. The golden period of Rasashatra 0r. Asmita 1ele. pu'lished in .R%2T3s Amruth. 4ssue 5an + .e'6778 9

ascertained 'y historians is 'etween 83th century &.:. till 983th century A. 0. 4n this duration it was 'lended with the mainstream medicine ;Ayurveda3 and emerged as a strong and popular medicine, partly due to the decline of surgical practices owing to &uddhist prevalence in the society. Rasashastra is always 'een understood as a part of alchemy or a secondary 'ranch generated from alchemy, which was prevalent in the middle+east area. &y medieval times 4ndian alchemy developed in the tantric domain for anonymity required to perform the comple( and somewhat ha/ardous procedures of metals and minerals< ultimately for the 'etterment of human life. 2owever, the thin line 'etween alchemy and Rasashastra e(ists 'y the clear fact stated 'y 4ndian Rasa+Ascetics that alchemy is a step compara'le to confirmatory tests in chemistry to ascertain the change that has taken place in the raw and therefore, potentially to(ic mineral or metal. The products, which comply with this test, only should 'e considered for the use in humans otherwise they must 'e discarded or processed further till the e(pected quality parameters are attained. The 4ndian alchemists while developing the chemical processes of transforming 'ase metals into gold similar to that in =urope and the !iddle =ast merely considered it as a step towards perfection. Thus 'efore using this medicine they often emphasi/ed the need of 'odily perfection through panchakarma therapy prevalent in the mainstream medical system ;"yur&eda.3 This philosophy e(actly suits all other contemporary Yogic, Vedic and Buddhist schools in the Asian continent. &asically all the oriental sciences aim at salvation, may'e due to the deep and thorough understanding of the learned cadre regarding the life process. They guide each knowledge+seeker through practicality to the end swiftly and then considering what he will feel when on top or at the highest achievement they offer a solution for ;peace within self3 'y inducting oneself towards spirituality. This vision develops after a true long hard work, which we find reflecting in ancient 2indu scientific works, and Rasashastra 'eing no e(ception to the rule. The only difference is that Rasashastra opts for ;5eevan mukti3 i.e. salvation not after death 'ut during the life span as well. Another point of marvel is when a new idea originates or comes from outer world and germinates in this philosophy it is made aptly suita'le for the land and people who are the end+users here. !ercury originates in other parts of continents and $ulfur is less a'undant in 4ndian su'continent, as research confirms, it3s use flourished here in all the directions. 6e&elo!ment of Rasashastra as a medical 'ranch7 4n the >orth 4ndia, it is developed as Rasashastra and in the $outh 4ndia as ;Siddha Medicine. Rasa means the eli(ir of life and the word is attri'uted to the most important factor responsi'le for life in various fields of knowledge. 4n physiology it is the first and foremost Dhatoo tissue" without which no further process can take place. 4n the her'al domain it is the essence of a su'stance. The same meaning is implied to !ercury 'y denoting it as ;rasa3 of the metal mineral kingdom or in other words the metal of utmost importance having distinct properties and unique nature is given the term ;Rasa. =tymology ,Aharaha sarati iti rasah- of the word ;Rasa3 e(plains its physical state to 'e liquid. 2ence the science, which develops with the central theme of ;rasa+mercury3, is Rasashastra. Rasaushdhies are widely used in >orthern and :entral 4ndia. 0r. Asmita 1ele. pu'lished in .R%2T3s Amruth. 4ssue 5an + .e'6778 6

The term Siddha originally denotes one of the eighteen categories of celestial 'eings. The term is derived from the $anskrit root siddhi meaning ?accomplishment? or ?achievement?. The historical documents give an account of @8 $iddhas of Vajrayana Buddhism, the Natha Siddhas of >orth 4ndia, or the medieval alchemists known as the Rasa $iddhas. The tradition of $iddha medicine is restricted to the geographical area of Tamilnadu and parts of )eral state in $outhern 4ndia. Source materials7 Aut of the three categories of drugs used in Ayurveda, Rasashastra predominantly deals with ;metal and minerals3. !edicinal plants and animal products are mainly used as processing agents for the metals. The drugs are classified into ten main categories depending on their importance graded on the scale of reaction with mercury, as depicted in the Ta'le: 4 44 444 :AT=#ARB !aharasa Dparasa $adharan Rasa !=TA%$ A>0 !4>=RA%$ !ica, Tourmaline, :halcopyrite, 4ron pyrite, $hila*it, :opper sulphate, &ismuth, Cinc o(ide. $ulfur, 4ron o(ide, .errous sulfate, Potash alum, Arsenic trisulphide, Arsenic disulphide, :orrylium, )ankushtha. )ampillaka, Arsenic o(ide, :owrie, Ammonium chloride, Am'ergris, Red o(ide of mercury, !ercury sulphide, %ead o(ide #old, $ilver, :opper, 4ron, %ead, Tin, Cinc, &rass, &ron/e, white metal. Ru'y, Pearl, :oral, =merald, Topa/, 0iamond, $apphire, :innamon, :at3s eye. Tourmaline, $un stone, !oon stone, %apis la/uli, Turquoise, Fuart/, 5ade, Am'er, Rock crystal, $erpentine Pearl, :oral, Ayster shellG mother of pearl, :onch shell, :owrie, :uttlefish 'one, %ime stone, :alcium phosphate, %ime silicate, 0ear 2orn, &ones of $heep, :halk.etc &ora(, &arley alkali, $a**ikshar :ommon salt, Rock salt, Artificial salt prepared from, plant, $alt from lake etc. Aut of 9@ types of poisons @ should 'e used in medicine, which are Eatsana'ha Aconitum fero(", !ustaka, saktuka etc. I

4E E E4 E44

0hatoovarga Ratnavarga Dpratnavarga $udhavarga

E444 )sharavarga 4H %avanvarga H Eishopvishavarg

0r. Asmita 1ele. pu'lished in .R%2T3s Amruth. 4ssue 5an + .e'6778

The last group is mentioned in the original Rasashastra te(ts only to the required e(tent and it is ela'orated partly in ;>ighantu grantha3 or ;Eishtantra3. $tatistics gives the num'er of individual drugs as @8 including Rasa+!ercury and e(cluding Eishadravya. !ercury, the foremost drug of Rasashastra that preserves its mystical links with Tantra and Alchemy, is considered as a living su'stance or a living 'eing. 4n the process of converting it into a re*uvinating medicine it goes through all of the same processes as the sadhaka who seeks salvation. .irst the mercury is Jawakened', made Jhungry', it is Jfed', made to Jswoon', and lastly Jkilled'. 2ere the word J)illing' refers to incineration in the sym'olism of the $andya &hashya. The similarity in 4ndian and other thought schools such as !ilesian, during more or less same time frame, where no distinction is seen 'etween animate and inanimate world or spirit and matter is worth knowing. &ut at the same time another thought school ;$ankhya3 hypothesi/es the ;prakriti+ purush theorem3, which forms the 'asis of Ayurvedic principles. This is 'ecause the time span covered 'y this science is huge Though such differences are o'served in the theoretical framework, at practical level Rasaushadhies work on the principles of Ayurveda. A new term is introduced at this *uncture ;RasaEaidya3. !ercury traditionally has many different names each indicative of its single use suggesting a multidimensional su'stance. Rasa+vaidyas have tried to classify the functions into two aspects< treatment of diseases and re*uvenation Rasayana" of the 'ody to achieve ,5eevanmukti- and they have succeeded to some e(tent in separating the ;0ehavad3 aspect from alchemical ;0hatuvada3 transmutation of lower metals into no'le metals" though it is not easy. Rasavaidyas direct that instead of all the eighteen stepwise reactions called as Ashtadashasamskara performed on mercury only the first eight steps, Ashtasamskara are sufficient to use the mercury for treatment of diseases. Apart from the !ercury, $ulfur, !ica, #old and 0iamond are considered in the top cadre. 0escription of individual drug is well formatted covering its synonyms, selection and e(clusion criteria, types, shodhana, maran, 'hasmapariksha, satvapatana, druti, desired effects, properties, dose, associated other medicines, administration method, adverse effects, antidote, dietary and 'ehavioral instructions to the last detail. A list of processing drugs, which contains medicinal plants and animal produce, is also long. $pecific drugs are grouped together in particular proportions to facilitate the process that any drug undergoes. A special and a 'it controversial group titled ;&ida3 plays an important role of facilitating the reaction in the mercurial procedure Ashtadashasamskar" aimed at Rasayana. 0rugs from the Ratnavarga and Dpratnavarga are descri'ed using two approaches< internal medicinal use and e(ternal wearing as an ornament to give protection from adverse planetary effects. !anufacture of artificial metals was also practiced and drugs were also prepared from these in the ancient times. 0escription of su'stitute drugs due to non+availa'ility of the original ones in later te(ts is indicative of the contemporary nature or live tradition of 0r. Asmita 1ele. pu'lished in .R%2T3s Amruth. 4ssue 5an + .e'6778 8

Rasashastra. A well+organi/ed description of technical terms is also availa'le to facilitate new learner of the science. 8rocessing methods: ". Identification and !rocessing of Sam!le: .or selection of proper raw materials from its types one has to select a specific sample depending on the physical characteristics and some tests descri'ed< to 'e more precise taught to the disciple in the living tradition of Rasavaidyas. Ance the right material is selected, it is processed according to the nature of the material and desired end product is o'tained. &asically, four methods are ela'orated which can 'e used alone or in com'ination as per the need. 4. $hodhan+ 0eto(ification from physiological viewpoint 44. &hasmikaran K incineration 444. $atvapatan+ e(traction 4E. 0ruti nirman+ change of state from solid to liquid. #enerally ;$hodhana3 is employed to all the drugs and then the drug is e(posed to any one of the remaining processes depending on the requirement. :omple( procedures such as $atva'hasma or >ag + Eanga *arana are also descri'ed. /. *easuring system: .or the preparations of various medicines ;Rasashastriya !ana3 was used. The unit value of the measure is a little less than the measure system adapted for general and her'al use, 'ut the measuring instruments were the same. =.g: 9 karsha L M6 ratti LM67mg. in Rasashastra< whereas 9 karsha L NO ratti LNO7mg. in )alinga or !agadha system. C. E5ui!ments: Earious equipments mainly of local made and 'iodegrada'le type were used to process the metals and minerals. These are classified into four groups vi/. Yantra, Puta, Musha and Koshti. YA TRA! Achryaya $omadeva defines Bantra as an assem'ly used 'y Rasavaidyas to process mercury or to carry out different pharmaceutical e(periments of mercury such as 'oiling, su'liming, etc. 4n all, 97O types of yantras can 'e identified where in minor modifications are counted separately. Typically a yantra is made up of earthen vessel or pots of various shapes and si/es, glass 'ottles, iron pots or pans, mortars, 'am'oo pipes, etc. which are similar to modern chemical apparatus. The method of selection of apparatus and assem'ly depends on the process for which any particular yantra is to 'e used. P"TA! 4n the Rasashastra conte(t, Puta indicates the process of repeated heating to convert metals and minerals into 'io+assimila'le su'stance known as ;&hasma3. 4n continuation with the etymological meaning ;puta3 is defined as the measure of amount of heat required in the conversion or transformation of any metal or mineral. The amount is su'stance specific and measured in terms of num'er or weight of fuel. The classification of Puta 0r. Asmita 1ele. pu'lished in .R%2T3s Amruth. 4ssue 5an + .e'6778 P

availa'le in archives is according to si/e and heat type used, such as direct or indirect heat. Puta is carried out inside the ground in a well+constructed pit. #enerally the pit is 'uilt with 'ricks. :owdung in the form of round 'ig pieces, small fragments or powder is used as the ma*or fuel. .uels such as husk, hot sand, and charcoal are also used depending on the su'stance and process. M"S#A: :ompara'le to a modern cruci'le, !usha is the particular apparatus, which takes away any unwanted or impure part of the material, or element. !ushas are classified into three types 'ased on three criteria vi/. raw material, colour or function and shape. Earious materials in variety of com'inations are used to prepare a particular type of musha such as white, thick granular sticky clay, 'lack cotton soil, lake mud, 'urnt ant hill soil, soil of earthworms, agnimrittika, toyamrittika, soil used 'y potter, red clay, 'urnt charcoal, kitta i.e. natural iron o(ide, 'urnt husk, haematite powder, chalk, salt, hard sand, 'urnt cow dung cakes, e(creta of goat or horse or elephant, milk of 'uffalo or goat, powdered molasses, decoction of Acacia arabica , white stone powder, human hair, *ute fi'res, /inc ore powder, drugs of &idavarga, Raktavarga, $hukla varga and )sharvarga etc. 4t is evident that mushas are a part of an assem'ly, are used to melt metals, to e(tract essence of some ores, to prepare amalgams, to convert precious stones into liquid form QdritiR and occasionally to prepare 'hasma of some metals. K$S#T#%! )oshthi is the cham'er used to e(tract ;essence3 Q$atvaR of metals or to further purify the satva. These are modifications of routinely used house 'urners ;:hulhas3 to suit the speciali/ed procedures and are compara'le with modern furnaces. A critical study reveals that a specific type of clay is prepared to 'uild a particular type of )oshthi. $ome other materials are also descri'ed as they form a crucial part of )oshthi. $ometimes equipment like khalvayantra or valukayantra 'ecomes an important apparatus in the )oshthi. .uels like charcoal of Eansa, )hadira, !adhuka, &adari, 0aru, are used in the )oshthi. &uilding a )oshthi is a skillful task. The dimensions and shapes of each are descri'ed in detail. 4t is constructed in the soil or some times a'ove the ground level depending on the requirement. The processes that take place in a )oshthi are to e(tract the soft as well as hard su'stances like mica, gold, harital, to separate the ingredients from a mi(ed metal, to prepare )upipakva rasayanas, to melt copper,to incinerate haritala, somala, to prepare alkalis and moreover to carry out $vedana of Parada Pishti etc. 9ormulations: The 'asic finished products further are developed into higher and comple( dosage forms such as )halvi Rasa Pills", Parpati Rasa, Pottali Rasa, and )upipakwa rasa targeted towards specific organs, systems like #4 Tract, >ervous system etc. These are compara'le to novel drug delivery systems.

0r. Asmita 1ele. pu'lished in .R%2T3s Amruth. 4ssue 5an + .e'6778

:uality !arameters: 4n all the processes, general and su'stance specific rules and guidelines are led down so as to maintain the quality of the product right from selection up to finished product levels. $ome physicochemical tests are descri'ed to ascertain the quality of finished product. Procedures like Amritikaran are descri'ed as a safety measure for possi'le chance of adverse effects. :oncepts of good colour and appealing nature of the medicine is evident from ;%ohitikaran process. "dministration of *edicine: The most important characteristic of rasa+drugs is their small dosage of 967+687mgs as compared to that of her'al medicine I+8gms". The dosage varies according to the drug and type of finished product whether it is shuddha, 'hasma, satva or druti. 0escription of ;$uchika'haran Rasa3 is indicative of the first try of parenteral administration of drug through the scalp vein. 4t is said that specific dietary restrictions are not necessary while administering these medicines 'ut treatises like Rasaratnasamucchaya, &haisha*yaratnavali do advice dietetic specifications. These concepts are indicative of not only drug interaction 'ut point towards drug+food interaction as well. Regulatory system: A system similar to the structure wherein the )ing receives the medicine from the Physician Ra*vaidya", free samples to the needy patient 0hanvantari'haga", sample medicines from pharmacy for poor patients Rudra'haga" in specific proportions that e(isted for plant medicine in the traditional dynasty method has 'een applica'le to Rasashastra. (iterature: The literature for Rasashastra is availa'le in various forms, vi/. manuscripts, edited prints, archives, te(t'ooks, corporate and private documents and in e(periential data form. 4f you read Rasashastra along with the mythological literature, social undercurrents that always influence science of any time make it easy for you to select the scientific theme from the *argon of ela'orate yet am'iguous information. The important positive part is that the science has withstood the onslaught of historical sifts in dynasties, religions, cultures and has continued till date. &ut at the same time it poses us to various pu//les particularly of the peculiar meanings of words in ancient times. The oral tradition in ancient 4ndia invaria'ly stands true for Rasashastra and moreover it is with actual practical training. The 'lot of secrecy came to the science to preserve its dual potential from the evil elements of the society. This was a preventive step adopted 'y the wise and knowledgea'le people in the field. $ince fifteen century onwards 'lending of rasa drugs into her'al drugs is so strong that the separation of these two 'ranches e(ists only at the initial philosophical levels. Rasashastra 'ecame a part and parcel of Ayurveda as it was the only system dealing with the understanding of human 'ody. Rasushadhies gained popularity owing to their low dose, predicta'le quick results, carrying suita'ility, palata'ility as compared to that of her'al medicines< which continues till date amongst most of the practicing vaidyas. 0r. Asmita 1ele. pu'lished in .R%2T3s Amruth. 4ssue 5an + .e'6778 M

8resent 6ay Scenario7 Today there are some living traditions those are dealing in Rasushadhies. The typical ;teacher disciple3 system is on the verge of e(tinction. Pharmaceutical companies small and 'ig are manufacturing these medicines and they generally are following the traditional rules. Recent technological advances offer a 'etter quality management and 'ig firms make sure its usage< however smaller ones do not think it is necessary. At the government level, #uidelines do e(ist 'ut as usual the pro'lem of implementation remains true here also. The manufacture of the &hasmas are region specific in terms of raw drug, processing drugs, equipments and therapeutic uses making it cost effective and therefore afforda'le 'y the local population. !a*ority of such good and potential medicines cannot 'e made availa'le to a wider section of population very easily. An the other hand all the a'ove said things are su'*ective and one has to rely on the manufacturing person3s words for quality standards and use, which vary considera'ly from person to person and region to region as the surveys reveal. To conclude, now we can say that the study of Rasashastra reveals the following ma*or facts: 4dentification of !etals and !inerals as medicines Dnderstanding of their to(ic nature Process development to nullify to(icity $ingle and comple( formulation development Dsage in clinical practices 0ocumentation of to(ic signs on humans and its management. 4f the Ayurvedic fraternity preserves the tradition particularly evident in Rasashastra, 'ecomes contemporary 'y using new technological advances such as nano molecules to further develop and refine drug delivery systems, then the future is 'right. At the same time Fuality assurance system needs to 'e strengthened and 'e more rigorous, considering the ha/ardous potential of the raw materials.

0r. Asmita 1ele. pu'lished in .R%2T3s Amruth. 4ssue 5an + .e'6778

0r. Asmita 1ele. pu'lished in .R%2T3s Amruth. 4ssue 5an + .e'6778