www.aamj.

in
ANVESHANA
Review Article AYURVEDA MEDICAL JOURNAL ISSN: 2395-4159

A CRITICAL STUDY OF SHODHANA SANSKARA OF VISHA AND

UPAVISHA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO RASATARANGINI
Uday V. Pawade1, Revenshidh Usturge2, Anantrao S. Bangar3
1Asst. Prof. of Agadatantra, 3Asso. Prof. of Shalakya Tantra, S.C.Mutha Aryangla Vaidyak
Mahavidyalaya, ITI Road, Gendamal, Satara, Maharashtra, India
2Asst. Prof. of Agadatantra, Seth Govindji Raoji Ayurved College,

Samrat Chowk, Solapur, Maharashtra, India

Corresponding Author: drudayvp143@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
A substance which enters in the body and causes harm to rasadi dhatus resulting in ill
health, disease or death is called as Visha (poison). Rasatarangini divides Sthavaravisha
(inanimate poison) in two groups that is Visha & Upavisha. Visha & Upavisha mainly includes
plant origin poisons. These plant poisons are subjected through Shodhana sanskara(purification
process) before using it in internal medicinal formulations. In Rasatarangini various shodhana
methods are described for plant poisons. This review will summarize different methods of
shodhana sanskara of Visha & Upavisha in Rasatarngini.
Key words: Shodhana sanskara, Visha, Upavisha, Plant poisons, Rasatarangini

INTRODUCTION ried out, they are attributed with useful

Ayurveda is basic science of life in
which various principles are explored to
maintain the health of human being or to
cure the diseases. Any poison if processed or
used properly is a potential medicine and
any medicine with improper use is a fatal
poison.1 By using this principles many poi-
sons are converted in to life saving drugs by
doing some sanskara(process) like shodhana,
marana etc. on it. The process in which sub-
stance are treated with advised matter by
rubbing, steaming etc so as to eliminate its
harmful effects is known as shodhana san-
skara(Purification process).2 Visha (poison)
carries harmful properties like Vyavayi,Vi-
kasi, Agneyam, Vatakaphanashana, Yogavahi &
Madavaha due to which it will act as
Pranahara(causing death).3 When shodhana
sanskara on these poisonous plants are car-
properties like Rasayana,Yogawahi,
Tridoshaghna, Brihana, Veeryavardhaka and
Prandayi(providing life).4 Thus Shodhana san-
skara reduces harmful properties of Vi-
shadravya and keeps it to optimum level.
Hence it is necessary to do shodhana sanskara
on poisonous plants before using it for
therapeutic purpose.5 This review article will
highlight shodhana sanskara of Visha &
Upavisha as mentioned in Rasatarangini.
Review of Literature
Visha, Garala, Kalkuta are synonyms
of poisons and they are divided in to two
categories Sthavara visha & Jangama visha.6
Poisons of plant & mineral origin are in-
cluded in Sthavara visha & poisons of animal
origin are included in Jangama visha.7 Sthava-
ra visha is further divided in two sub types
that is visha & upavisha.8Halahal, Kalkuta,
 Uday et. al: A Critical Study of Shodhana Sanskara of Visha & Upavisha w.s.r. to Rasatarangini
Shringaka, Pradipana, Sourashtrika, Brahmapu-
tra, Haridra, Saktuka & Vatsanabh these are
nine Visha. Out of these nine visha only
Vatsanabh is used for therapeutic purpose
hence it is described in Rasatarangini. Poi-
sons up to Saktuka are not used for therapeu-
tic purpose. Hence they are not well ex-
plained in Rasatarangini.9 Vishatinduka beeja,
Ahiphana, Jayapal, Dhatura beej, Vijaya, Gun-
ja, Bhallataka, Arka kshir, Snuhi kshir, Langali
& Karveer these are eleven plant poisons
which are included in Upavisha Gana. 10 Thus
by highlighting therapeutic importance only
Vatsanabh from Visha & all said eleven
Upvisha; their Shodhana methods, properties,
therapeutic use and formulations are well de-
scribed in Rasatarangini. Shodhana san-
skara(purification process) of Visha and
Upavisha are carried out to reduce their
harmful properties and to increase their
therapeutic properties.
Shodhana methods of these plant poi-
sons which are mentioned in Rasatarangini
are as follows:
Vatsanabh (Aconitum ferox Wall.) Shodhana
Methods
1) First method- Proper Vatsanabh is taken
and it is cut in to small pieces similar to
Chanaka (Chick pea) size. These pieces of
Vatsanabh are taken in a stone or black soil
pot. Fresh cow urine is filled in that pot and
pot is placed in sun rays. Every day in the
morning old cow urine is replaced by fresh
cow urine and pot is placed in sun rays. Af-
ter three days Vatsanabh pieces are removed
from the pot, their skin is peeled off and
they are dried in sun .Thus Vatsanabh be-
comes shuddha (pure).11
2) Second method- Vatsanabh is cut in to
chickpea size small pieces and tied in a pot-
tali (cloth bag). This pottali is placed in a
dolayantra (Swing apparatus) filled up with
cow milk. Dolayantra is heated for about 3 or
6 hours. Thus Vatsanabh became pure.12
AAMJ / Vol. 1 / Issue 6 / Nov Dec 2015
3) Third method- Potalli with small pieces of
Vatsanabh is tied in a dolayantra filled up
with Goat milk. This dolayantra is heated for
3 hours and Vatsanabh became pure.13
Vishatinduka/Kuchala (Strychnous nux-vomica
Linn.) Shodhana Methods
1) First method- Matured kuchala seeds are
put in Kanji (sour gruel) for three days. After
three days these seeds are removed from
Kanji and its external skin is peeled off.
These seeds are dried in sun and powdered.
Thus Kuchala seeds became pure.14
2) Second Method- Kuchala seeds are fried in
a pan with ghee on low flame. It is fried un-
til its outer skin became Kapish (slightly red)
in color. Then its outer skin is separated and
its hot inner part is powdered. By this meth-
od Kuchala seeds are rapidly purified when
needed.15
3) Third method- Kuchala seeds are tied in a
pottali. This pottali is placed in a dolayantra
filled up with cow milk and heated for three
hours. After three hours seeds are removed,
its skin is separated and it is powdered im-
mediately in the iron Kharal. By this method
kuchala seeds became pure.16
Ahipphena/Opium (Papaver somniferum) Sho-
dhana Method
Ahiphena Niryas (Opium resin) is dis-
solved in water and filtered through a cloth.
This ahiphena niryas is placed in water mixed
with cow milk and heated on low flame. Af-
ter sometime it became clean.17Ahiphena
washed with cow milk and water is pro-
cessed with Aadrak swaras (ginger juice) for
seven times. Then it is dried and it became
pure.18
Jayapal (Croton tiglium Linn.) Shodhana
Methods
1) First Method- New Jayapal seeds are taken
and its external skin is removed. The seed is
centrally bisected and a green color tongue
like projection present centrally is cut and
thrown. Now these tongue less Jayapal seeds
are tied in a pottali. This potalli is heated with
477
 Uday et. al: A Critical Study of Shodhana Sanskara of Visha & Upavisha w.s.r. to Rasatarangini
cow milk in a dolayantra for 3 hours. Thus
three times this procedure is repeated and
Jayapal seed became pure.19
2) Second Method- Skin less and tongue less
Jayapal seeds are mixed with 1/8th part of
tankan (borax) and tied in a pottali. This po-
talli is heated with cow milk in a dolayantra
for six hours and jayapal seeds became pure.20
3) Third method- Remove the external skin
& tongue of Jayapal seed and tie it in a pot-
tali. This pottali is heated with cow milk in a
dolayantra for 3 hours. Then pottali is opened
and jayapal seeds are finely powdered. Now
this finely powdered coat of Jayapal seed is
applied over a new mud pot. When oil from
this powdered seeds is dried, this powdered
seeds are scratched and collected. If new
mud pot is not available, this fine powder of
seed is placed in between two blotting pow-
der for one day. Oily part of this powder is
absorbed in blotting paper. If oil is still not
absorbed, then again powder is placed in
blotting paper till its dryness. Thus jaypal
seeds became pure.21
Dhatura (Datura metel Linn.) Shodhana
Methods
1) First method- Dhatura seeds are tied in a
pottali. This pottali is heated with cow milk
in a dolayantra for three hours. Then pottali is
opened and Dhatura seeds are washed with
hot water. These pure Dhatura seeds are then
used in the formulations.22
2) Second Method- New Dhatura seeds are
heated in cow urine with the help of dolayan-
tra and dried in the sun. These seeds are
powdered & filtered through cloth. Then it
is used for therapeutic purpose.23
Bhanga (Cannabis sativa Linn.) Shodhana
Methods
1) First Method- Dried Bhanga leaves are
soaked in water and squeezed. These leaves
are dried in sun and heated with cow ghee
on low flame. When they are well fried,
they can be used for therapeutic purpose.24
AAMJ / Vol. 1 / Issue 6 / Nov Dec 2015
2) Second Method- Dried Bhanga leaves are
heated in Babbul twak kwath(Acacia arbica
bark decoction) for half an hour. When
these leaves are properly boiled, they are re-
moved from decoction and dried in sun.
These Bhanga leaves boiled in Acacia arabica
bark decoction became pure.25
Gunja (Abrus precatorious Linn.) Shodhana
Methods
1) First method- New gunja seeds are pow-
dered and tied in a double layer cloth to
make a pottali. This pottali is heated with
cow milk in a dolayantra for 6 hours. Thus
gunja seeds became pure.26
2) Second Method- A pottali is prepared by
tying new gunja seeds in it. This pottali is
heated in kanji for 3 hours with the help of
dolayantra. These seeds are dried & they be-
came pure.27
Bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium Linn.)
Shodhana Methods
1) First Method- Bhallataka fruits and Ishtika
churna (brick powder) are filled up in a
strong pottali which is made up of 3 to 4 folds
of cotton cloth. This pottali is rubbed by
hand with moderate pressure. When brick
powder becomes wet with oil, skin of Bhalla-
taka fruit is peeled off and it is washed with
hot water. Thus bhallataka fruits became
shuddha (pure).28 (Precaution- Cap of Bhal-
lataka fruit is removed before putting it in
brick powder. Coconut oil should be applied
on the hand before rubbing the pottali.)
2) Second Method- Bhallataka fruits are cut
in two pieces and placed in a pottali. This pot-
tali is tied in dolayantra containing coconut
water. Dolayantra is heated for 1-2 hrs. By
this method Bhallataka fruits became pure.29
Karveer (Nerium odorum Soland)Shodhana
Methods
Karveer roots external skin is com-
monly used in local or external application
for therapeutic purpose. Internal use of
Karveer root is rare hence its shodhana meth-
ods are not described.
478
 Uday et. al: A Critical Study of Shodhana Sanskara of Visha & Upavisha w.s.r. to Rasatarangini

Langali (Gloriosa superba Linn.) Shodhana Snuhi (Euphorbia nerifolia Linn.) Shodhana
Method Method-
As langali is not used internally, its 2 Pala (40 ml) snuhikshir(latex of
shodhana sanskara is not mentioned in Rasa- Euphorbia nerifolia) is placed in 2 tola(20 ml)
tarangini. For local application, kanda(rhi- of Chincha patra swaras(Tamarindus indica
zome) of langali should be washed and used. leaves juice). When liquid part is dried snuhi
Arka (Calotropis procera/Calotropis gigantea) latex is separated and used for therapeutic
Shodhana Method- purpose.30
Kshir (latex) of arka is used in diseas- OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS
es like Kushtha, gulma, udara. But its shodhana
sanskara is not mentioned in Rasatarangini. It Vatsanabh from Visha and all eleven
is also used externally in Krimidanta, mouth Upavisha (Vishatinduka to Snuhi) are men-
ulcer, piles etc. tioned in the following table with their sho-
dhana dravya(media for purification).
Table 1: Visha & Upavisha with their Shodhana dravya
Visha/Upavisha Part of Plant to Shodhana dravya(Media) used for
Sr.No Latin Name
(Plant poisons) be purified purification
i)Cow urine
1. Vatsanabh Aconitum ferox Wall. Kanda(Rhizome) ii)Cow milk
iii)Goat milk
i)Kanji(Sour gruel)
Vishatinduka/
2. Strychnous nux-vomica Beej(Seed) ii)Ghee
Kuchala
iii)Cow milk
3. Ahiphena Papaver somniferum Linn. Niryas(Resin) Aadrak Swaras (Ginger juice)
i)Cow milk
Tongue less ii)Tankan(Borax), Cow milk
4. Jayapal Croton tiglium Linn.
Beej(Seed) iii)Cow milk, Mud pot/ Blotting
paper
i)Cow milk
5. Dhatura Datura metel Linn. Beej(Seeds)
ii)Cow urine
i)Cow ghee
6. Bhanga Cannabis sativa Linn. Patra(Leaves) ii)Babbul twak Kwath(Acacia arabica
bark decoction)
i)Cow milk
7. Gunja Abrus precatorious Linn. Beej(Seed)
ii)Kanji(Sour gruel)
i)Brick powder
8. Bhallataka Semecarpus anacardium Linn. Phala(Fruit)
ii)Coconut water
9. Karveer Nerium odorum Soland. Mula(Root) Not mentioned
10. Langali Gloriosa superba Linn. Kanda(Rhizome) Not mentioned
Calotropis procera/Calotropis
11. Arka Kshir(Latex) Not mentioned
gigantum
Chincha patra swaras(Tamarindus
12 Snuhi Euphorbia nerifolia Kshir(Latex)
indica leaves)juice

DISCUSSION their harmful effects on the body. Hence

Vatsanabh from visha and all said
eleven upavisha are described in Rasatarangini
for internal & external therapeutic use. Po-
isons of plant origin which are suggested for
internal use should undergo through Sho-
dhana sanskara(purification process) to avoid
their shodhana sanskara is described in Rasa-
tarangini by treating it with various shodhana
dravya like cow milk, cow urine, Kanji(sour
gruel), brick powder etc. Cow milk and cow
ghee have properties which is exactly oppo-
site to poison hence most of the poisonous
plants are purified with media like cow milk

AAMJ / Vol. 1 / Issue 6 / Nov Dec 2015 479

 Uday et. al: A Critical Study of Shodhana Sanskara of Visha & Upavisha w.s.r. to Rasatarangini
& cow ghee. Cow urine & Sour gruel also
helps in removing harmful effects of poisons
during their purification process. Ginger
juice is teekshna (sharp) in property hence it
is used for purification of opium which is
sedative. Bhanga is treated with Acacia arabi-
ca bark decoction which decreases its adverse
effects. Bhallataka is treated with brick pow-
der which absorbs its corrosive oil or treated
with coconut water which has property ex-
actly opposite to Bhallataka. Latex of snuhi is
treated with Tamarindus indica leaves juice
which lessens corrosive property of Snuhi.
As karveer, langali & arka are mostly pre-
ferred for external therapeutic use; their sho-
dhana sanskara is not mentioned in Rasa-
tarangini.
CONCLUSION
Poisonous plants which are included
in Visha & Upavisha category can give quick
relief in various diseases with their internal
use. But if they are used without purification
process, they may cause harmful effects on
human body. Hence poisonous plants are
always used in medicinal formulation with
specific purification process which is men-
tioned in Ayurvedic texts like Rasatarangini to
avoid their adverse effect & to increase their
medicinal value. For external therapeutic
use, shodhana sanskara (purification process)
of poisonous plant is not emphasized in
texts.
REFERENCES
1. Pandit K Shastri, Dr. G Chaturvedi,
Charaksamhita of Agnivesha, 22nd edition,
ChaukhambhaBharati Academy, Varanasi;
Sutrasthana 1/27, Deerghajeevitiyaadhyaya;
1996, p.49.
2. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilal Banarsidas Prakashak, Delhi; chapter
2/52, Paribhashavidnyaneeya; 1994. p.22.
AAMJ / Vol. 1 / Issue 6 / Nov Dec 2015
3. Prof. K. C. Chunekar, Bhavaprakasha
Nighantu of Shri Bhavamisra, Revised
edition, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy,
Varanasi; Dhatwadivarga/203; 2010. p.621.
4. Prof. K. C. Chunekar, Bhavaprakasha
Nighantu of Shri Bhavamisra, Revised
edition, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy,
Varanasi; Dhatwadivarga/204; 2010. p.621.
5. Prof. K. C. Chunekar, Bhavaprakasha
Nighantu of shri Bhavamisra, Revised
edition, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy,
Varanasi; Dhatwadivarga/205; 2010. p.621.
6. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilal Banarsidas Prakashak, Delhi; chapter
24/2, Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994. p.647.
7. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilal Banarsidas Prakashak, Delhi; chapter
24/3, Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994. p.647.
8. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilal Banarsidas Prakashak, Delhi; chapter
24/6, Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994. p.648.
9. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilalBanarsidasPrakashak, Delhi; 24/7-9,
Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994. p.649.
10. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilal Banarsidas Prakashak, Delhi; 24/163-164,
Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994. p.675-676.
11. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilal Banarsidas Prakashak, Delhi; 24/19-22,
Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994. p.651-652.
12. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilal Banarsidas Prakashak, Delhi; 24/23-24,
Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994. p.652.
13. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilal Banarsidas Prakashak, Delhi; 24/25,
Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994. p.652.
480
 Uday et. al: A Critical Study of Shodhana Sanskara of Visha & Upavisha w.s.r. to Rasatarangini
14. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilal Banarsidas Prakashak, Delhi; 24/172-173,
Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994. p.678.
15. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilal Banarsidas Prakashak, Delhi; 24/174-175,
Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994. p.678.
16. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilalBanarsidasPrakashak, Delhi; 24/176-177,
Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994. p.679.
17. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilalBanarsidasPrakashak, Delhi; 24/237-239,
Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994. p.691
18. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilalBanarsidasPrakashak, Delhi; 24/242,
Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994. p.692.
19. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilalBanarsidasPrakashak, Delhi; 24/310-312,
Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994. p.704.
20. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilalBanarsidasPrakashak, Delhi; 24/314,
Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994. p.705.
21. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilal Banarsidas Prakashak, Delhi; 24/315-317,
Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994. p.705.
22. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilal Banarsidas Prakashak, Delhi; 24/346-
347, Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994. p.711.
23. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilal Banarsidas Prakashak, Delhi; chapter
24/348-349, Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994.
p.711.
24. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilal Banarsidas Prakashak, Delhi; chapter
AAMJ / Vol. 1 / Issue 6 / Nov Dec 2015
24/394-395, Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994.
p.720.
25. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilalBanarsidasPrakashak, Delhi; chapter
24/396-398, Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994.
p.720.
26. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilalBanarsidasPrakashak, Delhi; chapter
24/443-444, Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994.
p.728-729.
27. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilalBanarsidasPrakashak, Delhi; chapter
24/445, Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994.
p.729.
28. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilalBanarsidasPrakashak, Delhi; chapter
24/477-478, Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994.
p.735.
29. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilalBanarsidasPrakashak, Delhi; chapter
24/479, Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994.
p.735.
30. Pandit Kashinath Shastri, Rasatarangini
of Sadanand Sharma, Reprint edition, Mo-
tilalBanarsidasPrakashak, Delhi; chapter
24/517-518, Vishopvishavidnyaniyam; 1994.
p.744.
How to cite this article: Uday et. al: A Critical Study of
Shodhana Sanskara of Visha & Upavisha w.s.r. to Rasatarangini.
AAMJ 2015; 1: 476-81
Source of Support: Nil. Conflict of Interest: None declared
481