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== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology ==

== व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology ==

The word "Rasayana"  is composed of 2 terms.

The word "Rasayana"  is composed of 2 terms.

 

* Rasa (रस।) - Rasa is one of the 7 [[Dhatus (धातवः)|dhatus]]. It refers to a body tissue/fluid which is believed to be the essence of nutrition

Rasa (रस।) - Rasa means a body tissue/fluid which is believed to be the essence of nutrition

* Ayana(अयन।) - The pathway towards all body tissue elements (to nourish and replenish them) that provide Rasa dhatu access to other dhatus.

 

Ayana(अयन।) - The pathway towards all body tissue elements (to nourish and replenish them)

== रसायनस्य परिभाषा ॥ Rasayana Definition ==

== रसायनस्य परिभाषा ॥ Rasayana Definition ==

Caraka states that, the means of obtaining optimum nourishment to the Dhatus are called Rasayana.<ref>Bull.lnd.lnst. Hist.Med. Vol.XXXI-200 1</ref>

Acharya Sushruta has defined Rasayana on the basis of end results obtained with this treatment. He defines Rasayana as a measure, which prolongs and provides positive health. improves mental faculties and provides resistance and immunity against diseases.<blockquote>रसायनतन्त्रं नाम वयःस्थापनमायुर्मेधाबलकरं रोगापहरणसमर्थं च । (Sush. Samh. 1.7)<ref>Sushruta Samhita ([http://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/esushruta/?mod=read Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 1 Sutram 7])</ref></blockquote>Sharangadhara Samhita explains the term 'Rasayana' as that which prevents ageing as well as diseases.  

 

रसायनतन्त्रं नाम वयःस्थापनमायुर्मेधाबलकरं रोगापहरणसमर्थं च । (Sush. Samh. 1.7)<ref>Sushruta Samhita ([http://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/esushruta/?mod=read&h=rasAyana Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 1 Sutram 7])</ref>

 

 

Sharangadhara Samhita explains the term 'Rasayana' as that which prevents ageing as well as diseases.<ref>Sharangadhacharya. Sharangadhara Samhita, Edited: Pandit Parashurama Sastri Vidyasagar with Adamalla Dipika and Kashirama’s Gudartha Dipika, 7th edition, Chaukambha Orientalia, Varanasi. 2008:37</ref>

== Place of Rasayana in Ayurveda ==

== Place of Rasayana in Ayurveda ==

Rasayana tantra is a specialty of Ayurveda. It is also known as Jarachikitsa. Various methods to prevent premature ageing, achieve longevity (by preventing diseases and preserving the health), increase the strength, endurance and immunity are discussed under this branch of Ayurveda. The word जरा । ‘Jara’ means Ageing or senility. Thus, Jarachikitsa also signifies the specialty treatments in Ayurveda for diseases occurring in old age. Therefore, this branch is commonly referred to as Geriatrics but its scope is not limited to the subject of Geriatrics in conventional medicine.

Rasayana tantra is a specialty of Ayurveda. It is also known as Jarachikitsa (जराचिकित्सा।). Various methods to prevent jara (जरा। Premature ageing), achieve longevity (by preventing diseases and preserving the health), increase the strength, endurance and immunity are discussed under this branch of Ayurveda. The word ‘Jara’ (जरा।) means Ageing or senility. Thus, Jarachikitsa also signifies the specialty treatments in Ayurveda for diseases occurring in old age. Therefore, this branch is commonly referred to as Geriatrics but its scope is not limited only to the diseases of old age. In fact, Rasayanas are recommended in young and middle age!

 

Ayurveda has considered Jara or vardhakya as a natural and inevitable process as well as a Swabhavaja vyddhi (natural disease). Etymologically, the term Jara comprises of Jr+Ana+ Tap.

 

"Irisb vayohanow" which can be explained as "Vayah krta slata mamsadya vastha visesa" which means the muscles and other tissues are loosened under the influence of aging. Totally this term indicates of the' loss' in the period of life span.  

Ayurveda has considered Jara or vardhakya (वार्धक्यम्।) as a natural and inevitable process. Ayurveda acharyas have also considered it as a Swabhavaja vyddhi (स्वभावज व्याधिः। natural disease).

A synonym of Jara "Visrasa" is derived from the word "Sramsu adahpatane" which means a degradation / retardation in the physical, physiological and psychological well-being.

The term Jara has been explained as the state of [[Sharira (शरीरम्)|sharira]] (शरीरम्। physical body) wherein muscles and other tissues are loosened under the influence of aging. Few other words  used synnonymously with Jara also indicate a state of degradation / retardation in the physical, physiological and psychological well-being.  

== Benefits of Rasayana ==

== Benefits of Rasayana ==