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{{NeedCitation}}Rasashastra (Samskrit रसशास्त्रम्) deals with Indian alchemy. The term literally means the “Science of Mercury”. It is one of the most popular sections of Ayurveda medicine which offers knowledge regarding use of mineral and animal sourced medicinal substances. Rasashstra provides knowledge of methods to purify and modify these substances using various herbs and processing techniques to make these substances biocompatible, safe and efficient to treat multiple diseases. The medicinal substances obtained in this way have extensive therapeutic utility, instantaneous efficacy with smaller dosage.  

{{NeedCitation}}Rasashastra (Samskrit रसशास्त्रम्) deals with Indian alchemy. The term literally means the “Science of Mercury”. Apart from its domain of alchemy, it is one of the most popular sections of Ayurveda medicine which offers knowledge regarding use of mineral and animal sourced medicinal substances. Rasashstra provides knowledge of methods to purify and modify these substances to make them bio-compatible, safe and efficient to treat multiple diseases. Various herbs, other substances like milk, urine, oils are used in specifically designed processing techniques in order to carry out these changes in raw drugs. The medicinal substances obtained in this way have extensive therapeutic utility, instantaneous efficacy with smaller dosage.  

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

== History of Rasashstra ==

== History of Rasashstra ==

(TBE) In the Vaidika era emphasis was given on strengthening and maintenance of the health through management of healthy life style. The object of this system was to facilitate smooth passage of an individual towards ‘Moksha’, the ultimate salvation. The era of ‘Samhitaas’ is recognized by the works of great scholars and seers of ‘Ayurveda’ like ‘Maharshi Atreya’ and his disciples ‘Agnivesha’, ‘Bhela’ etc. These scholars although stressed the importance of maintenance of health like their predecessors, also expanded their vision to pharmacotherapeutics. The therapeutic properties of plants, animal products and minerals were extensively described in their works. In therapeutics, emphasis was given on the use of medicinal plants, being more familiar and assimilable in the human body. Minerals were used, but their use was very much limited compared to the use of plants. Most of the times the minerals were used in combination with plants (herbo-mineral drugs) but use of independent mineral drugs was also not uncommon. The minerals were subjected to intensive processing for giving them a form of drug.<ref name=":0" />

Emergence of Ayurveda, its descent to earth and transfer of this knowledge from oral tradition into the written works as Samhitas scripted by ancient Ayurveda scholars are known to be the events from 'Vaidika era'. This was the time when all other classical treatises and mainly Vedas were scripted. During this time, emphasis was given on strengthening and maintenance of the health by eliminating the harmful components from lifestyle to regain the original state of health and well-being. The object of this system was to facilitate smooth passage of an individual towards ‘Moksha’, the ultimate salvation. The era of ‘Samhitas’ is recognized by the works of great scholars and seers of ‘Ayurveda’ like ‘Maharshi Atreya’ and his disciples ‘Agnivesha’, ‘Bhela’ etc. These scholars although stressed the importance of maintenance of health like their predecessors, also expanded their vision to pharmacotherapeutics. The therapeutic properties of plants, animal products and minerals were extensively described in their works. In therapeutics, emphasis was given on the use of medicinal plants, being more familiar and assimilable in the human body. Minerals were used, but their use was very much limited compared to the use of plants. Most of the times the minerals were used in combination with plants (herbo-mineral drugs) but use of independent mineral drugs was also not uncommon. The minerals were subjected to intensive processing for giving them a form of drug.<ref name=":0" />

The evolvement of Rasashaastra as a specialized branch is traced to the great Buddhist Sage Naagaarjuna. Who is considered as ‘Father of Rasashaastra’. It is believed to have come into its proper existence with its scientific classification and documentation around 8th century. Naagaarjuna proclaimed “''Siddhe Rase Karishyaami Nirdaridryamidam jagat''” - meaning that I am experimenting with the mercury to eliminate poverty from this world. The main foundation being the concept that the objective of the science of mercury is not limited to Alchemy (Dhaatuvaada) but also to maintain health and strengthen the body for achieving Mukti i.e. ultimate salvation- the concept is incorporated in the sloka as :

The evolvement of Rasashaastra as a specialized branch is traced to the great Buddhist Sage Naagaarjuna. Who is considered as ‘Father of Rasashaastra’. It is believed to have come into its proper existence with its scientific classification and documentation around 8th century.  

 

Naagaarjuna proclaimed  

 

“''Siddhe Rase Karishyaami Nirdaridryamidam jagat''” -  

 

meaning that I am experimenting with the mercury to eliminate poverty from this world.  

 

The main foundation being the concept that the objective of the science of mercury is not limited to Alchemy (Dhaatuvaada) but also to maintain health and strengthen the body for achieving Mukti i.e. ultimate salvation- the concept is incorporated in the sloka as :

''“Na Ca Rasashaastram Dhaatuvaadaartham Iti Mantavyam, Dehavedhadvaaraa Muktirev Paramaprayojanaat.”'' (Anonymous-2004).

''“Na Ca Rasashaastram Dhaatuvaadaartham Iti Mantavyam, Dehavedhadvaaraa Muktirev Paramaprayojanaat.”'' (Anonymous-2004).

Naagaarjuna is also known for his extraordinary acumen in processing mercury with respect to its alchemic and therapeutic use. With the advent of Mercury, a miracle substance in those days, a new class of drugs termed as ‘Rasaushadhi’ with a new science termed as ‘Rasashaastra’ appeared on the horizon of ‘Ayurvedic system of medicine’. ‘Rasashaastra’ can be defined as a science of study of mineral and metallic substances with respect to their therapeutic utility including processing of these substances to prepare a drug. In today’s scientific parlance ‘Rasashaastra’ can be equated with ‘Iatrochemistry’. Although ‘Rasashastra’ deals with therapeutic processing and use of all minerals and metals, the study is dominated by knowledge about mercury and techniques of its processing. The science is named after mercury - ‘Rasa’ being a synonym of ‘Mercury’. Physicians using ‘Rasaushadhi’ in the management of disease are known as ‘Rasa-vaidya’. Rasa-vaidyas were supposed to be superior to their professional counterparts using surgical procedures and plants drugs for treating diseases.<ref name=":0" />

Naagaarjuna is also known for his extraordinary acumen in processing mercury with respect to its alchemic and therapeutic use. With the advent of Mercury, a miracle substance in those days, a new class of drugs termed as ‘Rasaushadhi’ with a new science termed as ‘Rasashaastra’ appeared on the horizon of ‘Ayurvedic system of medicine’.  

 

‘Rasashaastra’ can be defined as a science of study of mineral and metallic substances with respect to their therapeutic utility including processing of these substances to prepare a drug. In today’s scientific parlance ‘Rasashaastra’ can be equated with ‘Iatrochemistry’. Although ‘Rasashastra’ deals with therapeutic processing and use of all minerals and metals, the study is dominated by knowledge about mercury and techniques of its processing. The science is named after mercury - ‘Rasa’ being a synonym of ‘Mercury’. Physicians using ‘Rasaushadhi’ in the management of disease are known as ‘Rasa-vaidya’. Rasa-vaidyas were supposed to be superior to their professional counterparts using surgical procedures and plants drugs for treating diseases.<ref name=":0" />

== Medicinal substances used in Rasashastra ==

== Medicinal substances used in Rasashastra ==