Rasashastra (रसशास्त्रम्)

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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

Medicines used in Ayurveda are sourced from plants, metals, minerals or animals. As per the principles of Ayurveda, there is not a single substance in the Universe which does not have a potential to be used as a drug, provided it is used judiciously by the learned vaidya at right place. The most valued classical treatises of Ayurveda the Brihatrayee and Laghutrayee mainly focus on use of plant derived medicines. However, some instances of use of medicinal substances derived from metals and animals are found at places. Development of Rasashstra took place in later times and use of metal, mineral and animal derived substances then became popular part in Ayurveda's pharmacotherapeutics.

Medicines used in Ayurveda

Ayurveda acharyas have described 3 types of medicinal substances on the basis of their source.

1. Audbhid : Plant derived substances e.g. leaves, barks, roots, stems, fruits, seeds, shoots etc. of herbs
2. Jangama : Animal derived substances e.g. milk, meat, blood, urine
3. Parthiva : Metals and minerals derived substances e.g. Mercury, Sulfur, Iron, gold, silver, Arsenic etc.

Although the raw material from preparation of various medicinal formulations is obtained from these varied resources, it is used in medicines only after these undergo rigorous processing methods known as 'Samskaras' to remove their undesired and hazardous effects and enhance the organic nature to make them bio-compatible.

History of Rasashstra

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.

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).

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.

Medicinal substances used in Rasashastra

(TBE)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’. The mineral and metallic substances used in Ayurvedic drugs are classified in different ways.

Generally these drugs are classified in to four distinct classes named-

Rasa : The class of ‘Rasa’ is predominantly possessing ‘Rasaayana’ (adaptogenic effect) effect.

Dhaatu : Dhatus are grouped together on account of their capacity to provide structural strength to the body.

Ratna : The minerals possessing gem quality are grouped as Ratna

Visha : Inherently highly poisonous plants are grouped as Visha.

Metals and Minerals

Rasa

Uparasa

Maharasa

Dhatu

Upadhatu

Ratna

Uparatna

Vishas and Upavishas

Animal origin substances

Sudha Varga- Shankha, shouktik, kapardik, praval etc

Samskaras in Rasashastra

Samskaras are the processing methods employed to transform the properties of the substances specifically to remove undesired properties and enhance desirable qualities.

Extremely important aspect in formulations since this allows the administration, metabolism, assimilation, assimilation of inorganic metals and minerals in the body.

Various samskaras involved in purification process of Mercury and other metals. metals believed to have natural impurities called as ‘ Doshas’ (Fault/defect/harmful element).

Remove doshas for oral administration

Methods (In general applicable to all)

1 Shodhana (Purification/cleansing) and

2 Marana- process by which metals and minerals are grinded with liquids and then dried and made into fine ash form by heat/ Incineration

Mercury is utilized in Medicine and Alchemy.

Method of putting Mercury to medicinal use is known as ‘Deha vaada’ (Deha- Body, Vaada- science/knowledge).

Use of mercury in Alchemy is termed as ‘Dhaatu vaada’ (Dhatu-metals and minerals).

In medicine mercury is used (a) as a general medicine in diseased states and (b) as a ‘Rasayana’ (Rejuvenator) drug.

Purification procedure of mercury depends on its intended use.

Simple procedures such as washing and grinding with plant juices like betel leaf juice, garlic paste and lime water are prescribed when mercury is to be used as a drug in diseased state.

However intensive and complex processing is required when mercury is to be used as a ‘Rasayana’ (Rejuvenator medicinal substance) or it is to be used for the purpose of ‘Alchemy’.

Eight and eighteen independent procedures have to be carried out respectively for ‘Rasayana’ and ‘Alchemy’.

These procedures are grouped as ‘Ashtasanskara’ comprising eight and ‘Ashtaadasha sanskara’ comprising eighteen independent procedures.

Ashta – 8

Ashtadasha- 18

Samskaras- process of transformation of properties

Applicable to all the heavy metals and minerals used in Ayurvedic medicines