RASAMRITAM

RASAMRITAM
The Rasamritam text has been published in 20
th
century, late Acharya
Yadavaji Trikamji has edited this text. Motilal Banarasi Das from Kashi
published this text from Nirnayasagar press Mumbai. Yadavaji has written
this book in the light of modern scientific knowledge and made it useful as a
text and reference book for students, vaidya & modern scholars.
ABOUT AUTHOR
Author can be called as modern Rasacharya in true terms. He has edited
many classical texts like Charak samhita, Sushrut samhita but his devotion
to Rasashastra is unique. He was not only physician but good researcher
also. He has not only prepared all aushadhi yoga but proved them clinically.
He inspired many students & turned their lives. He has prepared all aushadhi
yogas mentioned in Rasamritam not only once but several times and
overcome difficulties during actual preparations and added his experience.
He tested drugs on Ayurvedic as well as modern parameters. He has studied
all Rasagranthas thoroughly, added comment on them and written book
which is essence i.e. Rasamritam.
ABOUT TEXT
Yadavaji has written Rasamritam in light of modern scientific knowledge
and made it most useful as a text for students, vaidyas, and modern scholars.
Specialty of this book is Unani drugs which are mentioned with similar
Ayurvedic drugs. Chemical formulae of most of drugs are mentioned.
Author has tried to avoid the description of drugs and processes about which
any confusion or controversy present. In many places where subject material
is not clear he tried to explain it either on the basis of descriptions of other
contemporary texts or on the basis of modern knowledge. While classifying
the drugs of mineral origin found described in Rasashastra he has followed
his own pattern. The purification and incineration processes (shodhana and
marana) mentioned in Rasamritam are popular in vaidya, easy to prepare,
self tested and no one have objection on it. The opinions of Dr.D.A.Kulkarni
and Dr.V.G.desai are quoted wherever necessary.
Vd Damodar joshi has translated text in English language for sake of
students who are not aware with hindi and for foreign students. He has
added X Appendix which contains information regarding Puta, Musha, and
Yantra. In 1998 it was published by Chaukhamba series Varanasi.



















CHAPTER SEQUENCE IN THIS TEXT
1 Rasavijnyaniyam 2 Gandhakvijnyaniyam
3 Lohavijnyaniyam 4 Mallavijnyaniyam
5 Sudhavinyaniyam 6 Sikthavijnyaniyam
7 Lavan-Ksharvijnyaniyam 8 Ratnavijnyaniyam
9 Rasa yoga vijnyaniyam

1. Parada is main drug in Rasashastra so it has been described in first chapter
named Rasavijnyaniyam.
2. After Parada, Gandhak is the most important hence it has been described in
second chapter named Gandhak vijnyaniyam.
3. Loha Vijnyaniyam has third place. All minerals in Rasashastra are classified
in Maharasa, Uparas. This classification changes according to authors
perception. In this chapter all minerals found collectively. Minerals either
contain particular metal or these are prepared with that metal. From these
minerals respective metal can be extracted as Satva hence minerals are
described along with respective metals in this chapter.
4. The fourth chapter s known as Malla Vijnyaniam. In this chapter arsenic
(malla) and arsenic containing minerals like Haratal and manahshila are
described.
5. Fifth chapter is known as Sudha Vijnyaniyam. In this chapter Sudha (lime)
and calcium containing minerals like Khatika, Godanti Sapheda Surama are
described as these are calcium compounds.
6. Siktha Vijnyaniyam is sixth chapter. In this silica and silica containing
substances e.g. Dugdh pashana etc are described.
7. Seventh chapter is Lavan-Kshar Vijnyaniyam. Here popularly used Lavan
and Kshar are mentioned.
8. Eigth chapter is Ratna Vijnyaniyam. In this Ratna.Upratna and some Unani
drugs like Sanga Yasav, Akik, Kaharuba are described.
9. Rasayoga Vijnyaniyam is ninth chapter. Here sixty six popularly used
medicinal compounds are given in sequence.

At the end nine appendices are added.
In first appendix important information for preparing Bhasmas and applying
putas have been collected and described.
In second and third appendix additional information regarding Chapal and
Shilajita has been described.
In fourth appendix special comment on Vimal and Makshik is added.
In fifth appendix various opinions regarding Rasanjana and also authors
view has been given.
In sixth appendix due to unpurified and improper incineration of metals,
which harmful effects can occour has been collected.
In seventh appendix the methods for Satva patana of different minerals are
described. Though at present this Satva patina process is not in common
practice among vaidyas. However considering its importance in parada
Sanskaras and in therapeutics have been collected.
In appendix eight purification methods of Visha Upavisha group have been
colleted and described.
References of rasa drugs found in charak and sushrut are collected in
sequence considering their historical and other therapeutic importance.




RASA VIJNYANYAM
Its tradition, beginning of good thing is done after praying god. Lord Shiva
is godfather in Rasashastra.
lqxMirzupYirUxaqqWSkq|
lqriulqirrSulUxqiq|| 1/1
After bowing Lord Shiva with devotion and after churning the ocean of Rasa
literature the classic Rasamritam is being composed by author.
Here, Rasamritam word contains two parts.
Rasa-parada
Amrita-the substance makes man immortal. i.e. parada is like Amrita with
use of this man can be immortal.
This chapter can be studied in three steps.
1. Parada- Names, properties(guna), impurities(dosha)
2. Ashtsamsakaras-
3. Rasapradhan yogas-drugs containing parada.
Parada is one of few drugs which possess all six Rasas, it pacifies tridosha.
As parada found in nature combined or in free form it carries many
impurities, for their removal eight mercurial processes (ashtasanskaras) have
been described. Only after that mercury is used in medicinal compounds.
Samanya Shodhan of parada is not mentioned here means author believes
only ashtasamskarit parada in medicine.
The eight samskaras are as follows
1 Swedana(boiling)
2 Mardana (grinding)
3 Murchhana(swooning)
4 Uthapana(regaining)
5 Patana(sublimation)
6Bodhana (potentiation)
7 Niyamana
8 Dipana (appetization)

These processes are comparatively easy commonly used and useful also.
Most of the references are from RasahridayTantra (available most ancient
rasagrantha), Rasendra Chudamani and Rasayan sara sangraha.
Next, procedure of Hinguloth parada (mercury gained by hingula ) is given.
Here author modifies Tiryak patana yantra for maximum yield and minimum
loss of parada.
Opinion of Dr.Kartik Basu (Bha. Bh. R.) have been quoted that Hingula or
mercury should be mixed with lime in equal quantity and grounded well.
Mixture should be filled into Tiryak patana yantra upto one third part and
remaining part with lime powder and be heated. In absence of eight
processed mercury this parada gained by Hingula is considered as pure and
can be used in medicine. Few mercurial processes like Kajjali, Rasa
parapati, Rasa sindoor , Rasakarpoor are given and added tips.
Two minerals of mercury Hingula and Girisindoor are given. Name,
properties purification process of Hingula is given and one preparation of
Hingula- Daradvati is described.
Author has quoted opinion of Dr. D.A. Kulkarni about Girisindoor.
According to that Girisindoor is compound of mercury and oxygen. To
differentiate Girisindoor from red lead (Nag sindoor) ancient scholars of
rasashastra might have added the adjective Giri to it





Contents of Parada vidnyaniyam are shown here in picture.






Hingultha Parada
RASADHATU





KAJ J ALI PARPATI RASASINDUR RASAKARKURA










PARADA
GUNA
DOSHA
ASHTASAMSKARA
HINGULA
GANDHAK VIJNYANIYAM
Synonyms Lelitaka, Balivasa etc.
In nature native sulpher is available in small quantity. It is generally found in
mineral form compounded with iron, copper, lead. There are four varieties
of Gandhak but among them yellow is recommended for medicinal purpose.
Gandhak is rasayana and yogavahi. Purification of Gandhak is actually
mentioned in context of Rasaparpati, either in cows milk or in bhringraj
swaras (juice of Eclipta Alba)
Gandhak Rasayana is very important preparation of Gandhak in which only
single Gandhak is used and triturated with twelve herbs. This reference is
from Ayurved Prakash. Author remarks that it should be used in 4-8ratti
(480-960mg) with different anupana i.e. with honey, milk etc.















GANDHAK
A
DOSHA
SUDDHI
GUNA
GANDHAKA
RASAYANA
LOHA VINJYANIYAM
Loha Luha- To attract or to extract.
At present the term Dathu is being used for gold, silver, copper etc metals
but in rasa texts the term Loha was being used for these metals since ancient
times and the term Ayas for iron, while the term Dhatu was being used for
Hingula, Makshik, Gairik etc minerals which contain mercury, copper iron
etc metals respectively. In this chapter all minerals occoured in earth are
collected, here Maharasa,Uparasa,like classification is not done. Thirty two
minerals have been explained.
Gold,silver like suddha loha ,
Nag vang yasad like putiloha
Kansya pittal are alloy and
Gile Armani J angar this Unani drug all are explained in one chapter neatly.
Which common metal is extracted from minerals are described along with
metal. While describing drug various names of drug in different languages
Sanskrit, English Tamil which helps proper identification of drug. It has
been followed by brief description of drug along with properties, physical
properties as described in physics and chemistry, Unani opinion on that
drug, Rasashastriya important purification and incineration processes.

Suvarna
While in context of Suvarna he has quoted a special reference of Ra Pra Su
Gold is mixed with silver copper metals then it becomes asuddha hence such
gold should be purified before use but pure gold does not require any
purification however the other metals certainly require purification. In last
page (suddhi patra) additional sutra has been given regarding suvarna
properties.
Purification mentioned in Rasataangini where sulphuric acid and nitric acid
is used is also described here. This reference is different from ancient rasa
granta. Though according to some texts chemically pure gold does not
require any purification. However in some texts suvarna shodana methods
are mentioned to improve its colour.
Tamra
Next in context of Tamra a simple method of extraction of copper from
Tutha has described. Pittal and Kansya are copper containing alloy are
explained. Though bhasmas of pittal and kansya are not used separately in
practice but used in medicinal compounds e.g. Pittal Rasayana.
Makshik also contains copper .There are two types of Makshik i.e.Hema
makshik and Raupya makshik. Few scholars mentioned its third type
i.e.Kansya Makshik.For Suvarna Makshik it is said that,

Author remark on this, now a day purity of gold is measured in terms of
carats. In Europe 24 carat gold is supposed to be pure, while in India also
hundred tanch was purity parameter. Same like that ancient time 16 varna
was supposed to be pure .The colour less than this is impure the gradation
depends upon number.

Tutha
Tutha is also principle ore of copper. Now a day it is prepared chemically.
Nilkantha rasa, Tutha malahara and tutha drava these yoga are given along
with tutha which are used internally and externally.
Jangar
Acidic liquid kept in copper vessel and mixed with saindhav lavana (rock
salt) or milk and kept for three days in covered state change into Tutha like
blue material known as Nilakantha rasa (J angar) according to unani it is of
two types one is natural and another is artificial. Natural is Dahane phirang it
may be taken as sasyak of rasashastra J ewelers consider Dahane phirang as
semiprecious stone.
Vanga
Description of vanga along with suvarnavanga is given.
Nag
Metal nag (lead) its properties,purification process, incineration process are
given.
Minerals of nag are given
1. Sindoor
2. Mriddarsring
3. Sapheda
4. Saurviranjana are described.
Sindoor /Nagsindoor (red lead)
When lead melts in iron crucible in hot air the surface layer reacts with
oxygen in air and forms red coloured powder i.e. Nagsindoor. It is used
externally only.
Mriddarsringam
It is scaly and yellow in appeareance and it is produced in Gujarat near Abu
Mountain. It is compound of lead and oxygen called Litharge available in
market artificially prepared. Unani physician use purified Mriddarshring (in
Saindhav lavan for week)for purgation and removing worms.
Saphed a (white lead)
It is white soft heavy powder used for wound healing and drying It is lead
corbonate available in market artificially prepared and not recommended for
internal use.
Souviranjan
Authors opinion is Sauviranjan is Nilanjan, a lead compound blackish blue
in colour .After studying Carak Susrut and Rasarnava statements of
Sauviranjan he cocluded that at present we may take Sauviranjan as
antimony sulphide, Strotonjan as Surama Isphahani and Nilanjan as lead
sulphide or Galeana
Yashada
It is not found described in ancient rasa literature. it is described as Rasak
satva.The earliest description of Yasad is found in Bhavprakash followed by
Ayurved prakash.
Rasaka
Now a days 3 types of Rasaka are available in market
1 Sanga Basar- Banaras, Iran
2 oval , red coloured
3 Palatantu- south India
Loha-
Types of Loha are given here
Munda Samanya Loha - iron pan
Tikshna polada sword
Kanta chumbaka- rar
Substances containing iron are mentioned together which are
Ayaskriti, Mandur, Vimal, Kasis, gairik, gile Armani,
Gile makhtum Abraka, Ayaskanata




4 MALLA VIDNYANIYA
The substance possessing Arsenic as a main active ingredients are collected
under this heading, these are
Haratala (orpiment)
Types of Haratala, i.e.Pinda and Patri are given out f which Patri HAratala is
used in medicines and yields more extract. Two formulations first is
Talasindur from Siddhabheshaja Manimala and Rasamanikya from
Rasatarangini is given.
Manahshila
Purification is mentioned along with Silasindur formulation.
Gouripashana
Formulations Malla vati, fenashma drava


5 SUDHA VIDNYANIYAMA.
Sudha- means lime. Lime stone is heated in furnace and lime is obtained. In
this chapter Sudha, khatika and Godanti
Khatika-
Churnodaka mentioned in Rasatarangini is refered here with its therapeutic
effects.
Sudha parpati- Sudha 1 part
Gandhaka _ 2 parts
A parpati prepared by this is used for external application in Acne, boils etc.
Lekahana mrittika
This is a white coloured type of sand used after purification also known as
Khatika.
Godanti- calcium sulphate
It is also called as Godanti Haratala it is purified with only washing.
Surma E Sapheda
This is a drug used in Unani medicine, white in colour acts as Godanti


6 SIKATA VIDNYANIYAMA
In this chapter sikata and sikata containing medicines are collected which
have silica as main component. These drugs are not found in any ancient
rasa texts these are included in later period. The author has studied them and
put them here.
Sikata
It is mentioned in earlier texts like Bhava prakash, Dhanvantari nidhantu and
also found in Gadanigraha in Kasadhikara.
Dugdha pashana
It is silicate of Magnesium used in excessive bleeding to stop bleeding and
used in dental caries.
Kausheyama- asbestos
It is a soft stone and it contracts on pressure it is good conductor of heat. It is
used in tooth powder in south India.








7 LAVANA KSHARA VIDNYANIYAM
Salt is inevitable substance in daily food. It changes from place to place.
Following chart shows lavana mentioned in text along with origin, physical
and therapeutic properties.
Name Source Physical property Therapeutic
properties
saidhava Mines in Panjab White, reddish
white
Good for eyes,
aphrodisiac
Samudra Sea water White Bhedhan,
antispasmodic
Romaka Sambhara lake White Pittal, vidbhedi
Bida lavana Navasagar
From waste of animals
White Vatanuloman,
tikshna
sourvachala Kangada district Blakish Taste inproving,
Audbhida Ushara bhumi Blakish white utkledi











Following chart shows kshara mentioned in text along with origin, physical
and therapeutic properties.

Name Source Therapeutic effects
Yavakshara
Mixture of
potassium salts
Ash from dried Yava
plant
Ashmari, hritpandu nashana
Sarjikshara Panjab, kshara vanspati Kledi,
Tankana
borax
Nepal, tibbat,near salty
lake
Mudhagarbhapravarataka
Spatika
Alum
Sourashtra Vrana ropana, shvritrapaha
Papadakshaa
Sourkshara
Potassium nitrate
Mutrakriccha


8 RATNA VIDYANIYAM
Ratnas are termed as precious stone in English , javahara in Arabi.
The author has mastery in the study of Ratna. He has prepared many Ratna
Pishti and bhasma. He has described, Ratna, its source, active principle,
chemical formula purification menthods, physical properties external
appearance and acceptable and rejectable criterias of ratnas.Uparatnas are
also described.



List of Ratna and Uparatnas mentioned in the text are as follows.
Ratna Uparatna
Manikya ruby RAjavarta- Lapis luzali
Nilama sapphire Sangeyashaba J ade
Pushparaja topaz Akika Agate
Gomeda hesserite Chandrakant moons stone
Vaidurya- cats eye Suryakanta- suns stone
Tarkshya emerald Vaikrant fluor spar
Vajra- diamond Kaharuba Amber
Some Ratna and Uparnas are described below
Vaikrant- fluorspar
Author has quoted opinions of Dr. D. A. kulkarni that fluorspar can be
confirmed as Vaikrant. According to author Vaikrant included in Maharasa
is Manganese while Vaikrant as Uparatne is Fluorspar.
Kaharuba -Amber
Thia is a fossil resin.
Kaha- meand hay ruba to attract
This generates heat when it is rubbed on cloth and attract the hay. This is
used as grahi.
Author has mentioned a process for Ratna bhasma
A piece of Ratna is heated over coal to become red hot and qeunche din
Amalaki swaras. This procedure is repeated for 50 60 times. Them it is
powdered and incinerated. This is done for 30 times it improves colour of
bhasma.


9 RASA YOGA VIDNYANIYAMA
This chapter contains different formulations alphabetically. Total 66
formulations are given from some other texts and some are altered. All types
of formulations are mentioned as Asava, Khalviya Rasa, Parpati, Pottali.
The important peculiar part of the text is nine appendices. The very
important basic principles of Rasashstra are discussed here, discussion about
ambiguous drugs and expert opinion of author is mentioned.
I appendix
Incineration is an important procedure in the Rasashastra. Agnivid is a
degree given to that person who has good judgment of heat. Some tips
related to incineration given by author are below
1 bhasma becomes fine and faster when it is triturated well.
2 Chakrikas should be properly dried so colour of bhasma will be
fair and chakrikas will be soft.
3 weights of the chakrikas should be 10 -20 gms and flat in shape.
4 Shape of Sharav should be shallow like pan.
5 For Abraka bhasma initially bigger Putas are required and then smaller
Puta are required. Exactly apposite condition about metals like Gold and
silver that is it requires small puta initially and big later on.
II Appendix
The detail description of Chapala is given as these drugs are not mentioned
in the text earlier. According to Dr. V. G. Desai and D.A. Kulkarni Chapal is
considered as Bismuth. Author remarks that it should be use in practice after
shodhana and Marana process. According to Narendranath selenium is
Chapala.


III Appendix
The detail description of Chapala is given as these drugs are not mentioned
in the text earlier. References of Shilajatu from Charaka and Sushruta are
mentioned. Its source, tests for genuinity and possible adulterations are
given. According to modern therapeutics it is pain killer and contracts
arterioles.
IV Appendix
The detail description of Suvarna makshika is given. The similarities and
differences between Makshik and Vimal are explained.
V Appendix
There are different opinions regarding Rasanjana. All opinions are
mentioned here with reference. According to author Rasanjana refered in
Samhita is Ghanakriya while Rasanjana mentioned in Rasa text is Yellow
oxide of mercury.
VI Appendix
Ill effects caused by consumption of properly not processed bhasma are
listed.
VII Appendix
Satvapatana procedures of different minerals are listed.
VIII Appendix
Purification processes of herbal drugs used in Rasashastra are mentioned
collectively.
IX Appendix
References of important Rasashastriya drugs present in Charaka samhita and
sushruta samhita