Dr Milind A. Patil
Ayurveda is the ancient science of life and is believed to be of a divine origin. Lord Brahma created it and then he transmitted the knowledge of Ayurveda to various Gods and scholars to relieve the sufferings and miseries of human beings on the earth.
The main objectives of Ayurveda are two-fold, viz.
To maintain the positive health of a healthy person, and
To cure the disease of a diseased person.
The Ayurvedic therapy is based on another larger and basic Ayurvedic concept of Similarity of body and universe which is known as “Loka-purusha samya” in Sanskrit.
Our body is made up of Tridoshas (functional elements), Dhatus (structural elements) and Malas (excretory products); all of which are made up of “Panchamahabhootas”. They are viz. Akasha (ether), Vayu(air), Agni(fire), Jala(water), and Prithvi(earth). The universe is also made up of “Panchamahabhootas”.
In short, these “Panchamaha-bhootas” are part and parcel of both universe and body.
When there is an imbalance in body elements, the disease occurs and its treatment consists in correcting the imbalance.
Therefore, to restore the imbalance, Panchabhoutic medicines (i.e. of herbal/mineral/animal origin etc.) are used.
It has been quoted that each and every object in nature is made up at Panchamabhootas and can be utilized as medicine.
To achieve the above objectives different types of drugs have been used in Ayurveda.
They are mainly of:
- Herbal/vegetable
- Mineral
- Animal origin etc.
Presently, mineral medicines have become a topic of hot discussion.
The frequency of articles in the newspapers relating to the toxic effects of Ayurvedic medicines has increased. Generally, the tone of the articles is on chemical analysis. Ayurvedic medicines are found to contain a high proportion of lead and mercury and therefore, the Ayurvedic preparations are toxic. Fear is generated about Ayurvedic medicines which have always proved to be safe and effective over the centuries.
Thus, the alleged toxicity of Ayurvedic drugs is based on the presence of high content of mercury, lead, etc. in Ayurvedic drugs. Those who do not have any knowledge of Ayurveda often write these articles. They may be expert in their own field, but do not have any basic knowledge about the Ayurveda, nor they practice Ayurvedic medicines. They are totally ignorant of the principles of Ayurvedic pharmaceutics. Manu credulous and simple-minded people are drawn to them not so much by their authority in Ayurveda as by the publicity of their agents and the human weakness for novelty, curiosity and excitement.
The usage of mineral preparations in medicines is an old one. Charak Samhita, Sushruta Samhita also mentions the formulations containing Iron, Arsenic etc. but as such, the use of mercurial preparations was less. Over a course of time, new sciences have developed and this information was incorporated in Ayurvedic treatises. Ancient seers were always open to receive new information.
Maharshi Charaka has rightly said in this quotation, that
“There is no limit at all to the Science of life, so we should apply ourselves to it with diligence.
This is how we should act.
The entire world is a teacher to the intelligent and the foe to the unintelligent.
Hence, knowing this well, we should listen and act according to the words of instruction of even an unfriendly person, when they are worthy and such as bring fame to you and long life and are capable of giving you strength and prosperity.”
Accordingly, the pharmaceutics and therapeutics developed further, incorporating Mercury preparations in material medica, too. Especially, a complete science of ‘Rasashastra (the science of medicinal preparations of mercury and other minerals) came into being in the sixth century. This science could develop because of the integration of Ayurveda and the science of Alchemy or “keemaya” as existed then.
“Alchemy, an ancient art practised especially in the Middle Ages, devoted chiefly to discovering a substance that would transform the more common metals into gold or silver and to finding a means of indefinitely prolonging human life. These two objectives were known as Lohasiddhi and Dehasiddhi, respectively. Although its purposes and techniques were dubious and often illusory. Alchemy was in many ways the predecessor of modern chemistry, and especially the science of Rasashastra. The fundamental concept of alchemy stemmed from the Aristotelian doctrine that all things tend to reach perfection. Because other metals were thought to be less “perfect” than gold, it was reasonable to assume that nature formed gold out of other metals deep within the earth and that with sufficient skill and diligence an artisan could duplicate this process in the workshop. Efforts toward this goal were empirical and practical at first, but by the 4th century AD, astrology, magic, and ritual had begun to gain prominence.
Integration of Ayurveda and Alchemy or “Keemaya” resulted in various compendia like “Rasaratna-samucchaya” and many others at that time.
In the preface of Rasaratna-samucchaya the “Vagbhata”, the author, writes that this book is a compilation of more than 45 books authored by various scholars like Adim, Chanrasen, Lankesha, Visharad, Kapali, Matta, Manaavya, Bhaskar, Shoorasen, Ratnakosha, Sharmbhoo, Satwik, Naravahana, Indrada, Gomukha, Kambali, Wyadi, Nagarjun, Suvernanda, Nagabodhi, Yoshodhana, Sranda, Kapalik, Brahma, Govinda, Lampak, Hari, Rasankusha, Bhairava, Nandi, Swacchandabhairav, Manthanbhairav, Kak, Chandeeshwar, Vasundev, Rishi, Shringa, Resendratilak, Yogi, Maluka, Maidhil, Mahadev, Narendra, Vasudev, Hareeshwar. The list of scientists given above is quite impressive and convincing.
In this book titled Rasaratna-samucchaya, Vagbhata mentions that the detoxification methods of Rasa (Mercury), Sapta dhatu, (gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, tin, and zinc) etc. and the instruments required for the method of detoxification and bhasmikaran and also medicinal uses of herbomineral preparations are given in great detail.
GROUPS OF MEDICINES IN RASA-RATNA-SAMUCCHAYA
Maharasa
Abhraka (Mica), Vaikranta (Borosilicate of Al, Mg, Fe), Suvarna makshika (Copper pyrite) Vimal (Bi-sulphide of Iron), Shilajit (Asphaltum), Tuttha (Copper Sulphate), Chapal (Bismuth), Rasak (Calamite).
Uparasa
Gandhak (Sulphur), Gairik (Red ochre), Kasis (ferrous Sulphate), Sourashtri, Haratal (A trisulphide), Manashila (a bi-sulphide), Anjan (antimony), Kankushtha.
Sadharan rasa
Kampilla, Gouripashan (Arsenic), Navasagar (Ammonium chloride), Kaparda, Agnijar, Girisindoor, Hingul (Cinnabar), Mriddarshringa (Lead oxide).
Ratna-Uparatna
Vaikranta (Borosilicate of Al, Mg, Fe), Sooryakanta, Heerak (Diamond), Mouktik (pearl), Mani (Ruby), Chandrakanta, Rajavarta (Lapis, Lazule), Garudodgarak, Pushparaga (Topaz), Gomed (Sinnamon stone), Padmarag, Praval (coral).
Dhatu
Suvarna (Gold), Roupya (Silver), Tamra (Copper), Loha (Iron), Vanga (Tin), Nag (Lead), Pittala (Brass), Kansya, Vartaloha.
Kandavisha (Poisonous herbs)
Karkata, Kalakoota, Vatsanabha, Halahala, Waluka, Kardama, Saktuka, Moolaka, Sarshapa, Shringika, Mustaka, Mahavisha, Haridraka.
Upavisha (Poisonous herbs)
Langali, Vishamushti, Karaveer, Jaya, Neelaka, Kanaka, Arka.
This classification of drugs into various groups is the indication of the scientific nature of our ancestors.
Rasaratna-sammucchaya is the most authentic book of Rasashastra.
It has 30 chapters. First 11 chapters are devoted to the description of methods of detoxification and preparation of mineral preparations from detoxified raw mineral material. In the remaining 19 chapters, treatment of various disorders is described with dos and don’ts in scientific language.
In this science the minerals and the stones (precious and semiprecious) pass through with various Shodhana (Purification by boiling, triturating them in juices of various herbs, grinding, etc.), Mardana (Grinding/Rubbing/Washing in cold hot conditions with vegetable extractives and other liquids), Marana (heating at a high temperature), etc. process several times, so as to convert these into a form or compound, which may suit to the human body and could be absorbed and assimilated into the system without exhibiting any toxic symptoms.
In addition to the above pharmaceutical processes, there are certain other pharmaceutical procedures and measures like swedana (wet or dry fomentation through liquid bath and or gaseous treatment), Dravana (melting), Bharjana (Frying), Pachana (cooking/heating), Jarana (Roasting), Patana (Subliming/Distilling) and Murcchana (compounding) etc. which also play a very important role in altering the forms of metals and minerals into a Rasa form or similar to Rasa form.
These also help in reducing their toxicity and enhancing their therapeutic properties.
These processes are carried out to convert toxic substances into non-toxic and medicinal substances according to the instruction of Charaka—
“Even acute poison is converted into an excellent medicine by the right method of preparation,”
There is a lot to be done in this subject as yet. Prematurely declaring this science as useless is dangerous.
Life on this planet is based on the raw materials available. A substantial proportion of these inorganic substances is utilized within biology, with the roles of the elements being governed by their availability and position in the Periodic Table. Here organic chemistry blurs into biology and environmental science, and for many students acquires a new life. Rasashastra can be treated like a fascinating and authoritative description of the place of inorganic chemicals in biology.
The recent flood of bioinorganic chemistry texts attests to the vitality and significance of the subject.
We must approach ancient sciences in a spirit of service and reverent inquiry. Until we realize the TRUTH within, we must act according to the advice of those who have had the experience of IT.
Because the biochemist ad Sinologist, Joseph Needham, has called the belief and practice of using botanical, zoological, mineralogical and chemical knowledge to prepare drugs or elixirs ‘macrobiotics’, and has found considerable evidence that the Chinese were able to extract steroid preparation from urine.
We may also unearth hitherto unknown facts with the due spirit of inquiry. Who knows?
The author is the professor at KG Mittal Punarvasu Ayurved college, charni road, Mumbai
