An Overview of Rasa Chandamshu / Rasa Ratna Sangraha: A 20th Century Contribution in Rasashastra

Introduction

Rasashastra is a unique section of Ayurvedic therapeutics. It explains the qualities of various metallic and mineral drugs along with the toxic/poisonous and semi poisonous substances of herbal sources.

Rasa Chandamshu is one of the well-known texts of Rasashastra. It consists of several formulations which are commonly used and can be easily manufactured. Deep insight into the original texts is the need of the hour, especially the pharmaceutical procedure and herbo-mineral formulation. This appears to be of most relevance at present. The references of this text are also mentioned in Rasayoga sagara which gives us the importance of this book. It is the latest book on Rasashastra.

Author

The text Rasa Chandamshu was written by Shree Datta Vaidya. The author himself disclosed his family-tree at the end of the chapter. He was the son of Ballaladeva (Father) and Laxmi Devi (Mother), grand-son of Mukund. Mukunda’s father was Mahadeva. He belonged to Borkar family (Saraswat Brahmana), and was a resident of Maharashtra. Rasasiddha Bhairavanatha (Gorakshanatha) was the school of study and practice of the author Shree Datta Vaidya. 

Time-Period

The written work of Rasa Chandamshu was completed on Shukla Panchami tithi, Ravivar (Sunday), Vaishakh masa, Shak samvat, 1841. According to Gregorian calendar, it was 25th April 1919.

Editor, Publisher and Commentaries

1. English commentary - Written by Prof. and Dr. M. S. Krishnamurthy, published by Cahukhamba Viswabharati, Varanasi, India.

2. Hindi Commentary - Written by Prof. and Dr. Gyanendra Pandey, published by Cahukhamba Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, India.

3. Hindi commentary - Written by Prof. S. S. Sawarikara, published by Kendriya Ayurveda evam Siddha Anusandhana Parishad, Janakapuri, New Delhi.

Preview of the Text

This book was compiled by Shri Datta Vaidya himself and is also known by another name 'Rasaratna Samgraha’.

Initially, it has two parts i.e., Poorva khanda and Uttara khanda (Figure 1).

The pattern of description of material in the first part has been followed as per Rasaratna Sammuchaya i.e., Rasa, Maharasa, Sadharana rasa, Rajavart, Tankana, Sudha, Sukti, Visha, Upavisha, Paribhasha, Mana, etc.

In Uttara Khand, Prathama Pariccheda starts with various Rasa formulations prescribed for panchakarma (especially vamana & Virechana). Various formulations like leha, taila, varti are also found along with different Rasa yoga like kharaliya, parpati, kupipakwa and pottali kalpana. Pathya apathya and the treatment of ati-yoga and upadravas are well described in this text.

In the succeeding chapters, near about 87 diseases are explained with the treatment aspects, like Jwara, Atisara,Grahani, Arsha, Agnimandya, Ajeerna, Krimiroga, Pandu, Raktapitta, Rajyakshama, Urakshata, Kasa, Hikka, Shwasa, Aruchi, Murcha, Daha, Unmada, Apsmara, etc. which were explained with appropriate dosage, vehicle and precautions. Specific formulations mentioned at the end of Prathama Pariccheda while treating the Vata roga, pitta roga and Kapha rogas have increased the validity of this text.

Dweetiya Pariccheda is complete with the formulations related to the diseases like Urusthambha, Shoola, Gulma, Mutrakruccha, Prameha, Udara, Pleeha-Yakrit vikara, Arbuda, Shleepada, Vidbandha, Vrana, Upadamsha, etc. Various formulations of choice that can be used in the Kustha, Kshudra rogas, Netra rogas, Yoni vyapat, Sootika roga and Bala roga are explained thereafter. Some of rejuvenators and aphrodisiac formulations are placed at the end of the text.

Content of Text

Poorva Khand

The text starts with Mangalacharana and salutation to the Trimurtis. The arrangement of Rasadravya in poorvakhanda is as Parada, Maharasa, Uparasa, Sadharanarasa, Rajavarta, Nagasindura, Tankana, Shankha, Khatika, Shuktika, Jalashukti, Shambuka, Samudraphena, Bola, Guggulu, Navaratna, Uparatna (8), Visha prakara (9), Upavisha (9).

Initially, the detail of parada is mentioned with its importance i.e., Mahatmya/ shresthatwa, grahya lakshanas, dosha, bheda, shodhana according to dosha, Hingulottha parada (4 method), astasamskara of parada, parada marana vidhi (5 method) along with preparation of parada bhasma (Rakta, Shweta, Peeta parada bhasma), parada sevana kala, sevana vidhi, pathyapathya, ashuddha parada sevanajanya dosha and its treatment. After Parada, classification of Maharasa, Uparasa, Sadharana Rasa is mentioned as per Rasa Ratna Samucchaya. The description of Maharasa (8), Uparasa (8) Sadharana Rasa (8), Ratna (9), Uparatna, Dhatu (8), Upadhatu (7), Visha (9), Upavisha (9) is in the order of Grahya Lakshana, Bheda, Guna & Karma, Shodhana, Marana, Satwapatana. Effect of improperly prepared bhasma with the treatment, importance of poisonous medicament, Pathya during visha sevana, dose of visha dravya is mentioned according to Ayurveda Prakasha i.e., eight yava to one tila. Among the Jangama visha, Sarpa visha is considered to be good for therapeutics. Shodhana of sharpavisha is accomplished by immersing it in gomutra for three days in sunlight. Method of extraction of oil from visha dravya, Kshara reparation method and description about Yantra (11), Puta (3), Paribhasha (8) and Mana Paribhasha (from Anu to Bhara) is also mentioned.

Uttara Khanda

Prathama Pariccheda - Starts with various formulations prescribed for Panchakarma, especially Vamana & Virechana. Detailed chikitsa of 28 diseases from Jwara to Apasmara are explained in Prathama parichhada.

Dweeteeya Pariccheda - Dweetiya Pariccheda is complete with specific aushadhi for specific diseases i.e., Vatarakta, Urusthambha, Aamavata, Parinamashoola, etc. Rasayana and Vajikarana formulations are explained at the end of the text. Also visha chikitsa has been explained at the end along with Dhatuvada Prakarana.

Upasamhara (Colophony)

The author has mentioned that a person consuming Rasaushadi regularly will attain a healthy life, lightness, pleasure, capacity to digest heavy food, aphrodisiac benefits, good therapeutic ability. He will become very close to Lord Yama and Lord Kubera.

Annexures

In this text, a total of five annexures were mentioned.

Annexure 01 - The herbal drugs referred to in Rasa Chandamshu are mentioned here with their botanical name and parts used.

Annexure 02 - The mineral drugs and poisonous drugs referred to in Rasa Chandamshu are mentioned here with their chemical name, English name and Latin name.

Annexure 03 - All the formulations of Rasa Chandamshu are mentioned here in English alphabetical order.

Annexure 04 - Ayurvedic measurements (Mana) and their Modern (Metric) equivalents.

Annexure 05 - All the texts referred in Rasa Chandamshu are mentioned here.

Discussion

Rasa Chandamsu written by Shri Datta Vaidya, a 20th century contribution to our Indian alchemical science, included many important processes, yantra, formulations etc. related to Rashashastra as well as therapy apart from existed treatise.

Uniqueness

Pratham Parichheda

Shodhana of Parada by swedana with Lavana jala in dola yantra method. Three different colours of Parada Bhasma are mentioned in this text i.e., Rakta, Sweata & Peeta. Author also mentioned sweta parada bhasma as suddha karpoora sannibham. While mentioning Rakta parada bhasma preparation, author mentioned a new yantra which is Gaduka yantra.

Different type of Abhraka marana that involves triturating it with Peeta Bringaraja swarasa for three days, drying it in direct sunlight on the fourth day, and then preparing Chakrika by mixing Peeta Bhringaraja swarasa. After that, it is put into Peeta Bringaraja kalka, covered with mud, then subjected to two Gaja puta.

Author mentioned the qualities of Bakadal hartala (Bagdadi) while mentioning hartala satwa bhasma. Rumamastaki choorna is used for Somala marana. Nagasindura marana is contraindicated as it is upadhatu of Naga and has similar guna of Naga. Vatsanabha marana is mentioned in this text. Samanya shodhana of upavisha is mentioned using Panchagavya.

While mentioning the importance of visha dravya, author mentioned any kind of vata and kaphaja vyadhi can be treated by visa dravya. Purification of Naga visha by mixing it with gomutra and placing it under sunlight for three days. Extraction of oil from visha (vatsanabha) by using Kacha yantra which is like Agaru satwa. Vatsanabha tail when rubbed with mercury or mercurial medicaments and administered acts as a very good carminative.

Author mentioned unique types of yantra, like kavachi yantra, tejo/ lambaka yantra, etc. Author mentioned different kinds of varga under Paribhasha like Panchaka varga (group of five animal origin products), pitta varga (group of biles), jala durbhedya gana (water proof binders), etc. More than one shodhana, Marana methods are mentioned here for each Dravya.

Dweetiya Parichheda

Author has mentioned one unique formulation for virechana, that is Chintamani Rasa. Uddhulan (dusting of medicine) in case of incurable seetanga and sweda under Jwara chikitsa. Ashtamrita Rasa is mentioned in the treatment of Bhootaja jwara, Chaturthaka jwara, dweetiyaka and tritiyaka jwara, prepared by eight bhasma triturated with amla dravya, then subjected to kumbha puta.

Chandraprabha vati is mentioned in Atisara chikitsa; here the ingredients are different and also shilajatu is not in this formulation. Sameera pannaga Rasa is first mentioned by the Author in Vata vyadhi. It is of two types, one is prepared by Valuka yantra, another one is Kharaliya preparation. Lavangadi vati is mentioned in the treatment of agnimandya.

Author has mentioned many unique formulations for prameha roga; for example, mehari rasa, meha kesari rasa, meha setu rasa, prameha ketu rasa, meha mudgara rasa, pramehankusha rasa, vata mehantaka rasa, etc. Parpati rasa is prescribed for all kinds of mukha roga along with madhu. Different types of Anjana are mentioned in Netra roga chikitsa.

Anjana shalaka – the fine rod of naga is heated and dipped in triphala kashaya, bhringaraja swarasa, ardraka swarasa, gomutra, madhu and aja ksheera, one after the other. The Anjana carried with the shalaka will cure all kinds of Netra roga. At the end of Dweetiya Pariccheda, author mentioned different methods for artificial preparation of Gold (Swarna), Silver (Rajata) and Coral (Pravala).

Annexure including botanical name, part used, chemical name, composition of drugs mentioned (Herbal, Mineral, Poisonous) in this text are attached at the end of Dweetiya Pariccheda, along with Mana paribhasha, referred texts and alphabetically arranged formulations.

Drawback

In Poorvakhanda, continuation of the topics is present, but with no chapter division. In Uttarakhanda, diseases are not mentioned in separate chapters, not arranged in the order of their rogotpatti krama.

Conclusion

Rasa chandamsu was written by Acharya Shri Datta Vaidya, in 20th century. In this text, different methods of shodhana and Marana have been described along with some special versions which were popular at that time in a systematic manner. At the end of first part, various yantras, putas, special groups of drugs, Rasopayogi vargas were explained. Most of the diseases which occurred during 20th century are described in this compendium. Thus, it is found that this book covers all the relevant portions of Rasashastra in a detailed manner and Rasa formulations have been given prime importance. This book gives detailed description of about 700 formulations. Few of alchemical methods dealt at the end of this text remain secondary as the prime importance of the text is towards therapeutics.

Conflict of Interest

None