Critical Review ofRasaratna Samuccaya: A Comprehensive Treatise of Indian Alchemy.
Rasaratna Samuccaya (RRS) a 13thcentury C.E. alchemical treatise, authored by Vāgbhaṭa, is a useful compilation related to preparation and properties of drugs of mineral and metallic origin. This text throws light on the state of Indian expertise in the field of alchemy regarding the extraction, purification, conversion of metals/minerals into therapeutically suitable forms, various instruments developed for alchemical purposes and treatment of numerous diseases by using herbo-mineral preparations. The present work is an attempt to summarize the key features of RRS to highlight its utility and contribution in the development of Indian alchemy. To study and summarize the important, comprehensive and specific points mentioned in RRS and to elaborate the contribution of RRS in the field of Indian alchemy. A critical review of RRS fromSuratnojjvalāHindi commentary by Ambikadatta Shastri was done and the collected information was compared with other available literature ofRasaśāstra. Research of modern science was also utilized to explore some facts mentioned by Vāgbhaṭa. RRS is a precise treatise among available ancient literature. It comprises of all eight branches of Ayurveda, although it mainly deals with therapeutic aspects ofRasaśāstraand emphasizes the use of metals and minerals in treating nearly 68 types of ailments. It contains 30 chapters, 3871 verses and detailed description of 960 formulations. Classification of metals and minerals; description of some new instruments, formulations and averting use of metals and minerals in pregnancy are the key features of RRS.
Department of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Mahatma Gandhi Ayurveda College Hospital and Research Center, Wardha, Maharashtra, India.
Dhirajsingh
D
Sumersingh Rajput
Division of Ayurveda, CIMR, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
Rohit
R
Gokarn
Department of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Parul Institute of Ayurveda, Vadodara, India.
Chandrashekhar Y
CY
Jagtap
Department of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, AIIA, New Delhi, India.
R
R
Galib
Department of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, IPGT and RA, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
B J
BJ
Patgiri
Department of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, AIIA, New Delhi, India.
P K
PK
Prajapati
Herbo-mineral formulations; Rasaratna Samuccaya; Rasaśāstra; Suratnojjvalā commentary