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#''Agada tantra''  -  Toxicology

#''Agada tantra''  -  Toxicology

#[[Rasayana]]  - Nutrition, Rejuvenation, Immunology and Geriatrics

#[[Rasayana]]  - Nutrition, Rejuvenation, Immunology and Geriatrics

#''Vajikarana''  - Sexology, Aphrodisiac and Reproduction

#''[[Vajikarana]]''  - Sexology, Aphrodisiac and Reproduction

#''Bhuta Vidya''  - Psychiatry and Demonology

#''Bhuta Vidya''  - Psychiatry and Demonology

The present chapter deals with ''Rasayana tantra'' of ''Ashtanga [[Ayurveda]]'' which has assumed a very high consideration in contemporary times in view of the potential role it could play today with increasing incidence of nutritional disorders, lifestyle related health issues and above all the rapid population aging world over, warranting newer strategies for geriatric health care and healthy aging where modern medicine has not much to offer.

The present chapter deals with ''Rasayana tantra'' of ''Ashtanga [[Ayurveda]]'' which has assumed a very high consideration in contemporary times in view of the potential role it could play today with increasing incidence of nutritional disorders, lifestyle related health issues and above all the rapid population aging world over, warranting newer strategies for geriatric health care and healthy aging where modern medicine has not much to offer.

[[Rasayana]] is the means of obtaining the best qualities of body cells and tissues and is able to defeat aging and disease. All ''rasayanas'' are ''ojovardhaka'' i.e. promoter of ''ojas'' or immune strength in the body, imparting ''vyadhikshamatva'' i.e. immunity in the body. The mode of action of [[Rasayana]] remedies has been deliberated for long. Many scholars consider [[Rasayana]] effect as the ''prabhava'' (specific therapeutic effect) of these remedies without really giving rational interpretation. However, Professor RH Singh et al (1972) have suggested that the [[Rasayana]] remedies and measures act at three levels and produce subtle molecular nutrient and immune-enhancing effect with a range of secondary impacts such as improved nutritional status, immune-enhancing, longevity, healthy aging, promotion of health and prevention of disease. The three levels of action are:

[[Rasayana]] is the means of obtaining the best qualities of body cells and tissues and is able to defeat aging and disease. All ''[[rasayana]]s'' are ''ojovardhaka'' i.e. promoter of ''[[ojas]]'' or immune strength in the body, imparting ''vyadhikshamatva'' i.e. immunity in the body. The mode of action of [[Rasayana]] remedies has been deliberated for long. Many scholars consider [[Rasayana]] effect as the ''prabhava'' (specific therapeutic effect) of these remedies without really giving rational interpretation. However, Professor RH Singh et al (1972) have suggested that the [[Rasayana]] remedies and measures act at three levels and produce subtle molecular nutrient and immune-enhancing effect with a range of secondary impacts such as improved nutritional status, immune-enhancing, longevity, healthy aging, promotion of health and prevention of disease. The three levels of action are:

#At the level of ''rasa'' acting as a direct nutrient enriching the nutrient value of plasma.

#At the level of ''rasa'' acting as a direct nutrient enriching the nutrient value of plasma.

#''Roganut'' or disease curing.  

#''Roganut'' or disease curing.  

The ''ojovardhaka'' remedies again are of two categories namely [[Rasayana]] and ''vajikarana''. The chapter further describes the qualities of [[Rasayana]] and the methods of its use. It specially dwells upon the best [[Rasayana]] drugs like ''Amalaki, Abhaya, Chyavanaprasha, Brahma Rasayana, Amalaka Rasayana, Haritaki Yoga'' etc.

The ''ojovardhaka'' remedies again are of two categories namely [[Rasayana]] and ''[[vajikarana]]''. The chapter further describes the qualities of [[Rasayana]] and the methods of its use. It specially dwells upon the best [[Rasayana]] drugs like ''Amalaki, Abhaya, Chyavanaprasha, Brahma Rasayana, Amalaka Rasayana, Haritaki Yoga'' etc.

The second part, ''Pranakamiya Rasayana Pada'', deliberates on ''rasayana prabhava'' with examples of certain special ''aushadhi rasayanas'' like ''Amalaki Ghrita, Amalakyavaleha, Amalaka Churna, Vidangavaleha, Nagabala Rasayana, Baladi Rasayana, Bhallataka Kshira'' etc.

The second part, ''Pranakamiya Rasayana Pada'', deliberates on ''rasayana prabhava'' with examples of certain special ''aushadhi rasayanas'' like ''Amalaki Ghrita, Amalakyavaleha, Amalaka Churna, Vidangavaleha, Nagabala Rasayana, Baladi Rasayana, Bhallataka Kshira'' etc.

''Abheshaja'' (non-therapeutics) is also of two types – (1) ''badhana'' (acute), (2) ''sanubadhana'' (chronic).[5]

''Abheshaja'' (non-therapeutics) is also of two types – (1) ''badhana'' (acute), (2) ''sanubadhana'' (chronic).[5]

==== Objective of [[Rasayana]] and ''Vajikarana'' ====

==== Objective of [[Rasayana]] and ''[[Vajikarana]]'' ====

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By promotive treatment, one attains longevity, memory, intelligence, freedom from illness, youthfulness, excellence of lustre, complexion and voice, optimum strength of physique and sense organs, perfection in deliberation, respectability and brilliance. [[Rasayana]] is the means of attaining excellent qualities of ''rasa'' etc. ''dhatus'' i.e. body cells and tissues. [7-8]

By promotive treatment, one attains longevity, memory, intelligence, freedom from illness, youthfulness, excellence of lustre, complexion and voice, optimum strength of physique and sense organs, perfection in deliberation, respectability and brilliance. [[Rasayana]] is the means of attaining excellent qualities of ''rasa'' etc. ''dhatus'' i.e. body cells and tissues. [7-8]

==== Benefits of ''Vajikarana'' ====

==== Benefits of ''[[Vajikarana]]'' ====

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''Vajikarana'' (aphrodisiac treatment) is that which produces lineage of progeny, quick sexual stimulation, enables one to perform sexual act with the women uninterruptedly and vigorously like a horse, makes one charming for the women, promotes corpulence and infallible and indestructible semen even in the old persons, renders one great having a number of off-springs like a sacred tree branched profusely and commanding respect and popularity in the society. By this one attains eternality based on filial tradition here and hereafter along with fame, fortune, strength and corpulence. [9-12]

''[[Vajikarana]]'' (aphrodisiac treatment) is that which produces lineage of progeny, quick sexual stimulation, enables one to perform sexual act with the women uninterruptedly and vigorously like a horse, makes one charming for the women, promotes corpulence and infallible and indestructible semen even in the old persons, renders one great having a number of off-springs like a sacred tree branched profusely and commanding respect and popularity in the society. By this one attains eternality based on filial tradition here and hereafter along with fame, fortune, strength and corpulence. [9-12]

==== Two types of ''Aushadha'' (medicine) ====

==== Two types of ''Aushadha'' (medicine) ====

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Oh desirous of vital breath! Listen to me explaining the procedure of [[Rasayana]] therapy which is like another nectar, acceptable for the gods, having incomprehensible miraculous effects, prolongs life span, provides health, sustains age, relieves excessive sleep, drowsiness, exertion, exhaustion, lassitude and emaciation, restores ''tridoshika'' balance, brings stability, alleviates laxity of muscles, kindles internal fire and imparts excellent luster, complexion and voice. By using this, the great sages like Chyavana and others. regained youthful age and became charming for the women, they also attained firm, even and well divided muscles, compact and stable physique, blossomed strength, complexion and sense, uninterrupted prowess and endurance. All morbidity arise due to domestic food in those eating sour, saline, pungent, alkaline, dried vegetables, meat, sesame, sesame paste and preparation of (rice) flour, germinated or fresh, awned or leguminous cereals, incompatible, unsuitable, rough, alkaline and channel blocking substances, decomposed, heavy, putrefied, and staled food items, indulging in irregular diet or eating while the previous food is undigested, day sleep, women and wine, performing irregular and excessive physical exercise causing agitation in the body, affected with fear, anger, grief, greed, confusion and exhaustion. Because of this the muscles get laxed, joints get loosened, blood gets burnt, fat becomes abundant and liquefied, marrow does not mature in bones, semen does not manifest and ''ojas'' deteriorates. Thus, the person subdued with malaise, depression, sleep, drowsiness, lassitude, lack of enthusiasm, dyspnea, incapability in physical and mental activities, loss of memory, intellect and luster, becomes resort of illness and thus does not enjoy the normal life span. Hence looking to these defects, one should abstain from all the said unwholesome diet and activities so that he becomes fit for using the [[Rasayana]] treatment- saying this Lord Punarvasu Atreya further added. [3]

Oh desirous of vital breath! Listen to me explaining the procedure of [[Rasayana]] therapy which is like another nectar, acceptable for the gods, having incomprehensible miraculous effects, prolongs life span, provides health, sustains age, relieves excessive sleep, drowsiness, exertion, exhaustion, lassitude and emaciation, restores ''tridoshika'' balance, brings stability, alleviates laxity of muscles, kindles internal fire and imparts excellent luster, complexion and voice. By using this, the great sages like Chyavana and others. regained youthful age and became charming for the women, they also attained firm, even and well divided muscles, compact and stable physique, blossomed strength, complexion and sense, uninterrupted prowess and endurance. All morbidity arise due to domestic food in those eating sour, saline, pungent, alkaline, dried vegetables, meat, sesame, sesame paste and preparation of (rice) flour, germinated or fresh, awned or leguminous cereals, incompatible, unsuitable, rough, alkaline and channel blocking substances, decomposed, heavy, putrefied, and staled food items, indulging in irregular diet or eating while the previous food is undigested, day sleep, women and wine, performing irregular and excessive physical exercise causing agitation in the body, affected with fear, anger, grief, greed, confusion and exhaustion. Because of this the muscles get laxed, joints get loosened, blood gets burnt, fat becomes abundant and liquefied, marrow does not mature in bones, semen does not manifest and ''[[ojas]]'' deteriorates. Thus, the person subdued with malaise, depression, sleep, drowsiness, lassitude, lack of enthusiasm, dyspnea, incapability in physical and mental activities, loss of memory, intellect and luster, becomes resort of illness and thus does not enjoy the normal life span. Hence looking to these defects, one should abstain from all the said unwholesome diet and activities so that he becomes fit for using the [[Rasayana]] treatment- saying this Lord Punarvasu Atreya further added. [3]

==== ''Amalaki'' ghee ====

==== ''Amalaki'' ghee ====

Here are the verses-

Here are the verses-

The fruits of ''bhallataka'' are irritant, inflaming and are like fire but they assume nectar like properties if used as prescribed. Their use in the above ten forms is described which should be prescribed considering the disease, constitution, and suitability. There is no disorder of ''kapha'' and obstructive condition which is not ameliorated by ''bhallataka'' quickly. Moreover, it promotes intellect and ''agni''.

The fruits of ''bhallataka'' are irritant, inflaming and are like fire but they assume nectar like properties if used as prescribed. Their use in the above ten forms is described which should be prescribed considering the disease, constitution, and suitability. There is no disorder of ''[[kapha]]'' and obstructive condition which is not ameliorated by ''bhallataka'' quickly. Moreover, it promotes intellect and ''agni''.

In early days, the old great sages like Chyavana etc, who desiring vital strength, attained immeasurable life span by using these beneficial [[Rasayana]] formulations. After attaining longevity they performed as desired, spiritual penance, celibacy and self- medications and ascended to the heaven. Hence those who desire longevity, vital strength and happiness should use the [[Rasayana]] methodically and carefully. [17-22]

In early days, the old great sages like Chyavana etc, who desiring vital strength, attained immeasurable life span by using these beneficial [[Rasayana]] formulations. After attaining longevity they performed as desired, spiritual penance, celibacy and self- medications and ascended to the heaven. Hence those who desire longevity, vital strength and happiness should use the [[Rasayana]] methodically and carefully. [17-22]