Rasayana Adhyaya
Chikitsa Sthana Chapter 1. Rejuvenation therapy
| Section/Chapter | Chikitsa Sthana Chapter 1 |
|---|---|
| Preceding Chapter | None |
| Succeeding Chapter | Vajikarana Chikitsa |
| Other Sections | Sutra Sthana, Nidana Sthana, Vimana Sthana, Sharira Sthana, Indriya Sthana, Kalpa Sthana, Siddhi Sthana |
| Translator and commentator | Singh R.H., Sodhi J.S., Dixit U. |
| Reviewer | Dixit U. |
| Editors | Dixit U., Deole Y.S., Basisht G. |
| Year of publication | 2020 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | 10.47468/CSNE.2020.e01.s06.002 |
Abstract
Rasayana, the first chapter of the Chikitsa Sthana deals with one of the most important specialties of Ashtanga (eight branches)Ayurveda, namely, Rasayana Tantra. Rasayana means rejuvenation and anti-ageing therapies in Ayurveda. It also includes all measures for geriatric healthcare and immunity enhancement. Rasayana essentially denotes medicinal nutrition, rejuvenation, longevity, immune-enhancing and geriatric health care. The rasayana are not necessarily drugs. They may be in the form of a rasayana food, or a positive healthy life style with a rasayana effect or a rasayana drug or all the three together. The rasayana remedies promote good qualities of the cells and tissues of the body through improved nutrient effect, boosting the digestion, metabolism and/or augmenting the microcirculation and tissue perfusion. This chapter is divided in four padas (parts) dealing with different aspects of Rasayana therapy. The four padas are named as:
- Abhayamalakiya Rasayana Pada
- Pranakamiya Rasayana Pada
- Karaprachitiya Rasayana Pada
- Ayurveda Samutthaniya Rasayana Pada.
Keywords:Rasayana, Ojas , Ojabala, Vyadhikshamatva, Rejuvenation, Geriatrics, longevity, Immunity, Functional foods, nutraceuticals, Immune-enhancers, Amalaki, Abhaya, Triphala, Bhallataka, Shilajatu, Chyavanaprasha, Brahma Rasayana, Medhya Rasayana, Achara Rasayana, Kayakalpa.
Introduction
The Ayurvedic classics, including Charak Samhita, describe eight specialties of Ayurveda which were in vogue and practiced during the vedic period denoting that Ayurveda was already a highly evolved system of medicine with professional specialization. This is why Ayurveda is also called Ashtanga Ayurveda and its eight angas (or arms) are as mentioned below:
- Kayachikitsa - Internal medicine
- Shalya tantra - Surgery
- Shalakya tantra - Ophthalmology, Ear Nose Throat
- Kaumarabhritya - Gynecology. obstetrics and Pediatrics
- Agada tantra - Toxicology
- Rasayana - Nutrition, Rejuvenation, Immunology and Geriatrics
- Vajikarana - Sexology, Aphrodisiac and Reproduction
- 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.
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:
- At the level of rasa acting as a direct nutrient enriching the nutrient value of plasma.
- At the level of agni acting as digestive and metabolic booster.
- At the level of srotas acting as srotoprasadana promoting the microcirculation and tissue perfusion. The net effect of all the three levels of action is an improved nutrition.
The division of this chapter into four padas (parts) reflects an interesting style of classic writing simulating the style of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali aiming to emphasize the continuum of the deliberations which could be fragmented in the chapterization style. The tendency of pada style can also be visualized in the Sutra Sthana of Charak Samhita where all the thirty chapters have been systematically clubbed in seven chatushkas i.e. four chapters clubbed in one chatuska containing allied subject matter. Thus, Rasayanadhyaya (this chapter) is of great significance both from literary as well as from the subject matter point of view.
The first part , Abhayamalakiya Rasayana Pada, begins with the path breaking statement about bheshaja-abheshaja i.e. good medicine vs bad medicine. The bad medicines are poisons while the good medicines are of two categories:
- Ojovardhaka i.e. heath promoting,
- 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 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 third part, Karaprachitiya Rasayana Pada describes the role of brahmacharyadi karma (following code of conduct) in rasayana karma, kevalamalaka rasayana, lauhadi rasayana, aindri rasayana, medhya rasayana, pippali rasayana, shilajatu rasayan etc.
The fourth part, Ayurveda Samutthaniya Rasayana Pada deliberates on Ayurveda tradition, Indrokta rasayana, Dronipraveshika rasayana, Kutipraveshika rasayana, Achara rasayana besides the basic issues like Dharmartha Ayurveda prayoga (use of Ayurveda for performing eternal duties) and Bhishak prashansa (praise of physician).
Sanskrit text, Transliteration and English Translation
Part- I: Abhayamalakiya Rasayana Pada
Now we shall expound the first quarter of the chapter "Abhayamalakiya Rasayana Pada". Thus said Lord Atreya.[1-2]
Synonyms of Bheshaja
चिकित्सितं व्याधिहरं पथ्यं साधनमौषधम्|
प्रायश्चित्तं प्रशमनंप्रकृतिस्थापनं हितम्||३||
विद्याद्भेषजनामानि,...|४|
Chikitsa (measures which alleviate disorders), vyadhihara (destroyer of diseases), pathya (beneficial for the bodily channels), sadhana (instrument for therapeutic action), aushadha (that which is prepared of herbes), prayashchitta (expiation), prashamana (pacification), prakritisthapana (that which helps recovery to normalcy), hita (wholesome) – these are the synonyms of bheshaja (therapeutics).[3-4]
Types of Bheshaja
Therapeutics is of two categories:
- that which promotes strength and immunity in the healthy,
- that which alleviates disorders. [4]
Types of Abheshaja
अभेषजं च द्विविधं बाधनं सानुबाधनम्||
Abheshaja (non-therapeutics) is also of two types – (1) badhana (acute), (2) sanubadhana (chronic).[5]
Objective of Rasayana and Vajikarana
स्वस्थस्योर्जस्करं यत्तु तद्वृष्यं तद्रसायनम्||५||
प्रायः, प्रायेण रोगाणां द्वितीयं प्रशमेमतम्|
प्रायःशब्दोविशेषार्थो ह्युभयं ह्युभयार्थकृत्||६||
Therapeutics which promotes strength and immunity is categorized in vrishya (aphrodisiac) and Rasayana (promotives), while the therapy of the second category is mostly applied for alleviation of disorders. The word prayah specially denotes only particularity because both the groups perform both the above functions namely, promotion of strength including immunity and alleviation of diseases. [5-6]
Benefits of Rasayana
दीर्घमायुः स्मृतिं मेधामारोग्यं तरुणंवयः|
प्रभावर्णस्वरौदार्यं देहेन्द्रियबलं परम्||७||
वाक्सिद्धिं प्रणतिंकान्तिं लभते ना रसायनात्|
लाभोपायो हि शस्तानां रसादीनां रसायनम्||८||
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
अपत्यसन्तानकरं यत् सद्यः सम्प्रहर्षणम्|
वाजीवातिबलो येनयात्यप्रतिहतः स्त्रियः||९||
भवत्यतिप्रियः स्त्रीणां येन येनोपचीयते|
जीर्यतोऽप्यक्षयं शुक्रं फलवद्येन दृश्यते||१०||
प्रभूतशाखः शाखीव येन चैत्यो यथा महान्|
भवत्यर्च्योबहुमतः प्रजानां सुबहुप्रजः||११||
सन्तानमूलं येनेह प्रेत्य चानन्त्यमश्नुते|
यशः श्रियं बलं पुष्टिं वाजीकरणमेव तत्||१२||
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)
स्वस्थस्योर्जस्करं त्वेतद्द्विविधं प्रोक्तमौषधम्|
यद्व्याधिनिर्घातकरं वक्ष्यते तच्चिकित्सिते||१३||
चिकित्सितार्थ एतावान् विकाराणां यदौषधम्|
रसायनविधिश्चाग्रे वाजीकरणमेव च||१४||
Thus, the twofold promotive treatment for the healthy is described here. As regard the measures for alleviating diseases, those will be described in the concerned chapters on therapeutics. The sole purpose of therapeutics is to alleviate diseases. The method of Rasayana has been described first and thereafter the aphrodisiac measures have been described. [13-14]
Abheshaja (non-therapeutics)
Abheshaja is that which is contrary to the bheshaja i.e. therapy. This is to be avoided whereas the bheshaja therapeutic measures are to be described further to be adopted. [15]
Modes of Administration of Kutipraveshika and Vatatapika Rasayana
रसायनानां द्विविधं प्रयोगमृषयो विदुः|
कुटीप्रावेशिकं चैव वातातपिकमेव च||१६||
कुटीप्रावेशिकस्यादौ विधिः समुपदेक्ष्यते|
नृपवैद्यद्विजातीनां साधूनांपुण्यकर्मणाम्||१७||
निवासे निर्भये शस्ते प्राप्योपकरणे पुरे|
दिशि पूर्वोत्तरस्यां च सुभूमौ कारयेत् कुटीम्||१८||
विस्तारोत्सेधसम्पन्नां त्रिगर्भां सूक्ष्मलोचनाम्|
घनभित्तिमृतुसुखां सुस्पष्टां मनसः प्रियाम्||१९||
शब्दादीनामशस्तानामगम्यं स्त्रीविवर्जिताम्|
इष्टोपकरणोपेतां सज्जवैद्यौषधद्विजाम्||२०||
अथोदगयने शुक्ले तिथिनक्षत्रपूजिते|
मुहूर्तकरणोपेते प्रशस्तेकृतवापनः||२१||
धृतिस्मृतिबलं कृत्वा श्रद्दधानः समाहितः|
विधूय मानसान् दोषान् मैत्रीं भूतेषु चिन्तयन्||२२||
देवताःपूजयित्वाऽग्रे द्विजातींश्च प्रदक्षिणम्|
देवगोब्राह्मणान् कृत्वा ततस्तां प्रविशेत्कुटीम्||२३||
तस्यां संशोधनैः शुद्धः सुखी जातबलः पुनः|
रसायनं प्रयुञ्जीत तत्प्रवक्ष्यामिशोधनम्||२४||
The propounders have described two methods of the administration of Rasayana therapy, namely:
- kutipraveshika (indoor) and
- vatatapika (outdoor).
Firstly, the procedure of indoor treatment will be described. For this a cottage should be built in an auspicious ground, facing eastward or northward and in a locality inhabited by king, physicians and brahmanas, holy saints, is free from dangers, is auspicious and has easy availability of necessary materials. The cottage should have sufficient space and height, three interior chambers one after the other, a small opening, and thick walls and should be comfortable for the seasons, neatly clean and favorable for the treatment. It should be impermeable for undesirable sound etc. (sense objects), free from women, equipped with necessary accessories and attended by physicians with medicines and brahmanas.
Now, in northerly course of the sun, bright fortnight and auspicious date, star, hour and karana, one having clean- shaved, with strong restraint and memory, faith and focused mind, and stress-free state, feeling companionship with all the creatures, having worshipped the gods and brahmanas first and keeping the gods, cow and brahmanas to the right side, one should enter the cottage and be cleansed and thereafter when he feels happy and strong, he should use Rasayana treatment. Further I shall talk about the cleansing procedures. [16-24]
Body purification before Rasayana treatment
हरीतकीनां चूर्णानि सैन्धवामलके गुडम्|
वचां विडङ्गं रजनीं पिप्पलीं विश्वभेषजम्||२५||
पिबेदुष्णाम्बुना जन्तुःस्नेहस्वेदोपपादितः|
तेन शुद्धशरीराय कृतसंसर्जनाय च||२६||
त्रिरात्रं यावकं दद्यात् पञ्चाहंवाऽपि सर्पिषा|
सप्ताहं वा पुराणस्य यावच्छुद्धेस्तु वर्चसः||२७||
शुद्धकोष्ठं तु तं ज्ञात्वा रसायनमुपाचरेत्|
वयःप्रकृतिसात्म्यज्ञो यौगिकं यस्य यद्भवेत्||२८||
The individual scheduled to undergo Rasayana treatment, adequately oleated and fomented, should take formulations with hot water consisting of the powders of haritaki, rock salt, amalaka, jaggery, vacha, vidanga, haridra, long pepper and dry ginger. When he is evacuated properly by this procedure and has resumed the routine dietetic regimen, he should be given barley preparation added with ghee for three, five or seven days (according to measure of evacuation) till the accumulated feces are eliminated. Thus, when he is considered as having cleansed properly, the physician should administer the appropriately chosen Rasayana (drug) in consideration of his age, constitution and suitability. [25-28]
Properties of Haritaki and Amalaki
हरीतकीं पञ्चरसामुष्णामलवणां शिवाम्|
दोषानुलोमनीं लघ्वींविद्याद्दीपनपाचनीम्||२९||
आयुष्यां पौष्टिकीं धन्यां वयसः स्थापनीं पराम्|
सर्वरोगप्रशमनींबुद्धीन्द्रियबलप्रदाम्||३०||
कुष्ठं गुल्ममुदावर्तं शोषं पाण्ड्वामयंमदम्|
अर्शांसि ग्रहणीदोषं पुराणं विषमज्वरम्||३१||
हृद्रोगं सशिरोरोगमतीसारमरोचकम्|
कासं प्रमेहमानाहं प्लीहानमुदरं नवम्||३२||
कफप्रसेकं वैस्वर्यं वैवर्ण्यं कामलां क्रिमीन्|
श्वयथुं तमकं छर्दिं क्लैब्यमङ्गावसादनम्||३३||
स्रोतोविबन्धान् विविधान् प्रलेपं हृदयोरसोः|
स्मृतिबुद्धिप्रमोहं च जयेच्छीघ्रं हरीतकी||३४||
(अजीर्णिनो रूक्षभुजः स्त्रीमद्यविषकर्शिताः|
सेवेरन्नाभयामेते क्षुत्तृष्णोष्णार्दिताश्चये)||३५||
तान् गुणांस्तानि कर्माणि विद्यादामलकीष्वपि|
यान्युक्तानि हरीतक्या वीर्यस्य तु विपर्ययः||३६||
अतश्चामृतकल्पानि विद्यात् कर्मभिरीदृशैः|
हरीतकीनां शस्यानि भिषगामलकस्य च||३७||
Haritaki has five tastes devoid of saline taste, is hot, wholesome, carminative, light, appetizer, digestive, life promoting, tonic, excellent sustainer of youthfulness, relieves all diseases and affords strength to all sense organs. It alleviates skin disorders including leprosy, gulma, udavarta, phthisis, anemia, degeneration, piles, disorders of grahani, chronic intermittent fever, heart disease, head disease, diarrhea, anorexia, cough, urinary diseases and diabetes, flatulence, splenomegaly, acute abdominal disorders, excessive secretion of mucus, hoarseness of voice, disorders of complexion, jaundice,worms oedema, bronchial asthma, vomiting, impotency, lassitude in organs, micro-obstructive disorders, feeling of slugged heart and chest, sudden impairment of memory and intellect.
(The individuals having indigestion, consumption of rough food, emaciated by indulgence in women, wine and poisonous substances and afflicted with hunger, thirst and heat should avoid prolong use of haritaki.)
Amlaki has the same properties and actions as haritaki, only the bio-potency is different (haritaki being hot while amalaki is cold.)
Thus, looking to these actions, one should regard the fruits of haritaki as well as amlaki like nectar. [29-37]
Qualities of ideal drugs for therapeutic use
ओषधीनां परा भूमिर्हिमवाञ् शैलसत्तमः|
तस्मात्फलानि तज्जानि ग्राहयेत्कालजानि तु||३८||
आपूर्णरसवीर्याणि काले काले यथाविधि|
आदित्यपवनच्छायासलिलप्रीणितानि च||३९||
यान्यजग्धान्यपूतीनि निर्व्रणान्यगदानि च|
तेषां प्रयोगं वक्ष्यामि फलानां कर्म चोत्तमम्||४०||
Himalaya is excellent among the mountains, which is the best habitat of medicinal plants. Hence one should obtain the fruits grown there in proper time, mature with taste and potency, replenished with the sun, air, shade and water in respective seasons according to need, and which are uneaten, un-purified, uninjured and non toxic. The excellent actions and uses of these fruits will be described now. [38-40]
Brahma Rasayanam
पञ्चानां पञ्चमूलानां भागान् दशपलोन्मितान्|
हरीतकीसहस्रं च त्रिगुणामलकं नवम्||४१||
विदारिगन्धां बृहतीं पृश्निपर्णीं निदिग्धिकाम्|
विद्याद्विदारिगन्धाद्यं श्वदंष्ट्रापञ्चमं गणम्||४२||
बिल्वाग्निमन्थश्योनाकं काश्मर्यमथ पाटलाम्|
पुनर्नवां शूर्पपर्ण्यौ बलामेरण्डमेव च||४३||
जीवकर्षभकौ मेदां जीवन्तीं सशतावरीम्|
शरेक्षुदर्भकाशानां शालीनां मूलमेव च||४४||
इत्येषां पञ्चमूलानां पञ्चानामुपकल्पयेत्|
भागान् यथोक्तांस्तत्सर्वं साध्यं दशगुणेऽम्भसि||४५||
दशभागावशेषं तु पूतं तं ग्राहयेद्रसम्|
हरीतकीश्च ताः सर्वाः सर्वाण्यामलकानि च||४६||
तानि सर्वाण्यनस्थीनि फलान्यापोथ्य कूर्चनैः|
विनीय तस्मिन्निर्यूहे चूर्णानीमानिदापयेत्||४७||
मण्डूकपर्ण्याः पिप्पल्याः शङ्खपुष्प्याः प्लवस्यच|
मुस्तानां सविडङ्गानां चन्दनागुरुणोस्तथा||४८||
मधुकस्य हरिद्राया वचायाः कनकस्य च|
भागांश्चतुष्पलान् कृत्वा सूक्ष्मैलायास्त्वचस्तथा||४९||
सितोपलासहस्रं च चूर्णितंतुलयाऽधिकम्|
तैलस्य द्व्याढकं तत्र दद्यात्त्रीणि च सर्पिषः||५०||
साध्यमौदुम्बरे पात्रे तत् सर्वं मृदुनाऽग्निना|
ज्ञात्वालेह्यमदग्धं च शीतं क्षौद्रेण संसृजेत्||५१||
क्षौद्रप्रमाणं स्नेहार्धं तत् सर्वं घृतभाजने|
तिष्ठेत्सम्मूर्च्छितं तस्य मात्रां काले प्रयोजयेत्||५२||
या नोपरुन्ध्यादाहारमेकं मात्रा जरांप्रति|
षष्टिकः पयसा चात्र जीर्णे भोजनमिष्यते||५३||
वैखानसा वालखिल्यास्तथा चान्ये तपोधनाः|
रसायनमिदं प्राश्यबभूवुरमितायुषः||५४||
मुक्त्वा जीर्णं वपुश्चाग्र्यमवापुस्तरुणं वयः|
वीततन्द्राक्लमश्वासा निरातङ्काः समाहिताः||५५||
मेधास्मृतिबलोपेताश्चिररात्रं तपोधनाः|
ब्राह्मं तपो ब्रह्मचर्यं चेरुश्चात्यन्तनिष्ठया||५६||
रसायनमिदं ब्राह्ममायुष्कामः प्रयोजयेत्|
दीर्घमायुर्वयश्चाग्र्यं कामांश्चेष्टान् समश्नुते||५७||
(इति ब्राह्मरसायनम्)|
The five sets (or pentads) of panchamula are taken in quantities of 400gm (each of the pentad), along with the fresh fruits of haritaki and amlaki in number of one thousand and three thousand respectively. (The five pentads are as follows): shalaparni, brihati, prishiparni, kanthakari, and gokshura constitute the vidarigandhadi group of five roots.
Similarly, bilwa, agnimantha, shyonaka, kashmarya and patala constitute the bilwadi pentad of roots. punarnava, mudagparni, mashaparni, bala and eranda constitute punarnavadi pentad. jivaka rishabhaka, meda, jivanti and shatavari constitute jivakadi pentad. Roots of shara, ikshu, darbha, kasha and shali constitute the sharadi pentad of roots. These five pentads are taken together and boiled in ten times quantity of water. When water is reduced to one tenth, it is brought down and filtered. On the other hand, the fruit of haritaki and amlaki are picked out, their seeds are removed and pounded well on stone slabs or in mortar. This is mixed in the above decoction and powder of the following drugs and substances are added to it- mandukaparni, pippali, shankhapushpi, plava, musta, vidanga, chandana, aguru, manduka, haridra, vacha, nagakeshara, sukshma ela and twak each in quantity of 160 gm and sugar candy 44 kg, tila oil 5 kg 120 gm, ghee 7kg 680 gm are added to it. All this is cooked in copper utensil on mild fire. When it is converted in to linctus and is not burnt it is brought down. Honey is added to it in quantity of 3 kg 840gm, when it is cooked down. Now the preparation is kept in a vessel laced with ghee.
This preparation should be used in proper time and dose. The proper dose is that which does not disturb the digestion of the food. When the drug is digested the patient should take shashtika rice with milk.
By taking this Rasayana drug the sages of vaikhanasa and balakhilya groups and other ones attained immeasurable life span; acquired excellent youth shedding off the rotten physique, became free from dullness, exhausation, dyspnoea and diseases; and endowed with full concentration, intellect and strength practised celibacy and spiritual penance with full devotion. An individual desirous of longevity should use this Brahma rasayana by which he attains long life, excellent (youthful) age and wellness. [41-57]
यथोक्तगुणानामामलकानां सहस्रं पिष्टस्वेदनविधिना पयस ऊष्मणा सुस्विन्नमनातपशुष्कमनस्थि चूर्णयेत्| तदामलकसहस्रस्वरसपरिपीतं स्थिरापुनर्नवाजीवन्तीनागबलाब्रह्मसुवर्चलामण्डूकपर्णीशतावरीशङ्खपुष्पीपिप्पलीवचाविडङ्गस्वयङ्गुप्तामृताचन्दनागुरुमधुकमधूकपुष्पोत्पलपद्ममालतीयुवतीयूथिकाचूर्णाष्टभागसंयुक्तं पुनर्नागबलासहस्रपलस्वरसपरिपीतमनातपशुष्कं द्विगुणितसर्पिषा क्षौद्रसर्पिषा वा क्षुद्रगुडाकृतिं कृत्वा शुचौ दृढे घृतभाविते कुम्भे भस्मराशेरधः स्थापयेदन्तर्भूमेः पक्षं कृतरक्षाविधानमथर्ववेदविदा, पक्षात्यये चोद्धृत्य कनकरजतताम्रप्रवालकालायसचूर्णाष्टभागसंयुक्तमर्धकर्षवृद्ध्या यथोक्तेन विधिना प्रातः प्रातः प्रयुञ्जानोऽग्निबलमभिसमीक्ष्य, जीर्णे च षष्टिकं पयसा ससर्पिष्कमुपसेवमानो यथोक्तान् गुणान् समश्नुत इति||५८||
The amalaki fruits having the above qualities are taken in the number of thousands and are steamed on the vapor of milk like the flour paste. When they are well steamed, they are taken out, dried in shade and are powdered after removing the seeds. This is impregnated with the juice of one thousand fresh fruits of amalaki and added with the powder of shalaparņi, punarnava, jivanti, nagabala, brahmasuvarchala, mandukaparni, shatavari, shankhapushpi, pippali, vacha, vidanga, kapikacchu, guduchi, chandana, aguru, madhuka, flowers of madhuka, utpala, kamala, jati, taruņi, and yuthika in the quantity one eight of amlaki powder. This is again impregnated with the juice of nagabala in the quantity of 40 kg. and dried in shade. Then in double quantity ghee or ghee-honey mixed are added to it and is made in the shape of small boluses. This is kept in a clean and strong vessel oiled with ghee and is stored underground within the heap of ashes for a fortnight after having performed the spiritual rites through those who know Atharvaveda. After the fortnight is over, this should be taken out and added with the powder (bhasma) of gold, silver, copper, coral and iron in one eighth quantity.[58]
भवन्ति चात्र-
इदं रसायनं ब्राह्मं महर्षिगणसेवितम्|
भवत्यरोगो दीर्घायुः प्रयुञ्जानो महाबलः||५९||
कान्तः प्रजानांसिद्धार्थश्चन्द्रादित्यसमद्युतिः|
श्रुतं धारयते सत्त्वमार्षं चास्य प्रवर्तते||६०||
धरणीधरसारश्च वायुना समविक्रमः|
स भवत्यविषं चास्य गात्रे सम्पद्यते विषम्||६१||
(इति द्वितीयं ब्राह्मरसायनम्)|
This Rasayana preparation should be taken regularly in the dose of 5 gms gradually increasing with the same by the said method in every morning in consideration of the digestive capacity, after the consumed medication is digested, shashtika rice along with milk added with ghee should be taken. This treatment affords one to achieve the therapeutic results mentioned above.
Here are the summarizing verses-
On using this brahma rasayana, already used by great sages, the user becomes disease free, long lived and with great strength. He becomes charming to the world, with all mission fulfilled, having splendor like that of the moon and the sun, acquires and retains the knowledge. He is endowed with divine psyche, firmness like that of mountain, valor like that of wind. Even poison is reduced to non poison on coming in contact with his body. [59-61]
Chyavanaprasha
बिल्वोऽग्निमन्थः श्योनाकः काश्मर्यः पाटलिर्बला|
पर्ण्यश्चतस्रः पिप्पल्यः श्वदंष्ट्रा बृहतीद्वयम्||६२||
शृङ्गी तामलकी द्राक्षा जीवन्ती पुष्करागुरु|
अभया चामृता ऋद्धिर्जीवकर्षभकौ शटी||६३||
मुस्तं पुनर्नवा मेदा सैला चन्दनमुत्पलम्|
विदारी वृषमूलानि काकोली काकनासिका||६४||
एषां पलोन्मितान् भागाञ्छतान्यामलकस्य च|
पञ्च दद्यात्तदैकध्यं जलद्रोणे विपाचयेत्||६५||
ज्ञात्वा गतरसान्येतान्यौषधान्यथ तं रसम्|
तच्चामलकमुद्धृत्य निष्कुलं तैलसर्पिषोः||६६||
पलद्वादशके भृष्ट्वा दत्त्वा चार्धतुलां भिषक्|
मत्स्यण्डिकायाः पूताया लेहवत्साधु साधयेत्||६७||
षट्पलं मधुनश्चात्र सिद्धशीते प्रदापयेत्|
चतुष्पलं तुगाक्षीर्याः पिप्पलीद्विपलं तथा||६८||
पलमेकं निदध्याच्च त्वगेलापत्रकेशरात्|
इत्ययं च्यवनप्राशः परमुक्तो रसायनः||६९||
कासश्वासहरश्चैव विशेषेणोपदिश्यते|
क्षीणक्षतानां वृद्धानां बालानांचाङ्गवर्धनः||७०||
स्वरक्षयमुरोरोगं हृद्रोगं वातशोणितम्|
पिपासां मूत्रशुक्रस्थान् दोषांश्चाप्यपकर्षति||७१||
अस्य मात्रांप्रयुञ्जीत योपरुन्ध्यान्न भोजनम्|
अस्य प्रयोगाच्च्यवनःसुवृद्धोऽभूत्पुनर्युवा||७२||
मेधां स्मृतिं कान्तिमनामयत्वमायुःप्रकर्षं बलमिन्द्रियाणाम्|
स्त्रीषु प्रहर्षं परमग्निवृद्धिं वर्णप्रसादंपवनानुलोम्यम्||७३||
रसायनस्यास्य नरः प्रयोगाल्लभेत जीर्णोऽपि कुटीप्रवेशात्|
जराकृतं रूपमपास्य सर्वं बिभर्ति रूपं नवयौवनस्य||७४||
(इति च्यवनप्राशः)|
40 Gms of each of bilwa, agnimantha, shyonaka, kashmarya, patala, bala, four leaved herbs (shalaparni, prishniparni, mudgaparni, mashaparni), pippali, shvadamshtra, brihati, kantakari, karkatshringi, tamalaki, draksha, jivanti, pushkaramula, aguru, abhaya, amrita, riddhi, jivaka, rishabhaka, shati, musta, punarnava, meda, ela, chandana, utpala, vidari, vasa (roots), kakoli and kakanasa and 500 fruits of amalaki– all these put together should be boiled in water measuring 100 litres 240 ml. when the drugs are extracted completely the decoction should be brought down. The fruits of amalaki also should be taken out and their seeds are removed. Then the fruit pulp should be fried in tila oil and ghee (mixed) in quantity of 480 gms. Now it should be cooked in the above decoction adding to it 2 kg of clean sugar candy and prepared into a linctus. When it is self cooked, 240 gms of honey should be added to it. At the end, 160 gms twak, ela, patra and nagakeshara (combined together) should be added. This is the famous chyavanaprasha, an excellent Rasayana. Particularly it alleviates cough and dyspnea, is useful for the wasted, injured and old people and promotes development of children. It alleviates hoarseness of voice, chest disease, heart disease, vatarakta, thirst and disorders of urine and semen. It should be taken in the dose which does not interfere with the food intake and digestion. By consuming this Rasayana preparation, the extremely old sage Chyavana regained youthful age. If this Rasayana is used by the indoor method, even the old attains intellect, memory, luster, freedom from disease, longevity, strength of senses, sexual vigor, adequate agni function (digestion and metabolism), fairness of complexion and appropriate discharge of flatus. The consumer of this Rasayana gets rid of senility and enjoys youthfulness. [62-74]
Amalaka Rasayana
अथामलकहरीतकीनामामलकबिभीतकानांहरीतकीबिभीतकानामामलकहरीतकीबिभीतकानां वा पलाशत्वगवनद्धानांमृदाऽवलिप्तानांकुकूलस्विन्नानामकुलकानां पलसहस्रमुलूखले सम्पोथ्य दधिघृतमधुपललतैलशर्करासंयुक्तं भक्षयेदनन्नभुग्यथोक्तेन विधिना; तस्यान्ते यवाग्वादिभिः प्रत्यवस्थापनम् अभ्यङ्गोत्सादनं सर्पिषा यवचूर्णैश्च, अयं च रसायनप्रयोगप्रकर्षो द्विस्तावदग्निबलमभिसमीक्ष्यप्रतिभोजनं यूषेण पयसा वा षष्टिकः ससर्पिष्कः, अतः परं यथासुखविहारः कामभक्ष्यः स्यात्| अनेन प्रयोगेणर्षयः पुनर्युवत्वमवापुर्बभूवुश्चानेकवर्षशतजीविनो निर्विकाराः परं शरीरबुद्धीन्द्रियबलसमुदिताश्चेरुश्चात्यन्तनिष्ठया तपः||७५||
(इतिचतुर्थामलकरसायनम्)|
The fruits of haritaki and amalaka or amalaka and bibhitaka or haritaki and bibhitaka or haritaki, amalaka and bibhitaka should be wrapped with the bark of palasha tree and after having been pasted with mud should be cooked on charcoal. (when they are well cooked) their seeds be removed and 40 kg of this material should be pounded in a mortar and added with curd, ghee, honey, sesame paste, tila oil and sugar. This should be consumed on empty stomach by the above method. After the course of treatment, one should be brought back to its normal state by intake of gruel etc. he should also be massaged and anointed with ghee and barley powder. This is the limit of the use of the Rasayana. Keeping in view the power of digestion, he should be given diet consisting of shashtika rice added with ghee along with soup or milk for the period double of the same for treatment. Thereafter he may move and eat according to pleasure. By this treatment, the sages regained youthfulness and attained disease free life of many hundreds of years, and endowed with the strength of physique, intellect and sense practiced penance with utmost devotion. (75)
Haritaki formulation
हरीतक्यामलकबिभीतकपञ्चपञ्चमूलनिर्यूहेपिप्पलीमधुकमधूककाकोलीक्षीरकाकोल्यात्मगुप्ताजीवकर्षभकक्षीरशुक्लाकल्कसम्प्रयुक्तेनविदारीस्वरसेनक्षीराष्टगुणसम्प्रयुक्तेन च सर्पिषः कुम्भं साधयित्वा प्रयुञ्जानोऽग्निबलसमांमात्रां जीर्णे च क्षीरसर्पिर्भ्यां शालिषष्टिकमुष्णोदकानुपानमश्नञ्जराव्याधिपापाभिचारव्यपगतभयःशरीरेन्द्रियबुद्धिबलमतुलमुपलभ्याप्रतिहतसर्वारम्भःपरमायुरनवाप्नुयात्|७६||
(इति पञ्चमो हरीतकीयोगः)|
The decoction of haritaki, amalaka, bibhitaka, and five root pentads added with the paste of pippali, madhuka, kakoli, ksheerakakoli, atmagupta, jeevaka, rshabhaka and ksheeravidari, then juice of vidari and eight times milk is added to ghee in quantity of 20 kg 480 gms and cooked properly. One should use it in proper dose according to his digestive capacity. After the drug is digested, he should take the diet consisting of shali and shashtika rice along with milk and ghee with the after drink of warm water.
By this one becomes free from the fear of old age, diseases, afflictions and spells and attaining amazing bodily strength. His senses and intellect become unobstructed in all his activities and he enjoys full life span.[76]
हरीतक्यामलकबिभीतकहरिद्रास्थिराबलाविडङ्गामृतवल्लीविश्वभेषजमधुकपिप्पलीसोमवल्कसिद्धेन क्षीरसर्पिषा मधुशर्कराभ्यामपि च सन्नीयामलकस्वरसशतपरिपीतमामलकचूर्णमयश्चूर्णचतुर्भागसम्प्रयुक्तंपाणितलमात्रं प्रातः प्रातः प्राश्य यथोक्तेन विधिना सायं मुद्गयूषेण पयसा वा ससर्पिष्कंशालिषष्टिकान्नमश्नीयात्, त्रिवर्षप्रयोगादस्य वर्षशतमजरं वयस्तिष्ठति,श्रुतमवतिष्ठते, सर्वामयाः प्रशाम्यन्ति, विषमविषं भवति गात्रे, गात्रमश्मवत्स्थिरीभवति, अधृष्यो भूतानांभवति||७७||
Ghee extracted from milk is cooked with haritaki, amalaka, bibhitaka, haridra, sthira, bala, vidanga, amritavalli, vishvabheshaja, madhuka, pippali and katphala. This (ghee) along with honey and sugar is mixed with the amalaka powder impregnated hundred times with the juice of amalaka fruits and added with iron powder in ¼ quantity. 10 gms of this formulation should be taken in every morning by the above method. In the evening, patient should take diet consisting of shali and shashtika rice added with ghee along with the green gram soup or milk. If this formulation is used regularly for three years, the person attains a life span of hundred years free from old age, acquires knowledge, his diseases are alleviated, poison becomes in-effective in his body which is rendered as stone and he becomes invincible for the organisms. [77]
Summary
भवन्तिचात्र-
यथाऽमराणाममृतं यथा भोगवतांसुधा|
तथाऽभवन्महर्षीणां रसायनविधिपुरा||७८||
न जरां न च दौर्बल्यं नातुर्यं निधनं न च|
जग्मुर्वर्षसहस्राणि रसायनपराः पुरा||७९||
न केवलं दीर्घमिहायुरश्नुते रसायनं योविधिवन्निषेवते|
गतिं स देवर्षिनिषेवितां शुभां प्रपद्यते ब्रह्म तथेति चाक्षयम्||८०||
Here are the verses- As was nectar for the Gods and ambrosia for the serpents so was the Rasayana treatment for the great sages in early times. The individuals using Rasayana treatment in the early ages lived for thousands of years unaffected by senescence, debility, illness and death. One who uses the Rasayana treatment methodically attains not only longevity but also the auspicious status enjoyed by the godly sages and finally oneness with indestructible God. [78-80]
तत्रश्लोकः-
अभयामलकीयेऽस्मिन् षड्योगाः परिकीर्तिताः|
रसायनानां सिद्धानामायुर्यैरनुवर्तते||८१||
Now the summing up verse- Thus, in the quarter of haritaki, amalaka etc. six accomplished Rasayana formulations have been described which promote life.[81]
इत्यग्निवेशकृते तन्त्रे चरकप्रतिसंस्कृतेचिकित्सास्थानेरसायनाध्यायेऽभयामलकीयो नाम रसायनपादः प्रथमः||१||
Thus ends the first quarter of haritaki, amalaka etc. in the chapter on Rasayana in Chikitsa Sthana in the treatise composed of Agnivesha and redacted by Charak. [1]
Part II- Pranakamiyam Rasayana pada
Now we shall expound the quarter of the chapter "Pranakamiyam Rasayana pada". Thus said Lord Atreya. [1-2]
Benefits of Rasayana and effects of domestic food and lifestyle
प्राणकामाःशुश्रूषध्वमिदमुच्यमानममृतमिवापरमदितिसुतहितकरमचिन्त्याद्भुतप्रभावमायुष्यमारोग्यकरं वयसः स्थापनं निद्रातन्द्राश्रमक्लमालस्यदौर्बल्यापहरमनिलकफपित्तसाम्यकरंस्थैर्यकरमबद्धमांसहरमन्तरग्निसन्धुक्षणं प्रभावर्णस्वरोत्तमकरं रसायनविधानम्| अनेन च्यवनादयो महर्षयः पुनर्युवत्वमापुर्नारीणां चेष्टतमा बभूवुः, स्थिरसमसुविभक्तमांसाः, सुसंहतस्थिरशरीराः, सुप्रसन्नबलवर्णेन्द्रियाः, सर्वत्राप्रतिहतपराक्रमाः, क्लेशसहाश्च| सर्वे शरीरदोषा भवन्ति ग्राम्याहारादम्ललवणकटुकक्षारशुष्कशाकमांसतिलपललपिष्टान्नभोजिनांविरूढनवशूकशमीधान्यविरुद्धासात्म्यरूक्षक्षाराभिष्यन्दिभोजिनांक्लिन्नगुरुपूतिपर्युषितभोजिनां विषमाध्यशनप्रायाणां दिवास्वप्नस्त्रीमद्यनित्यानांविषमातिमात्रव्यायामसङ्क्षोभितशरीराणांभयक्रोधशोकलोभमोहायासबहुलानाम्; अतोनिमित्तं हि शिथिलीभवन्ति मांसानि, विमुच्यन्ते सन्धयः, विदह्यते रक्तं, विष्यन्दते चानल्पं मेदः, नसन्धीयतेऽस्थिषुमज्जा, शुक्रं न प्रवर्तते, क्षयमुपैत्योजः; स एवम्भूतो ग्लायति, सीदति, निद्रातन्द्रालस्यसमन्वितो निरुत्साहः श्वसिति, असमर्थश्चेष्टानां शारीरमानसीनां, नष्टस्मृतिबुद्धिच्छायो रोगाणामधिष्ठानभूतो न सर्वमायुरवाप्नोति| तस्मादेतान् दोषानवेक्षमाणः सर्वान् यथोक्तानहितानपास्याहारविहारान् रसायनानि प्रयोक्तुमर्हतीत्युक्त्वा भगवान् पुनर्वसुरात्रेय उवाच-||३||
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
आमलकानां सुभूमिजानांकालजानामनुपहतगन्धवर्णरसानामापूर्णरसप्रमाणवीर्याणां स्वरसेन पुनर्नवाकल्कपादसम्प्रयुक्तेन सर्पिषः साधयेदाढकम्, अतः परं विदारीस्वरसेन जीवन्तीकल्कसम्प्रयुक्तेन, अतः परं चतुर्गुणेन पयसा बलातिबलाकषायेण शतावरीकल्कसंयुक्तेन; अनेन क्रमेणैकैकं शतपाकं सहस्रपाकं वा शर्कराक्षौद्रचतुर्भागसम्प्रयुक्तं सौवर्णे राजते मार्तिके वा शुचौ दृढे घृतभाविते कुम्भे स्थापयेत्; तद्यथोक्तेन विधिना यथाग्नि प्रातः प्रातः प्रयोजयेत्, जीर्णे च क्षीरसर्पिर्भ्यांशालिषष्टिकमश्नीयात्| अस्य प्रयोगाद्वर्षशतं वयोऽजरं तिष्ठति, श्रुतमवतिष्ठते, सर्वामयाः प्रशाम्यन्ति, अप्रतिहतगतिः स्त्रीषु, अपत्यवान् भवतीति||४||
भवतश्चात्र-
बृहच्छरीरं गिरिसारसारं स्थिरेन्द्रियं चातिबलेन्द्रियं च|
अधृष्यमन्यैरतिकान्तरूपं प्रशस्तिपूजासुखचित्तभाक् च||५||
बलं महद्वर्णविशुद्धिरग्र्या स्वरो घनौघस्तनितानुकारी|
भवत्यपत्यं विपुलं स्थिरं च समश्नतो योगमिमं नरस्य||६||
(इत्यामलकघृतम्)|
Two kg 560 gms of ghee should be cooked with juice of amalaka fruit grown in a good soil and time, possessing unaffected smell, color and taste, which are mature with taste, size and potency, along with one fourth quantity of punarnava. There after the process should be repeated with the juice of vidari, along with the paste of jeevanti, thereafter with the four times the quantity of milk and decoction of bala and atibala along with the paste of shatavari. In this way the ghee should be cooked with each method hundred or thousand times. The prepared ghee should be added with one forth quantity of sugar and honey and be kept in a pitcher- golden, silver or earthen- which is clean, strong and lubricated with ghee. This should be used regularly by the said method every morning according to one’s digestive capacity. When the drug is digested, diet of shali and shashtika rice along with milk and ghee should be taken. By consumption of this preparation life span stands for hundred years devoid of old age, optimum cognitive ability is retained, all diseases are alleviated, one attains uninterrupted sexual vigor in women and is also blessed with pregnancy and progeny.
Here are the verses- If the person uses this preparation properly he attains big body, compactness like essence of mountains, firm and strong sense organs, invincibility, charming look, popularity, respect, happiness and intellect. Moreover, by this strength he becomes great, complexion gets excellently purified, voice becomes like imitating the rumbling of dense thunder clouds, and the person is blessed with a large and stable progeny. [4-6]
Amalaki Avaleha
आमलकसहस्रं पिप्पलीसहस्रसम्प्रयुक्तं पलाशतरुणक्षारोदकोत्तरं तिष्ठेत्, तदनुगतक्षारोदकमनातपशुष्कमनस्थि चूर्णीकृतं चतुर्गुणाभ्यां मधुसर्पिर्भ्यां सन्नीय शर्कराचूर्णचतुर्भागसम्प्रयुक्तं घृतभाजनस्थं षण्मासान् स्थापयेदन्तर्भूमेः| तस्योत्तरकालमग्निबलसमां मात्रां खादेत्, पौर्वाह्णिकः प्रयोगो नापराह्णिकः, सात्म्यापेक्षश्चाहारविधिः| अस्य प्रयोगाद्वर्षशतमजरं वयस्तिष्ठतीति समानं पूर्वेण||७||
(इत्यामलकावलेहः)|
One thousand fruits of amalaki along with the same numbers of fruits of pippali should be dipped in to alkaline water prepared from the young palasha tree. After taking them out they should be dried in shade after removing seeds and powdered. This powder mixed with four times honey and ghee and stored underground for six months. Thereafter one should take its dose according to his digestive capacity only in forenoon and not in afternoon. The diet should be according to suitability. By its use, one attains the stable life span of hundred years without enduring senility. The other beneficial effects are as described earlier. [7]
Amalaki powder
आमलकचूर्णाढकमेकविंशतिरात्रमामलकस्वरसपरिपीतं मधुघृताढकाभ्यां द्वाभ्यामेकीकृतमष्टभागपिप्पलीकं शर्कराचूर्णचतुर्भागसम्प्रयुक्तं घृतभाजनस्थं प्रावृषि भस्मराशौ निदध्यात्; तद्वर्षान्ते सात्म्यपथ्याशी प्रयोजयेत्; अस्य प्रयोगाद्वर्षशतमजरमायुस्तिष्ठतीति समानं पूर्वेण||८||
(इत्यामलकचूर्णम्)|
Powder of amalaki fruits in quantity of 2 kg 560 gms is impregnated with amalaki fruits juice for twenty-one days and nights. This should be mixed with honey and ghee in the quantity of 5 kg 120 gms and added with pippali in one eighth quantity and fine sugar in one fourth quantity. This preparation now should be kept in a container lined with ghee and stored in early rains under a heap of ashes. After the rainy season is over, this should be uncovered and be used along with suitable and wholesome diet. This provides a stable life span of one hundred years devoid of senility. Other impacts affordable from this medication are as described earlier. [8]
Vidanga Avaleha
विडङ्गतण्डुलचूर्णानामाढकमाढकं पिप्पलीतण्डुलानामध्यर्धाढकं सितोपलायाः सर्पिस्तैलमध्वाढकैः षड्भिरेकीकृतं घृतभाजनस्थं प्रावृषि भस्मराशाविति सर्वं समानं पूर्वेण यावदाशीः||९||
(इति विडङ्गावलेहः)|
Powder of vidanga and pippali fruits each 2 kg 560 gms, sugar-candy 3 kg 840 gms, ghee, oil and honey together 15 kg 360 gms – all are mixed together and kept in a pot lined with ghee and stored in early rains under a heap of ashes. The therapeutic effects are as mentioned earlier. [9]
Amalaka Avaleha
यथोक्तगुणानामामलकानां सहस्रमार्द्रपलाशद्रोण्यां सपिधानायां बाष्पमनुद्वमन्त्यामारण्यगोमयाग्निभिरुपस्वेदयेत्, तानि सुस्विन्नशीतान्युद्धृतकुलकान्यापोथ्याढकेन पिप्पलीचूर्णानामाढकेन च विडङ्गतण्डुलचूर्णानामध्यर्धेन चाढकेन शर्कराया द्वाभ्यां द्वाभ्यामाढकाभ्यां तैलस्य मधुनः सर्पिषश्च संयोज्य शुचौ दृढे घृतभाविते कुम्भे स्थापयेदेकविंशतिरात्रम्, अत ऊर्ध्वं प्रयोगः; अस्य प्रयोगाद्वर्षशतमजरमायुस्तिष्ठतीति समानं पूर्वेण||१०|||
(इत्यामलकावलेहोऽपरः)|
One thousand amalaka fruits having aforesaid qualities should be heated in a covered tub made of fresh palasha wood which does not emit vapour with wild cow dung fire. When they are heated properly and when self cooled their seeds should be removed and the remaining material should be crushed. Thereafter pippali powder 2 kg 560 gms, vidanga powder 2 kg 560 gms, sugar 3 kg 840 gms, oil, honey and ghee each 5 kg 120 gms should be added to it. The preparation then should be kept in a clean and strong container laced with ghee and stored for twenty one days and nights. Thereafter it should be used. By its use, life span of one hundred years stands devoid of senility, other impacts are as said before. [10]
Nagabala Rasayana
धन्वनि कुशास्तीर्णे स्निग्धकृष्णमधुरमृत्तिके सुवर्णवर्णमृत्तिके वा व्यपगतविषश्वापदपवनसलिलाग्निदोषे कर्षणवल्मीकश्मशानचैत्योषरावसथवर्जिते देशे यथर्तुसुखपवनसलिलादित्यसेविते जातान्यनुपहतान्यनध्यारूढान्यबालान्यजीर्णान्यधिगतवीर्याणि शीर्णपुराणपर्णान्यसञ्जातान्यपर्णानि तपसि तपस्ये वा मासे शुचिः प्रयतः कृतदेवार्चनः स्वस्ति वाचयित्वा द्विजातीन् चले सुमुहूर्ते नागबलामूलान्युद्धरेत्, तेषां सुप्रक्षालितानां त्वक्पिण्डमाम्रमात्रमक्षमात्रं वा श्लक्ष्णपिष्टमालोड्य पयसा प्रातः प्रयोजयेत्, चूर्णीकृतानि वा पिबेत् पयसा, मधुसर्पिर्भ्यां वा संयोज्यभक्षयेत्, जीर्णे च क्षीरसर्पिर्भ्यां शालिषष्टिकमश्नीयात्| संवत्सरप्रयोगादस्य वर्षशतमजरं वयस्तिष्ठतीति समानं पूर्वेण||११||
(इति नागबलारसायनम्)|
One should collect the roots of nagabala in chala muhurta in the month of Magha or Phalguna while being clean and attentive, having worshipped the deities and engaging the brahmanas to recite auspicious mantras. The plant should have grown in a forest area covered in kusha grass, having soil unctuous, black and sweet or of golden color, devoid of poison, injurious animals and defect of wind, water and fire, and also of cultivation defects, ant-hill, cremation ground, sacred tree, infertile area and habitation and having proper access to air, water and the sun according to season, the roots should be undamaged, in-encroached, neither immature nor too old, possessed with potency, having shed off the old leaves and with new leaves not appeared. The roots should be washed well and the bark should be taken in the dose of 40 gms, finely pounded and mixed with milk in every morning or as powder with milk or along with honey and ghee. After the medicine is digested, one should take diet of shali and shashtika rice along with milk and ghee. If used regularly for a year, it makes the life span for one hundred years without senility. Other outcomes are as described before. [11]
Rasayana herbs
बलातिबलाचन्दनागुरुधवतिनिशखदिरशिंशपासनस्वरसाः पुनर्नवान्ताश्चौषधयो दश नागबलया व्याख्याताः| स्वरसानामलाभे त्वयं स्वरसविधिः- चूर्णानामाढकमाढकमुदकस्याहोरात्रस्थितं मृदितपूतं स्वरसवत् प्रयोज्यम्||१२||
The juice of bala, atibala, chandana, aguru, dhava, tinisha, khadira, and shimshapa and the ten age sustaining drugs are used by the method as in case of nagabala. If the fresh juice is not available this method should be adopted- 2 kg 560 gms drug should be dipped in equal quantity of water for the day and night, then it should be pressed and filtered and used as swarasa. [12]
Various preparations of Bhallataka
Bhallataka Ksheeram
भल्लातकान्यनुपहतान्यनामयान्यापूर्णरसप्रमाणवीर्याणि पक्वजाम्बवप्रकाशानि शुचौ शुक्रे वा मासेसङ्गृह्य यवपल्ले माषपल्ले वानिधापयेत्, तानि चतुर्मासस्थितानि सहसि सहस्ये वा मासे प्रयोक्तुमारभेतशीतस्निग्धमधुरोपस्कृतशरीरः| पूर्वं दशभल्लातकान्यापोथ्याष्टगुणेनाम्भसा साधुसाधयेत्, तेषां रसमष्टभागावशेषं पूतं सपयस्कं पिबेत्सर्पिषाऽन्तर्मुखमभ्यज्य| तान्येकैकभल्लातकोत्कर्षापकर्षेण दशभल्लातकान्यात्रिंशतः प्रयोज्यानि, नातः परमुत्कर्षः| प्रयोगविधानेन सहस्रपर एवभल्लातकप्रयोगः| जीर्णे च ससर्पिषा पयसाशालिषष्टिकाशनमुपचारः, प्रयोगान्ते च द्विस्तावत् पयसैवोपचारः| तत्प्रयोगाद्वर्षशतमजरं वयस्तिष्ठतीति समानं पूर्वेण||१३||
(इति भल्लातकक्षीरम्)|
The fruits of bhallataka – undamaged, undiseased, mature in taste, size and potency, looking like ripe jamboo fruits should be collected in the month of jyeshtha and ashadha and be stored within the granary of barley or black gram. After four months, in the month of Agrahayana or Pausha they should be taken out for use by one who has made his body fit through the intake of cold, unctuous and sweet substances. At first ten fruits of bhallataka should be crushed and boiled in ten times of water, when 1/8 extract remains, it should be filtered and taken mixed with milk after smearing the inner part of the mouth with ghee. Gradually increasing the dose by one fruit per day it should be led to thirty which is the maximum dose. In this way the total number of fruits taken comes to one thousand. When the drug is digested, one should take shali and shashtika rice with milk added with ghee. After the treatment is over, the patient should live on milk diet for the period double to that of treatment. By this one attains stable life span of one hundred years without senility. Other impacts of the treatment are as mentioned before. [13]
Bhallataka Kshaudram
भल्लातकानां जर्जरीकृतानां पिष्टस्वेदनं पूरयित्वा भूमावाकण्ठं निखातस्य स्नेहभावितस्य दृढस्योपरि कुम्भस्यारोप्योडुपेनापिधाय कृष्णमृत्तिकावलिप्तंगोमयाग्निभिरुपस्वेदयेत्; तेषां यः स्वरसः कुम्भं प्रपद्येत, तमष्टभागमधुसम्प्रयुक्तं द्विगुणघृतमद्यात्; तत्प्रयोगाद्वर्षशतमजरं वयस्तिष्ठतीति समानं पूर्वेण||१४||
(इतिभल्लातकक्षौद्रम्)|
The fruits of bhallataka should be crushed and filled in a heating pot which is put on a firm and oiled (with ghee) pitcher already dug underground up to the neck covered with a lid. Then after pushing it with black earth, it should be heated with cow dung fire. The extract which is collected in the lower pitcher should be taken out. It should be taken mixed with 1/8 honey and double the quantity of ghee. Regular use of this makes a person of the stable life span of one hundred years without senility. Other outcomes of this treatment are as described before. [14]
Bhallataka Tailam
भल्लातकतैलपात्रं सपयस्कं मधुकेन कल्केनाक्षमात्रेण शतपाकं कुर्यादिति समानं पूर्वेण||१५||
(इति भल्लातकतैलम्)|
The above bhallataka taila should be taken in quantity of 2 kg 560 gms and cooked along with milk and paste of madhuka in 1/8 quantity. This should be repeated hundred times. Other details are as above.
Other preparations of bhallataka
भल्लातकसर्पिः भल्लातकक्षीरं, भल्लातकक्षौद्रं, गुडभल्लातकं, भल्लातकयूषः, भल्लातकतैलं, भल्लातकपललं, भल्लातकसक्तवः, भल्लातकलवणं,भल्लातकतर्पणम्, इति भल्लातकविधानमुक्तं भवति||१६||
Bhallataka is used in the following forms - Bhallataka ghrita, bhallataka-ksheeram, bhallataka-kshaudra, guda-bhallataka, bhallataka-yusha, bhallataka-taila, bhallataka-palala, bhallataka-saktu, bhallataka-lavana, bhallataka-tarpana. [16]
Benefits of Bhallataka
भवन्तिचात्र-
भल्लातकानि तीक्ष्णानि पाकीन्यग्निसमानिच|
भवन्त्यमृतकल्पानि प्रयुक्तानि यथाविधि||१७||
एते दशविधास्त्वेषां प्रयोगाःपरिकीर्तिताः|
रोगप्रकृतिसात्म्यज्ञस्तान् प्रयोगान् प्रकल्पयेत्||१८||
कफजो न स रोगोऽस्ति न विबन्धोऽस्ति कश्चन|
यं न भल्लातकं हन्याच्छीघ्रं मेधाग्निवर्धनम्||१९||
(इति भल्लातकविधिः)|
प्राणकामाः पुरा जीर्णाश्च्यवनाद्या महर्षयः|
रसायनैः शिवैरेतैर्बभूवुरमितायुषः||२०||
ब्राह्मं तपो ब्रह्मचर्यमध्यात्मध्यानमेव च|
दीर्घायुषो यथाकामं सम्भृत्य त्रिदिवं गताः||२१||
तस्मादायुःप्रकर्षार्थं प्राणकामैःसुखार्थिभिः|
रसायनविधिः सेव्यो विधिवत्सुसमाहितैः||२२||
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.
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]
Summary
तत्र श्लोकः-
रसायनानां संयोगाः सिद्धाभूतहितैषिणा|
निर्दिष्टाः प्राणकामीये सप्तत्रिंशन्महर्षिणा ||२३||
Now the summing up verse -
In this quarter relating to desire for vital strength the great sage, compassionate on creatures, described thirty seven successful formulations of rasayana. [23]
इत्यग्निवेशकृते तन्त्रे चरकप्रतिसंस्कृते चिकित्सास्थाने रसायनाध्याये प्राणकामीयो नाम रसायनपादो द्वितीयः||२||
Thus ends the second quarter on desire for vital strength in the chapter on Rasayana in Chikitsa Sthana in the treatise composed by Agnivesha and redacted by Charak.[2]
Part III-Karaprachitiyam Rasayana Pada
Now we shall expound the third quarter "Karaprachitiyam Rasayana Pada". Thus said Lord Atreya.[1-2]
Note: The section deals with rejuvenation effects of hand- plucked fruits of amalaki.
Amalakayasa Brahma Rasayana
करप्रचितानां यथोक्तगुणानामामलकानामुद्धृतास्थ्नां शुष्कचूर्णितानां पुनर्माघे फाल्गुने वा मासे त्रिःसप्तकृत्वः स्वरसपरिपीतानां पुनः शुष्कचूर्णीकृतानामाढकमेकंग्राहयेत्, अथ जीवनीयानां बृंहणीयानां स्तन्यजननानां शुक्रजननानां वयःस्थापनानां षड्विरेचनशताश्रितीयोक्तानामौषधगणानांचन्दनागुरुधवतिनिशखदिरशिंशपासनसाराणांचाणुशःत्तानामभयाबिभीतकपिप्पलीवचाचव्यचित्रकविडङ्गानां च समस्तानामाढकमेकं दशगुणेनाम्भसा साधयेत्, तस्मिन्नाढकावशेषे रसे सुपूते तान्यामलकचूर्णानि दत्त्वा गोमयाग्निभिर्वंशविदलशरतेजनाग्निभिर्वा साधयेद्यावदपनयाद्रसस्य, तमनुपदग्धमुपहृत्यायसीषु पात्रीष्वास्तीर्य शोषयेत्, सुशुष्कं तत् कृष्णाजिनस्योपरि दृषदि श्लक्ष्णपिष्टमयःस्थाल्यां निधापयेत्सम्यक्, तच्चूर्णमयश्चूर्णाष्टभागसम्प्रयुक्तं मधुसर्पिर्भ्यामग्निबलमभिसमीक्ष्य प्रयोजयेदिति||३||
The hand plucked fruits of amalaki having qualities described should be taken, their seeds are removed and they are dried and powdered. Later in the month of Magha and Phalguna, this amalaki powder should be impregnated 21 times with the juice of fresh amalaki fruits, dried and powdered again. 2 kg 560 gms of this powder should be taken. Then the drugs belonging to the groups vitalizer, bulk promoting, galactogouge, semen promoting and age sustainers mentioned in the chapter on six hundred evacuatives and finely cut heartwood of sandal, aguru, dhava, tinisha, khadira, shimshapa, asana and also of haritaki, bibhitaka, pippali, vacha, chavya, chitraka and vidanga – all together should be taken in the quantity of 2 kg 560 gms and boiled in ten times of water. When one tenth of the original volume remains, the decoction should be filtered well and added with the above powder of amalaka. Now this should be heated on cow dung fire or the fire of bamboo chips or reed stalks till the liquid portion is completely evaporated. This uncharred material should be collected and is spread on iron plates for drying. When it is dried well, it should be powdered finely with stone slabs on the deer hide and stored carefully in an iron pot. This powder added with one forth quantity of iron powder (bhasma) and mixed with honey and ghee should be used according to one’s digestive capacity. [3]
भवन्तिचात्र-
एतद्रसायनं पूर्वं वसिष्ठःकश्यपोऽङ्गिराः|
जमदग्निर्भरद्वाजो भृगुरन्ये च तद्विधाः||४||
प्रयुज्य प्रयता मुक्ताः श्रमव्याधिजराभयात्|
यावदैच्छंस्तपस्तेपुस्तत्प्रभावान्महाबलाः||५||
इदं रसायनं चक्रे ब्रह्मा वार्षसहस्रिकम्|
जराव्याधिप्रशमनं बुद्धीन्द्रियबलप्रदम्||६||
(इत्यामलकायसं ब्राह्मरसायनम्)|
Here are the verses-
This Rasayana preparation in ancient times was used by Vasishtha, Kashyapa, Angiras, Jamadagni, Bharadwaja, Bhrigu and similar other rishis who by consumption of this medication became free from exertion, disease, senility and fear and acquired great strength due to its effect and performed penance as desired. This Rasayana preparation was developed by Brahma and it provides a life span of one thousand years, alleviates senility and disease and promotes strength of intellect and senses. [4-6]
तपसा ब्रह्मचर्येण ध्यानेन प्रशमेन च|
रसायनविधानेन कालयुक्तेन चायुषा||७||
स्थिता महर्षयः पूर्वं, नहिकिञ्चिद्रसायनम्|
ग्राम्यानामन्यकार्याणां सिध्यत्यप्रयतात्मनाम्||८||
In ancient times, the great sages attained stable life span by using the Rasayana treatment properly and timely due to penance, celibacy, meditation and serenity because no Rasayana treatment is successful in individuals who are not attentive, are engaged in divergent activities and live in villages. [7-8]
Kevala Amalaka Rasayanam
संवत्सरं पयोवृत्तिर्गवां मध्ये वसेत् सदा|
सावित्रीं मनसा ध्यायन् ब्रह्मचारी यतेन्द्रियः||९||
संवत्सरान्ते पौषीं वा माघीं वा फाल्गुनीं तिथिम्|
त्र्यहोपवासी शुक्लस्य प्रविश्यामलकीवनम्||१०||
बृहत्फलाढ्यमारुह्य द्रुमं शाखागतं फलम्|
गृहीत्वा पाणिना तिष्ठेज्जपन् ब्रह्मामृतागमात्||११||
तदा ह्यवश्यममृतं वसत्यामलके क्षणम्|
शर्करामधुकल्पानि स्नेहवन्ति मृदूनि च||१२||
भवन्त्यमृतसंयोगात्तानि यावन्ति भक्षयेत्|
जीवेद्वर्षसहस्राणि तावन्त्यागतयौवनः||१३||
सौहित्यमेषां गत्वा तु भवत्यमरसन्निभः|
स्वयं चास्योपतिष्ठन्ते श्रीर्वेदा वाक् च रूपिणी||१४||
(इति केवलामलकरसायनम्)|
One should live in amidst cows, remain on milk diet mediate on Savitri mantra(Gayatri mantra), observing celibacy and controlling his sense organs for a year. At the end of the year, he should fast for three days and then should enter in to a forest of amalaki trees on full moon day of the month of Pausha, Magha or Phalguna. Then he should climb on one of the amalaki trees having big fruits, should take the fruit situated on a branch by hand and should wait for some time repeating the Brahman mantras till nectar descends in the fruit. During this period nectar positively resides in amalaka fruit which, due to presence of nectar, becomes sweet like sugar and honey, unctuous and soft. The person having regained youthfulness lives the number of thousand of years equal to that of fruits eaten. After getting saturated fully with them one becomes like God and Shri, Vedas and personified knowledge enters in to him spontaneously. [9-14]
Lauhadi Rasayana
त्रिफलाया रसे मूत्रे गवां क्षारे च लवणे|
क्रमेणचेङ्गुदीक्षारे किंशुकक्षार एव च||१५||
तीक्ष्णायसस्य पत्राणि वह्निवर्णानि साधयेत् |
चतुरङ्गुलदीर्घाणि तिलोत्सेधतनूनि च||१६||
ज्ञात्वा तान्यञ्जनाभानि सूक्ष्मचूर्णानि कारयेत्|
तानि चूर्णानि मधुना रसेनामलकस्य च||१७||
युक्तानि लेहवत् कुम्भे स्थितानि घृतभाविते|
संवत्सरं निधेयानि यवपल्ले तथैवच||१८||
दद्यादालोडनं मासे सर्वत्रालोडयन् बुधः|
संवत्सरात्यये तस्य प्रयोगो मधुसर्पिषा||१९||
प्रातः प्रातर्बलापेक्षी सात्म्यं जीर्णे च भोजनम्|
एष एव च लौहानां प्रयोगः सम्प्रकीर्तितः||२०||
नाभिघातैर्न चातङ्कैर्जरयान च मृत्युना|
स धृष्यः स्याद्गजप्राणः सदा चातिबलेन्द्रियः||२१||
धीमान् यशस्वी वाक्सिद्धः श्रुतधारी महाधनः|
भवेत् समां प्रयुञ्जानो नरो लौहरसायनम्||२२||
अनेनैव विधानेन हेम्नश्च रजतस्यच|
आयुःप्रकर्षकृत्सिद्धः प्रयोगः सर्वरोगनुत्||२३||
(इति लौहादिरसायनम्)|
The paper like pieces of sharp iron four fingers long and thin like sesame seeds should be heated till they are red hot. Then they should be dipped in triphala decoction, cow urine, alkali prepared from lavana, ingudi and palasha. After they are transformed like collyrium they should be powdered finely. This powder mixed with honey and amalaka juice should be made in to linctuses, which should be kept in a ghee lined pot and stored for a year in granary of barley stirring it from all sides every month. After one year, it should be consumed mixed with honey and ghee every morning as per the strength along with prescribed diet after the drug is digested. This is the method of administration of all the metallic preparations.
The person who uses iron Rasayana, overcomes injury, disease, senility and death because he has acquired vital strength like that of elephant and strong sense organs. The user of the metallic Rasayana for a year becomes intelligent, renowned orator, scholar and wealthy. So also the use of gold or silver Rasayana also provide longevity and freedom from all ailments. [15-23]
Aindra Rasayana
ऐन्द्री मत्स्याख्यको ब्राह्मी वचा ब्रह्मसुवर्चला|
पिप्पल्यो लवणं हेम शङ्खपुष्पी विषंघृतम्||२४||
एषां त्रियवकान् भागान् हेमसर्पिर्विषैर्विना|
द्वौ यवौ तत्र हेम्नस्तु तिलं दद्याद्विषस्यच||२५||
सर्पिषश्च पलं दद्यात्तदैकध्यं प्रयोजयेत्|
घृतप्रभूतं सक्षौद्रं जीर्णे चान्नंप्रशस्यते||२६||
जराव्याधिप्रशमनं स्मृतिमेधाकरं परम्|
आयुष्यं पौष्टिकं धन्यं स्वरवर्णप्रसादनम्||२७||
परमोजस्करं चैतत् सिद्धमैन्द्रं रसायनम्|
नैनत् प्रसहते कृत्या नालक्ष्मीर्न विषं न रुक्||२८||
श्वित्रं सकुष्ठं जठराणि गुल्माः प्लीहा पुराणो विषमज्वरश्च|
मेधास्मृतिज्ञानहराश्च रोगाः शाम्यन्त्यनेनातिबलाश्च वाताः||२९||
(इत्यैन्द्रं रसायनम्)|
Aindri, matsyakhyaka, brahmi, vacha, brahmasuvarchala, pippali, lavana, shankhapushpi, all in quantity of three barley grains, gold in that of two barley grains, visa equal to one sesame seed and ghee 40 gms – mixed together and used. Once the food is digested, a diet consisting of honey and plenty of ghee is prescribed.
This precious aindra rasayana alleviates senility and diseases, promotes memory and intellect, enhances life span, and provides nourishment, excellence, clarity of voice, complexion, ojas and immunity. Magic spells, poison and pains cannot resist its effect. This Rasayana alleviates leucoderma, leprosy, abdominal diseases, gulma, spleenomegaly, chronic intermittent fever and the disease taking away intellect, memory and knowledge and also the severe vatika disorders. [24-29]
Medhya Rasayana
मण्डूकपर्ण्याः स्वरसः प्रयोज्यः क्षीरेण यष्टीमधुकस्य चूर्णम्|
रसो गुडूच्यास्तु समूलपुष्प्याः कल्कः प्रयोज्यः खलु शङ्खपुष्प्याः||३०||
आयुःप्रदान्यामयनाशनानि बलाग्निवर्णस्वरवर्धनानि|
मेध्यानि चैतानि रसायनानि मेध्या विशेषेण चशङ्खपुष्पी||३१||
(इतिमेध्यरसायनानि)|
Consumption of mandukaparni juice, the powder of yashtimadhu with milk, the juice of guduchi along with its roots and flowers and the paste of shankhapushpi – these Rasayana drugs are life promoting, disease alleviating, promoters of strength, agni, complexion, voice and are intellect promoting. Of them shankhapushpi is specifically intellect promoting. [30-31]
Pippali Rasayana
पञ्चाष्टौ सप्त दश वा पिप्पलीर्मधुसर्पिषा|
रसायनगुणान्वेषी समामेकां प्रयोजयेत्||३२||
तिस्रस्तिस्रस्तु पूर्वाह्णे भुक्त्वाऽग्रे भोजनस्य च|
पिप्पल्यः किंशुकक्षारभाविता घृतभर्जिताः||३३||
प्रयोज्या मधुसम्मिश्रा रसायनगुणैषिणा|
जेतुं कासं क्षयं शोषं श्वासं हिक्कां गलामयान्||३४||
अर्शांसि ग्रहणीदोषं पाण्डुतां विषमज्वरम्|
वैस्वर्यं पीनसं शोफं गुल्मं वातबलासकम्||३५||
(इति पिप्पलीरसायनम्)|
The individuals desirous of Rasayana effect should take pippali in number of five, seven, eight or ten with honey and ghee for a year. Three pippali fruits should be taken in the morning, after meal and before meal. These fruits should first be impregnated with alkali of palasha and then fried in ghee. These should be taken with honey by those who want Rasayana effect particularly in order to alleviate cough, wasting, phthisis, dyspnea, hiccup, throat disorders, piles, disorders of grahani, paleness, intermittent fever, disorders of voice, chronic rhinitis, swelling, gulma and vatabalasaka. [32-35]
Pippali Vardhamana Rasayana
क्रमवृद्ध्या दशाहानि दशपैप्पलिकं दिनम्|
वर्धयेत् पयसा सार्धं तथैवापनयेत्पुनः||३६||
जीर्णे जीर्णे च भुञ्जीत षष्टिकं क्षीरसर्पिषा|
पिप्पलीनां सहस्रस्य प्रयोगोऽयंरसायनम्||३७||
पिष्टास्ता बलिभिः सेव्याः, शृता मध्यबलैर्नरैः|
चूर्णीकृता ह्रस्वबलैर्योज्या दोषामयान् प्रति||३८||
दशपैप्पलिकः श्रेष्ठो मध्यमः षट्प्रकीर्तितः|
प्रयोगो यस्त्रिपर्यन्तः स कनीयान् सचाबलैः||३९||
बृहणं स्वर्यमायुष्यं प्लीहोदरविनाशनम्|
वयसः स्थापनं मेध्यं पिप्पलीनां रसायनम्||४०||
(इति पिप्पलीवर्धमानं रसायनम्)|
Ten pippali should be taken with milk on the first day. From the second day onwards up to the tenth day ten fruits should be increased daily. From the eleventh day the number of fruits should be decreased gradually in the same order till it comes to ten. After the medicine is digested the person should take shashtika rice with ghee extracted from milk. Thus the use of pippali in total number of one thousand is Rasayana in effect. The pippali fruits should be taken by the persons with high strength in the form of paste, by those with medium strength in that of decoction and by those with low strength in the form of powder keeping in view the doshas and diseases. The initial use of ten pippali fruits is maximum, that of six is medium and that of three is minimum. These numbers are also applicable according to the degree of strength of the patient. The Rasayana use of pippali is bulk promoting, beneficial for voice and life span, alleviates spleen enlargement, sustains age and promotes intellect. [36-40]
Triphala Rasayana
जरणान्तेऽभयामेकां प्राग्भुक्ताद् द्वे बिभीतके|
भुक्त्वा तु मधुसर्पिर्भ्यां चत्वार्यामलकानि च||४१||
प्रयोजयन् समामेकां त्रिफलाया रसायनम्|
जीवेद्वर्षशतं पूर्णमजरोऽव्याधिरेव च||४२||
(इति त्रिफलारसायनम्)|
One haritaki after digestion, two bibhitaka before meal and four amalaki after meal should be taken with honey and ghee for a year. This triphala rasayana helps a person live for one hundred years free from senility and disease. (41-42)
Triphala Rasayana
त्रैफलेनायसीं पात्रीं कल्केनालेपयेन्नवाम्|
तमहोरात्रिकं लेपं पिबेत्क्षौद्रोदकाप्लुतम्||४३||
प्रभूतस्नेहमशनं जीर्णे तत्र प्रशस्यते|
अजरोऽरुक् समाभ्यासाज्जीवेच्चैव समाः शतम्||४४||
(इति त्रिफलारसायनमपरम्)|
A new iron plate should be pasted with the paste of triphala. After twenty-four hours this paste should be collected and dissolved in honey water and consumed. After the medicine is digested one should take a meal with plenty of fat. By observing this procedure for a year one lives one hundred years free from senility and illness. [43-44]
Triphala Rasayana
मधुकेन तुगाक्षीर्या पिप्पल्या क्षौद्रसर्पिषा|
त्रिफला सितया चापि युक्ता सिद्धं रसायनम्||४५||
(इति त्रिफलारसायनमपरम्)|
Triphala mixed with madhuka, tugaksheeri, pippali along with honey and ghee or triphala with sugar is an effective Rasayana. [45]
Triphala Rasayana
सर्वलौहैः सुवर्णेन वचयामधुसर्पिषा|
विडङ्गपिप्पलीभ्यां च त्रिफला लवणेन च||४६||
संवत्सरप्रयोगेण मेधास्मृतिबलप्रदा|
भवत्यायुःप्रदा धन्याजरारोगनिबर्हणी||४७||
(इति त्रिफलारसायनमपरम्)|
Triphala along with all six metals including gold, vacha or with vidanga and pippali or with lavana taken with honey and ghee for a year promotes intellect, memory and strength, longevity and excellence and relieves senility and diseases. [46-47]
Properties of Shilajatu rasayana
अनम्लं च कषायं च कटु पाके शिलाजतु|
नात्युष्णशीतं धातुभ्यश्चतुर्भ्यस्तस्यसम्भवः||४८||
हेम्नश्च रजतात्ताम्राद्वरात् कृष्णायसादपि|
रसायनं तद्विधिभिस्तद्वृष्यं तच्च रोगनुत्||४९||
वातपित्तकफघ्नैश्च निर्यूहैस्तत् सुभावितम्|
वीर्योत्कर्षं परं याति सर्वैरेकैकशोऽपि वा||५०||
Shilajatu originates from four metals – gold, silver, copper and black iron and is slightly sour, astringent in taste, katu in vipaka and is moderate in veerya. This is Rasayana in effect and if applied methodically it is aphrodisiac and alleviates diseases. Its potency enhances if it is impregnated with decoction of drugs alleviating vata, pitta and kapha either singly or in combination. [48-50]
प्रक्षिप्तोद्धृतमप्येनत् पुनस्तत् प्रक्षिपेद्रसे|
कोष्णे सप्ताहमेतेन विधिना तस्य भावना||५१||
पूर्वोक्तेन विधानेन लोहैश्चूर्णीकृतैः सह|
तत् पीतं पयसा दद्याद्दीर्घमायु सुखान्वितम्||५२||
जराव्याधिप्रशमनं देहदार्ढ्यकरं परम्|
मेधास्मृतिकरं धन्यं क्षीराशी तत् प्रयोजयेत्||५३||
प्रयोगः सप्तसप्ताहास्त्रयश्चैकश्च सप्तकः|
निर्दिष्टस्त्रिविधस्तस्य परो मध्योऽवरस्तथा||५४||
पलमर्धपलं कर्षो मात्रा तस्य त्रिधा मता |
Shilajatu is impregnated by dipping it in lukewarm decoction and then taking it out at the end of the day, repeating the process for a week. Shilajatu mixed with ashed metals should be taken with milk by the prescribed method. This formulation provides happy long life, retards aging and disease, stabilizes the body, and promotes intellect and memory and excellence if taken with milk diet. The method of use is threefold viz. for seven weeks, three weeks and one week regarded as maximum, medium and minimum. The dose also is of three grades – 40 gms, 20 gms and 10 gms. [51-55]
जातेर्विशेषं सविधिं तस्य वक्ष्याम्यतः परम्||५५||
हेमाद्याः सूर्यसन्तप्ताः स्रवन्ति गिरिधातवः|
जत्वाभं मृदुमृत्स्नाच्छं यन्मलं तच्छिलाजतु||५६||
मधुरश्च सतिक्तश्च जपापुष्पनिभश्च यः|
कटुर्विपाके शीतश्च स सुवर्णस्य निस्रवः ||५७||
रूप्यस्य कटुकः श्वेतः शीतः स्वादु विपच्यते|
ताम्रस्य बर्हिकण्ठाभस्तिक्तोष्णः पच्यते कटु ||५८||
यस्तु गुग्गुलुकाभासस्तिक्तको लवणान्वितः|
कटुर्विपाके शीतश्च सर्वश्रेष्ठः स चायसः ||५९||
गोमूत्रगन्धयः सर्वे सर्वकर्मसु यौगिकाः|
रसायनप्रयोगेषु पश्चिमस्तु विशिष्यते ||६०||
यथाक्रमं वातपित्ते श्लेष्मपित्ते कफे त्रिषु|
विशेषतः प्रशस्यन्ते मला हेमादिधातुजाः ||६१||
Specific characters according to the source and the method of administration will be explained now. The rocky ores of gold etc., when heated by the sun ooze a material like lac, soft, smooth and clear. This is shilajatu. Shilajatu obtained from gold ore is sweet, slightly bitter, having color like japa flower, pungent in vipaka and sheeta veerya. That obtained from silver ore is pungent, white, cold and sweet in vipaka. Shilajatu obtained from copper ore is like peacock neck, bitter, hot and pungent in vipaka. That which is like gugguluka is the best of all. All types of shilajatu smell like cow urine and are applicable in all conditions. However, in the use of Rasayana, the last one is preferred, the above types of shilajatu are useful in vata-pitta, kapha-pitta, kapha and tridosha respectively. [55-61]
शिलाजतुप्रयोगेषु विदाहीनि गुरूणि च|
वर्जयेत् सर्वकालं तु कुलत्थान् परिवर्जयेत्||६२||
ते ह्यत्यन्तविरुद्धत्वादश्मनो भेदनाः परम्|
लोके दृष्टास्ततस्तेषां प्रयोगःप्रतिषिध्यते||६३||
पयांसि तक्राणि रसाः सयूषास्तोयं समूत्रा विविधाः कषायाः|
आलोडनार्थं गिरिजस्य शस्तास्ते ते प्रयोज्याः प्रसमीक्ष्यकार्यम्||६४||
न सोऽस्ति रोगो भुवि साध्यरूपः शिलाह्वयं यं न जयेत् प्रसह्य|
तत् कालयोगैर्विधिभिः प्रयुक्तं स्वस्थस्य चोर्जां विपुलां ददाति||६५||
(इति शिलाजतुरसायनम्)|
One should avoid vidahi and heavy substances particularly horse gram during consumption of shilajatu. Horse gram, due to exceedingly contradictory nature, breaks the stones as seen in the practice that is why its use is contraindicated. Milk, buttermilk, meat soup, vegetables soups, water, urine and various decoctions are used for dissolving shilajatu according to the object. There is no disease in the world which is not overcome by shilajatu. It also provides great energy to the healthy person if used methodically as prescribed. [62-65]
Now the summing up verses –
In the quarter on hand plucked amalaki fruits sixteen Rasayana formulations have been described by the great sages. [66]
इत्यग्निवेशकृते तन्त्रे चरकप्रतिसंस्कृते चिकित्सास्थाने रसायनाध्याये करप्रचितीयो नाम रसायनपादस्तृतीयः||३||
Thus ends the third quarter on hand plucked (amalaki fruits) in the chapter on Rasayana in Chikitsa Sthana in the treatise composed by Agnivesha and redacted by Charak. [3]
Part IV: Ayurvedasamutthaniyam Rasayana Pada
Now we shall expound the fourth quarter "Ayurvedasamutthaniyam Rasayana Pada". Thus said Lord Atreya. [1-2]
Note: This section deals with uplifting science of life (Ayurveda).
ऋषयः खलु कदाचिच्छालीना यायावराश्च ग्राम्यौषध्याहाराः सन्तः साम्पन्निका मन्दचेष्टा नातिकल्याश्च प्रायेण बभूवुः|
ते सर्वासामितिकर्तव्यतानामसमर्थाः सन्तो ग्राम्यवासकृतमात्मदोषं मत्वा पूर्वनिवासमपगतग्राम्यदोषं शिवं पुण्यमुदारं मेध्यमगम्यमसुकृतिभिर्गङ्गाप्रभवममरगन्धर्वकिन्नरानुचरितमनेकरत्ननिचयमचिन्त्याद्भुतप्रभावं ब्रह्मर्षिशिद्धचारणानुचरितं दिव्यतीर्थौषधिप्रभवमतिशरण्यं हिमवन्तममराधिपतिगुप्तं जग्मुर्भृग्वङ्गिरोऽत्रिवसिष्ठकश्यपागस्त्यपुलस्त्यवामदेवासितगौतमप्रभृतयो महर्षयः||३||
The rishis hermits as well as wanderers, some times, due to consumption of household medicines and food often become obese, and slow in action and unhealthy trait. Being unable to perform their routine duties, they considered their own faults brought about by domestic living and thus shifted to their previous abode, Himalayas, which is free from domestic defects, propitious, pious, noble, favorable for intellect, unapproachable for the unholy, the source of origin of Ganga, frequented by the gods, gandharvas and kinnaras, the place of many precious stones, having incomprehensible miraculous powers, resided by intellectual sages, accomplished persons and wanderers, the source of celestial centers and plants, the great savior and protected by the lord of gods. This group of great sages consisted of Bhrigu, Angiras, Atri, Vasishtha, Kashyapa, Agastya, Pulastya, Vamadeva, Asita, and Gautama etc. [3]
तानिन्द्रःसहस्रदृगमरगुरुरब्रवीत्- स्वागतं ब्रह्मविदांज्ञानतपोधनानां ब्रह्मर्षीणाम्| अस्ति ननु वो ग्लानिरप्रभावत्वं वैस्वर्यं वैवर्ण्यं च ग्राम्यवासकृतमसुखमसुखानुबन्धं च; ग्राम्यो हि वासो मूलमशस्तानां, तत् कृतः पुण्यकृद्भिरनुग्रहः प्रजानां, स्वशरीरमवेक्षितुं कालःकालश्चायमायुर्वेदोपदेशस्य ब्रह्मर्षीणाम्; आत्मनः प्रजानां चानुग्रहार्थमायुर्वेदमश्विनौ मह्यं प्रायच्छतां, प्रजापतिरश्विभ्यां, प्रजापतये ब्रह्मा, प्रजानामल्पमायुर्जराव्याधिबहुलमसुखमसुखानुबन्धमल्पत्वादल्पतपोदमनियमदानाध्ययनसञ्चयंमत्वा पुण्यतममायुःप्रकर्षकरं जराव्याधिप्रशमनमूर्जस्करममृतं शिवं शरण्यमुदारं भवन्तो मत्तः श्रोतुमर्हताथोपधारयितुं प्रकाशयितुं च प्रजानुग्रहार्थमार्षं ब्रह्म च प्रति मैत्रीं कारुण्यमात्मनश्चानुत्तमं पुण्यमुदारं ब्राह्ममक्षयं कर्मेति||४||
Indra, the visionary preceptor of gods, addressed them saying – welcome to the intellectual sages, the knower of Brahman, endowed with wealth of knowledge and penance. You are having malaise, luster-lessness, derangement of voice and complexion and ill health along with its associated corollaries caused by domestic living. Domestic living is the root of all the inauspicious effects. You have committed great favor to the people, now it is the time for intellectual sages to look to their own self and to enrich the science of life for the well being of your own self as well as of the people in general.
Ayurveda is made available to me by Ashwin who received it from Prajapati, who again received this knowledge from Brahma. Now looking to the short life span of the human beings, that too affected with senility and diseases associated with unhappiness and continuous suffering disturbing their performance of penance, restraint, regular practices, clarity and study you should learn from me, understand propagate the divine knowledge which is the holiest, prolonging life span, alleviating senility and diseases, generating energy, the nectar like, propitious savoir and noble for the welfare of the humanity with friendliness and compassion to them and to create for yourselves the best, holy, noble and immortal intellectual activity. [4]
तच्छ्रुत्वा विबुधपतिवचनमृषयः सर्व एवामरवरमृग्भिस्तुष्टुवुः, प्रहृष्टाश्च तद्वचनमभिननन्दुश्चेति||५||
After listening to the wisdom of the king of gods, all the rishis praised the precepter with incantations and applauded his statement with great pleasure. [5]
Indrokta Rasayana
अथेन्द्रस्तदायुर्वेदामृतमृषिभ्यः -सङ्क्रम्योवाच- एतत् सर्वमनुष्ठेयम्, अयं च शिवः कालो रसायनानां, दिव्याश्चौषधयो हिमवत्प्रभवाः [१] प्राप्तवीर्याः; तद्यथा- ऐन्द्री, ब्राह्मी, पयस्या, क्षीरपुष्पी, श्रावणी, महाश्रावणी, शतावरी, विदारी, जीवन्ती, पुनर्नवा, नागबला, स्थिरा, वचा, छत्रा, अतिच्छत्रा, मेदा, महामेदा, जीवनीयाश्चान्याः पयसा प्रयुक्ताः षण्मासात् परमायुर्वयश्च तरुणमनामयत्वं स्वरवर्णसम्पदमुपचयं मेधां स्मृतिमुत्तमबलमिष्टांश्चापरान् भावानावहन्ति सिद्धाः||६||
(इतीन्द्रोक्तं रसायनम्)|
Indra, having infused the nectar of Ayurveda to these rishis said – now all this has to be brought into action. Now is the auspicious time for Rasayana and the celestial drugs grown in Himalaya are also matured such as aindri, brahmi, payasya, ksheerapushpi, shravani, mahashravani, shatavari, vidari, jeevanti, punarnava, nagabala, sthira, vacha, chatra, atichchatra, meda, mahameda and other vitalizing drugs if taken with milk for six months will certainly induce maximum life span, youthful age, disease free, excellence of voice and complexion, corpulence, intellect, memory, quality strength and other desired effects. [6]
ब्रह्मसुवर्चला नामौषधिर्या हिरण्यक्षीरा पुष्करसदृशपत्रा, आदित्यपर्णी नामौषधिर्या ‘सूर्यकान्ता’ इति विज्ञायते सुवर्णक्षीरा सूर्यमण्डलाकारपुष्पाच, नारीनामौषधिः‘अश्वबला’ इति विज्ञायते या बल्वजसदृशपत्रा काष्ठगोधा नामौषधिर्गोधाकारा, सर्पानामौषधिः सर्पाकारा, सोमो नामौषधिराजः पञ्चदशपर्वा स सोम इव हीयते वर्धते च, पद्मा नामौषधिः पद्माकारा पद्मरक्ता पद्मगन्धाच, अजा नामौषधिः ‘अजशृङ्गी’ इति विज्ञायते, नीला नामौषधिस्तु नीलक्षीरा नीलपुष्पा लताप्रतानबहुलेति; आसामोषधीनां यां यामेवोपलभेत तस्यास्तस्याः स्वरसस्य सौहित्यं गत्वा स्नेहभावितायामार्द्रपलाशद्रोण्यां सपिधानायां दिग्वासाः शयीत, तत्र प्रलीयते, षण्मासेन पुनः सम्भवति, तस्याजं पयः प्रत्यवस्थापनं; षण्मासेन देवतानुकारी भवति वयोवर्णस्वराकृतिबलप्रभाभिः, स्वयं चास्य सर्ववाचोगतानि प्रादुर्भवन्ति, दिव्यं चास्य चक्षुः श्रोत्रं च भवति, गतिर्योजनसहस्रं दशवर्षसहस्राण्यायुरनुपद्रवं चेति||७||
Brahmasuvarchala is the herb having golden latex and lotus like leaves, adityaparni is the herb which is known as the “sun’s beloved” and has golden latex and flowers like sun disc, nari is the herb known as ashvabala having leaves like those of balwaja, kashthagodha is the iguana shaped herb, sarpa is the serpent shaped herb, soma is the king of herbs having fifteen nodes and increasing and decreasing according to the condition of the moon, padma is the herb having shape, colour and fragrance like that of lotus, aja is the herb known as ajashringi, neela is the climber plant having blue latex and flowers and diffused branches. Of these plants whichever are available should be taken in the form of juice in full quantity. Thereafter one should sleep naked in the covered tube made of wet palasha wood and anointed with fat. Then he disappears and reappears in six months. Then he should live on goat’s milk. In six months such a person becomes gods like in age, complexion, voice, face, strength and luster, great intuition, he attains divine vision and audition, becomes able to move up to thousand yojana and assumes unaffected life span of thousand years. [7]
भवन्ति चात्र-
दिव्यानामोषधीनां यः प्रभावः स भवद्विधैः|
शक्यः सोढुमशक्यस्तु स्यात् सोढुमकृतात्मभिः||८||
ओषधीनां प्रभावेण तिष्ठतां स्वे च कर्मणि|
भवतां निखिलं श्रेयः सर्वमेवोपपत्स्यते||९||
वानप्रस्थैर्गृहस्थैश्च प्रयतैर्नियतात्मभिः|
शक्या ओषधयो ह्येताः सेवितुं विषयाभिजाः||१०||
Here are the verses –
The therapeutic impact of divine herbs can be sustained only by the individuals like you and not by those with uncontrolled self. By the effect of these herbs you will attain all desired merits while on your normal duties. The herbs growing in sacred lands can be utilized by forest dwellers as well as by householders as duly prescribed with self restraint. [8-10]
यास्तु क्षेत्रगुणैस्तेषां मध्यमेन च कर्मणा|
मृदुवीर्यतरास्तासां विधिर्ज्ञेयः स एव तु||११||
पर्येष्टुं ताः प्रयोक्तुं वा येऽसमर्थाः सुखार्थिनः|
रसायनविधिस्तेषामयमन्यः प्रशस्यते||१२||
These divine herbs produce milder effect in case of different habitat, subject and mode of administration through the method of intake in the same for all. The individuals with luxurious living who are unable to search or use these herbs should resort to the other methods of Rasayana which are described below. [11-12]
बल्यानां जीवनीयानां बृंहणीयाश्च या दश|
वयसः स्थापनानां च खदिरस्यासनस्य च||१३||
खर्जूराणां मधूकानां मुस्तानामुत्पलस्य च|
मृद्वीकानां विडङ्गानां वचायाश्चित्रकस्य च||१४||
शतावर्याः पयस्यायाः पिप्पल्या जोङ्गकस्य च|
ऋध्द्या नागबलायाश्च द्वारदाया धवस्य च||१५||
त्रिफलाकण्टकार्योश्च विदार्याश्चन्दनस्य च|
इक्षूणां शरमूलानां श्रीपर्ण्यास्तिनिशस्य च||१६||
रसाः पृथक् पृथग्ग्राह्याः पलाशक्षार एव च|
एषां पलोन्मितान् भागान् पयो गव्यं चतुर्गुणम्||१७||
द्वे पात्रे तिलतैलस्य द्वे च गव्यस्य सर्पिषः|
तत् साध्यं सर्वमेकत्र सुसिद्धं स्नेहमुद्धरेत्||१८||
तत्रामलकचूर्णानामाढकं शतभावितम् |
स्वरसेनैव दातव्यं क्षौद्रस्याभिनवस्य च||१९||
शर्कराचूर्णपात्रं च प्रस्थमेकं प्रदापयेत्|
तुगाक्षीर्याः सपिप्पल्याः स्थाप्यं सम्मूर्च्छितं च तत्||२०||
सुचौक्षे मार्तिके कुम्भे मासार्धं घृतभाविते|
मात्रामग्निसमां तस्य तत ऊर्ध्वं प्रयोजयेत्||२१||
हेमताम्रप्रवालानामयसः स्फटिकस्य च|
मुक्तावैदूर्यशङ्खानां चूर्णानां रजतस्य च||२२||
प्रक्षिप्य षोडशीं मात्रां विहायायासमैथुनम्|
जीर्णे जीर्णे च भुञ्जीत षष्टिकं क्षीरसर्पिषा||२३||
सर्वरोगप्रशमनं वृष्यमायुष्यमुत्तमम्|
सत्त्वस्मृतिशरीराग्निबुद्धीन्द्रियबलप्रदम्||२४||
परमूर्जस्करं चैव वर्णस्वरकरं तथा|
विषालक्ष्मीप्रशमनं सर्ववाचोगतप्रदम्||२५||
सिद्धार्थतां चाभिनवं वयश्च प्रजाप्रियत्वं च यशश्च लोके|
प्रयोज्यमिच्छद्भिरिदं यथावद्रसायनं ब्राह्ममुदारवीर्यम्||२६||
(इतीन्द्रोक्तरसायनमपरम्)|
Ten herbs of strength promoting, vitality promoting, bulk promoting and age sustaining groups, khadira, beejaka, kharjura, madhuka, musta, utpala, mridveeka, vidanga, vacha, chitraka, shatavari, payasya, pippali, aguru, riddhi, nagabala, shaka, dhava, triphala, kanthakari, vidari, chandana, ikshu, roots of shara, gambhari and tinisha – juice of all these drugs and palasha kshara should be taken in the quantity of 40 gms each, cow milk four times, tila oil and cow ghee each 5.12 kg, should be added to it and cooked together. After it is well cooked, the fatty preparation should be brought down. 2.56 kg each of amalaka powder impregnated hundred times with amalaka juice, fresh honey and powdered sugar 640 gms each of vamshalochana and pippali should be mixed together well. The preparation should be kept in a well cleansed earthen pot smeared with ghee for a fortnight. Then the dose as per the digestive capacity should be used mixing it with powder of gold, copper, coral, iron, quartz, pearl, cats eye, conch and silver in 1/16 quantity. During the period of medication the patient should avoid exertion and sexual intercourse and should take diet of shashtika rice along with ghee extracted from milk after the previous meal is digested. This Rasayana remedy relieves all diseases, is aphrodisiac, excellent enhancer of life span, provides strength to psyche, memory, physique, digestive fire, intellect and senses, promotes energy, complexion, and voice, alleviates poison and inauspiciousness and renders the words truthful. This intellect promoting and broad spectrum Rasayana formulation should be used properly by those who desire success, youthfulness, charming personality and social image. [13-26]
समर्थानामरोगाणां धीमतां नियतात्मनाम्|
कुटीप्रवेशः क्षणिनां परिच्छदवतां हितः||२७||
अतोऽन्यथा तु ये तेषां सौर्यमारुतिको विधिः|
तयोः श्रेष्ठतरः पूर्वो विधिः सतुसुदुष्करः||२८||
रसायनविधिभ्रंशाज्जायेरन् व्याधयो यदि|
यथास्वमौषधं तेषां कार्यं मुक्त्वा रसायनम्||२९||
The indoor regimen of Rasayana therapy is prescribed for those who are fit, disease free, wise, self controlled, leisurely and are wealthy otherwise the outdoor method of vatatapika rasayana therapy is advisable. The former kind of regimen is, no doubt superior but is difficult to operate. If during the treatment some complications arise due to faulty methods, better treatment is planned after discontinuing the initial course of Rasayana therapy. [27-29]
Achara Rasayana
सत्यवादिनमक्रोधं निवृत्तं मद्यमैथुनात्|
अहिंसकमनायासं प्रशान्तं प्रियवादिनम्||३०||
जपशौचपरं धीरं दाननित्यं तपस्विनम्|
देवगोब्राह्मणाचार्यगुरुवृद्धार्चने रतम्||३१||
आनृशंस्यपरं नित्यं नित्यं करुणवेदिनम् |
समजागरणस्वप्नं नित्यं क्षीरघृताशिनम्||३२||
देशकालप्रमाणज्ञं युक्तिज्ञमनहङ्कृतम्|
शस्ताचारमसङ्कीर्णमध्यात्मप्रवणेन्द्रियम्||३३||
उपासितारं वृद्धानामास्तिकानां जितात्मनाम्|
धर्मशास्त्रपरं विद्यान्नरं नित्यरसायनम्||३४||
गुणैरेतैः समुदितैः प्रयुङ्क्ते यो रसायनम्|
रसायनगुणान् सर्वान् यथोक्तान् स समश्नुते||३५||
(इत्याचाररसायनम्)|
An individual who is truthful, free from anger, abstaining from wine and women, non violent, relaxed, calm, soft spoken, engaged in meditation and cleanliness, perseverance, observing charity, penance, worshiping gods, cow, brahmanas, gurus, preceptors and elders, loving and compassionate, is vigilant and sleeps in balanced way, consumes routinely ghee extracted from milk, considering the measure of place and time with propriety, un-conceited, well behaved, simple, with his senses well concentrated to spirituality, keeping company of elders, positivist, self restrained and devoted to holy books should be regarded as using the Rasayana for ever. Those, who, endowed with all the auspicious qualities, consumes Rasayana, gets all the aforesaid benefits of Rasayana treatment. [30-35]
Importance of purification before rasayana
यथास्थूलमनिर्वाह्य दोषाञ्छारीरमानसान्|
रसायनगुणैर्जन्तुर्युज्यते न कदाचन||३६||
योगा ह्यायुःप्रकर्षार्था जरारोगनिबर्हणाः|
मनःशरीरशुद्धानां सिध्यन्ति प्रयतात्मनाम्||३७||
तदेतन्न भवेद्वाच्यं सर्वमेव हतात्मसु|
अरुजेभ्योऽद्विजातिभ्यः शुश्रूषा येषु नास्ति च||३८||
An individual can never get the benefits of Rasayana if he has not undergone grossly the process of samsodhana of his physical as well as mental impurities. The treatment meant for providing longevity and for relieving senility and disease succeed in persons having purified mind and body controlled self. Such a treatment should not be prescribed to those who have degenerate self, are disease free, are not twice born and who are reluctant to receive such a treatment. [36-38]
Historical examples
ये रसायनसंयोगा वृष्ययोगाश्च ये मताः|
यच्चौषधं विकाराणां सर्वं तद्वैद्यसंश्रयम्||३९||
प्राणाचार्यं बुधस्तस्माद्धीमन्तं वेदपारगम्|
अश्विनाविव देवेन्द्रः पूजयेदतिशक्तितः||४०||
अश्विनौ देवभिषजौ यज्ञवाहाविति स्मृतौ|
यज्ञस्य हि शिरश्छिन्नं पुनस्ताभ्यां समाहितम्||४१||
प्रशीर्णा दशनाः पूष्णो नेत्रे नष्टे भगस्य च|
वज्रिणश्च भुजस्तम्भस्ताभ्यामेव चिकित्सितः||४२||
चिकित्सितश्च शीतांशुर्गृहीतो राजयक्ष्मणा|
सोमाभिपतितश्चन्द्रः कृतस्ताभ्यां पुनः सुखी||४३||
भार्गवश्च्यवनः कामी वृद्धः सन् विकृतिं गतः|
वीतवर्णस्वरोपेतः कृतस्ताभ्यां पुनर्युवा||४४||
एतैश्चान्यैश्च बहुभिः कर्मभिर्भिषगुत्तमौ|
बभूवतुर्भृशं पूज्याविन्द्रादीनांमहात्मनाम्||४५||
ग्रहाः स्तोत्राणि मन्त्राणि तथा नानाहवींषि च|
धूम्राश्च पशवस्ताभ्यां प्रकल्प्यन्ते द्विजातिभिः||४६||
प्रातश्च सवने सोमं शक्रोऽश्विभ्यां सहाश्नुते|
सौत्रामण्यां च भगवानश्विभ्यां सह मोदते||४७||
इन्द्राग्नी चाश्विनौ चैव स्तूयन्ते प्रायशो द्विजैः|
स्तूयन्ते वेदवाक्येषु न तथाऽन्या हि देवताः||४८||
अजरैरमरैस्तावद्विबुधैः साधिपैर्ध्रुवैः|
पूज्येते प्रयतैरेवमश्विनौभिषजाविति||४९||
मृत्युव्याधिजरावश्यैर्दुःखप्रायैः सुखार्थिभिः|
किं पुनर्भिषजो मर्त्यैः पूज्याः स्युर्नातिशक्तितः||५०||
शीलवान्मतिमान् युक्तो द्विजातिः शास्त्रपारगः|
प्राणिभिर्गुरुवत् पूज्यः प्राणाचार्यः स हि स्मृतः||५१||
The Rasayana preparations, vajikarana recipes and remedies designed for the treatment of diseases – all depend on (vision and skill of) the physician. Hence the wise should honour with all means the treating physician who promotes life, is wise and well versed in the science of life as the king of gods honours Ashwins.
Ashwins are the physicians of gods and carriers of sacrifices. The head of sacrifice was cut which was joined by Ashwins. The fallen teeth of Pushan, destroyed eyes of Bhaga and the spastic arm of Vajrina were treated by them and thus he, addicted to soma drink, was again made happy. Chyavana, the descendent of Bhrigu, who was sexually indulged and became diseased, devoid of complexion and voice in old age, was reverted to youthful age. On account of these and other similar achievements, the two excellent physicians became highly adorable to the great selves like Indra, etc. and vessels, praises, recitations, various food preparations, incenses and animals are offered to them by the twins born. In the morning, Indra enjoys the soma drink in the company of Ashwins and he also makes pleasure along with them in the sautramani sacrifice. Indra, Agni and Ashwins were worshipped mostly by the twin born and are praised in the vedic hymns, not so the other gods. Thus the twin physicians Ashwins are worshipped by the gods and their masters. Then how should the physicians not be honored with all means by mortals who are affected by the death, diseases and senility and after the search of happiness? The physicians who is endowed with good conduct, wisdom and rationality, is thrice born, well versed in scriptures and master of life should be honored as preceptor by the people. [39-51]
Vaidya and medical ethics
विद्यासमाप्तौ भिषजो द्वितीया जातिरुच्यते|
अश्नुते वैद्यशब्दं हि न वैद्यः पूर्वजन्मना||५२||
विद्यासमाप्तौ ब्राह्मं वा सत्त्वमार्षमथापि वा|
ध्रुवमाविशति ज्ञानात्तस्माद्वैद्यो द्विजः स्मृतः||५३||
नाभिध्यायेन्न चाक्रोशेदहितं न समाचरेत्|
प्राणाचार्यं बुधः कश्चिदिच्छन्नायुरनित्वरम्||५४||
After completing the course of training, it is the third birth of a physician because the physician does not carry the epithet vaidya from the previous birth. On completion of training, Brahma or Arsha psyche enters in to him certainly according to the knowledge. Hence the physician is known as the thrice born. The wise, desirous of stable life, should not backbite, re approach and harm the master of life. [52-54]
चिकित्सितस्तु संश्रुत्य योवाऽसंश्रुत्य मानवः|
नोपाकरोति वैद्याय नास्ति तस्येह निष्कृतिः||५५||
भिषगप्यातुरान् सर्वान् स्वसुतानिव यत्नवान्|
आबाधेभ्यो हि संरक्षेदिच्छन् धर्ममनुत्तमम्||५६||
धर्मार्थं चार्थकामार्थमायुर्वेदो महर्षिभिः|
प्रकाशितो धर्मपरैरिच्छद्भिः स्थानमक्षरम्||५७||
नार्थार्थं नापि कामार्थमथ भूतदयां प्रति|
वर्तते यश्चिकित्सायां स सर्वमतिवर्तते||५८||
कुर्वते ये तु वृत्त्यर्थं चिकित्सापण्यविक्रयम्|
ते हित्वाकाञ्चनं राशिं पांशुराशिमुपासते||५९||
दारुणैः कृष्यमाणानां गदैर्वैवस्वतक्षयम्|
छित्त्वा वैवस्वतान् पाशान् जीवितं यः प्रयच्छति||६०||
धर्मार्थदाता सदृशस्तस्य नेहोपलभ्यते|
न हि जीवितदानाद्धि दानमन्यद्विशिष्यते||६१||
परो भूतदया धर्म इति मत्वा चिकित्सया|
वर्तते यः स सिद्धार्थः सुखमत्यन्तमश्नुते||६२||
The treated patient, whether having promised or not, if does not offer any thing to the physician he is not freed. The physician too should consider all his patients as his own sons; protect them sincerely from all the ailments, wishing the excellent piety.
Ayurveda has been empowered by the great rishis devoted to piety and wishing immortality for welfare and not for earning or enjoyment. One who takes up the treatment only for human welfare and not for earning or self enjoyment supersedes all and those who sell the regimen of therapy for livelihood and devoted to the heap of dust leaving aside the store of gold. One who provides life to those being dragged to the abode of death by severe diseases while cutting the death nets cannot be simulated with any other donor of virtue and wealth because there is no charity better than providing life. The physician who is compassionate on living being as the highest virtue, proceeds in treatment of patients, achieves all objects and enjoy maximum happiness. [55-62]
Summary
तत्र श्लोकौ-
आयुर्वेदसमुत्थानं दिव्यौषधिविधिं शुभम्|
अमृताल्पान्तरगुणं सिद्धं रत्नरसायनम्||६३||
सिद्धेभ्यो ब्रह्मचारिभ्यो यदुवाचामरेश्वरः|
आयुर्वेदसमुत्थाने तत् सर्वं सम्प्रकाशितम्||६४||
Now the summing up verses –
The rising of the science of life, method of celestial Rasayana drugs, ratnarasayana accomplished like nectar and delivered by the king of gods to the accomplished and intellectuals, all this has been explained in the quarter of the rising of the science of life. [63-64]
इत्यग्निवेशकृते तन्त्रे चरकप्रतिसंस्कृते चिकित्सितस्थाने रसायनाध्याये आयुर्वेदसमुत्थानीयो नामरसायनपादश्चतुर्थः||४||
Thus ends the fourth quarter on the rise of Ayurveda in the chapter of Rasayana in Chikitsa Sthana in the treatise composed by Agnivesha and redacted by Charak.[4]
Tattva Vimarsha (Fundamental Principles)
- Bheshaja (Therapeutics) is classified in two categories :
- that which sustains, promotes and enhances strength and immunity in the healthy,
- that which alleviates disorders. ( vesr 1.4)
- Abheshaja (non-therapeutic agents) can is also of two types :
- badhana (acutely acting),
- sanubadhana (chronically acting).( verse 1.5)
- The objectives of Ayurveda healthcare management includes chikitsa (measures that alleviate disorders), vyadhihara (destroyer of diseases), pathya (beneficial for the bodily channels), sadhana (instrument for therapeutic action), aushadha (that which is prepared of herbs), prayashchitta (expiation), prashamana (pacification), prakritisthapana (that which helps and sustains recovery to normalcy), and hita (wholesome). (verse 3-4)
- The therapeutics for preservation of health include vrishya (aphrodisiac) and Rasayana (promotives) that helps promoting strength and immunity.
- Objective of Rasayana therapy is to attain longevity, memory, intelligence, freedom from illness, youthfulness, excellence of luster, 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. bodily cells and tissues. (verse 7-8)
- Objective of vajikarana (aphrodisiac treatment) is to produce healthy progeny, and enhance libido with satisfactory sexual life. It can even help to arrest genetic disorders.
- Indoor residence of person in specific kutipraveshika method endows extraordinary benefits.
- Rasayana may be in the form of specific single drugs or compound preparations of drugs, in the form of specific diet, specific regimen and activities or in the form of a specific good conduct.
- Vajikarana improves the quality of shukra and thereby improves oja. Shukra is not just semen but its effects can be observed allover body and on mind, in the form of genesis of new dhatu (important body constituents) , promoting proper growth and development of existing dhatu, by helping to maintain mental health etc. as described in Vajikarana, the second chapter of Chikitsa Sthana.
- By adopting proper lifestyle and by using appropriate Rasayana, it is not only possible to regain freedom from diseases, but it is also possible to maintain and even positively promote health. For this, Rasayana is very much important in the present era.
- Prior body purification is necessary before administration of Rasayana treatment.
Vidhi Vimarsha (Applied Inferences )
The order of sections
The order in which various sthana (sections) of Charak Samhita are arranged is also significant. Chikitsa Sthana is placed after Indriya Sthana. Indriya Sthana describes the signs and symptoms which indicate certain death of a person. The treatment in such conditions results in failure. Therefore, it must be avoided. The treatment in such conditions should be continued with proper knowledge and also with due consent. After describing limitations of treatment in Indriya Sthana, Chikitsa Sthana describes successful treatment of rest of conditions.
Different levels of treatment
According to Ayurveda, the life is conglomeration of four factors namely shareera (the body made up of five mahabhutas), indriya (the sensory faculty), sattva or manas (mind) and atma (the soul). On this basis, disease is also studied at different levels. Therefore, the treatment also is performed at different levels. After initial treatment for relief, Ayurveda describes prayoga (long term treatment for complete cure) and apunarbhava chikitsa (treatment which prevents recurrence of the disease) to maintain and promote health, Rasayana is given.
Various aspects of Chikitsa (treatment)
At the beginning of the chapter, various aspects of treatment are explained by using various synonyms. Chikitsita are means for curing disease. Pathya means specific wholesome diet and regimens which will help to cure disease, it also means that which maintains normalcy of srotas (channels for transportation and transformation of nutrients in the destined body constituent). Sadhana means various instruments and procedures helpful for successful treatment. Aushadha are medicines obtained from herbs. Prayashchitta means the redressal for diseases originating from previous deeds of the person. Prashamana is that which leads to complete cure. Prakriti (specific constitution of a person) makes him prone for certain diseases. Prakritisthapana helps to protect a person from them by maintaining balance of all three doshas. Hita is that which helps to make dhatus stable and protect them from diseases. (verse 3)
Benefits of Rasayana
Rasayana produces best quality of dhatus (body tissues). Various benefits of using Rasayana include long and healthy life, maintenance of youth and prevention of ageing, great bala (a broad term, which includes physical, mental strength and immunity) are obtained by Rasayana. Excellence of luster, complexion of skin and beauty, excellence of voice, enhanced capacity of senses, power of memory and intelligence are obtained.
Vak Siddhi is a power by which whatever the person speaks, becomes true. Pranati is reverence from people. By use of Rasayana, the person gets physical strength, mental abilities and power of intellect and memory. So, whatever the person speaks, he has the capacity to practically act accordingly. Also, he speaks only the truth. So, his words come true. Because of such good qualities, he gets reverence from people. (verse 7,8)
Benefits of Vajikarana (verse 9-12)
- Apatyasantanakara- Not only the person using vajeekarana will have progeny, but even his further generations also won’t have infertility, so effects of vajeekarana are capable of making genetic changes
- Sadya Sampraharshana- produces erection instantly
- Develops sexual potency (like a horse, horse being symbol of best qualities of semen and sexual potency)
- Capacity for sexual act uninterruptedly
- Enhances beauty, personality and capacity to attract opposite sex
- Nourishes the body
- Even after indulging in sexual activities, shukra is still properly produced
- Not only quantitative increase, qualities of shukra improve, fertility is produced
- Like banyan tree, gets surrounded by good progeny
- Earns respect and honour in society
- Gets all the joy from the children in this world
- Gets as if immortality, because next generations carry on his good works
- Success, wealth and prosperity, strength, robustness
Two modes of administration of Rasayana (verse 1.1.16)
Rasayana can be used by two methods:
- Kuti praveshika- The person stays in a kuti (specially built house) for a specific period and uses Rasayana.
- Vatatapika- The person continues with his routine activities, while using Rasayana.
Construction of a Kuti (hut) (verse 1.1.16-20)
The place
Kuti is built at a place near city or town, i.e. in civilised place, near the place of king or government officials for legal issues, permissions, near place of vaidyas (physicians) for advice of other senior vaidyas whenever required, where advice of experts in other fields of knowledge is available, place of well cultured gentlemen , decent place with social security, with availability of necessary instruments, equipment and amenities, located in east or north, for proper light and ventilation, selected as per the bhoomi pareeksha ( selection of good land) as described in Madanakalpa Adhyaya.
Structure and design
Structure and design is decided by experts in that field, but the specific requirements are mentioned in this chapter, such as: with proper height ,width, with three concentric courts, having small windows on height, having thick walls, comfortable for all seasons, spacious, with proper lighting, pleasant for stay, protected from sound pollution ,other forms of pollution and unwanted sounds, smells etc., where celibacy can be maintained, equipped with necessary instruments, equipment and amenities, having on duty vaidyas, consulting vaidyas and consultants in other fields. The pictures can give an idea regarding this.
Entering the Kuti
The specific way of entering the kuti is described in the text. Not only by using specific purificatory methods, the body pf the person is prepared for the effects of Rasayana, but he is also prepared mentally. The person gets extraordinary qualities due to Rasayana. But he may use them only for his personal benefits and may harm others in the society. For this he is convinced to use his qualities for the benefit of the whole society. He also resolves to properly complete the procedure, since ceasing of the procedure midway may be harmful for health.
Quality control in selection of medicines (verse 1.1. 38-40)
- Bhoomi pariksha (criteria to select good land for collection of medicines) as described in Madanakalpa Adhyaya verse 9, should be followed.
- Especially haritaki (Terminalia chebula) and amalaki ( Emblica officinalis) used as Rasayana in this chapter are preferably collected from the range of mountain Himalaya.
- The medicines developed at proper season as per their natural life cycle are collected,
- The medicines which are fully grown, developed are collected.
- Medicines with optimum qualities like rasa, veerya etc. are selected.
- Medicines are collected from plants, which are properly exposed (not under or over exposed) to natural factors like sunlight, wind, rains etc. are selected.
- Not pecked at by birds etc., unspoiled and unmarked with cuts or diseases.
- Free from toxicity
Abhayamalakeeya Pada
This part of the chapter deals with Rasayana prepared from haritaki (Terminalia chebula) and amalaki (Emblica officinalis) as the name suggests. These are the first two Rasayana mentioned in this chapter denoting their importance.
Haritaki Rasayana (verse 1.1.29-32)
Haritaki pacifies kapha and pitta. It performs anulomana of vata i.e. helps to maintain normal movements of vata. It moves out the accumulated dosha and mala, thus helps to maintain patency and proper functions of srotas. It also activates dhatvagni. Although haritaki is not directly providing nourishment to dhatus (body tissues), but due to to proper function of srotas, removes obstructions and helps the nutrients to reach to the dhatus. Also by activating dhatvagni, it helps in proper conversion of nutrients into dhatus. Because of these actions, haritaki is very important Rasayana.
Amalaki Rasayana (verse 1.1.36-37)
Most of the qualities and actions of amalaki are similar to haritaki. But amalaki is sheeta veerya, whereas haritaki is ushna veerya.
Rasayana in the first Pada
The first part of this chapter mentions six Rasayana, including Brahma Rasayana, Chyavanaprasha, Amalaka Rasayana, and Haritaki Rasayana (a combination of both haritaki and amalaki). The contents and procedures for preparation of each of these Rasayana is mentioned in the text. Commentator Gangadhara has given further details about steps in actual preparation. Apart from the commonly described benefits of Rasayana, at the beginning of the chapter, each Rasayana has got certain specific benefits. A vaidya selects a Rasayana for a person considering mode of action of Rasayana, based on qualities and actions, and based on specific benefits of that Rasayana.
Brahma Rasayana
This Rasayana is prepared with thousand haritaki fruits and three thousand amalaki fruits, with 25 other medicines used for kvatha (decoction) and 14 other medicines used for kalka (in the form of paste). Specially this Rasayana, apart from general benefits of Rasayana, is described as useful for removing tandra (drowsiness), klama ( lassitude), shvasa (dyspnea). It also boosts intelligence and memory. These benefits of this Rasayana, are because it ignites agni, performs digestion of ama, therefore improves the quality of rasa. Also since it eliminates accumulated malas from the body and performs pachana of ama, srotas become clear and patent. Thus, tamoguna is reduced and sattva guna increases.
While the second brahma Rasayana is prepared with a thousand amalaki fruits triturated in the juice of a thousand amalaki fruits. With addition of 23 other medicines and bhasma (specific form which can be absorbed and assimilated in the body) of gold, silver, copper, praval and iron. Because of such ingredients, it specifically provides great physical strength, and also power of indriya (sensory faculty) is enhanced. Also the body develops the capacity to counteract the effects of poisons.
Chyavanaprasha Rasayana
Chyanaprasha is prepared from the pulp of 500 amalaki fruits, with addition of 36 other medicines used for kvatha (decoction) and fine powders of four other medicines added at the end. It is specifically useful for maintaining youth and vigor. It helps to build body tissues in children, old and emaciated persons. Ignites agni and Improves beauty. Also useful in disorders of voice, diseases of chest, heart diseases, and disorders of urinary tract and genital organs.
Diseases from changing lifestyle and importance of Rasayana
The second quarter starts with description of changing lifestyle and the resultant disorders. It is described that with their healthy lifestyle the ancient sages were free from diseases. But diseases originated due to urbanization and thereby changing lifestyle.
This description is even more important in present era, because many of the dietary articles and the activities mentioned here have become common now like more consumption of salt, sour and pungent items, sprouted grains, dried vegetables and meat, sleeping in day time, irregular timings of meals, irregular improper and excessive exercises and physical activities, using unhealthy combinations like milk with salty and sour items, or milk with fruits, continuously affected by anger, grief, greed fear like mental states etc. This results in diseases with laxity in muscles, muscular dystrophies etc., diseases of bone marrow, joint disorders, impotency and infertility and so on.
It is described that by following proper healthy lifestyle and by the use of Rasayana, one can get freedom from such diseases. Therefore, thorough study and application of Rasayana is needed in the present era.
Rasayana in the second pada
In the second quarter 37 Rasayana have been described. The name pranakameeya suggests desire or quest for living i.e. desire for longevity. For this purpose, Rasayana prepared mainly from amalaki are described.
Nagabala Rasayana
As the name suggests provides strength and stability to body tissues. The same method of using nagabala as Rasayana described here is applicable for using 10 other Rasayana enlisted from bala to punarnava.
Bhallataka Rasayana
This is extremely ushna-teekshna due to which it is used in kapha dominant conditions, or where kapha obstructs movements of vata. Also, to remove obstruction in srotas and facilitate conduction and conversions going on in srotas. Bhallataka is also excellent Rasayana for igniting functions of agni. It also increases intelligence, as it removes tamoguna (which is responsible for inhibition). 10 specific formulations of bhallataka are described, which can be used as Rasayana .
Although bhallataka is very potent, it can result in unwanted effects, when improperly used. Therefore, the precautions to be taken while using it, are mentioned in the text.
Rasayana in the third pada
The third quarter is named as Karaprachitiya because the first Rasayana mentioned here is prepared from amalaki fruits plucked by hands. In all 16 Rasayana are described. Apart from rasayanas prepared from amalaki, there is lauhadi rasayana. Special benefits of this Rasayana include increased physical strength, enhanced capacity of indriya (senses), body becomes capable of sustaining injuries and wounds heal quickly. This is because loha (iron) provides bala (strength) to rakta. Also loha being dominated by Prithvi Mahabhuta, provides strength to parthiva body constituents like asthi ( ~ osseous tissue) .
Medhya Rasayana
These four Rasayana enhance intelligence. Yashtimadhu is sheeta, pacifies vata-pitta and maintains normal kapha. It controls rajoguna and increases sattva, resulting in boosting intelligence. Yashtimadhu also nourishes dhatus and ultimately increases shukra and ojas. As explained by commentator Chakrapani, effects on indriya, mana and buddhi are mediated through ojas. Mandukaparni is sheeta and it specially pacifies pitta. It also controls rajoguna and increases sattva. Shankhapushpi is slightly ushna, specially pacifies vata. Shankhapushpi also controls rajoguna and increases sattva. Shankhapushpi nourishes majja dhatu. Whereas guduchi is also slightly ushna, pacifies all three doshas, controls tama and increases sattva. Keeping in mind such peculiarities, specific Rasayana is chosen for a specific person. Many researches have been conducted on these medhya rasayana.[1]
Triphala Rasayana
Triphala a combination of haritaki, amalaki and bibhitaka is one of the most important medicines in Ayurveda. Its an important Rasayana also. Triphala mainly pacifies kapha and pitta. By removing obstruction to its movements, it helps to maintain proper actions of vata. It improves the functions of dhatvagni to digests ama and eliminates abnormally accumulated mala and doshas, therefore makes the srotas clear and patent to enable nutrients to reach dhatus. It also controls meda which helps to maintain balance in all the dhatus, because abnormally increased meda blocks nutrition of other dhatus and produces imbalance.
Shilajatu
Being katu-tikta and ushna, shilajatu pacifies kapha. It also helps in digestion of ama. Therefore, removes obstruction and helps normal movements of vata. It controls formation of meda. Abnormal meda blocks nutrition of other dhatus. Shilajatu, by controlling formation of meda, regulates genesis of all the dhatus. In the conditions originating from ati santarpana, i.e. when dhatus are provided excessive nourishment, but proper transformation of these nutrients in the dhatus is not done, shilajatu is very effective. But in the conditions due to ati apatarpana i.e. when proper nourishment is not available for the genesis of dhatus, shiljatu is not the Rasayana of choice.
The fourth quarter describes mainly two types of Rasayana told by Indra and about soma as Rasayana.
Achara Rasayana (rasayana effects of good conduct)
Another important aspect of the fourth quarter is achara rasayana. Good conduct like speaking truth, non violence, compassion etc. is considered very much important to obtain benefits of any Rasayana described here.
Vaidya
For experts of Ayurveda, the term vaidya is used, which means one having proper knowledge. A vaidya may be of any cast, race etc. by birth, it doesn’t matter. Because it is said, that when he completes his education in Ayurveda, he is as if reborn. He is like guardian of life. Therefore, deserves respect from the society.
A vaidya has to care for the patients as if they were his children or family members. A vaidya, by practicing with compassion towards the ailing, earns much more than wealth. Therefore, a vaidya should not consider treatment as a business. This advice of Charak Samhita holds true even today. Those who serve patients with this attitude, get such benefits from the society, which no other profession can get, and unmatched as compared to wealth.
Contemporary researches
Clinical trials on Rasayana have shown that Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) and Pippali (Piper longum) are effective in the treatment of allergic disorders such as eczema, urticaria, allergic rhinitis, and bronchial asthma; autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or cancer or pulmonary tuberculosis. It provide better and faster relief, prevent recurrences and also improve quality of life.Furthermore, Medhya Rasayana drugs are found effective in stress-induced conditions such as anxiety and insomnia or neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and senile dementia. The findings of all these studies indicate that Rasayana has a definite role to play in the maintenance and preservation of health, and appropriate use of Rasayana can help to bring down the prevalence of many diseases, ultimately reducing health-care burden.[2]
Potential areas for future research
- Rasayana Tantra is one of the Eight important branches of Astanga Ayurveda. It deals with an important category of medicinal and non-medicinal rejuvenative remedies advocated for promotive and preventive health care including retarding aging and promoting longevity. These remedies are claimed to improve the quality of cells and tissues (even the genes) of the body through following mechanisms:
- Direct nutrient effects, acting at the level of rasa
- Digestive and metabolic booster effect, acting at the level of agni
- Promoting micro circulation and tissue perfusion, at the level of srotas
There is a need to develop an appropriate research methodology of assessment of the effect of Rasayana remedies on the above mentioned three levels.
- Clinical assessment of the effect of Rasayana drugs and formulations described by Charak using appropriate biological and therapeutic parameters on clinical trial mode with emphasis on the nutritional effect, anti-aging effect and adaptogenic and immunomodulating effect of this important category of Ayurvedic drugs.
- Architectural study of the concept of trigarbha rasayana, kuti described in Charak Samhita and to examine the science behind this model for future use if found logical and scientific and for further development.
- Attempt to develop a new discipline of Ayurveda geriatrics and immunology through the Rasayana leads available in the Rasayana chapter of Charak Samhita.
Acknowledgement
The English translation presented in this chapter has been abridged from English translation of Caraka Samhita by late Prof. Priyavrata Sharma.
List of researches
- Archana, R. and Namshivayam, A. Antistress effect of Withania somnifera Dunal, J.Ethnopharmacology. 64:91-93, 1999
- Diana I Lurie, Ayurveda and Pharmacogenomics, Guest Editorial Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine ¼:126-128. 2012
- Dwivedi,KK and Singh,RH. A study on the psychiatric symptomsin in geriatric patients and response of Ayurvedic Rasayana therapy. Ph.D. thesis, Kayacikitsa, BHU1997.
- Ghodke, Y., Joshi, K and Patwardhan, B. Traditional medicine to modern pharmacogenomics Ayurveda Prakriti types and CYP2C19 Gene polymorphism associated with the metabolic variability. Evidence based Complementary Alternative Medicine, P 249528, 2011
- Juyal, RC et al. Potential of Ayurgenomics approach in complex trait research: leads from a pilot study on Rheumatoid arthritis. PLoSONE.2012,7/9;Pc45752
- Jayprakash et al. Neuroprotective role of Withania somnifera root extract in mouse model of Parkinsonism. Neurochem. Res.Feb.27,2013
- Kobayama,T.et al Neuritic regeneration and synoptic reconstruction induced by Withanolide-A . British J.Pharmacol.144/7:961-971,2005
- Mahalle, NP et al Association of constitutional types of Ayurveda with cardiovascular risk factors, inflammatory markers and Insulin resistance. J. Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine.2012,3/3.p,157-7
- Rastogi, S, Chiappelli, F. and Singh, RH. Evidence based practice of complementary alternative medicine. Special monograph pp 1-250 Springer publication, Germany 2012
- Rizzo-Sierra, CV. Ayurvedic genomics, constitutional psychology and endocrinology: The missing connection. J. Alternat.Complement.Med.2011, 17(5) :pp 465-8.
- Sharma, PV. History of Medicine in India. Published by Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, India, 1992
- Singh, RH , Integrative Medicine, Choukhamba surbharati publications Varanasi/Delhi, India 2009
- Singh, RH and associates. Advances in Ayurvedic medicine, Research monographs in Five volumes. Choukhamba Vishwa Bharati, Varanasi,.India,2005
- Singh, RH and Rastogi, S. Rasayana Therapy and Rejuvenation. In Evidence based practice of CAM, PP 177-190. Springer, Germany. 2012
- Singh, RH The science behind the concept of Ojas,Ojabala and Vyadhiksamattva. Editorial in Abhinava Dhanvantari vol.1,NO.I PP 17-20, 2014
- Singh, RH, Kayachikitsa vol.I-II, Pubishers Choukhamba surbharati prakashan, Varanasi/Delhi 2005
- Singh, RH, Narsimhamurthy, K.and Singh, Girish. Neuronutrient impact of Ayurvedic Rasayan therapy in brain aging, Biogerontology 2008, 9:360-374,
- Singh, RH. Basic Tenets of Ayurvedic Dietetics and Nutrition. In special monograph Ayurvedic Food science. Pub. Springer USA, 2014.
- Singh, RH. Ayurvediya Samsodhana Chikitsa ,the newer dimensions. Journal of Wiswa Ayurveda Parisad,2015
- Singh, RH. The holistic principles of Ayurvedic medicine. Choukhamba surbharati prakashan, Varanasi/ Delhi 1995
- Udupa, KN and Singh, RH. Science and philosophy of Indian medicine. Baidyanath Ayurveda bhawan Nagpur, India 1980
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References
- ↑ Ray S, Ray A (2015) Medhya Rasayanas in Brain Function and Disease. Med chem 5:505-511. doi: 10.4172/2161-0444.1000309
- ↑ Goyal M. Rasayana in perspective of the present scenario. AYU [serial online] 2018 [cited 2019 Feb 19];39:63-4. Available from: http://www.ayujournal.org/text.asp?2018/39/2/63/250779