From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Rasa shastra
Rasa shastra
Rasa shastra means the “science of mercury”.
Rasa is a word derived from Sanskrit which has sev-
eral meanings, including:
1. "Taste", as in "Rasyate aaswadyate iti rasa".
2. "Juice", as in "Rasati shariire aasu prsarati it Rasa".
3. "First material formed after digestion, or liquids
under the transportation system of the body like
plasma, chyle, lymph etc.", as in "Rasati
aharahargachhati iti Rasa".
4. "Material which is capable of engulfing and
consuming all metals" (i.e., mercury), as in "Rasanaat
Sarva dhatuunam Rasaityabhdhiiyate".
According to the traditions, mercury, after various kinds
of processing known as sanskaras, yields a "bhasma," a
sacred residue that may be used as a medicine. (Pro-
cessed mercury was also used in alchemical attempts to
convert base metals to higher metals.) In this context the
metal, once converted, was to be so light as to float if
sprinkled on water (varitara), and its particles so small as
to vanish between the lines of the palm and become in-
visible (rekha purnata). Creation of very small particles
of metals and minerals is the basic approach of rasa shas-
tra. Rasa shastra uses "fusion" mixtures of these parti-
cles, accomplished with the help of mercury, of various
plant materials, and of heating processes. Such mixtures A statue depicting Nagarjuna at the Samye Ling Monastery,
have other, non-therapeutic uses. Dumfriesshire, Scotland
Rasa Shastra texts classify the poisons, metals, min-
erals, and diamonds and gemstones in various categories,
that when it compounded with any herb it heightens the
and describe their processing (sanskaras) to allegedly
medicinal properties. Mercury is also said to give a firm
generate therapeutic properties and make them less tox-
physique, a stable mind, and to be the best destroyer of
ic to the body.
disease. Furthermore, It is considered holy because it is
In the Vedas, gold and silver had a ritualistic use. Rasa
the semen of Lord Shiva.
Shastra is believed to have developed and to have come
into its proper existence, including its scientific classi-
fication and documentation, in roughly the 6th and 7th Categories and Properties of
century. The Buddhist sage known as Nagarjuna is con-
sidered to be the first to use mercury for its alchemic
Minerals
purposes. He is quoted as saying "siddhe rase karisyaami There are two main categories of Rasa Shastra, Alchemy
nirdaridryamyaham jagat": "I am experimenting with and Rasayana. Alchemy involves turning mercury into
the mercury to eliminate poverty from this world." gold. Rasayana is the rejuvenation of the mind and body.
In Ayurvedic medicine, the "science" of working with It is said in rasa texts that metallurgy is a science which
minerals is named after Rasa (mercury). Traditionally it was taught by god Himself. Furthermore, it is also stated
is believed that when mercury is properly prepared, it that mercurial operations are successful by the grace of
balances all three doshas (humours of the body), has a God. Consequently, Rasa Shastra is a very spiritual sci-
soothing effect on the body, prevents disease and old age. ence with many facets to see and understand.
It is claimed to nourish all the vital parts of the body and Just as herbs have their Rasa so do minerals. For ex-
increases the strength of the eyes. It is a vrisya (aphro- ample, gold is madhura (sweet) and kasaya (astringent)
disiac), balya (tonic), snigdha (anointing), rasayana (re- in rasa, snigdha (oily) and laghu (light) in guna, sita (cold)
juvenative), vrana sodhana and ropana (wound cleaner in virya, and madhura in vipak. It’s actions are visanghna,
and healer), and krimighna (antimicrobial). it is believed varnya, rasayana, brimhana, rucikara, dipana, medhya,
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Rasa shastra
smriti vardhana, and it is the best aphrodisiac. It checks may cause sariratapa (burning sensation in the body),
wasting of the body tissue, improves body complexion, vidbandhata (constipation), sukranasa (loose of semen),
and acts as an antimicrobial, and antipyretic. Silver is balanasa (loss of strength and longevity), destroys sari-
kasaya (astringent) and amla (sour). It gives strength to apusti (growth of body tissues), and produces many dis-
the brain, heart and stomach. It is indicated for bhrama eases. Improperly purified shilajit gives rise to inflam-
(vertigo) and unmade (insanity), palpitations, pre-ejacu- mation, hysteric fits, giddiness, loss of appetite, hemor-
lation, and mada (intoxication). rhage, and constipation.
Importance of Rasa Shastra in
Modern Ayurvedic Practice
Rasa Shastra is a very individualized system of medicine
that requires immense proficiency to be practiced safely
and effectively. Perhaps the most important factor in the
efficacy of a treatment is the nature of the practitioner.
It is said that one must first have undergone a thorough
personal and spiritual purification before the ability to
work with the transformative effects of herbal and
metallic remedies is attained. Rasa Shastra is not easily
adjusted to address the health needs of large numbers
of people, but is capable of providing access to the most
powerful healing tools of the plant and mineral king-
doms.
Criticism
Modern medicine and toxicology hold that mercury is
toxic. Its toxicity is inherent, and not due to the presence
of impurities. While mercury does have anti-microbial
properties, its toxicity does not warrant the risk of using
it as a health product in most circumstances. Some forms
of mercury are less toxic than others (organic mercury
being considered more toxic).[1][2]. In 2005, 2006 and
Gold is an effective antimicrobial and antipyretic
2008, Health Canada issued an advisory warning of the
dangers of using Indian herbal products contaminated
Charaka says that no poison can be sustained in the
with mercury, lead and arsenic, and listed several serious
body of people who have ingested gold because the pres-
impacts on health the consumption of these products
ence of gold destroys the effects of all types of poisons
may have. Potential effects included kidney, brain and
especially Garavisa. One of many minerals used is Lapis
liver damage, cancer, and reproductive damage.[3][4][5]
lazuli, which produces feelings of well being while ex-
pelling all doshas (the 3 human humors) from the body.
References
Purification [1] http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp46.html
[2] http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./
Rasa Shastra states that mercury goes through purifi-
temp/~jcaJ1Z:2
cation before they are made into medicine. The proce-
[3] http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/
dures are called saṃskāras for purification and assimi-
advisories-avis/_2005/2005_09-eng.php
lation. For mercury, there are 18 samskaras in the ex-
[4] http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/
treme method. Shodana purports to remove the harmful
advisories-avis/_2008/2008_73-eng.php
substances or impurities present minerals or drugs that
[5] http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/300/
would cause toxic effects or diseases in the body. Listed
8/915
in rasa literature are disorders associated with impurities
Rasaratnasamucchaya of Vagbhata
in each substance. For example, “unpurified and not
properly purified incinerated silver if used internally
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Rasa shastra
Categories: Ayurveda
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