Rasa Prakasha Sudhakara of Yashodhara Bhatta

Dr. D. Seetarama Kishore completed his under graduation from vaagde-vi Ayurvedic medical college and hospital, Warangal, Telangana, in year 2007-2013 and post graduation in bhaishajya kalpana from Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara Ayurveda College and Hospital Hassan, Karnataka, in the year 2013-16. He attended 11 seminars, presented 4 oral and 2 poster presentations At national seminars, Awarded best paper for oral presentation in national Level seminar conducted at K.V.G Ayurvedic Medical College, Sullia, Karnataka. Published 11 articles in different journals. Contributed essential yogas in a book Titled Tvachyam published by Amrutam publication in the year 2016.

Dr. Shobitha Madhur completed her under graduation form Sri Sri College of Ayurvedic Science and Research, Banglore, Karnataka, in the year 2007-2013 and At present a final year research scholar in Rasasthastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana Speciality, in Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara Ayurvedia College and Hospital Hassan, Karnataka. She has attended 8 Seminars and presented 3 oral presentations in national level seminars. Awarded best paper for oral presentation In national level seminar conducted at K.L.E. Ayurvedic college, Belgaum. Published 5 articles in different journals. She was one among the rank holders (7th Rank) in RGUHS University in 2008-09(2nd Prof B.A.M.S)

Dr. Janaki K.V.compleud her Undergraduation from Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara Ayurvedic medical college and hospital, Hassan, Karnataka, in the year 2009-2015 and at present second year research scholar in Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana speciality in Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara Ayurveda College and Hospital Hassan, Karnataka, She has attended 2 seminars and presented I oral and I poster presentation Published 3 articles in different journals. She was one among the rank holder of R.G.U.H.S (6th rank in shareera rachana).

Literature is the base of all the sciences and in Ayurveda it is a pillar where vast treatises are present.

Many books have been translated in Hindi to cater to the needs of readers and knowledge seekers and now-a-days into English as it has a larger section of the student community to be benefited. Rasashastra is a subject that deals with Indian alchemy, and is an essence of Ayurveda Pharmaceutics. Many books are present that looks for a critical view and translation and in an attempt for the same the book Rasa Prakasha Sudhakara has been translated into English. A detailed explanation of Ashtadasha samskaras, purification and properties of mineral drugs, 100 rasa yogas in different diseases and many other literatures can be appreciated in this treatise.

It gives me immense pleasure to introduce this work for the benefit of the readers. I hope that this will be highly appreciated and accepted by the scholars of Rasashastra.

Foreword

Yashodara the author of Rasapraksaha sudhakara is considered to be a doyen of Rasa shastra, The mercurial system. Infact, he has brought into use kacakupi-the glass bottle for the first time in the preparation of Raw sindura for which he used valuka yantra. Many of the techniques of purification, incineration and compounding of rasa drugs mentioned in this text are unique and practical oriented.

The method adopted in explaining the herbal drugs is considered to be very systematic. The Kautuka techniques for delaying the seminal ejaculation etc., and also making gold, silver, pearl and coral bead are of some interest to the zealots of Rasa shastra.

With the advent of introduction to English medium into the learning of Ayurveda, there arouse felt need for anglicising the Sanikrit works has picked up the momentum.

The translators, though with tender experience ventured to bring this valuable book into English, they deserve encouragement. Hope this will serve as a hand book to the students, teachers, and practitioners of Rasa shastra.

Rasashastra (Indian alchemy) was popular by 8th centuary A.D which forms the basic unit of Ayurvedic pharmaceutics. Abundant literatures are available in form of Sanskrit texts, containing the matter pertaining to preparation of drugs from metal and mineral origin. There are many literatures which give knowledge about Rasashastra in detail. Rasaprakasha Sudhakara is one among them. Yashodhara Bhatta, the author of "Rasaprakasha Sudhakara" has explained the concepts of rasashstra in this book with the help of 13 chapters. This book is useful for both pharmaceutical and Therapeutic purpose.

Panda is base of Rasashastra. Thus the author has given more importance to it by explaining paradothpathi, parada shodhana and ashtadasha samskaras in detail.

Though. It is difficult to control the movement of liquid metal i.e. parade, book has details of it (with the help of 4 bandhas).

For the first time, process of incinerating parada with a special procedure in kacha kupi and valuka yantra along with its indication has been explained.

Shodhana (purification), manna (incineration) and gunas (properties) of dhathus, 8 maharasas and 8 uparasas are also explained in detail.

Nava Ratna (precious stones) names and their guna, dosha, shodhana, marana and drutikarana has been explained.

A detailed compilation of ingredients and indication of 100 rasayogas which are useful in different diseases has been explained.

Apart from these, names of some special medications like divya oushadhies, rasa oushadhies, maha oushadhies and siddha oushadhies are mentioned.

To conduct all these procedures the basic unit is instrument. Hence author has specified about yantras. mushas. koshti and putas.

A chapter has been dedicated for the explanation of methods to convert the lower metals to higher metal. A special chapter on aphrodisiac formulations can be found in this book.

We are happy to bring out the English version of Rasaprakasha Sudhakara. This translation work is for the benefit of students, for easy understanding and accessibility. Hope it serves the need.

**Contents and Sample Pages**