Bhavaprakasa Nighantu: Indian Materia Medica of Sri Bhavamisra

The Nighantu literature is as ancient as ayurveda. It is one of the important subject in the study of dravyaguna Vijnana. One among such literature is Bhavprakasha written by Bhavamishra in 16th century AD., Which is considered as modern Period. Bhavaprakasha consists of three pars. Purvakhanda, Madhyamakhnada and Uttrakhanda. In Uttrakhanda Ausadha dravya, their snagrahakala, pratinidhi dravay, ahara dravya etc. Has been included. This portion of the text is popularity known as Bhavprakasa Nighantu.

In this work, the topics of Nighatntu portions are translated into English language. The Sanskrit terminologies are retained as it is in the original sloka. Here the meaning of the synonyms are given, so that the ecological factors morographical characters , actions of the substance etc. may be understood easily. The morphological features of each dravya has been given as it in the floars, because the students who join Ayurvedic curses are science students who have studies botany.

In the CCIM syllabus of Dravyaguna vijnana for BAMS Course 2013 , Bhavprakasa Nighantu is includes in part – B (16). This work will be useful for the students, teachers and Pg Student of Ayurveda.

Dr. D. Shantkumar Lucas, is a well known personality in the Ayurvedic fraternity of India and abroad. For the last 40 years . He hails from of doctors of Western system. Most of them were missionaries from India and abroad , for the last 40 years . He hails from a family of doctors of western system. Most of them were doctor missionaries from India to other countries. The author is a freak in the family of Lucas to study Graduate Course of Indian Medicine, an integrated course with Ayurveda and Western system of Medicine. He was born on 10th of August 1941 at Banglore. Did GCIM course from Taranath Ayurveda Vidyapeethas, Belly and selected by Karnataka public service Commission as medical From Karnataka Health Services to be deputed for Pg studies in Ayurveda at BHU. Completed MD (Ay.) Dravyaguna under the guidance of prof. P. V. Sharma in 1971. Then Worked as lecture , Asst. Prof. Professor and Principal of Govt. Ayurvedic Medical College , Banglore and retired in 19999 . From 1999 worked as Prof., P.G. Dravyaguna Deptt. At Aln rao Memorial Ayurveda college, Koppa, till 2006. He was the first Dean of Factulty of Ayurveda, RGUHS in Karnataka, Banglore. He was member and chairman of various academic bodies of Banglore and mysore University, RGUHS, Banglore. HE was worked as Ayurvedic Physician , Dubai Herbal and treatment Centre, Govt. of Dubai. Recognition of his services in ayuvedic education, RAV, new Delhi, has awarded Fellow of Rashtriya ayurveda Vidhyapeetha (FRAV) in 2004.

Presented about 100 scientific and research papers in various seminars, conferences and workshops in India abroad . Authored Dravyaguna Vijnana, Vol.I & II and An Introduction Nightantu’s of Ayurveda in English languages.

It is a great pleasure to write the foreword of the English Translation of Bhavapraksha Nighantu by prof. & Dr. D. S. Lucas of Banglore. He is a versatile writing of Aurveda books in English Which are very popular amongst the non- Hindi speaking areas . He has done a good job by fulfilling the demand . He has not only translated the Sanskrit text but given regarding the controversial drugs. The most important thing which he was done is the English translation of the Sanskrit Names of synonyms. IT is the basis of ayurvedic Pharmacognosy which is essential for the correct identification of drugs.

I wish he should work for many years to translate books for the students.

I Congratulate Sri Sunil Kumar gupta and Sri Ashok Kumar gupta of the Publisher for publishing such useful and good books.

Bhavprakasa is one important classical work of Ayurveda. It is written by Bhavamisra the son of Latkan Misra. The Date of Bhamisra the son of Latkan Misra. The date of Bhavmisra is between 15th and 17th century A.D. therefore the date of Bhavaprakasha Nighantu is placed in 16th century A.D. Julius Joly in his work’ India Medicine ‘syas that a manuscript on Bhavaprakasa dated 1558 A.D. is in Tubian , West Germany now Germany . professor Priya Vrata Sharma of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, a renowned Ayuvedic scholar , mainly in the subject of Dravyaguna, says that the oldest manuscript on Bhavaprakasa dated samvastsra 1722 corresponding to 1665 A.D. is available on the Oriental in the Library , Jammu. Bhavaprakasa is considered to be written in modern period and said to be a link between works of medieval period and modern period. The Nighantu portion of Bhavaprakasa is commonly followed by the Physicians , teacher and student of Dravyaguna. As there is dearth of this in English language I have translated in English for the easy understanding of the subject in his modern days. To Know further details for the easy understanding of the subject in this modern days. To Know further details of Bhavaprakasa Nighantu ‘an Introduction to nighantu of ayurveda’ written by the same author may be reffered.

The meaning of the different synonyms of the dravya mentioned in the sloka has been explained, so that the importance of the dravya and morphalogical character of the dravya etc., may be understood. The scientific botanical identification of every dravya is given, so that the students of modern days, who have studied science subjects may understand and identity the drug easily. I have avoided giving literary translation in English for the sanskrit terminologies, because some times it may not convey the exact meaning.

I was encouraged translate this work in English in the late 1972 , by Professor K.R. Srikantamurthy , in the Govt. Ayurvedic Medical college, Banglore. Then I was transfered to college at Mysore and due to other commitments I Could not carry out his work. I extend my sincere thanks to him for having sown the seed to write this book. I think Dr. Kran Goud, Principal and Dr. Venkatashamaiah, Medical Superintendent of sri Kalabaireshwara college Library for references. I think Mer. Saish, Librarian of the college for helping me is this work . I extend my thanks to dr. Malahi Professor, sri sri Ayuvedic Medical College, Kanakapura , Dr. B.r. Lalitah Proffer Govt. ayurvedic Medial college , Banglore and Dr. Priya R. Shettigian , ALN Ayuvedic medical college , Koppa and all other well wishers for their kind help in this work.

I thank my beloved spouse Smt. Grace Vanajakshi Lucas BA, B.Rd., asst . Mistress (retd.), Govt. boys fort (old) High school, Banglore; and my sons M. Ajoy Lucas, BA, DCSE and Kiran Lucas, Bsc. Manager , Royal Scotland Bank, Nattingham, England for their moral support and encouragement during work.

I am extremely grateful to my revered teacher ‘ Padmashree’) Prof. K.C. chunekar sir, Retd. Prof. Deptt. Of dravyaguna , B.H.U., Varanasi for blessing with foreword to this book. My sincere thanks are due to sri sunil Guptaji of Chaukambha Vishbharati, Varanasi for kindly accepting for DTP Typing , setting , printing and publishing this work.