Vaidya Cintamani: Bhesajottama Grantha, A Great Treatise of Best Recipes by Sri Vallabhacarya

Foreword

I am very happy to learn that the great treatise entitled Vaidya Chintamani written by Vallabhacharya at 15th A.D., has been edited and translated by Dr. K. Rama Chandra Reddy, Department of Rasa Shastra, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences.

The system of Ayurveda, although at present mainly con- fined to India, had a much wider recognition and prevalence in the past, since the time start of Human civilization and Vedic period. This system has undergone many vicissitudes in the course of its long and cherished history. Moreover, it still remains the mainstay of medical relief to the majority of the people in this country. The extensive use of herbs, minerals and animal products has recently attracted large International attention towards Ayurveda. In the modern context it is necessary to standardize the formulations for the purpose of maintaining their quality, reproducibility and efficacy.

The Vaidya Chintamani, a treatise of Ayurveda which was originated from Andhra Pradesh, incorporates very significant formulations of Ayurveda. The present edited and translated exposition of Vaidya Chintamani not only contains botanical, chemical and scientific nomenclature of all the ingredients of different formulations but also explains the method of preparation, dose and therapeutic uses of Ayurvedic medicines. I hope that this book will not only influence the readers, but the researchers will also take benefit of this.

I, on behalf of Banaras Hindu University, extend my hearties congratulation to everyone associated with publication of this book and convey my best wishes for successful publication of the book.

Preface

Vaidya Cintamani written by Yallabhacarya or Vallabhendra is an important great treatise of Ayurveda originated and popular in Andhrapradesh (South India). It is a famous book of Ayurveda also fallowed in various other parts of the country apart from its popularity in Andhrapradesh.

It is found that, many of the Vaidyas practicing Ayurveda in the rural areas of Andhrapradesh are some what religiously following the medicines and therapeutic procedures mentioned in Vaidya Cintamani and they keep a copy of a Vaidya Cintamani with them.

Just like Caraka Samhita, Susruta Samhita, Bhavaprakasa and Sarangadhara Samhita, the Vaidya Cintamani fulfils all the components which are essential for Ayurvedic physicians. Because of this reason by following this book the complete practice of Ayurveda can be done by Ayurvedic physicians 'in those days. As it is stated in this book This book includes many large number of Ayurvedic formulations with the details of their ingredients, method of preparation, mode of administration, anupana and dose etc. details are very elaborative. Because of this reason it is also incorporated in the authoritative book list of Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 [(No-35, The first schedule, Section-S a) A-2-Ayurvedic and Siddha systems]. This indicates the importance of formulations mentioned in this. book.

Many number of formulations belonging to Vaidya Cintamani like Mahakanaka sundara Rasa, Rajamrgankha Rasa, Sutika bharana Rasa, Swasa kuthara Rasa, Vata Raksasam etc. are incorporated in the official Pharmacopoeia i.e. Pharmacopoeia in Ayurveda, Part-I, Indian Medicine Department, Govt. of Andhrapradesh.

Apart from this another important Formulary i.e. Vaidya yogaratnavali (Formu- lary of Ayurvedic medicines) incorporates the formula of Draksadi cicma, Ardrakandava lehya, Swarnakravyadi Rasa, Krmimudgara Rasa, Rajamrgankha Rasa, Sannipata bhairava Rasa (Maha), Sidakuthara Rasa, Siuikabharana Rasa, Svarna kravyadi Rasa, Swasa kuthara Rasa, Vata raksasa Rasa, Vanga bhasma from Vaidya Cintamani.

The product information booklet (Therapeutic index), Ayurvedic pharmacy, T.T.D., Tirupati also incorporates the formula of Usiradi curna from Vaidya cintamani.

Therapeutic index of Manphar Ayurvedic drugs Pvt. Ltd., Vijayawada also incorporates the formula of Aswagandha Rasayana, Avipattikara curna, Citrakadivati, Yogaraja guggulu, Simhanada guggulu, Bhringiimalaka taila, Ingelika (Hingula) bhasma, Loha bhasma, Tamra bhasma, Vanga bhasma, Icchabhedi Rasa, Krimikuthara Rasa, Krimimudgara Rasa, Bhedi Jwarankusa Rasa, Bilwa taila, Gandhaka taila, Patoladi kasayam, Candraprabha vati, Maricyadhi curnam, Bhallataka haritakyadi, Rasnadi kasayam, Yatari Rasa, Erandadi gutika, Sitari Rasa, Aditya Rasa, Kravyadi Rasa, Triphaladi guggulu from Vaidya Cintamani.

Therapeutic index of Sri Venkateswara Ayurveda Nilayam Ltd., Chintaluru, East Godavari Dt., A.P. also incorporates the formula of Mahakanakasindura Rasa, Swarnasuryavarti, Navalohacintamani, Kanakabalasuryodaya, Swarnakantavallabha Rasa, Kant avallabha-Rasa, Yyadhiharana Rasa, Premaha candrakala Rasa, Yatavidhwamsana Rasa, Sodhariloha, Paityantaka Rasa, Sulakuthara Rasa, Kravyada Rasa, Hikkantaka Rasa, Yatagajankusa Rasa, Agnitundivati, Pradaracintamani, Rajahpravartanivati, Siaikavinoda Rasa, Sukhavirecana vati, Bolabaddha vati, Hingwadi vati, Sitajwarankusam, Swarna bhasma, Vanga bhasma, Silajit bhasma, Madhusnuhirasayana, Mahakhandadraka lehya, Vatari taila, Bhrngiimalaka taila, Aswagandha curna, Rasothamadilepam, Yranantakalepom from Vaidya Cintamani.

Therapeutic index of Imis pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., Undavalli, Guntur, A.P. also incorporates the formula of Garudanjanam Maha paithyantaka Rasa, Laghu vataraksasam, Sula kutharam, Swasa kuthara Rasa, Suvarna kravyiula Rasa, Pravala bhasma, Rajata bhasma, Vanga bhasma, from Vaidya Cintamani.

Another important famous book of Andhra region i.e. Basava Rajiyam mentions lot of references from Vaidya Cintamani. The author of Basava Rajiyam, i.e. Nilakantha Basava Rajic starts the Basava Rajiyam with the same Mangalacarana, which was already mentioned as Mangalacarana of Vaidya Cintamani. As Shri Basava Raju mentioned that, he has taken references from previous books under which Vaidya Cintamani also one of the important book (As mentioned in the Sloka Apart from this it is also evident that, many number of formulations belonging to Vaidya Cintamani are mentioned in Basava Rajiyam.

Thus indicates the popularity of Vaidya Cintamani in Andhra region as it is widely referred and adopted by many practitioners of South India.

The author of Vaidya Cintamani i.e. Vallabhacarya proved himself an eminent scholar of Ayurveda with special reference to Bhaisajya Sastra by mentioning a number of efficacious formulations, therapeutic procedures, dietic advises and restrictions for the purpose of curing various disease conditions. I consider this book a perfect rendering. Vaidva Cintamani is a work originally” found in Sanskrit written by Indrakantha Yallabhachdrya, though this work is in Sanskrit, it is found that the author belongs to Andbrapradesh. It can be considered that the Vaidya Cintamani as a bilingual work and the contents was presented both in Sanskrit and Telugu language. The script of the treatise is Telugu, where as the language of the Sloka is Sanskrit. This statement is strengthened by finding the popularity of this book in Andhrapradesh. At the same time many of the terminology belonging to Telugu language are mentioned in this book e.g. Goranta for Henna.

Vaidya Cintamani was written in 15^th A.D. The author of this book is Indrakantha Vallabhacarya or Vallabha or Vallabhendra and he was the son of Sri Amareswara bhatta in Andhra Pradesh. Author is famous by the name of Yallabhacarya. The author of this book i.e. Vallabhacarya or Vallabha or Vallabhendra was considered as a great Ayurveda Vaidya of his times in the history of Ayurveda. This statement is suported by below mentioned Sloka.

Contents