Rasachandamshu or Rasaratna Sangraha

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The text 'Rasachandamshu' is a noble compendium of Acharya Shree Datta vaidya (1841). This book is also known as 'Rasaratna sangraha'. Being a guide in Ayurvedic therapeutics, it explains various aspects of Ayurveda in two parts namely Poorva khanda and Uttara khanda. Near about 87 diseases are explained in this text with their patho-physiology, symptomatology and therapeutics. The book gives detail description about 700 formulations. Practical aspects dealt regarding the processing of various Rasashastric drugs make the text unique in its presentation and utility.

The English translation, notes and. appendices makes us to appreciate the text, just by a glance.

Prof. M. S. Krishnarnurthy is working as Head of the Department, Post Graduate Dept. of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Alva's Ayurveda Medical College, Moodbidri (Karnataka). He has the professional experience of more than 13 years in the field of Ayurveda.

He is the awardees of 'Bharatiya Vijnana Parishad Puraskar' (Delhi) in the year 2005 for his service in Ayurvedic academics and resarch achievement (2002-2005). He secured 2nd Rank and Gold medal in Under graduation from Kuvempu University in the year 1997-98. He completed his Post graduation from IPGT & R, Jamnagar (2002) and PhD. from NIA, Jaipur (2008).

The author is the Founder Secretary of Srimuliya Rajathadri Ayurveda Seva Trust(R). Prof. Murthy is the approved PG and PhD. Guide for Bhaishajya Kalpana and Rasashastra by RGUHS, Bangalore and serving as examiner in various Ayurvedic Universities and Colleges.

He has the credit of participation and presentation of papers in more than 25 National and International seminars. The author has published more than 16 scientific articles in Indexed journals and has published more than 3 books.

Deep insight into the original texts is the need of the hour. Many a times the students and even the teaching faculties are satisfied with the reference quoted in some of the articles or text books. Due to this, the priority is given to the references. This appears most pertinent, especially with regards to the pharmaceutical procedures and herbo-mineral formulations. In this connection it is indeed necessary to open up the original texts and understand the theme.

Rasachandamshu is one of the well-known text of Rasashastra. The overall review of the book appears that it has encompassed several formulations of routine utility and quite economic techniques.

Prof. Dr. M.S. Krishnamurthy, head of post-graduation department of Bhaishajya Kalpana of Alva’s Ayurveda medical college, Moodbidri has tried hard to bring out this English translation after good effort and with much dedication. I appreciate his urge of complrtion and perfection in the endeavor which he uundertakes.

I wish, let this noble work be appreciated and benefitted by all.

I congratulate the publishers for undertaking such a valuable task.

I am glad to write the forwarding note on Rasachandansu which is translated by a dynamic scholar of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Klapana of this era. He has daringly completed this task in a specified manner. Simple and lucid language areas have made it so friendly to the readers. The practical substitute and simple modified ways mentioned by the author have decreased the burden for the beginners of Rasashastra.

As we know that this book had been compiled by Shri Duttavaidya in 19th century AD, the author himself has given his family history in the last which shows that he belongs to saraswati Brahmana and lived in Maharashtra. Through this is the latest book on Rasahastra, but many references of this book are found in Rasayogsagara which grows its importance. Initially it has two parts i.e. Poorva Khanda and Uttara Khanda. Generally the pattern of description of material in first part has been followed as per Rasratnasamucchya i.e. Rasa, Maharasa, Uprasa, Sadharanarsa, Rajavarta, Sindura, Tankana, Shankha, Shukti, Samudraphena, Bola, Guggulu, Navaratna, Visha, Upavisha, Dhatu Yantra, Puta and at last some Paribhasha,. Mana etc. are explained. Different methods of Shodhana and Marana have been found described along with some special versions which were popular at the time in a systematic manner in this book.

In second, part treatment portion has been found described starting from Vamana na dVirechana. Various herbal formulations like Lepa, Raila, Vartis are also found along with different Rasayogas like Khalivya, Parpati, Kupipakwa abd well described in this text. From the disease point of view, most of the sufferings of that time peiod are dicussed authentically in this compendium. Thus, it is found that book covers all the relevant portion of Rasahastra in detail and Rasa formulations have been given prime importance.

I personally congrulate prof. Dr. Krishnamurthy for this task to provide it in English, version, which will be fruitful for further teaching and research purposes, I look forword for more such fruitful works from Dr. Murthy in near future in near future also.