Rasendra Sara Sangraha of Sri Gopala Krishna Bhatt

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Rasendra Sara Sangraha is one of the popular classics of Rasasastra complied by Srikrisna Gopala Bhatt of 15th century A.D. Over 600 herbomineral formulations have been described in the next besides few pure herbal formulations. It gives clear vision on mercury and its allied metals and minerals in respect of good and bad qualities, purifications, incineration and various methods of preparations for the good manufacturing techniques in-order to get the maximum therapeutic efficacy.

A very important principle found in this classic stating the “purgation therapy” prior to actual medication in particular for rasausadhies. The tested as well as trusted formulations which were well experienced by the great scholars have been incorporated in this text to treat approximately sixty diseases including General medicine, dermatology, gynaecology, E.N.T. paediatrics and Toxicological diseases. A great emphasis has been focused on rejuvenation and aphrodisiac formulations with a view to promote strong immunity and healthy progency.

A good number of appendixes are added to this classic for better understanding of the subject in depth by Dr. G. Prabhakara Rao an English translator and commentator of this work. A simple and systematic presentation of the formulation with modern measurements and incorporation of dual index are few contributions of this translation.

Dr. G. Prabhakara Rao born on 01-07-1964 to the parents Vaidya Sri Gonugunta Ramanaiah & Sitharamulamma at Botlagudur village Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh, India; did his BAMS from Dr. N. R. S. Govt. Ayurvedic College, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh and both M.D. (Ayu) Ph.D. (Ayu) with specialization in Rasa shastra from IMS, BHU. He is presently working as Chief Medical Officer (NFSG) at Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) (under Ministry of Labor and Employment, GOI), New Delhi. He was the best scholar throughout his academics. His direct and indirect mentor-ship helped many students whose-ever preparing for ayurvedic post graduate/competitive examinations through his books. He received many awards namely few, Dhanwantari award, Pt. Ramnarayana Sharma memorial award, Gold medal, Achayra Nagarjuna Silver Medal etc., He authored 15 books and many scientific articles on ayurveda in various national and international journals and delivered many lectures at various platforms. He has many contributions to the field of Ayurveda through his writings. Delivered talks on Ayurveda in All India radio, Television channels and articles on Ayurveda are published in News papers. He is the contributing expert for many of the workshops organized by Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth, New Delhi. His clinical expertise helped many ailing patients. In to, his multidimensional outlook helped different stakeholders of Ayurveda through his lectures, writings, expertise suggestions, visionary goals etc.

Rasa shastra is one of the most important branches of Ayurveda from medevial period to till date. Rasacikitsa (Treatment with mercurial compounds) is superior due to its unique advantages viz. low dose schedule, fast acting, convenient dosage forms without adverse effects, complete remission and non-recurrence of the disease and even useful in incurable diseases. There are many Rasa classics found in Ayurvedic literature in which Rasendra Sara Sangraha is an important classic belongs to 14th century A.D. written by Sri Gopala Krisna Bhatt.

Rasendra Sara Sangraha consists of five chapters viz. Prathama adhyaya, virekadhikara, Balaroga cikitsa and Rasayana – Vajikarana adhikara as seen in previous editions of different translators. The first chapter deals with properties, purification and incineration etc. of Rasa, uparasa and dhatu etc. The second chapter entitled “Virekadhikara” deals with the formulations related to virecana (purgation therapy) followed by treatment of Jvara to sutika roga. This gives a scope to treat various diseases with good number of formulations in general Ayurvedic practice. The third chapter deals with the treatment of Balaroga and fourth one is related to toxicology. The fifth chapter deals with the formulations of rasayana (rejuvenation) and vajikarana (Aphrodisiacs)

Virecana therapy prior to actual administration of drugs in-order to promote the better absorption of the drugs is one of the contributions of this text. Maximum number of pharmaceutical procedures are incorporated in-order to prepare the drugs very effective and nontoxic. Treatment for more than sixty diseases have been described in the text seems to be more common in general practice even today also.

The name of the first chapter although is not found in the original text, I feel the name “Rasadhikara” is aptly suitable as it deals with Rasa, uparasa etc. hence the same is incorporated in the text. Looking into prime importance to purgation therapy prior to administration of actual drug therapy it has been separated from the other diseases and their treatment. Each specific disease is focused as main chapter in-order to easy understanding and systematic presentation, without altering the sequence of the content.

In this text near about 600 herbomineral compounds, 35 herbal compounds have been described to treat more than sixty diseases which include all the specialties of Ayurveda. Metric system of weights and measurements is used in formulations in place of ancient system for better compliance. Above all, a good number of appendexes and dual index (Reference as well as page number) are few salient features of this book. I hope, this book will be highly useful for under-graduates, post-graduates of Rasa shastra, Ayurvedic drug-manufacturers, teachers, practioners and researches.