Publication

Abstract : Ascetic minds have always been wreathed by an intense yearning to seek and attain the ultimate goal during the Vedic period, which spanned from approximately 1500 to 600 bce. This wave of spiritual vibrancy struck every science developed in those days, and Rasaśāstra (Indian alchemy) is not an exception. Enigmatic knowledge emanated out of the trailblazers of this science, called Rasaśiddhas, could be circumscribed into the two desiderata – Dehavidyā and Lohavidyā. Conversion of the lower metals into higher metals such as gold and silver is generally called as Lohavāda or Rasavidyā, commonly identified as alchemy. Dehavāda emanated as an aid to attain Mokṣa by the achievement of perfect health and thus to lead a long life without being afflicted with diseases and using this body as a tool for the accomplishment of the ultimate goal of life. Cognizance arising out of inkling from Rasaśiddhas revolves around the vibrancy of the liquid metal Rasa (mercury), and Rasa being a startling remedy for many of the ailments, had paved the pristine, untrodden ways. With a treasure trove of many formulations, this aspect of Rasas̍āstra (Indian alchemy) developed as a separate science and was later adopted by Āyurveda as a healing bounty. Many off-shoots from the inexplicable metal Rasa, such as Rasasindūra and Makaradhvaja, had bestowed explicit emanations to omnifarious maladies of mankind. In this twenty-first century also, Rasaśāstra, an Ayurvedic discipline centered on metal and mineral-based formulations, offers potential therapeutic approaches for managing lifestyle disorders.