Ashtasamskara, Ashta-samskara, Aṣṭasaṃskāra: 5 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Ayurveda
In Buddhism
1. General definition
See also
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Introduction:

Ashtasamskara means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

The Sanskrit term Aṣṭasaṃskāra can be transliterated into English as Astasamskara or Ashtasamskara, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)

Source: Wisdom Library: Rasa-śāstra

Aṣṭasamskāra (अष्टसम्स्कार) refers to the “eight steps of purification” used in Rasaśāstra to process and purify mercury (commonly termed rasa). There is also a list of eighteen saṃskāras extending this purification process and prepares for internal use, in order to transform the human body.

Source: Academia.edu: Ayurveda and Pharmaceutics (rasashastra)

Aṣṭasamskāra of pārada (eight detoxification techniques for mercury) are mandatory before mercury is used in the pharmaceutical preparations.

Svedana (fomentation),
Mardana (grinding),
Mūrchana (swooning),
Utthāpana (elevating),
Pātana (sublimation),
Rodhana (coagulation),
Niyamana (restraining),
Dīpana or Saṃdīpana (stimulation)

These processes render mercury fit for internal use. These ritualistic methods of detoxification are believed to be ascribing magical effects to pārada. More than three weeks of time is needed to detoxify the mercury. So, the production of rasauṣadas was a time consuming and arduous process.

Source: CCRAS: Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia of India, Appendix I

Aṣṭasaṃskāra of Pārada was prescribed in Ayurvedic classics for purification and to increase the therapeutic activities.

The Aṣṭasaṃskāra are:

Svedana
Mardana
Mūrchana
Utthāpana
Pātana (Ūrdhva, Adha and Tiryak)
Rodhana / Bodhana
Niyāmana
Dīpana / Sandīpana

Source: Ancient Science of Life: Critical Review of Rasaratna Samuccaya

Aṣṭasaṃskāra (अष्टसंस्कार) refers to “eight basic processing steps of mercury”, and mentioned in the Rasaratnasamuccaya: a 13th century C.E. alchemical treatise, authored by Vāgbhaṭa, is a useful compilation related to preparation and properties of drugs of mineral and metallic origin.—Explanation of various units of measurements and pārada-aṣṭasaṃskāra (eight basic processing steps of mercury) are mentioned.

context information

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

In Buddhism

General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgraha

Aṣṭasaṃskāra (अष्टसंस्कार) or simply Saṃskāra refers to the “eight practices for the abandoning of conditions” as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 119). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., aṣṭa-saṃskāra). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.

Relevant text

Search found 4 books and stories containing Ashtasamskara, Ashta-samskara, Ashtasamskaras, Aṣṭa-saṃskāra, Asta-samskara, Aṣṭasaṃskāra, Astasamskara, Aṣṭasamskāra; (plurals include: Ashtasamskaras, samskaras, Ashtasamskarases, saṃskāras, Aṣṭasaṃskāras, Astasamskaras, Aṣṭasamskāras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Rationale of ashtasamskaras of parada – a review (part 2) < [2017: Volume 6, May issue 5]

Rationale of ashtasamskaras of parada – a review (part 1) < [2017: Volume 6, May issue 5]

Book Review: "Parada Vijnaniyam" - Secrets of Parada and Rasayana Guide < [2023: Volume 12, June issue 9]

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Potential concepts of rasashastra < [2017, Issue VIII August,]

The role of different media for the urdhva patana of parada < [2021, Issue 11, November]

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A study of psoriasis and the healing property of a new chemical compound < [Volume 7 (issue 3-4), Jan-Jun 1988]

Review of Rasaratna Samuccaya: A Comprehensive Text on Indian Alchemy < [Volume 36 (issue 1), Jul-Sep 2016]

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Pharmaceutical study of Triguna and Shadguna Balijarita Makaradhwaja < [Volume 33 (3); 2012 (Jul-Sep)]

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