Rasa and Gandhaka—The Base of all Medicines

In the third Act, Gada (heart disease) is metaphorically presented as a spy entering the city of Jīva.

Āyurveda utilizes the healing properties of metals, gems and stones. Ayurvedic texts hold that everything in existence is endowed with the energy of Universal Consciousness. All forms of matter are simply the outer manifestations of this energy. “Prāṇa”, the Vital force of life flows from this universal energy which is the essence of all matter. Thus, metals, stones and gems are the outer manifestations of certain forms of energy and these materials contain ‘pranic’ energy reservoirs that may be drawn upon for healing purposes.

While containing tremendous healing energy, the heavy metals such as Mercury, Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron, Lead and Tin contain certain impurities that are toxic to the vital organs such as the kidney, liver spleen and heart. Āyurveda texts prescribe specific methods for their purification so that the human organs to receive the metal’s influences without any toxic effects.

Rasa (Mercury)

Mercury, a heavy, silvery-white liquid metal, is the only common metal which remains as liquid at ordinary temperatures. It is sometimes called quick silver.

Rasaśāstra considers minerals and metals which are mainly Bhūmija in origin (obtained from earth). Mercury, known as Pārada is one among them.

According to references available in Rasaśastra classical texts, initially Pārada was used for lohavāda (a process of converting lower metals in to higher one); but as time passed, its use for dehavāda (treating diseases) was brought into medicine and was successfully used. Thus evolved its use in the treatment of diseases. In Rasaśāstra, Pārada is used along with Sulphur in many cases.

Mercury helps to enkindle the enzyme system and transforms and regenerates the tissues. It stimulates intelligence and awakens awareness. It should never be used alone, but always in conjunction with Sulphur.

Gandhaka (Sulphur)

Gandhaka, stands next to Mercury in importance as it cures various diseases internally and externally. It is a yellow solid with no taste and odour.

Gandhaka is also considered as an essential agent for the various processes of Mercury such as mardana, dāhana, mūrcchana, jāraṇa, svedana, bandhana and māraṇa. It is believed to impart many desirable properties to Pārada and reduce its toxic effects. Probably because of this, Rasa is mostly administered internally in association with Gandhaka.

In Rasaśāstra texts, Śveta (white), Rakta (red), Āmlasāra (yellow) and Kṛṣṇa (black) varieties of Gandhaka are found mentioned of which yellow the variety–Āmalasāra is recommended for medicinal use, especially in Rasa therapy. Rakta variety is used in lohavāda and Kṛṣṇa variety is used in dehavāda.

Rasa and Gandhaka in Jīvānandana Nāṭaka

Rasa and Gandhaka are considered by Ānandarāya Makhin as possessing supreme medicinal potencies.

The Rasa prepared according to the Ayurvedic dictums has the medicinal effect on all the diseases directly or indirectly.

So says the Rājanighaṇṭu.35

pāradaḥ sakalaroganāśanaḥ ṣaḍraso nikhilayogavāhakaḥ |
pāṣcabhūtamaya eṣa kīrtito dehalohaparasiddhidāyakaḥ ||

(i) In the drama Jīvānandana, the author brings out the medicinal values of Mercury through the dialogues of Jīvā and Vijñana Śarma in the Act III.

From this it is understood that Rasa is born of lord Śiva’s divine potency which undergoes various changes by itself to get rid of the diseases suffered by the human beings (III.23):

maheśatejassambhūto rasaḥ kāruṇikāgraṇīḥ |
yaḥ svāniṣṭamurīkṛtya parapīḍāṃ vyapohati ||

The process of liquid Rasa turning to solid is euphemistically referred to as swooning and becoming almost dead on the part of Mercury.

Rasa thus prepared gives life to a being under the clutches of death (III.24)^[1] :

mūrcchitvā harati rujaṃ bandhanamanubhūya muktido bhavati |
āmarīkaroti hi mṛtaḥ ko'nyaḥ karuṇākaraḥ sūtāt ||

Śvitram (also known as Kilāsa) is a powerful and dreadful disease caused by sins.

Mercury cures even this disease since no other medicinal item will be better than mercury in its purity (III.25):

suragurugodvijahiṃsāpāpakalāpodbhavaṃ kilāsādṛyam |
śvitraṃ mahadapi śamayati ko'nyastasmāt pavitrataraḥ ||^[2]

(ii) The medical texts Rasaratnasamuccaya and other similar works deal with the exceptional power of Gandhaka in eradicating many groups of diseases. Gandhaka after undergoing śodhana treatment becomes free from impurities of undesired substances and untoward toxic effects.

The best qualities found in Rasa are also available in Gandhaka (III.26ab):

ye guṇāḥ pārade proktāste guṇāḥ santi gandhake |

Pure Gandhaka helps in curing dreadful diseases like leprosy, and old age-sufferings. It generates heat in the stomach also increases the potency (III. 26cd):

“śuddho gandho haredrogān kuṣṭhamṛtyujarādikān |
āgnikārī mahānuṣṇo vīryavṛddhiṃ karoti ca ||”^[3]

Those men who partake of this medicinal combination daily, remain young even in their old age (III. 26/27):

kiṣca pratidinaṃ niṣevyamāṇairetaiḥ....jarāmuparudhya... yauvane teṣāṃ sthapanaṃ kriyate |

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

III. 24-6 cited above are taken by the dramatist from the Rasaratna Samuccaya to highlight the greatness of the Rasa.

[2]:

This verse is reflective of Caraka Samhita:
vacāṃsyatathyāni kṛtaghnabhāvo nindā surāṇāṃ gurudharṣaṇaṃ ca |
pāpakriyā pūrvakṛtaṃ ca karma hetuḥ kilāsasya virodhi cānnam ||

[3]:

The explanation for this can be found in the Vājikaraṇādhyāya of Rasaratna-samuccaya.
Cf. Dhanvantarinighaṇṭu (cited in com.165) explains the qualities of Gandhaka:
gandhāsmātirasāyanaḥ sumadhuraḥ pāke kaṭūṣṇānvitaḥ kaṇḍūkuṣṭhavisarpadoṣaśamano dīptānalaḥ pācanaḥ |
āmonmocanaśoṣaṇo viṣaharaḥ sūtendravīryapradoḥ gaurīpuvyabhavastathāṣpakṛmiharaḥ sattvātmakaḥ sūtajit ||