Pramāṇa · Search · About · API

A Concise History of Science in India c8.s3.t2: The Rasacikitsā School of Medicine

A Concise History of Science in India c8.s3.t2

Language
English

The Rasacikitsā School of Medicine

c8.s3.t2.1

Apart from the eight classical branches of *Āyurveda*, some other indigenous systems have survived as integral parts of the medical knowledge of ancient India. Some of the obscure pre-Aryan concepts and practices have been noted earlier. The quasi-religious system of *Rasacikitsā* has a reputation second only to *Āyurveda*. With a few exceptions this school employs only metals, alloys, metallic compounds and salts and also sulphur and its preparations in its *materia medica*. According to it, quicksilver is the foremost among all medicinal substances. This latter belief is found also in many Buddhist and Brāhmaṇic tantras, as a part of the Tantric faith.c The medical knowledge of India exported to Tibet, China, Indo-China and Ceylon contained much of this school of medicine mixed with classical *Āyurveda*.

c8.s3.t2.2

The early practitioners of this school were known as *Siddhas* who introduced many of the metallic preparations which were either unknown to, or not utilized in, classical Āyurvedic practice. The Tamil *Sittar* works on medicine, chemistry and allied subjects were possibly originated by the *Siddhas*. The first use of mercurial compounds in medicine is found in *Suśruta* (third-fourth century);d here the modern and surviving name of mercury, *pārada*, is used; the more ancient synonym, *sutāraḥ*, is found in the *Suśruta Saṃhita*,e but its omnipotence in all diseases and indeed in all phases of life was first propounded in Tantric texts written by the early *Siddhas*. The alchemical preparation of gold (which also was believed to be an embodiment of perfection and therefore a panacea for all ills) from mercury was another aim of this school and many supposed processes to this end are found. The classical work of Mādhavācārya (fourteenth century),f describing the sixteen schools of belief current in his time, gives a description of the *Raseśvaradarśana* (faith in divine mercury), in which the metal is believed to be the earthly embodiment of the omnipotent deity, Śiva, and as such to be worshipped. The use of mercurial preparations was also believed not only to give perfect health and cure of all diseases, but also prosperity, a perfect mind, bliss and eventual salvation.

c8.s3.t2.3

a *CS. Ci.*, 2; *SS. Ci.*, 26.

c8.s3.t2.4

b *CS. Ci.*, 2.

c8.s3.t2.5

c Ray (P. C.), p. xxxv.

c8.s3.t2.6

d *SS. Ci.*, 25. 20.

c8.s3.t2.7

e *SS. Ka.*, 2, 12.

c8.s3.t2.8

f *Sarvadarśanasaṃgraha*, pp. 137–44.

c8.s3.t2.9

The works of the Tantric period, devoted to the preparation of inorganic and metallic remedies, are among the most prolific and rewarding sources of the knowledge of Hindu chemistry. These works were, however, primarily concerned with rituals, alchemy and chemical processes. Their value as medical literature lies chiefly in their exposition of the medical philosophy of this school, their iatrochemical ideas and practices, and the inorganic remedies they contributed to medicine. The most important among them are: *Rasaratnākara* and *Ārogyamañjarī* of Siddha Nāgārjuna (seventh century), *Siddhayoga* of Vṛndakuṇḍa (seventh-eighth century), the *Cakrasaṃgraha* and the commentaries by Cakrapāṇidatta (eleventh century), *Rasahṛdaya* of Govinda Vāgbhaṭa (eleventh century), *Rasaratnākara* of Siddha Nityanātha, *Rasaratnasamuccaya* of Vāgbhaṭa (a namesake, living in the late twelfth century), *Rasārṇava* by Śambhu (twelfth century), *Rasendracintāmaṇi* by Rāmacandra (twelfth century) and *Rasendracūḍāmaṇi* by Somadeva (twelfth century). These works are available in most first-class collections of Āyurvedic literature in India and abroad. Many of them were edited and published during the last century, notably by the Āyurvedic Granthaśālā of Bombay.

c8.s3.t2.10

The *Rasacikitsā* school of medicine has been a rival of *Āyurveda* in popularity and prestige during many centuries in the past, specially in South India, the eastern provinces and Sind. It survives to the present day as a living system of medicine, but has largely discarded its deification of mercury and has absorbed many tenets of classical *Āyurveda*. The Kavirājas, that is medical practitioners who follow the Āyurvedic system of medicine in their treatment, possibly rely more on inorganic remedies than on the *materia medica* of classical *Āyurveda*. This preference can be explained by the greater facility in manipulation during compounding, greater portability and easier storage, easier preservation and less wastage, and simplicity of prescription and dosages of inorganic remedies.

Cites (12)