REVIEW ARTICLE ISSN 2456-0170

CONCEPT OF - A REVIEW WITH REFERENCE TO RASASHASTRA 1Dr. PVNR. Prasad 2Dr. Swati Patil 1Asso. Prof. Dept of Rasashastra & BK, Dr. N. R. S. Govt. Ayurvedic College, Vijaywada Andhra Pradesh 2Asso. Prof. Dept of Rasashastra & BK, Yashwant Ayurvedic College Kodoli-Maharashtra-India ABSTRACT Shodhana, which literally means purification and converting drug fit for further procedure. Shodhana is procedure necessary for every drug before taking it for adding in any compound or subjecting it for further processes. In Ayurvedic system the name shodhana occurs in different contexts. In Kayachikitsa the word shodhana signifies the

treatment aspect by which are eliminated from the body. In , it is

purification or washing out the unwanted or undesired impurities of the substance and is

the basic procedure. Shodhana is a swatantravidhi and also is the very first step of

aushadha . Shodhana in Ayurvedic Rasashastra plays a major and powerful role

through which increases the therapeutic efficacy of a drug. Though the concept of

shodhana is in practice since ancient times, its importance has enhanced after the

development and incorporation of Rasa Shastra in Ayurvedic system of medicine. The

process of shodhana to be adopted depends upon the material for which shodhana to be

done. This depends upon the source of material, its chemical composition, impurities and

its physical properties. By shodhana process many material changes are elicited both

physically and chemically.

KEYWORDS: Shodhana, Samskara, Rasa-dravya, Purification, Detoxification

INTRODUCTION Shodhana is an essential may contain other particles also. Most of intermediary pharmaceutical process used the raw materials used in Rasa Shastra are for purification of and minerals obtained from earth and hence there is every during their conversion and usage into chance of impurities, , different dosage forms and purposes. It is heterogeneous qualities due to mixing with processes of detoxification by which different substances is a common factor. physical and chemical blemishes and toxic When the drugs are used by the humans then materials are eliminated thus making the they are subjected to shodhana process to material suitable for further processing. eliminate their doshas and also to increase Purified drug in the lines of modern science the potency. Thus shodhana is a process is different from that of as the where the toxic or unwanted properties of a former is absolutely the main drug and latter drug are removed and additional properties 632 www.ayurpub.com Nov-Dec 2017 Vol II, Issue 5

Swati et al; Concept of Shodhana - A Review With Reference to Rasashastra or alteration in the properties is seen along meaning the process through which with changes in Physical, Chemical or Bio- unwanted or toxic properties are removed1. logical properties. The same concept has been adopted by In Ayurvedic Medicine the concept of Acharyas of Rasashastra from 8th century shodhana treatment was in practice since the A.D., onwards for drugs of , animal, times of and it also or mineral origin. The texts also included the measures claimed to be explained separate shodhana process for responsible for the alteration or addition of individual drugs along with certain common the properties of the drugs while subjected to procedures for group of drugs2. various pharmaceutical operations and According to texts of Rasashastra, Shodhana treatments. Though references regarding the process is carried out by subjecting a drug to shodhana treatment are available since the different procedures like Bhavana, time of Ayurvedic classics but the details Nirvapana, Dhalana and Swedana etc3. The about procedure could be traced only after process by which purification is done is the development of Rasashastra/ called as Shodhana. Pearls and other Ratnas Rasachikitsa (Mineral therapy) in Ayurvedic are purified not for actual detoxification or medicine during medieval period in which to remove impurities, to intensify the mineral/ poisonous and sub poisonous drugs potency of them4. acquired prominence over other types of In case of also it has been drugs in the therapy. These drugs acquired mentioned that when it is mixed with doshas prominence because of many superior like Kanchuka, Naisargika, Yougika, qualities these possess, than their Prayogika it is not used in rasa preparations. counterparts. In this stage it is said to be poison or Visha. It is with this view mind the shodhana If it is processed with herbal decoctions or method of Ayurvedic pharmaceutical subjected to Ashtadasha or Ashtavidha science has been developed to the extent samskara it is ready to use in any rasayoga that, when applied properly render these and is considered to be nectar. drugs either completely free from Though the literal meaning of word toxic/undesired side effects or minimize shodhana is purification, it has wider them to the desired extent. Scholars of Rasa implications. The collective definition of shastra developed shodhana treatment not shodhana is that Shodhana is a process only to remove their toxic materials where it removes unwanted part from the completely or minimize them to the least drug or its ill effects, which enhances the possible level, but to convert them to the properties of the drug suitable for desired pharmaceutically suitable forms in which actions. these may be absorbed into the system if OBJECTIVES OF SHODHANA: used internally or may be treated further. 1. Removal of impurities DEFINITION 2. Elimination of harmful material Charaka Samhita has mentioned Shodhana 3. Modification of un-desired properties as Shauchakarana (Shuddhikarana) 4. Augment the qualities

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Swati et al; Concept of Shodhana - A Review With Reference to Rasashastra

5. Potentiate therapeutic efficacy the materials and thus exposing maximum 6. Conversion of some of the portion of the drug to the purifying characteristics of the drug material. By subjecting to different 7. Render the drug fit for further / processes, the drugs are made homologous subsequent processing. to the cells, their gets reduced and CLASSIFICATION: acceptability by the cells is increased. a) Samanya Shodhana: The media used in the process of shodhana It is a common procedure used for drugs has an important role in breaking down or of a particular group where the drugs of a altering the chemical constituent that is not particular group are subjected to the required. It is very interesting that specific similar procedure though individually5. media is used for specific substance. The b) Vishesha Shodhana: media acts like a solvent to dissolve the It a specialized technique or procedure material for easy separation from the employed for a single particular drug insoluble impurities to eradicate toxic individually6. chemical substances from the drugs and Both the above procedures are further also helps in physical transformation of classified into Saagni and Niragni. some of metals and minerals i) Saagni: Nirvapa, Dhalana, Bharjana, Various physico‐chemical changes occur Puta, Swedana, Patana depending upon the selection of the media ii) Niragni: Bhavana, Prakshalana, during the shodhana such as reduction in Shoshana, Sinchana, Nimajjana, particle size, variation in density and Gharshana granular size, variation in elemental ROLE OF MEDIA (SHODHANA composition of major elements and VARGA) IN SHODHANA7: addition as well as deletion of minor In the course of Shodhana method the elements from the raw material. drugs of mineral origin are subjected to Various techniques along with different various grinding, heating, fomenting, media are referred in Ayurvedic texts for subliming, and distilling etc. processes the shodhana, knowing different nature of which in turn remove soluble, evaporable impurities; ancient scholars have and washable impurities from these drugs. suggested different types of media for For this purpose these drugs are either their purification as were considered treated with acidic, alkaline and neutral necessary. There are abundant examples types of vegetables extractives/ liquids or of ancient scholars of Rasa Shastra using with oily materials in the presence or different media and material of different absence of heat for specified period. In sources in the process of shodhana some cases only heat treatment is given in a depending on the Drug and purpose. specified apparatus so as to remove their SOURCE: volatile or thermo-stable impurities. i) Plant Origin- Swarasa, Kashaya, Grinding in hot & cold condition is also Kshira, Taila, Sukta, Kanji, Arka, done to reduce and disperse the particles of Madya, Drava kalpa

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Swati et al; Concept of Shodhana - A Review With Reference to Rasashastra ii) Animal Origin - Ksheera, iii) Minaral origin - Jala, Drava, Madhu, Mutra, Rakta, Artava, Dadhi, Churnodaka, Nimbukamla Takra, Dadhimastu, Mamsa Rasa, Kukkutanda Taila, Hastidanta kwatha. TYPES OF MEDIA USED IN SHODHANA: Table No. 1: DIFFERENT MEDIA USED IN SHODHANA PROCEDURE S.NO MEDIA EXAMPLE UTILITY 1. Sneha Varga Taila, Ghrita, Dugdha Softening of Hard material8 2. Amla Varga Takra, Kanji, Nimbu, Amalaki Mass breaking and dis- integration9 3. KsharaVarga Mutra, Kulattha Kwatha, Makes the material soft Kadali Kanda and brittle10 4. KatuVarga Nirgundi, Hariraki, Bhringaraja Disintegration and breaking the cohesion11 5. TiktaVarga Vasa, Swarna Ksheeri, Absorption of Moisture12 Shireesha 6. Kashaya Varga Kanchanara, Haritaki, Vibhitaki Eliminates external impurities13 7. Visha Varga Shringataka, Kalakuta, Removes inertia in the Vtsanabha, Saktuka, Peeta substance14 Visha 8. Vitgana / varga Paravata, Chasha, Kapota, Sarva Loha shodhana15 Kalapina, Gridhra, Kukkuta 9. MridukaraVarga Mahishasringi, Indrayava Softening of hard metals16 10. DravakaVarga Guda, Guggulu, Gunja, Ghrita, Soften and liquefies metals17 Madhu, Tankana, 11. Lavana Varga Samudra, Saindhava, Kacha, SarvalohaDravana And Bida, Sauvarchala, Romaka, Shodhana18 Chullika, Audbhida Lavana SHODHANA GANA: It has been mentioned in Rasarnava that the a) Kacha Lavana b)Tankana drugs of Ksharavarga eradicate all mala c) Shipra (Mukta Shukti / Navasadara / Doshas. Amla Varga drugs are useful in Mahisha Mutra) 19 Shodhana and Jarana where as Visha Varga According to Rasarnava: removes inertia from the drugs and Sneha i) Kacha Lavana ii) Tankana iii) varga impart softness and remove roughness 21 Sauveera20 in the drugs . Useful in extracting sattva from Maharasa DIFFERENT TYPES OF SHODHANA and also in removing from Baddha PROCEDURES: Parada, Loha and also Kapalika doshas from In Rasashastra literature, varieties of Parada. Shodhana methods for substances are 635 www.ayurpub.com Nov-Dec 2017 Vol II, Issue 5

Swati et al; Concept of Shodhana - A Review With Reference to Rasashastra described. There are variations in medicinal source of material, its chemical composition, substances, instruments and also duration. impurities and its physical properties. By The process of shodhana to be adopted shodhana process many material changes are depends upon the material for which elicited both physically and chemically. shodhana to be done. This depends upon the Table No. 2: DIFFERENT SHODHANA METHODS OF RASA SHASTRA S.NO PROCEDURE EXAMPLE PURPOSE 1. Abhisheka Not in Common Practice Removal of external impurities22 2. Bharjana Gairika Shodhana Removal of Moisture content23 3. Bhavana Sasyaka Shodhana Reduction of particle size and also transfer of impurities from material to liquid media24 4. Dhalana Gandhaka Shodhana Separation of fat soluble impurities25 5. Gaalana Gandhaka Shodhana Separation of adulterants and heterogeneous substances26 6. Gharshana Bhallataka Shodhana Brings down the toxicity and also separation of outer covering27 7. Mardana Kaseesa Shodhana Reduction in particle size28 8. Murcchana Parada Shodhana Reduction in particle size29 9. Nimajjana / Stapana Vatsanabha Shodhana Brings down the toxicity and Removal of outer covering30 10. Nirjalikarana Kankshi Shodhana Evaporation of water molecules31 11. Nirvapa / Nisheka / Abhraka Shodhana To brittleness & softness32 Snapana 12. Pachana Guggulu Shodhana Reduction of stickiness & Softening the material33 13. Patana Parada Shodhana Removal of & Tin34 14. Prakshalana Shilajith Shodhana Removal of dust & Spurious material35 15. Pruthakikarana Guggulu Shodhana Removal of adulterants and external impurities36 16. Puta Swarna Shodhana To bring brittleness & softness37 17. Shoshana Karpasa Beeja Shodhana Removal of Moisture content38 18. Sinchana Tamra Shodhana To make the substance brittle39 19. Swedana Haratala Shodhana Reduction of Toxicity, Removal of impurities and to soften40 20. Vilayana Shilajith Shodhana Removal of physical impurities41 636 www.ayurpub.com Nov-Dec 2017 Vol II, Issue 5

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EFFECTS: which is being mentioned in Indian a) Removal of Physical and Chemical . Certainly, one can understand that Impurities there is a strong rationality between the b) Separation of undesired substances method, duration, instruments and the drugs c) Detoxification which are being used in the process of d) Reduction of hardness Shodhana. e) Reduction in particle size Eventually the scholars of Rasashastra gave f) Increased brittleness, softness and immense contribution to Indian malleability Pharmaceutics, in the form of various g) Material turns from heterogeneous to processes, use of different drugs, different homogenous equipments, duration of each processes etc. h) Transformation of certain properties and This shows that the seers of Alchemy had qualities immense knowledge about the purification i) Augment the qualities and their mode of administration and the j) Potentiate therapeutic efficacy scholars have heavily emphasized on the k) Render the substance fit for further process of shodhana. processing CONCLUSION DISCUSSION It is a matter of fact that our ancient scholars Minerals basically are impure i.e., not fit for of Alchemy were much aware of impurities internal administration in crude form. They and their adverse effects on their contain many impurities, toxins which may administration. In fact, while explaining the cause many untoward side effects in the Metals & Minerals in classic literature, they body. In order to neutralize these toxins, the have given a lot of importance on unpurified minerals are subjected to many purification drugs and their side effects. Hence, the measures in which physical & chemical science of Alchemy strictly recommends impurities are removed and the drug is made that these drugs should be administered in safe for further processing to make it purified form. therapeutically fit. Shodhana is the first Shodhana is a prerequisite for all Rasa samskara and it is necessary to understand dravyas. It is not only to remove the the concept of shodhana properly. The literal Physical or chemical impurities but also to meaning of Shodhana may signify imbibe the properties of herbal drugs used in purification. But when we analyze from the the process thereby increasing the potency point of alchemy it carries some scientific of the drug. It also helps in the further meaning. The term Purification indicates the processing of the drug i.e. marana. The state of purity. May be the drug is free from shodhana process plays an important vital spurious substance, but as far as Alchemy is role in Ayurveda Rasa Shastra. It is not only concerned, it cannot be used as a therapeutic a simple physical / chemical purification. It agent. Because the concept of Purification is a process of both addition and separation. and the concept of Shodhana are entirely Shodhana is a samskara visesha. It helps in different and there is a huge difference sanghatabheda of a drug, removing dravya

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Swati et al; Concept of Shodhana - A Review With Reference to Rasashastra gata and aushadhagata doshas and makes it 7. P.C. Ray, Rasarnava, English Translation, more marana upayogi and also helps in New Bharateeya Book Corporation, 1st achieving guna vriddhi of the drug. Apart Edition, 2007. from removing the impurities shodhana 8. Ibid treatments of Rasa Shastra also impregnate 9. Ibid organic materials and their properties in the 10. Ibid inorganic drugs/ products to facilitate their 11. Ibid utilization by the body tissue and organs. 12. Ibid Hence, the concept of Shodhana (processing 13. Ibid or purification) in Rasashastra is not merely 14. Acharya Somadeva, Rasendra a process of purification/detoxification but Chudamani with Siddhi Priya Hindi also a process resorted to enhance the Commentary, Varanasi, Chaukhambha potency and efficacy of the drug. That’s why Orientalia, 3rd Edition, 2004. the shodhana plays an important role in Rasashastra. 15. Ibid 16. Ibid REFERENCES 1. Sharma, R.K & Bhagawan Das, Charaka 17. Ibid Samhita, Varanasi, Chaukhambha 18. Ibid Sanskrit Series office, Edition 2001. 19. Ibid 2. A.D. Satpute, Rasa Ratna Samucchaya 20. P.C. Ray, Rasarnava, English Translation, New Bharatiya Book English Translation, new Delhi, st Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishtan, Corporation, 1 Edition, 2007. Reprint Edition, 2014 21. Ibid 3. Pandit Kashinath Shastry, Rasa 22. A.D. Satpute, Rasa Ratna Samucchaya Tarangini, New Delhi, Motilal English Translation, New Delhi, Banarsidas, Reprint Edition, 2014. Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishtan, Reprint 4. Acharya Siddhinandan Mishra, Rasendra Edition, 2014. Chinamani Hindi Commentary, Varanasi, 23. Gulraj Sharma Mishra, Ayurveda Chowkhambha Orientalia, Reprint Prakasha Hindi Commentary, Varanasi, Edition, 2011. Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Reprint 5. A.D. Satpute, Rasa Ratna Samucchaya Edition, 2012. English Translation, New Delhi, 24. Pandit Kashinath Shastry, Rasa Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishtan, Tarangini, New Delhi, Motilal Banarsidas, Reprint Edition, 2014. Reprint Edition 2014. 6. Dr. Vilas Dole and Dr. Prakash 25. Ibid Paranjape, Text Book of Rasashastra, 26. Ibid New Delhi, Chaukhamba Sanskrit 27. Ibid Pratishthan, 2nd Edition, 2010. 28. A.D. Satpute, Rasa Ratna Samucchaya English Translation, New Delhi, Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishtan, Reprint Edition, 2014. 638 www.ayurpub.com Nov-Dec 2017 Vol II, Issue 5

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29. Pandit Kashinath Shastry, Rasa 41. A.D. Satpute, Rasa Ratna Samucchaya, Tarangini, New Delhi, Motilal Banarsidas, English Translation, New Delhi, Reprint Edition, 2014. Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishtan, Reprint 30. Ibid Edition 2014. 31. Gulraj Sharma Mishra, Ayurveda Prakasha Hindi Commentary, Varanasi, CORRESPONDING AUTHOR Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Reprint Dr. Swati Patil Edition, 2012. Asso. Prof. Dept of Rasashastra & BK, 32. Pandit Kashinath Shastry, Rasa Yashwant Ayurvedic College, Kodoli- Tarangini, New Delhi, Motilal Banarsidas, Maharashtra-India Reprint Edition, 2014 E-mail: [email protected] 33. Vd. Bhudev Mukharji, Rasa Jalanidhi, Varanasi, Sri Gokul Mudranalaya, Reprint Source of support: Nil, Edition 1984. Conflict of interest: None Declared 34. Acharya Somadeva, Rasendra Cite this article as Chudamani with Siddhi Priya Hindi Dr. Swati patil: Concept of Shodhana - A Review With Reference to Rasashastra. Commentary, Varanasi, Chaukhambha ayurpub;II(5):632-639 Orientalia, 3rd Edition 2004.

35. A.D. Satpute, Rasa Ratna Samucchaya English Translation, New Delhi, Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishtan, Reprint Edition, 2014. 36.Vd. Bhudev Mukharji, Rasa Jalanidhi, Varanasi, Sri Gokul Mudranalaya, Reprint Edition 1984. 37. A.D. Satpute, Rasa Ratna Samucchaya English Translation, New Delhi, Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishtan, Reprint Edition 2014. 38. Prof. K.C. Chunekar, Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, Varanasi, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Reprint Edition 2013. 39. Pandit Kashinath Shastry, Rasa Tarangini, New Delhi, Motilal Banarsidas, Reprint Edition, 2014. 40. Gulraj Sharma Mishra, Ayurveda Prakasha, Hindi Commentary, Varanasi, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Reprint Edition 2012.

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