Abstract

A REVIEW ON THE CONCEPT OF JAARANA IN RASASHASTRA

Aparna Nabhiraj* and Sharma Shreeshananda V.

ABSTRACT

Rasa Shastra is a branch of science which extensively deals with the Alchemical and Pharmaceutical processes of various drugs of metal/mineral, animal and plant origin. But great emphasis has been laid upon Parada (Mercury) and other metals and mineral drugs. Jaarana is one of the innumerable procedures described in the classics of Rasa Shastra. Jaarana is an elaborate procedure where the procedure of Jaarana and its use varies according to the context. In Rasa Shastra, the concept of Jaarana can be interpreted in various contexts such as- Jaarana as a Parada Samskara; Jaarana as Gandhaka/ Bali Jaarana and Jaarana of Puti Lohas. Hence, an attempt has been made to review the concept of Jaarana described in Rasa Classics.

Keywords: Parada, Jaarana, Alchemy, Puti Loha.