Abstract

A REVIEW ON SATVAPATANA

Ch. Sridurga and Roshni V. K.*

ABSTRACT

The age-old science of Ayurveda has a distinctive branch of alchemy, namely Rasashastra, that deals with the properties, action and therapeutic usage of various metals, mineral, gemstones, etc. It is said that all the substances existing in the universe could be used as a medicine for a vyadhi (disease) or as a rasayana (for rejuvenation). A mineral drug cannot be taken in its original form because of its toxic elements, so these substances undergo various samskara like shodana (purification), marana (incineration), amrtikarana (processing the incinerated ash to imbibe specific qualities), among others to produce a desired drug out of it. One among them is the process of Satvapatana, a samskara which aims to procure the active principle of the ore. This process enables the drug to be used in minimal form without losing its potency.

Keywords: Satvapatana, Minerals, Satva, Parada, Ore.