Abstract

A CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF MAHARASA VARGA IN THE CONTEXT OF AYURVEDA

Dr. Divya Dwivedi* and Dr. Ashutosh Shukla

ABSTRACT

Rasashastra is Ayurveda subject deals with the medicinal importanceof metals and minerals. Rasa dravyas can be classified as Maharasa,Uprasa, Sadharanrasa, Dhatu, Ratna and Upratna varga based on theirorigin and properties. Rasashastra is a distinctive branch of Ayurvedathat focuses on the pharmaceutics of medicines derived from minerals,metals, animal products, and more, classifying drugs into variousgroups. Following Rasa, the next crucial category of minerals is namedMaharasa. The most valuable medications are characterized within theMaharasa group. Purification and incineration are essential processesin the field of Rasashastra; Maharasa Varga undergoes these processesto enhance its therapeutic potential. Purification involves multiplestages of soaking, rinsing, and drying the raw material to eliminateimpurities and toxins. All Maharasa are use in different differentDiseases.

Keywords: Maharasa, Abhraka (Mica), Makshika (Copper pyrite), Vaikranta (Tourmaline), Shilajatu (Asphaltum punjabianum), Vimala (Iron pyrite), Tuttha (Copper, Chapala (Bismuth), Rasaka (Zinc Carbonate).