PA01.31. Perception of ayurvedic mineral raw drugs in the eye mineralogy

PURPOSE: Each mineral is unique in this universe in its perception. Minerals are defined as naturally occurring, inorganic substances with a definite chemical composition and a regular internal crystalline structure (Gribble 1988). The identity of these depends on their physical, chemical or optical properties. Mineralogy a branch of science has its existence since 17th century. Being a part of Ayurvedic pharmaceutics, Rasashastra deals with a number of minerals categorized under Maharasa, Uparasa etc. These are identified on the basis of grahya lakshana mentioned in the books of Rasashastra documented from 8th century itself. Thus, it is evident that the science of mineralogy as it is practiced presently has its origin almost 1300 years back. 1. To find the features of minerals in the books of Rasashastra and to compare them with the properties of minerals as per Mineralogy. 2. To prove that the knowledge of identifying a mineral based on certain feature existed in India before development of mineralogy. METHOD: A literary research was undertaken to list out the grahya lakshanas of Rasadravyas mentioned in the literatures of Rasasashtra. An attempt was made to compare them with the equivalent properties of minerals. Only such literatures of Rasashastra which had their existence before 17th century were preferred for present study. RESULT: The grahya lakshanas mentioned in classical books of Rasasashtra were found to be very much comparable with the physical properties of minerals. CONCLUSION: This literary research justifies that the ancient scholars of Rasasashtra were able to identify the minerals based on their physical properties many centuries before the mineralogy had its existence.