Identity of certain species of plants of unknown source from Rasendramangala

Combination of plant and mineral products were derived in the process of exploring safe and effective remedies which can cure severe and deadly diseases. Some plants are used for processing, purification and calcination of minerals, metals and gems. Mainly the purpose of plants in Rasa shastra is to obtain absorbable metallic molecules in the maximum possible minute form. But some plants mentioned in textbook of Rasa-shastra are not identified properly, because Rasa siddhas like Nagarjuna and Rasa Vagbhata have used some rare synonyms of plants, to conceal them from the knowledge of unknown and mischievous personalities, to avoid misuse. But at present, it is necessary to identify them properly, to use the plants for exact calcination and purification for the benefit of mankind. In the present study, nearly ten plants out of 47 unidentified plants are selected from Rasendra Mangala written by Acharya Nagarjuna in the period of 7 th and 8 th Century A.D. and a trial has been made to work out on such unidentified plants depending upon their synonyms, utility and combination with other drugs. To quote some, Kanchuki, Chandali, Choraka, Chandravalli and Sarpakshi.

the period of 7 th to 8 th Century A.D is considered for studying medicinal plants used in Rasa-shastra. The original manuscript has eight chapters. The published book of Rasendra Mangala with Gurjari commentary by Professor Mishra B.D and Mishra D.K containing first 4 chapters are considered for the present study as the original manuscript was not published. According to Prof. P.V . Sharma, the remaining part (last four chapters) of this book is available in Asiatic society library, London.(2) In this treatise, nearly 400 plants are used. Out of them, maximum number of plants are commonly found all around the country. But to our dismay, there are many plants which are of doubtful identity. They are botanically not identified well and the synonyms used are leading us to a state of confusion, which is a real handicap to the workers and students of Rasa-shastra.
Keeping this fact in mind, a trial has been made to work out on unidentified plants in the full length, depending upon synonyms, utility and combination to bring them into the streamline which definitely helps the enthusiastic workers in processing metals and minerals.

Aims and Objectives
 To work out on some unidentified plants of Rasendra Mangala.  To rule out the controversy of the synonyms leading to confusion based on the context of their utility and combination with other drugs in the processing of metals and minerals, depending upon other Ayurvedic literature and modern day work on the subject.  To finally propose the botanical identity of some of the drugs with more probable species.

Materials and Methods
The study was done on A charya Nagarjuna's Rasendra Mangala which is one of the great works on

Review Article
International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, 2019, 10(2), 125-129 ISSN: 0976-5921 Rasa-shastra. Plant drugs which are of unknown identity are leading to a state of uncertainty as these procedures are meant actually to cure the ailing patients using them therapeutically. So, the plant drugs mentioned in Rasendra Mangala are enumerated and their identity is established by comparing them with the known literature.
Samhitas and their respective Commentaries, Nighantus (Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, Dhanvantari Nighantu, Raja Nighantu, Kaiyadeva Nighantu) and also books on Rasa-shastra (Rasa-Ratna-Samucchaya, Rasa Paddhati) have been referred for the study of this topic and discussion is based upon its conceptual part to bring out final conclusion. The study has been limited to the available literature at our purview. The unidentified plants list is tabulated and tried to resolve the most probable source for the maximum possible drugs which will be discussed further.

Results and Discussion
The 10 drugs which are chosen for evaluation are discussed below:
Pandit Narahari opines that Yava -Hordeum vulgare Linn. which is one of the principle grains of India as 'Kanchuki'. (7) Acharya Kulkarni the author of Rasa Ratna Samucchaya quotes Dhanya in the process of A bhraka Satvapatana. (8) This (Kanchuki) is a synonym applied for any cereal which is not yet husked. That is the reason many commentators form the Northern part of India equated it with Y ava or Barley i.e. Hordeum vulgare Linn. If barley is not available, paddy or intact wheat can be used in its place. As the author Nagarjuna resided for most of his life and experimented with minerals and metals only in the southern part of India, it will be ideal in our opinion to consider Sali dhanya as Kanchuki.

Chandali
Flower juice of Chandali is used for the trituration of Parada, Swarna and V aikranta bhasmas in the preparation of V aikranta Garbha Rasa (9) which is indicated in the treatment of Mutrakricchra.
In Raja deepika commentary of Raja Nighantu it quotes Chandali as unidentified plant.(10) Though P.V . Sharma suggests in favour of some variety of Surana, in view of its anti -poisonous and rasayana properties, as one of the Dioscorea species should also not be ruled out.
As per Bhavamisra, a variety of V arahi kanda which is known as 'Ghrusti' in Western part of India is also known as 'Charmakara aluka'. (11) The Sanskrit equivalent of Chandala is charmakara. The outer layer of the bulbiferous roots of Dioscorea bulbifera Linn. look like a freshly taken out animal hive with hair follicles. That is the reason this plant can be better equated with Dioscorea bulbifera Linn. only, which contains large number of Phenolic compounds, Steroids and Calcium oxalates.(12) Also Dioscorea bulbifera is well indicated in Urinary tract infections (13) and hence must have been used in the preparation of V aikranta Garbha Rasa.

Coraka
In the preparation of Pratapa lankeshwara ras, (14) Coraka along with some other drugs is triturated with buttermilk and this paste is rubbed over afflicted skin to cure all skin disorders is mentioned.
In the context of Candanadi V arga (15) of Raja Nighantu, Coraka is being mentioned as Pitta hara and having strong aroma.
The commentators of Charaka mention it with synonyms like Corapuspika, Corahuli (16) etc. This is identified as A ngelica glauca Edgw. By Bapalal, Sharma P.V and Chunekar K.C (17) which belongs to Umbelliferae. It is called as 'Chora' in and around Punjab region which is now called as Choraka. (18) Charaka mentions it in Sanjna sthapana dasemani (19) and considers the same.
This flowering of A ngelica glauca is during late midnight, and colour of the flower is glowy, which is the exact period when dacoits / thieves start their functioning. Hence the name Coraka is implied to Angelica glauca Edgw. based on the nature of its flowering.
Also it can be confirmed A ngelica glauca as Coraka for it being Pittahara and indicated in Skin disorders (20) which applies the same for the indication of Pratapa lankeshwara ras.

Chandravalli
In the preparation of Rasa bhasma, (21) Chandravalli along with some other drugs are triturated with Parada and Gandhaka to attain pisthika. It is suggested to use Madhavi lata i.e., Hiptage benghalensis (L.)Kurz., as Chandravalli basing on its property of climbing in half moon shape (Chandrakara) as it is a woody climber and support from Raja Nighantu, where it is mentioned along with other varieties of flowers.

Vayasi
In the context of Deepana samskara of Parada, (24) Vayasi and some other drugs have been mentioned.
Two varieties of this drug are recognised. One is North-west Himalayan plant (Solanum dulcamara Linn.) and the next is Himalayan extended southwards (Solanum nigrum Linn). (25) Acharya Bhavamisra considers Kakamachi -Solanum nigrum Linn. as Vayasi. (26) In the Text A marakosa it is quoted that 'Kakamachi tu vayasi ityamarah'. (27) Thakur Balwantji also opines that Kakamachi is Solanum nigrum Linn. (28) Kakamaci is one of the plants belonging to 'Kakarastaka' which is the group of drugs prohibited from consumption while consuming metallic compounds after processing, (29) even then Kakamaci is used frequently in the preparation and processing of metallic compounds during their incineration (Marana).

Meghanada
Juice of Meghanada is used along with other plants in the preparation of Pundarika Kusthahara Rasa. (30) Three kinds of Tandula  Comparing its properties with the formulation of Pundarika kusthahara rasa, Amaranthus species is quoted to be Sita V irya and Pitta hara. (34) When the rainy clouds start thundering, this tuberous grass appears to grow. Hence, it is known by the name of Meghanada. Correlating with its nature of occurrence A maranthus spinosus Linn. is considered as Meghanada in this context.

Vajrakanda
While describing the process of Satvapatana of Vaikranta (35) and Sarvaloha kramana of Parada, (36) Vajrakanda is used along with some other plants. Two  Hence, our suggestion is that basing on the local synonym this plant can be considered as Urginia only; apart from the high content of Sulphur salts which are useful for purification of metals. Therefore in this context for processing, bulbs of Urginia Species is suggested.

Sarpakshi
Another plant drug named Sarpakshi is included as one among the plants in the preparation of Jaramrutyuharo Rasa (39) and Pundarika Kusthahara Ras. (40) Many of the commentators like Dalhana, Arunadatta could not clarify the plant and opined conflictingly. Depending upon commentators and traditions prevalent in some parts of India, modern scholars like Thakur Balwant Singh have equated this plant with Ophiorrhiza mungos Linn. or some Rauwolfia species. (41) Morphologically some parts of this plant should resemble snake or snake with projecting eyes and tongue. Chunekarji in his work on Bhavaprakasha Nighantu mentions Sarpakshi as Ophiorrhiza mungos Linn. and quotes as 'Sarpakshiva puspamasyah' (42) which means its flowers resembles the eyes of snake. But neither of the two above species is fulfilling the said features. Hence there is a need to go on for another plant which is also used in Rasa-shastra.
In another context of same work A risaema murrayi is equated with Nagini kanda. (43) Similarly it is ideal to consider another plant of same genera whose projecting spathe appears like snake's hood with a scaly appearance and two prominently growing red or white coloured oil glands on both sides looking like eyes. Arisaema candidissimus var. alba grows in Western Himalayas and is preferred here. It is known for its antipoisonous actions in local areas.

Vira
This plant name is mentioned under the process of A bhraka Satvapatana. (44) Dalhana in his commentary quotes 'Kakoli vira sva namna prasiddah' under Kakolyadi gana of Susruta. (45) Acharya P.V. Sharma consider s Roscoea procera as Vira. Later Ashvagandha is advised to be substituted instead of K akoli and K sira kakoli due to unavailability of the drugs.(46) But, traditionally in Andhra Pradesh (northern parts) stem juice of Satavari is used to purify and calcinate metallic compounds like A bhraka. Vira is a synonym for Satavari also. Hence, in our opinion, Satavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd.) leaves can also be considered, wherever the word Vira is used.

Kutheraka
In the preparation of Pratapa lankeshwara ras (47) Kutheraka along with 16 other dr ugs ar e used for curing various skin disorders. Dalhana in his commenta r y quotes 'Arjakah barbarikakaro laghu manjarikah sukshma patro nirgandha Svetakutherakah' clarifying that Arjaka is the white var iety of Kutheraka. (50) As per the opinion of T hakur B alwanth Singh he equated this plant with Orthosiphon grandiflorus Boldingh, Arjaka is ca lled a s 'Ajagura' in the nearby places of Banaras. (51) Kutheraka is indicated in Dusta raktavikara (52) and the same is with Pratapa lankeshwara rasa which esta blishes its similar ity in action wise between both.
Finally, due to its presence in many of the ancient texts along with the other Lamiaceae members and action wise similarity with the preparation in which it is used, this plant can be concluded as belonging to Orthosiphon species only.

Conclusion
Rasendra Mangala is one a mong the standard works accepted in the field of Rasashastra. It is both a wor k on pr ocessing of metals and also their utilization in treatment. Some plants mentioned in this work are not perfectly identified and posing a problem in the field of Rasa-shastra. Ther efor e, a tr ial wor k has been taken up, to rule out the existing confusion among some names of unknown origin. Nearly ten plants are discussed in this paper and their identity is proved. Further research work has to be carried out in order to find more unidentified plants of unknown origin.
The Identified plants with their possible botanical source and family is tabulated below