TKDL Quiz - GPSC 2017

Rasashastra Overview

• Koor Rasahasa Number: Total is 84, categorized into four types - Divine, Daityas, Mughnan, and Human (reference to Gorakhnath).

Goraksha Samhita

• Chapter Name: Patal
• Total Slokas: 100,000
• Structure: Composed of two sections - Kagnid Prakar and Bhugnad Prakar.

Key Texts and Their Features

• Rasaratnasamuchaya: First part based on Raseendra Chudamani.
• Raseendra Chudaman: Contains 16 chapters.
• Rasarnava: Includes 18 chapters.
• Rasaprakash Sudhakara: 13 chapters suggested for learning.

Rasaprakash Sudhakara Specifics

• Structure: Divided into three sections, with a total of 2,600 slokas.
• Historical Context: Written in the 13th century.
• Commentators: Digapaka by Ahdmalla, Gudathandigapaka by Kashiram, and Ayurveda Digapaka by Rurdbhatt (Charak).

Important Texts and Timelines

• Ashtanga Sangraha: Composed by Vaidya Vagbhat in the 6th century.
• Ashtanga Hridaya: By Laghu Vagbhata in the 7th century.
• Rasahridaya Tantu: The first text in 10th century.
• Rasarnava & Goraksha Samhita: Written in the 12th century.
• Rasendra Chudamani: Completed in the 12th century.
• Rasaratnakara & R. R. S.: From the 13th century.
• Rasagachhanta: From the 15th century.

Dhatura (Deadly Nightshade)

• Classification: Deliriant poison.
• Fatal Dose: 100-125 seeds, significant for pharmacologic studies.
• Antidotes: Includes pilocarpine, prostigmine, and physostigmine.
• Testing Method: Mydriatic test highlights hallucinatory effects (both auditory and visual).

Mousha (Mice)

• Relevance in Treatments: Different species exemplified, such as Malla Mousha and Goostani Mousha.
• Significant Mentions: Suśruta mentions in context with symptoms of various diseases.

Insight on Medicinal Properties

• Moha: Indicated as a concern in Vataraakt.
• Antidote Usage: Specific mention for blindness—using goat meat as a critical remedy.

National and International Programs

• National Blindness Control Program: Initiated in 1976.
• Vision 2020 Programme: Launched in 1999 for comprehensive eye care.

Types of Murcha (Fainting)

• Charaka Classification: Four types.
• Sushruta Classification: Six types.

Chemical and Medicinal Associations

• Mistit Lohe: Garkoshthi (identified in R. R. S.).
• Drug Classification: The distinction between 'Aushadhi’ (medicinal plants) and 'Bhaishajya’ (medicinal substances).

Supplementary Information

• Horrocks Apparatus: Used to estimate chlorine demand in water testing.
• Orthotolidine Arsenite Test: To differentiate free chlorine and combined chlorine in water.

Conclusion

• Extensive integration of philosophy and practical applications in ancient texts of Rasashastra, providing crucial understanding in Ayurvedic medicine and modern pharmacology.