Bharat Bhaishajya Ratnakar Part 05

The provided text is the fifth volume of the "Bharat Bhaishajya Ratnakar," a comprehensive Ayurvedic text. This particular volume focuses on various medicinal preparations and their therapeutic uses, categorized by the initial letter of their formulation in Sanskrit. The document details numerous formulations for a wide range of ailments, presented in Hindi.

Here's a breakdown of the content based on the provided pages:

• Introduction and Publisher Information: The initial pages contain standard publication details, including the title, authors (Nagindas Chaganlal Shah, Gopinath Gupt, Nivaranchandra Bhattacharya), publisher (Unza Ayurvedik Pharmacy), and the catalog link to the JainQQ.org repository. It also emphasizes that the content is for "Jain Education International" and for "Private And Personal Use Only."

• Preface to the Book: Page 3 provides a preface highlighting the purpose of the book. It was compiled in response to the lack of a pharmacopoeia in Ayurvedic literature. It mentions that the book contains over ten thousand ancient and modern formulations, categorized into sections like Kwath (decoction), Churna (powder), Avleh (electuary), Gutika (pill), Ghrita (medicated ghee), Tail (medicated oil), Rasa (mercurial preparations), etc. The text follows a dictionary-style format for easy retrieval of specific formulations. It also mentions a disease index at the end titled "Chikitsapath-Pradarshini" to enhance practical utility. The complete set of 5 volumes is priced at Rs. 500.

• Important Notes: Page 8 contains a crucial note regarding the dosage of liquid ingredients in the commentary (Tika) of the third, fourth, and fifth parts. It states that the quantities of liquids like water and milk are doubled in the commentary compared to the original text (e.g., 1 Prastha in the original is 2 Prastha in the commentary). Users are advised to refer to the 'Man-Paribhasha' (measurement definitions) in the appendix of the first part when preparing formulations.

• Table of Contents (Vishayanukramanika): Pages 10 and 11 present a detailed table of contents, listing various medicinal preparations (Kashay, Churna, Gutika, Guggulu, Avleh, Ghrita, Tail, Asavarishtha, Lepa, Dhoopa, Anjana, Nasya, Mishr, Rasa) and the diseases they are used to treat (e.g., Agnimandya, Atisar, Apasmar, Arsh, Jwar, Kushtha, Mutrakruch, Vata Vyadhi, Vishvikar, Vrana, Shiro Rog, etc.). This index is extensive, covering numerous diseases.

• Specific Formulations (Starting from Page 16): The text then proceeds to detail various Ayurvedic formulations, starting with the "Mangalacharan" (invocatory verses) on page 16. The subsequent pages (17 onwards) are filled with specific recipes, primarily focusing on:

  • Kashay (Decoctions): A significant portion of the provided text (pages 17-36) is dedicated to various decoctions (Kashay) starting with the letter 'Sha' (श). Each formulation is numbered (e.g., 7171, 7172) and includes the name of the preparation, the ingredients, the method of preparation, the indicated diseases, and often the source text (e.g., H. Sam., Vr. Ni. Ra.).
  • Churna (Powders): From page 37 onwards, the text moves to formulations starting with 'Sha' in the Churna section, detailing various medicinal powders.
  • Gutika (Pills): Page 49 onwards begins the section on pills (Gutika), again with formulations starting with 'Sha'.
  • Guggulu: Page 53 commences the section on Guggulu preparations.
  • Avleh (Electuaries): Page 55 begins the Avleh section, followed by Ghrita (medicated ghee) from page 57, Taila (medicated oils) from page 66, Asavarishtha (fermented preparations) from page 95, Lepa (ointments) from page 90, Dhooma (fumigation) from page 99, Anjana (collyria) from page 99, Nasya (nasal administrations) from page 103, and finally, Mishr (mixed preparations) and Rasa (mercurial/mineral preparations) from pages 109 and 113 respectively.

Overall Summary of Content:

The "Bharat Bhaishajya Ratnakar Part 05" is a meticulously organized compendium of Ayurvedic medicinal formulations. It serves as a practical guide for Ayurvedic practitioners and students, providing a vast collection of recipes for treating a wide array of diseases. The text emphasizes ancient wisdom combined with practical applications, referencing various classical Ayurvedic texts for the formulations. The detailed indexing and clear presentation of ingredients and methods make it a valuable resource for understanding and utilizing traditional Indian medicine. The content is presented in Hindi, reflecting its origin and intended audience.