Rajnighantu Ssahito Dhanvantariya Nighantu - Book Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Rajnighantu Sahito Dhanvantariya Nighantu," authored by Harinarayan Aapte and published by Anandashram Mudranalay. The summary is based on the provided pages, focusing on the introductory sections and the beginning of the text.

Book Title: Rajnighantu Sahito Dhanvantariya Nighantu Author: Harinarayan Aapte Publisher: Anandashram Mudranalay

Overall Nature of the Text: This text is a compilation and commentary on two significant Jain medical lexicons (Nighantu): the "Dhanvantariya Nighantu" and the "Rajnighantu." The primary goal of the work, as indicated by the introduction, is to make these ancient and valuable medical texts accessible to contemporary physicians by presenting them in a revised and augmented form. The author expresses a long-held desire to publish this work, which was made possible through the collaboration of scholars and the availability of several manuscript copies.

Key Highlights from the Introduction (Pages 3-6):

Ancient and Useful: The "Dhanvantariya Nighantu" is described as a very ancient and extremely useful text for physicians.
Motivation for Publication: The author, Harinarayan Aapte, intended to publish this text for many years but was hindered by various worldly engagements. The desire to publish resurfaced with greater intensity.
Collaboration and Resources: The project was initiated with the encouragement of Pandit Vaman Shastrin, who conveyed the author's intent to Anandashram. Mahadev Chimnaji Apte provided valuable support by lending ten manuscripts of the "Dhanvantariya Nighantu" for the author's use, in addition to the three copies the author already possessed. The combined study of these manuscripts led to the refined text.
Integration of Rajnighantu: The author realized that the "Dhanvantariya Nighantu," due to its ancient nature and the evolution of plant nomenclature, might not be fully comprehensible to modern physicians. To address this, it was decided to combine it with the "Rajnighantu," authored by Narahar Pandit. This combination, titled "Rajnighantu Sahito Dhanvantariya Nighantu," was created to provide a more complete resource.
Challenges in Compilation: The author faced significant challenges in compiling and reconciling the various manuscript versions of the texts, noting considerable differences in readings. This process required thirteen months of intensive labor and careful consideration of textual variations. The author expresses gratitude for the availability of his own study copy, without which the complete compilation and revision would have been impossible.
Resolving Doubts: Any uncertainties regarding synonymy (paryaya-shabda) were resolved by consulting other authoritative texts like Sushruta, Bhavaprakasha, and Vachaspatya.
Authorship and Dating of Dhanvantariya Nighantu: The text suggests that the "Dhanvantariya Nighantu" was composed by a disciple of Dhanvantari, as indicated by a verse mentioning "Dhanvantari-mukhodgata." While acknowledging the existence of a poet named Dhanvantari during Vikramaditya's time, the author questions the possibility of this Nighantu being from that era, given Dhanvantari's description as an आदिदेव (primordial deity) in Sushruta.
Special Sections: The text notes that the section on the purification and incineration of metals (Dhatus) was not consistently present in all manuscripts, nor is it found in the Rajnighantu. Where the names and properties of metals were listed, the purification and incineration processes were noted in the commentary.
Structure and Organization:
- The text lists the constituent elements or chapters (vargas).
- It includes a detailed table of contents (Varganu Kramani), listing 23 vargas from "Muladi" to "Mishrakadi."
- The text aims to provide the reader with the proper classification of medicinal substances.
- Substances not explicitly mentioned in the main "Dhanvantariya Nighantu" but found in the "Rajnighantu" are placed in a "Vargetara Prakarana."
- Substances from the "Rajnighantu" that appear in the "Dhanvantariya Nighantu" are placed in their respective classes.
- Remaining substances from the "Rajnighantu" are included in an appendix.
- The text uses asterisks (*) to denote references from the Rajnighantu.
Indices and Appendices: The compiled work includes an alphabetical index of all words from both Nighantus and a Sanskrit-Maharashtrian-Kannada-Gurner-Hindi-Latin-Bengali index of drug names, arranged alphabetically.
Acknowledgements: The author acknowledges the assistance of Vashudeva Atmaja Keshava and Chintamani Atmaja Bhaskara in reviewing the manuscripts.
Humility and Request for Correction: The author concludes the preface with a humble request to learned individuals to forgive any errors due to oversight or grammatical complexities, quoting Sanskrit verses emphasizing the vastness of knowledge and the limitations of human understanding.

Content Summary (from the provided text starting Page 11 onwards):

The text then proceeds with the medicinal substance listings, categorized into various Varg as per the table of contents. The initial sections detail:

Mangalacharan (Invocation): Begins with an invocation to Dhanvantari, the primordial deity of medicine.
Granthasya Karanam (Reason for the Text): The author explains the purpose of the Nighantu, stating that it aims to enumerate medicinal substances due to the lack of a comprehensive count in various ancient texts, which often use different names for the same medicinal properties. It emphasizes the importance of knowing these names for proper identification and use in treatments.
First Varga: Guduchyadi (Page 11 onwards):
- Starts with a salutation to Dhanvantari.
- Explains the reason for compiling the Nighantu, highlighting the multiplicity of names for single substances and the importance of identifying them through their characteristics, forms, and origins.
- It lists various medicinal plants and their properties, grouped into classes. For example, the first varga is "Guduchyadi," followed by "Shatapushpadi," "Chandanaadi," and "Karaveeraadi."
- Guduchi (Gooduchyadi): Detailed description of Guduchi, its synonyms, properties (tikta, kashaya, ushna, guru), and its therapeutic uses (e.g., for vata, rakta-pitta, fever, skin diseases, etc.). The text also references its mention in the Rajnighantu.
- Ativisha: Listed as an 'upavisha' (secondary poison) with synonyms, properties (katu, ushna, tikta), and therapeutic uses (e.g., for fever, cough, vomiting, diarrhea). It also mentions its purification process.
- Murva: Described with synonyms, properties (madhura, ushna), and uses for diseases related to kapha, cough, and fever.
- Morata: Mentioned with synonyms, properties, and uses.
- Manjistha: Detailed synonyms, properties (madhura, kashaya, ushna), and uses for blood disorders, inflammation, and fever.
- Dhanvayasa: Synonyms, properties (svadu, shita, tikta), and uses for fever and urinary disorders.
- Vasa: Synonyms, properties (tikta, katu, shita), and uses for cough, fever, and respiratory issues.
- Khadira: Synonyms, properties (tikta, hima), and uses for skin diseases and cough.
- Nimba: Synonyms, properties (tikta, shita, laghu), and extensive uses for skin diseases, fever, and infections.
- Mahanimba: Further elaborates on Nimba variants and their properties.
- Kirata Tiktam: Synonyms, properties (tikta, shita, laghu), and uses for fever, liver disorders, and inflammation.
- Katyuka: Synonyms, properties (tikta, katu, shita), and uses for fever, jaundice, and cough.
- Musta: Synonyms, properties (tikta, kashaya, agni-deepana), and uses for fever and digestive issues.
- Jalamusta: Describes a variant of Musta.
- Parpata: Synonyms, properties (shita, tikta), and uses for fever and inflammation.
- Valaka: Synonyms, properties (shita, tikta), and uses for skin diseases and fever.
- Patola: Synonyms, properties (katu, tikshna, ushna), and uses for skin diseases and fever.
- Haridra: Synonyms, properties (tikta, ruksha, ushna), and extensive uses for skin diseases, inflammation, and digestive issues.
- Daruharidra: Synonyms, properties, and uses.
- Shathi: Synonyms, properties (tikta, tikshna, ushna), and uses for fever and respiratory issues.
- Gandhaplasha: A variant of Shathi.
- Mulaka: Synonyms, properties (tikta, katu, ushna), and uses for cough and respiratory ailments.
- Bhargi: Synonyms, properties (tikta, ushna), and uses for cough and respiratory issues.
- Patha: Synonyms, properties (tikta, vrishya), and uses for skin diseases and fever.
- Shwasari: A variant of Patha.
- Kattala: Synonyms, properties, and uses.
- Devadaru: Synonyms, properties, and uses for respiratory and skin diseases.
- Katrina: Synonyms, properties, and uses for cough and respiratory issues.
- Kapatam: A variant of Katrina.
- Guntha: A type of grass.
- Shringi: Synonyms, properties, and uses for cough and respiratory ailments.
- Ajashringi: A variant of Shringi.
- Shaliparni: Synonyms, properties, and uses for fever and urinary issues.
- Prishniparni: Synonyms, properties, and uses for cough and fever.
- Brihati: Synonyms, properties, and uses for respiratory issues and fever.
- Sarpatanu: A variant of Brihati.
- Sweta Brihati: A variant of Brihati.
- Kantakari: Synonyms, properties, and uses for cough and respiratory issues.
- Lakshmana: A variant of Brihati.
- Vrintaaki: Synonyms, properties, and uses for cough and digestive issues.
- Gokshura: Synonyms, properties, and uses for urinary issues and rejuvenation.
- Bilva: Synonyms, properties, and uses for digestive issues and fever.
- Agnimantha: Synonyms, properties, and uses for skin diseases and fever.
- Syonaaka: Synonyms, properties, and uses for digestive and urinary issues.
- Kaashmarya: Synonyms, properties, and uses for fever and respiratory issues.
- Patala: Synonyms, properties, and uses for fever and digestive issues.
- Kaashpaṭala: A variant of Patala.
- Jivaka: Synonyms, properties, and uses for blood disorders and fever.
- Rishabha: Synonyms, properties, and uses for fever and rejuvenation.
- Meda: Synonyms, properties, and uses for fever and cough.
- Mahameda: A variant of Meda.
- Vijaya: A variant of Meda.
- Kakoli: Synonyms, properties, and uses for fever and cough.
- Kshir Kakoli: A variant of Kakoli.
- Mashparni: Synonyms, properties, and uses for fever and respiratory issues.
- Mudgaparani: Synonyms, properties, and uses for cough and fever.
- Jivanti: Synonyms, properties, and uses for fever and rejuvenation.
- Madhu Yashti: Synonyms, properties, and uses for cough and fever.
- Klitaka: A variant of Madhu Yashti.
- Riddhi: Synonyms, properties, and uses for fever and cough.
- Vidarika: Synonyms, properties, and uses for fever and digestive issues.
- Kshir Vidarika: A variant of Vidarika.
- Kapikachhu: Synonyms, properties, and uses for cough and fever.
- Dadhipushpi: A variant of Kapikachhu.
- Shitivar: Synonyms, properties, and uses for digestive issues and fever.
- Pashanabhedaka: Synonyms, properties, and uses for urinary issues and stones.
- Vatapatri: A variant of Pashanabhedaka.
- Shvetashila: A variant of Pashanabhedaka.
- Chatushpatri: A variant of Pashanabhedaka.
- Shravani: Synonyms, properties, and uses for fever and cough.
- Yavatiktam: Synonyms, properties, and uses for cough and skin diseases.
- Ankota: Synonyms, properties, and uses for poisons and skin diseases.
- Apamarga: Synonyms, properties, and uses for skin diseases and cough.
- Tejasvini: Synonyms, properties, and uses for cough and digestive issues.
- Jyotishmati: Synonyms, properties, and uses for cough and digestive issues.
- Rasna: Synonyms, properties, and uses for cough and fever.
- Ashwagandha: Synonyms, properties, and uses for cough and fever.
- Punarnava: Synonyms, properties, and uses for cough and fever.
- Kraura: A variant of Punarnava.
- Nilapurnava: A variant of Punarnava.
- Saireyaka: Synonyms, properties, and uses for cough and fever.
- Bala: Synonyms, properties, and uses for cough and fever.
- Mahabala: A variant of Bala.
- Ganggeruki: A variant of Bala.
- Balika: A variant of Bala.
- Shatawari: Synonyms, properties, and uses for fever and cough.
- Saharasvari: A variant of Shatavari.
- Eranda: Synonyms, properties, and uses for cough and fever.
- Sthula Eranda: A variant of Eranda.
- Vrushamedha: Found in the appendix.
- Shringi: Found in the appendix.

The text continues with subsequent Vargas (chapters/sections) like Shatapushpadi (Second Varga), Chandanadi (Third Varga), Karaveeradi (Fourth Varga), and Aamradi (Fifth Varga), each detailing various medicinal plants with their synonyms, properties, and therapeutic uses. The structure involves listing the Sanskrit name, synonyms, and then the pharmacological actions and uses.

Overall Significance: This compilation is a valuable resource for understanding the historical context of Ayurvedic pharmacology, the intricate classification of medicinal substances, and the synoptic approach to presenting ancient medical knowledge. The integration of the Rajnighantu with the Dhanvantariya Nighantu, along with the author's annotations and scholarly effort, makes this a significant contribution to the field of Indology and medical history. It highlights the Jain tradition's engagement with and preservation of classical Indian medical literature.