Abhidhan Ratna Mala (अभिधानरत्नमाला)

Description

अभिधानरत्नमाला (Abhidhan Ratna Mala) Abhidhāna-Ratnamālā or Şadrasa Nighantu is one of the Nighantus in synonymous style. This is compa ratively less known in northern India while in south it was published more than once (Madras 1881, 1928, 1938). But looking to the fact that the text still required a through checking, the present edition has been taken up.

Materials:- The following materials were used as basis for this work:-

1. Ms. 1-Şadrasa Nighantu (with Andhra Tikā)- transcribed copy of the Ms. No. D 13257 of Govt. Oriental Mss. Library, Madras.

2. Ms. 2-Abhidhānaratnamālā or Şadrasa Nighantu- microfilmed copy of the Ms. No. (Samskrit Mss.) K 6245 Buhler 245 of India Office Library, London.

3. Ms. 3-Şadrasanighantu (Abhidhānaratnamālā) Microfilmed copy of the text publisned by Chennapuri Vavilla Rama Swamy Sastrulu and Sons, Madras, 1939 (preserved In the Indian Institute of History of Medicine, Hyderabad).

Style and Contents :-

The subject matter of Abhidlıāna-Ratnamālā is arranged in six chapters (Skandhas) according to six Rasas that is why it is commonly known as Şadrasa Nighanţu. Classification of drugs in six groups accord- ing to Rasa has been done in ancient works like Caraka Samhita and Suśruta Samhita where they are known as Skandhas and Vargas respectively.

In the begining of the chapters all the drugs des- cribed therein are enumerated, thereafter the drugs are described one by one in the same order with the synonyms. Rasa being the criteria of classification, all types of drug-vegetable, animal products as well minerals are included in respective groups. The number of drugs included in various groups is as follows :

1. Madhura Skandha – 102

2. Amla Skandha – 32

3. Lavaņa Skandha – 11

4. Tikta Skandha – 128

5. Katu Skandha – 70

6. Kaşāya Skandha – 115