Abstract

ARKA PRAKASHA – A CRITICAL REVIEW

Dr. Vijayalakshmi*, Dr. Virupaksha Gupta and Dr. Saravanan

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Abstract

Arka prakasha is one of the excellent Ayurvedic treatise written by Lankapathi Ravana. It is the first text detailly elaborates on Arka (Distillate) preparations. Dr. Indradev Tripathi wrote Hindi commentary for this text in 1995. The chapters are called as Shatakas because each chapter contains 100 verses. There are 10 Shatakas in which the text totally encompasses of 1000 verses. Arka prakasha expounds entire method of arka preparation with ingredients and mode of administration in specific diseases. Many unique concepts like vasheekarana (mesmerizing), adrishyakarana (making one invisible) are explained in brief. This text also throws light on field of dravyaguna (ayurvedic pharmacology) regarding aushadhi vargeekarana (drug classification), lakshana (characteristics) of rasa (taste), guna (quality), veerya (potency), vipaka (end transformation), prabhava (special effect) etc., and also on rasashastra (alchemy) concerns with shodhana (purification), marana (incineration), sevana vidhi (administration) of metals and mineral drugs in separate section.

Keywords: Arka prakasha, Arka kalpana, Distillation.