Abstract

RASA-SHASTRA–SHALYA TANTRA INTERFACE IN CONTEMPORARY AYURVEDIC SURGERY: A CRITICAL EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS OF PHARMACEUTICAL STANDARDIZATION, KSHARA-BASED PARASURGICAL INTERVENTIONS, RASAUSHADHI AND POSTOPERATIVE THERAPEUTICS

Dr. Ankit T. Bansode*, Dr. Vaibhav H. Pagore

Abstract

Rasa-Shastra and Shalya Tantra represent two specialized domains of Ayurveda with potentially complementary roles in clinical practice. Shalya Tantra encompasses surgical and parasurgical procedures, wound management and postoperative care, whereas Rasa-Shastra deals primarily with the pharmaceutical processing and therapeutic application of metals, minerals and potent herbo-mineral preparations. Their interface is particularly relevant to Kshara karma, Kshara Sutra therapy, anorectal disorders and selected aspects of wound management. This narrative review examines classical concepts and contemporary clinical evidence concerning Kshara, Kshara Sutra, Bhagandara, Arsha, Parikartika and postoperative care, together with pharmaceutical standardization and safety considerations of Rasa-Shastra preparations. Published clinical studies have evaluated Kshara Sutra in fistula-in-ano, Apamarga Kshara in first- and second-degree hemorrhoids and Kshara Sutra-based interventions in chronic fissure-in-ano. Evidence indicates potential clinical utility of selected Ayurvedic parasurgical procedures, but outcomes differ according to disease anatomy, comparator and treatment objective. Modern analytical studies have additionally demonstrated the importance of batch standardization and safety evaluation of herbo-mineral preparations. An integrated approach should therefore be individualized according to diagnosis, anatomy, disease severity, procedural indication, pharmaceutical quality, patient preference and safety. Rasaushadhi should not be regarded as routinely necessary after every surgical procedure; rather, its use should be indication-specific and supported by appropriate pharmaceutical and clinical evidence. Future research should combine classical pharmaceutical principles with contemporary analytical science, randomized clinical trials, long-term follow-up and standardized surgical outcomes.

Keywords: Rasa-Shastra, Shalya Tantra, Kshara, Kshara Sutra, Rasaushadhi, Bhagandara.