A Scholarly Ayurvedic Review on Yogendra Rasa and Vasantakusumākara Rasa: Classical Insight and Contemporary Relevance

A Scholarly Ayurvedic Review on Yogendra Rasa and Vasantakusumākara Rasa: Classical Insight and Contemporary Relevance

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🔷 1. Introduction

In the ancient Rasashastra tradition, Rasaushadhis (herbo-mineral preparations) are known for their fast action, deep tissue penetration, and disease-specific targeting. Among these, Yogendra Rasa and Vasantakusumākara Rasa stand out as potent Rasāyana-Vajīkaraṇa formulations with broad systemic and neuro-endocrinal benefits.

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🔷 2. Yogendra Rasa – The “King of Yogīs” Among Rasaushadhis

🔸 a. Classical Reference

🕉️ Rasa Tarangini, Bhaishajya Ratnavali, Yoga Ratnakara

योगेन्द्रं रसं श्रेष्ठं सर्वरोगहरं परम्।
विशेषतः प्रमेहेषु दोषवातबलापहम्॥

🔹 Translation: Yogendra Rasa is the supreme formulation that cures all diseases, especially useful in prameha (diabetes) and Vātaja disorders.

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🔸 b. Ingredients (Common Yogendra Rasa Composition):

No	Ingredient	Quantity
1	Shuddha Parada (Mercury)	1 part
2	Shuddha Gandhaka (Sulphur)	1 part
3	Swarna Bhasma (Gold)	1 part
4	Abhraka Bhasma	1 part
5	Loha Bhasma	1 part
6	Muktā Bhasma (optional)	1 part
7	Rasasindhura (or Kajjali)	Processed with above
8	Bhāvana Dravya: Brahmi, Vacha, Kumari Swarasa, etc.

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🔸 c. Pharmacological Actions (Karma):

• Medhya – improves intellect, cognitive strength

• Majjā-Prabhāvī – beneficial in CNS disorders

• Rasāyana – anti-aging and rejuvenative

• Dīpana-Pācana – improves digestion and metabolism

• Yogavāhi – acts as a synergist, carrying other drugs deep into dhātus

• Vātānulomaka – pacifies Vāta in Majjā, Śukra, and Nāḍīs

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🔸 d. Indications:

• Neurological diseases: Parkinsonism, epilepsy, paralysis

• Diabetes and complications: Neuropathy, retinopathy

• Psychiatric disorders: Anxiety, depression, insomnia

• Reproductive disorders: Sexual debility, oligospermia

• Chronic diseases: Autoimmune, fatigue syndromes

• Glaucoma (optic nerve nourishment)

• Vātavyādhi (chronic Vāta-related conditions)

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🔸 e. Dosage and Anupāna:

• Dose: 125–250 mg once or twice daily

• Anupāna (vehicle): Honey + ghee / Brahmi Ghrita / Dashamoola Kvatha

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🔸 f. Modern Insight:

• Neuro-enhancing: May support myelin sheath protection and neurotransmitter modulation

• Mitochondrial support: Due to gold and iron micro particles

• Bioenhancer: Mercury’s yogavāhī nature aids deeper delivery

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🔷 3. Vasantakusumākara Rasa – A Royal Elixir for Diabetes, Rejuvenation & Reproduction

🔸 a. Classical Reference

🕉️ Bhaishajya Ratnavali, Rasa Tarangini, Rasa Chandanshu

वसन्तकुसुमाकरं नाम रसं चक्रवर्तिनम्।
प्रमेहकुष्ठवातघ्नं बलपुष्टिकरं परम्॥

🔹 Translation: Vasantakusumākara Rasa is a "kingly elixir" that destroys prameha (diabetes), vāta-roga, and builds strength, fertility, and immunity.

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🔸 b. Ingredients:

No	Ingredient	Quantity
1	Shuddha Parada	1 part
2	Shuddha Gandhaka	1 part
3	Swarna Bhasma	1 part
4	Rajata Bhasma (Silver)	1 part
5	Vanga Bhasma (Tin)	1 part
6	Loha Bhasma	1 part
7	Abhraka Bhasma	1 part
8	Mukta Bhasma	1 part
9	Pravāla Bhasma (Coral)	1 part
10	Bhāvana: Karpūra, Jambu, Amalaki, Haridra, etc.

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🔸 c. Pharmacological Actions (Karma):

• Rasāyana – Rejuvenator, tissue regenerator

• Vajīkaraṇa – Aphrodisiac and fertility booster

• Pramehaghna – Antidiabetic (both type 1 & 2)

• Ojasvardhaka – Enhances immunity & vitality

• Hr̥dya – Cardiac tonic

• Chakṣushya – Improves vision

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🔸 d. Indications:

• Madhumeha (Diabetes Mellitus) – controls sugar & prevents complications

• Prameha-pidaka (diabetic boils), diabetic ulcers

• Infertility (male and female)

• Impotency (Klaibya)

• Low sperm count, erectile dysfunction

• Early aging, graying of hair, fatigue

• Eye disorders – Glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy

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🔸 e. Dosage and Anupāna:

• Dose: 125–250 mg BD

• Anupāna: Honey + cream + milk OR decoction of Amalaki / Asanadi Kwatha

• Can be combined with Chandraprabha Vati, Shilajatu, Guduchi

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🔸 f. Modern Insight:

• Anti-diabetic activity: Regulates insulin resistance and β-cell protection

• Antioxidant & adaptogen: Enhances resilience in stress & aging

• Spermatogenic: Improves semen parameters

• Neuroprotective: Supports long-term glucose-induced nerve damage prevention

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🔷 4. Comparative Chart: Yogendra vs. Vasantakusumākara

Feature	Yogendra Rasa	Vasantakusumākara Rasa
Chief Action	Neurotonic, Yogavāhi	Rasāyana, Vajīkaraṇa, Antidiabetic
Chief Doṣa Target	Vāta–Majjā–Śukra	Kapha–Pitta–Śukra–Rasa
Special Use	Parkinsonism, Paralysis, Glaucoma	Diabetes, Infertility, Aging
Anupāna	Brahmi Ghrita, honey, Dashamoola	Milk, honey, Amalaki
Contains Swarna Bhasma?	Yes	Yes
Contains Rajata / Vanga?	No	Yes

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🔷 5. Conclusion:

Both Yogendra Rasa and Vasantakusumākara Rasa represent the zenith of classical herbo-mineral formulations used in Ayurveda. Their action is not only disease-specific but also dhātu-specific, making them valuable in chronic, degenerative, metabolic, and geriatric conditions.

🔹 Proper doṣa assessment, patient strength, and anupāna selection are key to their safe and effective use.

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📚 References:

1. Rasa Tarangini – Shri Sadananda Sharma

2. Bhaishajya Ratnavali – Govinda Das Sen

3. Rasa Chandanshu

4. Ayurveda Sara Sangraha

5. API of Ayurveda, Vol. 1 & 2 – CCRAS

6. Modern pharmacognosy articles on Swarna Bhasma and Parada yogas