RARE AYURVEDIC MANUSCRIPTS REVIVED
Team L&M
In a significant stride toward preserving Indiaโs rich legacy in traditional medicine, the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), under the Ministry of Ayush, has revived two rare and significant Ayurvedic manuscriptsโDravyaratnฤkara Nighaแนแนญu and Dravyanamฤkara Nighaแนแนญu.
The publications were unveiled during an event organised by the RRAP Central Ayurveda Research Institute in Mumbai. The event was graced by Prof. Vd. Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS, New Delhi, who also delivered the keynote address highlighting the โActivities of CCRAS, Ministry of Ayushโ, in research, digitisation, and revival of traditional Ayurvedic literature.
The manuscripts were critically edited and translated by renowned manuscriptologist and veteran Ayurveda expert, Dr. Sadanand D. Kamat of Mumbai. The release ceremony saw the presence of dignitaries, including Shri Ranjit Puranik, President, Ayurvidya Prasarak Mandal and Managing Director, Shri Dhootapeshwar Limited; Dr. Ravi More, Principal, Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Sion; Dr. Shyam Nabar and Dr. Ashanand Sawant from Ayurvidya Prasarak Mandal; and Dr. R. Govind Reddy, Assistant Director (Ayu), CARI, Mumbai.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Vd. Rabinarayan Acharya emphasised the importance of such revivals in bridging Indiaโs ancient wisdom with contemporary research frameworks. He said that โThese texts are not just historical artefactsโthey are living knowledge systems that can transform contemporary healthcare approaches when studied and applied thoughtfullyโ.
These critical editions are expected to serve as invaluable resources for students, researchers, academicians, and Ayurveda practitioners, further inspiring scholarly exploration and deeper engagement with Indiaโs classical medical literature.
Dravyaratnฤkara Nighaแนแนญu:
Dravyaratnฤkara Nighaแนแนญuโa revived 15th-century Ayurvedic lexicon
Authored by Mudgala Paแนแธita in 1480 AD, this previously unpublished lexicon consists of eighteen chapters offering in-depth knowledge on drug synonyms, therapeutic actions, and medicinal properties. A widely referenced text in Maharashtra until the 19th century, it draws from classical Nighaแนแนญus like Dhanvantari and Raja Nighaแนแนญu while documenting numerous novel medicinal substances from plant, mineral, and animal origins. This critical edition, revived by Dr. S. D. Kamat, is a monumental contribution to Dravyaguna and allied Ayurvedic disciplines.
Dravyanฤmฤkara Nighaแนแนญuโan erudite
supplement to Dhanvantari Nighaแนแนญu,
exploring Ayurvedic homonyms with precision
Attributed to Bhisma Vaidya, this unique work serves as a standalone appendix to the Dhanvantari Nighaแนแนญu, focusing exclusively on homonyms of drug and plant namesโa complex area of study vital to Ayurveda. Encompassing 182 verses and two colophon verses, the text has been meticulously edited and commented upon by Dr. Kamat, enhancing its utility for scholars of Rasashastra, Bhaishajya Kalpana, and classical Ayurvedic pharmacology.
Dr. Kamat, known for his authoritative work on Saraswati Nighaแนแนญu, Bhฤvaprakฤsha Nighaแนแนญu, and Dhanvantari Nighaแนแนญu, once again brings his deep scholarship and commitment to preserving India’s Ayurvedic heritage.
These critical editions are more than scholarly achievements; they are beacons for future Ayurvedic practitioners, researchers, and educators. By digitising, editing, and interpreting these works, CCRAS and its collaborators are not only safeguarding literary treasures but also enriching India’s traditional healthcare system with validated ancient insights.