Ayurvedic Herbology
Using Yantra in Ayurvedic Herbalism
Bhasma Therapy: Panacea or Poison?
Ayurvedic View on Rasa Shastra Metallic Medicines or Bhasmas
Using Yantra in Ayurvedic Herbalism
by Prashanti De Jager
Yantra simply means ‘device’ in Sanskrit, and similar to devices like radios that tune into certain frequencies, yantras both tune into and amplify very specific vibrations that are salubrious to our herbal intentions. How does this spell healing to the Ayurvedic practitioner and their client? There are many reasons but here are some to ponder.
Yantra - Good for the Herbs
The Yantra is considered to be a geometrical equivalent of a mantra, and so it is about generating or modulating vibrational energy. Since the Yantra is more static, the vibration is steady, like a standing wave ‘trapped’ or ‘channeled’ by boundaries and filters. It also tends to be precise more often than a mantra. This particular vibration enhances the power of the herbs; it is like having a Gyoto monk or a Kashi pujari personally attending the herbs and continuously chanting empowering mantras. In fact, when using mantras to empower herbs, I have found that first directing the mantra through a yantra seems to focus the power of my sankalpa (intention). As Vamadeva points out, it creates a pattern in the herbs that will more effectively hold mantras.
Because a properly made Yantra invokes a pure, non-vitiated vibration, it activates the pure activities of an herb. For instance, Ashwagandha will create more Ojas than Kapha when used with a Yantra because Ojas can be seen to be the pure form of Kapha. The same goes for Prana and Tejas. The right yantra can also make herbs more Sattvic, while another yantra, say of a Goddess like Kranti, can make the herbs Rajasic. The choices of the herbalist are not “good or bad”, but rather about which energies are preferable: sometimes it is Rajas or Tamas.
Yantra - Enhances Practitioner Herb Wisdom
The Yantra is an archetypal symbol that can trigger the ability to innately know what an herb is good for and if it is good for you. It has this power because by looking at it, certain energetic structures in our subtle bodies are activated that allow a direct link to an intuitive knowledge of the herb. In other words, when you look at a jar of herbs on which a yantra is placed, your eyes read the text under the label or visually inspect the herbs, but your third eye reads the yantra, and gets to the codes to open up a part of you that can hear what the medicine is saying. Of course, only a great Vaidya Yogi can fully do this, but I am sure it happens subtley for some and subliminally for others. Tradition is that the same exact yantra actually exists inside of us, in the patterns of certain inter-chakra nadi networks within the within.
If we are lucky and skillful, a Yantra can be programmed, or requested, to gather and hold our accumulated collective efforts, thereby building the Prana of the remedy, the clinic, or the vaidya. Of course, any logo can do this, but to the extent that the yantra carries and promotes a special Shakti, it enhances above any other logos of our enterprises.
Utilizing Yantra
Respect is the key to correct use of a yantra as it is the mansion of a particular goddess embodying a cosmic principle. Since the moon significantly helps to govern the Soma in the herbs, I often will place a large Sri Yantra engraved on a Silver, Copper or Gold plate on top of the herbs and place this overnight out in the light of the full moon or during some other auspicious muhurta (moment). The Yantra can also be placed on the herb jar label. Yantras are more powerful when engraved in metal, so in India I once commissioned an artist to engrave the Sri Yantra in the metal tops of my herb jars. They were beautiful and I feel the Goddesses who empower herbs appreciate beauty and are more likely to take up residence in herbal practices and apothecaries that embrace and radiate beauty. Well made and skillfully used Yantras can promote this beauty.
It is best to practice Yantras within the whole of the tradition to fully utilize its synergy; it will not thrive when torn from its Vedic roots. Good results can be generated with the judicial use of these mystic diagrams, but like any Vedic science, the use of Yantras is best learned directly from the Yantra and from an experienced expert, and not from mere written words. In fact, to be assured that I have a great expert on my side who will rectify my mistakes and lack of skill, I almost always use Yantras that I have personally immersed into the Ganga to invoke her Divine blessings. As Ayur, the continuity aspect of consciousness, is a hologram, Yantra helps us reflect That.
Prashanti studied the Vedic Sciences in India for most of the past decade, is now on the staff of Rishekesh College of Ayurveda in India. He helps direct a large organic herb project in India. Contact information: prashanti@igc.org Tel: 888-550-VEDA
Bhasma Therapy: Panacea or Poison?
by Jay Glaser, M.D.
Rasa, the Sanskrit name for an organism’s primordial essence, its plasma or sap, is also the ancient name for mercury. Formerly called quicksilver for its shimmering elemental liquid form that breaks into dozens of globules when shaken, mercury is held by many Ayurvedic physicians to be sacred because of its life-giving properties.
There is an Ayurvedic principle stating that the greatest of all remedies, taken improperly, can be a poison; and the worst poison, taken properly, can be the greatest of remedies. In no field of Ayurveda does this apply so aptly as the discipline of rasashastra. These texts are the description of how to prepare mercury bhasmas (The Sanskrit word bhasama literally means ashes, thus mercury bhasma means ashes of mercury.)
It is in this light that we have to consider an original research article presented in the December 15, 2004 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) showing that fifteen of 70 different Ayurvedic products of Indian origin found in Asian grocery stores in the Boston area had levels of lead, mercury and arsenic that were above the amount considered safe.
To obtain the full article, click here and specify: "Glaser, Vol III, issue 3".
Jay Glaser, MD, is board certified in internal medicine and is medical director of the Lancaster Ayurveda Medical Center in Sterling, MA. Many of his articles and research on Ayurveda are available on his web site: www.AyurvedaMed.com. Request his free newsletter via email: subscribe@AyurvedaMed.com. Tel: 978-422-5044
Ayurvedic View on Rasa Shastra Metallic Medicines or Bhasmas
by Dr.Patap Chauhan
History
Historically, Rasa Shastra or “Vedic Chemistry”, is an offshoot of Ayurveda that developed around the period when Buddha existed, more than 2500 years ago. This special branch of medicine is called Rasa shastra.Rasa shastra describes the use of metals, gems, minerals and poisons to produce special formulations that combat acute conditions or serious diseases. This science is often referred to as “alchemy” and the resultant medications are called rasas which mainly comprise of metallic ashes called bhasmas. According Rasendra Mangal of Nagarjuna (chapter 1, verse7-9) these bhasmas, or lighter forms of metals, are contained in organo-metallic compounds that work as carriers (yogavahi). This means they are able to carry the herbs mixed with them faster to the desired site and start the action immediately. They act as catalysts and increase the bioavailability of the herbs to the cell. After performing the desired action, the bhasmsas are eliminated through our excretory systems, specifically via mutra and mala (urine and stool).
Usage
Bhasmas can help patients who have tried all other medical solutions and have lost hope to recover. (Rasendra Mangal of Nagarjuna chapter 1, verse 10). They are often called ‘life saving’ or ‘miracle’ medicines and are preferred in acute situations or in grave illness due to their rapid action. They are considered to be the life saving drugs of Ayurveda and work wonders like the ‘steroids’ of modern medicine.
To obtain the full article, click here and specify: "Chauhan, Vol III, issue 3".
Dr. Partap Chauhan (Ayurvedacharya) is an author, educator and master Ayurvedic physician. He is the founder of Jiva Ayurveda, India and has traveled to more than 25 countries to teach Ayurveda and help patients suffering mainly from the so-called “incurable diseases”. Dr. Chauhan has been a pioneer in telemedicine, developing TeleDoc, and receiving the best ehealth project award from the United Nations in December, 2003. Website: www.ayurvedic.org.
