Chronological Development of Bhaiṣajya Kalpanā

Vedic Kāla

1. Presence of Āyurvedic Knowledge in the Vedas
   • The Vedas contain early references to both Auṣadha (medicinal herbs) and Āhāra (dietary preparations).
   • Ekmūlika Prayoga (single-drug therapy) was predominant.
2. Rigveda
   • Mentions numerous medicinal plants like Kiṃśuka, Khadira, Durvā, Kamala, etc.
   • Soma is highlighted as an important Auṣadhi, with Somarasa (fermented juice) as a key Kalpanā.
   • Abhisava Kalpanā is also discussed (an early form of fermentation).
3. Atharvaveda
   • Describes various forms of Sura, Mādhya, Manthā, and dairy products (Dugdha, Dadhī).
   • Mentions several herbs: Apāmārga, Arka, Aśvagandhā, Khadira, Tila, Arjuna, Yava, Pippalī, Bilva, etc.
4. Yajurveda
   • Lists Saktu, Parivāpa, Dadhi, Soma, Madhu, Godhūma, etc.
   • References to cereals and other staples that later evolved into different diet-based Kalpanās in Ayurveda.
5. Parallels in Vedic and Bhaiṣajya Kalpanā
   Below is a simplified comparison table:

Key Insight: Vedic texts laid the foundation for extracting juices (Swarasa), fermenting beverages (Sura, Āsava), and preparing dietary items that directly evolved into classical Ayurvedic formulations.

Upaniṣad Kāla

While direct explicit references to Bhaiṣajya Kalpanā in the Upaniṣads are fewer, this era deepened philosophical aspects of health:

• Philosophical Foundations: Emphasis on the unity of body and mind, relevance of food as medicine, and spiritual dimensions of healing.
• The conceptual underpinnings, like Prāṇa, Ojas, and Ātmaguṇa, would influence the further formalization of Aushadha Kalpanās in the Saṃhitā period.

(Note: The Upaniṣads do not extensively detail the pharmaceutical processes like the Vedas or Saṃhitās, but they reinforced the holistic vision that food and drugs are integral to sustaining life and spiritual well-being.)

Saṃhitā Kāla

During this period, systematic codification of various dosage forms and manufacturing principles took shape, largely through Caraka, Suśruta, and subsequent compendiums.

Caraka Saṃhitā

• Systematic & Scientific Description: Often credited for the first detailed exposition of Bhaiṣajya Kalpanā.
• Description of medicinal gruels – Yavāgu.
• Pañcavidha Kaśāya Kalpanā (Ch.Sū. 4): Swarasa, Kalka, Kvātha, Hima, Phāṇṭa.
• Dhoomavarti, Sneha Nasya, various fermented products (Phāṇita, Sidhu, Sura, Sauvīra, Tusoḍaka, Maireya, Dhānyāmla, Dadhi, Manda).
• Sandhāna Kalpanā & 9 types of Āsava Yoni.
• Dietary Preparations: Manda, Peyā, Vilēpī, Saktu, Odana, Yūṣa, Pāyasa, Raga etc.
• Rasāyana Kalpās: In the first chapter of Cikitsā Sthāna, providing various pharmaceuticals for rejuvenation.
• In kalpa sthana, a number of preparations, including Kashaya, kshirpaka, taila, ghrita, phanita, churna,varti, leha and modaka, which are helpful in panchkarma are explained.
• Some pharmaceutics principles are stated in the 12th chapter of Kalpa sthana.
• Special Mentions: Kṣāra Kalpanā, Vaṭaka Kalpanā, and usage of oil extracted from Bhallātaka seeds.

Suśruta Saṃhitā

• Mentions 6 basic Kalpanās: Kṣīra, Rasa, Kalka, Kvātha, Śīta (Hima), Phāṇṭa.
• It describes numerous processes including water purification, Shāṣṭi upakrama, and advanced Taila Pāka (Shata-pāka, Sahasra-pāka).
• Kṣāra Kalpanā is elaborated as part of Shalya Tantra (surgical approach).
• Additional references to Avaleha, Cūrṇa, Āyaskṛti, etc.

Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya & Aṣṭāṅga Saṃgraha

• Both texts further clarify the formulations introduced by Caraka & Suśruta.
• Provide comparable pharmaceutical preparations: various Snehapakā (Taila, Ghṛta), Kvātha, etc.

Kāśyapa Saṃhitā

• Defines Auṣadhi, Bheṣaja, Bhaiṣajya, Agada, and Kaṣāya in detail.
• Mentions 7 basic preparations: Cūrṇa, Śita-Kaṣāya, Kalka, Kvātha, Svarasa, Abhiṣava (fermented), Phāṇṭa.
• Stresses Āhāra as the “greatest medicine,” with 25 types of Yūṣa described.

Harita Saṃhitā

• Detailed classification of Kvātha (decoctions) with sub-types:
  • Pācana, Śamana, Dīpana, Kledana, Śoṣī, Santarpaṇa, Śodhana, etc.

Post-Saṃhitā Texts and Medieval Developments

Chakradatta (11th Century CE)

• Composed by Ācārya Chakrapāṇi Datta.
• Integrates numerous formulations for common diseases, building on the Bṛhattrayī (Caraka, Suśruta, Vāgbhaṭa).
• Parpaṭi Kalpanā introduced here.
• First to integrate Parada (mercury) yogas within mainstream Ayurvedic texts.

Śārṅgadhara Saṃhitā (14th Century CE)

• Written by Ācārya Śārṅgadhara.
• The Madhyama Khaṇḍa is devoted almost entirely to Bhaiṣajya Kalpanā.
• Chapters detail each dosage form methodically—Swarasa, Kvātha, Phāṇṭa, Hima, Kalka, Cūrṇa, Vaṭi, Avaleha, Sneha, Sandhāna, Dhātu / Upadhātu Śodhana-Māraṇa, Parada.
• First time we see a comprehensive, systematic arrangement of pharmaceutical processes, including dosages, Anupānas, and standardized guidelines.

Bhaiṣajya Ratnāvalī (18th Century CE)

• Authored by Kavirāja Govindadāsa Sen.
• Explores Mūrchanā Saṃskāra (preliminary processing) of ghṛta and taila to improve it’s color, odor, and quality.
• Significant addition of new herbo-mineral formulations to the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia.
• Introduces the concept of Pratinidhi Dravya (substitute drugs).

Yoga Ratnākara

• Offers historical notes on when different drugs first appeared in Ayurvedic literature.
• Explains Pañcavidha Kaśāya Kalpanā again, Asava-Ariṣṭa, Aveleha, etc.
• Documents foreign-origin drugs like Ahiphena (opium), Akarakarābha (Anacyclus pyrethrum).
• Notes usage of Bhāṅgā / Vijāyā in certain formulations e.g. Sinduradi Yoga.
• Mentions Abhāva Pratinidhi Dravya (drug substitutes when the primary drug is unavailable).
• Mentions Ekala dravya prayoga in many diseases.

Pre- and Post-Independence Period

Bhārat Bhaiṣajya Ratnākara

• A significant 20th-century compilation.
• Divided into five parts, listing thousands of Ayurvedic formulations (both Bhaiṣajya Kalpanā and Rasaśāstra).
• Arranged in alphabetical order for practical reference.

Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI)

• A government initiative to standardize Ayurvedic formulations.
• Includes major classical Kalpanās: Āsava, Ariṣṭa, Arka, Avaleha, Pāka, Kvātha, Cūrṇa, Guggulu, Ghṛta, Taila, Lavaṇa, Kṣāra, Lepa, Vaṭi, Guṭikā, etc.
• Also accommodates certain Rasa (mercurial) preparations like Kupipākva Rasāyana, Parpaṭi, Piṣṭi, Bhasma, Mandūra, Rasāyana Lauha.
• Ensures uniformity in manufacturing and broader acceptance of Ayurvedic medicines.

Key Observations & Significance

1. Progressive Evolution:
   From Vedic single-drug references to detailed Saṃhitā classifications, then culminating in medieval compendiums (Chakradatta, Śārṅgadhara) and modern standardization (AFI).
2. Pharmaceutical Sophistication:
   Each text refined dosage forms, processing techniques, storage, and administration details.
   The concept of toxic drug purification also advanced significantly.
3. Integration with Dietetics:
   Many Kalpanās revolve around food forms (Takra, Dadhi, Manda, Peyā, etc.), showing Ayurveda’s emphasis on pathya (wholesome diet).
4. Expansion to Herbo-Mineral & Imported Drugs:
   Later texts started systematically combining herbs and minerals (herbo-mineral preparations) and adapting foreign drugs with proper Ayurvedic rationale.

Conclusion

• Bhaiṣajya Kalpanā has journeyed from simple Vedic references of single herbs and fermented juices to complex and standardized formulations documented in Samhitās, Medieval treatises, and finally modern pharmacopoeias.
• This chronological progression underlines Ayurveda’s dynamic and integrative approach—constantly evolving with the influx of new ingredients, changing disease profiles, and scientific analyses.
• Whether in the early Vedic concept of Somarasa or the advanced Sandhāna Kalpanās and Mūrchanā Saṃskāras of later compendiums, Bhaiṣajya Kalpanā remains a testament to Ayurveda’s ingenuity and adaptability.