As Buddhism became more widespread in Asia, a new understanding of human health arose. A Buddhist monk and practising alchemist called Nagajuna began to refine and formulate the practise of making remedies with precious metals, gemstones and other minerals.

Surgical intervention in the Buddhist tradition was considered to be too invasive for the body. The practise of surgery slowly began its decline in favour of new herbal formulas being developed for the application of internal medicines.

Herbal compounds were effective, but in cases of great chronicity, healers of the day sought a medical system which emulated the immediate effects of surgery but dispensed with its invasive and complex procedures.

The solution to this problem was Rasa Shastra, an alchemical fusion between mineral and organic compounds including such diverse materials as mercury, copper and diamond.

These new, highly potent formulas delivered into the hands of physicians a medicine which could be administered in very small quantities, was fast acting, tasteless, odourless and truly miraculous in its efficiency and potency.

The sharaava seen in the opposite image (bottom left) contains a quantity of Dugdha Pasana (milkstone or soapstone). this material has been mixed and ground with aloe plant gel and made into chakrika. This pillets are heated for two hours and removed to be re-ground and subjected to further purification treatments.