Critical Analysis of Bhutasamkhya Evidences in the Indian Alchemical Text: Rasatarangini

Abstract

Introduction: The Bhutasamkhya system is a way to compose numbers in Sanskrit that makes use of colloquial nouns that have numerical value connotations. Bhuta and Samkhya are the two words that compose Bhutasamkhya. The word "bhuta" comes from the Sanskrit word "dhatu bhu sattayam," which means "any kind of object or material substance." Sankhya means number. These are found present in many Rasashastra Tests, starting from Rasashrudaya Tantra to Rasatarangi. The wide use of these terms is found in Rasatarangini by Aacharya Sadanand Sharma. Material & Methods: Rasatarangini is thoroughly scrutinized, which is a textbook of Rasashastra, the alchemical science of India, written by Sadanand Sharma in the 20th century AD (3rd March 1924). The analysis of terms is conducted using commentaries on the Vedas, Puranas, and interpretive books, as well as research articles available on the internet. Result: Altogether one hundred and eighteen references of Bhutasamkhya have been collected from 24 Tarangas (chapters) of Rasatarangini. Terms like Rasa, Pada, Turiya, Rudra, and Kala are frequently used instead of numbers. Conclusion: The Paper elaborates the meaning of each term used in detail and the important contribution of Rasatarangini in the use of Bhutasamkhya. At around 108 places, Bhutasamkhya terminologies are used in the comprehensive 24 Tarangs of Rasatarangini. Using these terminologies helps us understand the importance of confidentiality in the procedure elaboration, dimension quantification, and in standard operating procedure (SOP) elaboration, and in varied ways for the rational class.