• The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), under the Ministry of AYUSH, revived two rare and significant ayurvedic manuscripts — Dravyaratnakara Nighantu and Dravyanamakara Nighantu.

• The publications were unveiled during an event organised by the RRAP Central Ayurveda Research Institute in Mumbai on May 7.

• The manuscripts were edited and translated by veteran ayurveda expert Dr. Sadanand D. Kamat.

• These editions are expected to serve as invaluable resources for students, researchers, academicians, and ayurveda practitioners, further inspiring scholarly exploration and deeper engagement with India’s classical medical literature.

• 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.

Dravyaratnakara Nighantu

Authored by Mudgala Pandita in 1480 AD, this previously unpublished lexicon consists of 18 chapters offering in-depth knowledge on drug synonyms, therapeutic actions, and medicinal properties.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 Nighantus like Dhanvantari and Raja Nighantu while documenting numerous novel medicinal substances from plant, mineral, and animal origins. This edition is a monumental contribution to Dravyaguna and allied ayurvedic disciplines.

Dravyanamakara Nighantu

Attributed to Bhisma Vaidya, this unique work serves as a standalone appendix to the Dhanvantari Nighantu, focusing exclusively on homonyms of drug and plant names — a complex area of study vital to ayurveda. Encompassing 182 verses and two colophon verses, the text has been meticulously edited, enhancing its utility for scholars of Rasashastra, Bhaishajya Kalpana, and classical ayurvedic pharmacology.

Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) 

• CCRAS is an autonomous body under the ministry of AYUSH, which is an apex body for undertaking, coordinating, formulating, developing and promoting research on scientific lines in Ayurveda.

• It is a registered society under Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 on July 29, 2011 (formerly registered as Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha on March 30, 1978).  

• The main activities of the Council comprise clinical research, drug research (medicinal plant research, drug standardisation & quality control, pharmacology research), literary research and research oriented public health care programmes (outreach activities). 

• Besides this, the Council provides health care services through Out–Patient Department (OPD) and In-Patient Departments (IPD) and Special clinics for geriatric health care. 

• The activities are carried out through its 30 institutes/centres/units located all over India and also through collaborative studies with various universities, hospitals and institutes.

The objectives for which the Central Council is established are:

• The formulation of aims and patterns of research on scientific lines in ayurvedic sciences.

• To undertake any research or other programmes in ayurvedic sciences.

• The prosecution of and assistance in research, the propagation of knowledge and experimental measures generally in connection with the causation, mode of spread and prevention of diseases.

• To initiate, aid, develop and coordinate scientific research in different aspects, fundamental and applied of ayurvedic sciences and to promote and assist institutions of research for the study of diseases, their prevention, causation and remedy.

• To finance enquiries and researches for the furtherance of objects of the Central Council.

• To exchange information with other institutions, associations and societies interested in the objects similar to those of the Central Council and specially in observation and study of diseases in the East and in India in particular.

• To prepare, print, publish and exhibit any papers, posters, pamphlets, periodicals and books for furtherance of the objects of the Central Council and contribute to such literature.

• To issue appeals and make applications for money and funds in furtherance of the objects of the Central Council and to accept for the aforesaid purpose gifts, donations and subscriptions of cash and securities and of any property whether movable or immovable.

• To borrow or raise monies with or without security or on security mortgage charge, hypothecation or pledge of all or any of the immovable or movable properties belonging to the Central Council or in any other manner whatsoever.

• To invest and deal with the funds and monies of the Central Council or entrusted to the Central Council not immediately required in such manner as may from time to time be determined by the governing body of the Central Council.

• To permit the funds of the Central Council to be held by the government.

• To acquire and hold, whether temporarily or permanently any movable or immovable property necessary or convenient for the furtherance of the objects of the Central Council.

• To sell, lease, mortgage and exchange, and otherwise transfer any of the properties movable or immovable of the Central Council provided prior approval of the central government is obtained for the transfer of immovable property.

• To purchase, construct, maintain and alter any buildings or works necessary or convenient for the purpose of the Central Council.

• To undertake and accept the management of any endowment or trust fund for donation, the undertaking or acceptance whereof may seem desirable.

• To offer prizes and grant of scholarships, including travelling scholarships in furtherance of the objects of the Central Council.

• To create administrative, technical and ministerial and other posts under the Society and to make appointments thereto in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Society.

• To establish a provident fund and/or pension fund for the benefit of the Central Councils employees and/or their family members.

• To do all such other lawful things either alone or in conjunction with others as the Central Council may consider necessary or as being incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects.

• To undertake R&D consultancy projects and transfer of patents on drugs and processes to industry.

• To undertake R&D projects sponsored by industries in public/private sector.

• To undertake international and interagency collaboration.

• Utilisation of results of research conducted and payment of share of royalties/consultancy fees to those who have contributed towards pursuit of such research.

• To enter into arrangements with scientific agencies of other countries for exchange of scientists, study tours, training in specialised areas, conducting joint projects, etc.

• To provide technical assistance to govt/private agencies in matters consistent with the activities of the Council.

• To assist the Medicinal Plants Board, government of India in achieving its objectives.

• To constitute small management committees consisting of eminent scientists/physicians of local areas to monitor the R&D activities and suggest remedial measures for the improvement of activities of all central as well as research institutes of the Council.

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