The basic concept of the present work is to put together the available documentary evidence on metals and mineral medicine; tradition of our country; and create a foundation for various purposes. Rasashastra is catering to the needs of patients either as a single drug or as an ingredient of a formulation. Rasushadhies are used by Vaidyas along with the herbal preparations and are believed to act fast to get relief from the ailment. Thus, region specific, season specific and tradition specific diversity of mineral medicines documented in many sources should be made available at one place in user friendly manner is the need of the hour.

The science is always been questioned and challenged by modern chemists and other scientists for its use of metals and minerals as medicines. This happens partly due to the Sanskrit language in which the knowledge has flourished. In current perspective Sanskrit is not only a dead language but also out of day-to-day practice. Except for the few people working in the field of Sanskrit; it can not serve the purpose of knowledge transfer. On the other hand English has conquered the title of 'language of science'. Therefore a need of translation of the documents in English generates. It would help the scientific community to understand the content properly rather than opining on half truths. The translation is based on meanings using Monier Williums -Sanskrit English Dictionary, Vaidyakashabdasindhoo, Vachaspatyam and Ayurvediya shabdakosha. As rasashastra is practical science taught by the teacher to his disciple; interpretative meanings are more important than word to word meanings. The emphasis is on interpretative translation rather than linguistic translation. Wherever possible, terms employed for technical procedures from chemistry and physics are used to explain the technicality.

The database is aimed at undergraduate and post graduate students, pharmaceutical companies and research workers. To cater to the needs of each of these sectors it is designed in a specific way.

1. Requirments of undergraduate students can be fulfilled by the summary part of each drug. Summary is prepared from mainly Rasaratnasammuchaya, Ayurvedaprakash and Rasatarangini as these texts are considered most practical and authentic by Rasashastries working in the field. Whereever these three texts provide no information on a particular aspect, it is fulfilled from any other text. This gives a bird's eye-view of each drug.
2. The post graduate students, researchers and others can use detail information on each drug compiled and translated from each book. For example if one wants to know how the description of Manshila {Arsenic trisulphide}differes in Rasaratna samucchaya and Rasahridayatantra, one can easily compare the two regarding each aspect. The two books come from two different domains, former is for medicinal purpose while the later is for alchemical purpose. The philosophy changes and so does the procedures. The database is a handy help for such minute details.

Methodology developed to give the data present shape is in four steps.
Sorting of the texts
    Group A)Texts devoted to Rasashastra--researched edited reprints
    Group B) Samhitas and widely used compendia of Ayurveda
    Group C) Archive texts
    Group D) Modern texts on mineralogy and geology.

Categorization of the complete data Drugs, equipments, weights and measures etc.

Sub-categorization into fields identification, processes , dose, duration, toxic effects etc.

Translation of shloka; spliting the shloka into processing drugs, yantra, process frequency etc. and its arrangement in the pre-decided format developed on actual work practices.

Structure of the database is based on the basic layout described in the Rasashastra texts. Some books are also referred to develop a clear understanding of concepts but are not included as a part of the database. Some references from manuscripts also come as second referral from the archives. The information is compiled from 52 selected books available in print form and is categorized under two main categories viz. drug and equipment. Each drug is described using a particular format or monograph to facilitate understanding. The traditional scientific data about the drugs is supplemented by suitable modern mineralogical information where available. In short one can get the following in this database.

1. Monographs of drugs in a specific sequence.
2. Equipments required to conduct procedures.
3. Weights and measures with conversion table.
4. Glossary of terminology of Rasashastra.
5. Glossary of diseases and conditions that occur in the texts.
6. Botanical names of plants.
7. Identification guidelines of drugs in co-relational manner.
8. Toxicities and antidotes of drugs.
9. Photographs of assemblies and drugs.
10. Articles to know more about the science Rasashastra.

There are certain limitations to the database. At places meanings of words and sentences are unclear or ambiguous or we are unable to co-relate or interpret; we have put a question-mark. It is very difficult to separate alchemy from Medicine particularly in case of mercury. Though the saying goes 'Alchemical procedures are confirmatory tests to permit the use of Mercury and other metals in human body', we have followed the line of Rasaratnasamucchaya and Ayurveda Prakash and restricted the database towards medicinal aspect letting apart, Dehavad or rejuvenation.

We also have restricted ourselves to the single drug processings and therapeutics and have not indulged in formulations and 'amayika prayoga (main drug+ sahayogi drug + anupan).

In nutshell highlights of the database are

1. Translation in interpretative manner, rather than literary as this is a practical science wherein manufacture of medicines from crude drug is documented.
2. Information in digital media should serve as a basis of formation of different hypotheses; fundamental and applied.
3. Wider application in student community, scientist community and industry as it has tried to put all possible and available sources at one place.

As the technology is advancing it is a demand of the time that the age old science and wisdom should adopt new techniques. To develop itself further for the betterment of whole mankind it needs a facelift. This can be achieved only when one gets a complete idea of themes, concepts, theories, principles and minute details explained in the science. The ground work of 'what is known today and the rational behind it' can open up new horizons for any science; this thought has lead to the genesis of the Database.

This project encompasses a new technology platform and data refinement of the data created in the earlier project called Metals and Minerals funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India

The database is based on the secondary resources. Texts which have trailed through time, which have been edited by eminent scholars form the platform for the database. Similarly those published books which are grouped together as archives contribute towards the understanding of the subject. We as editors acknowledge these previous efforts without which it was not possible to put together the information.

In case of Modern information the encyclopaedia have been used not only to source the information but also for rare photographs. The source materials are enlisted in the proper format in this database as the references; not at each point but in the separate list. The photographs of models of Yantra and other equipment were obtained from the department of Rasashastra-Bhaishjyakalpanavigyan, College of Ayurveda, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, we are thankful to them.

We also are thankful to all known and unknown sources who have directly or indirectly helped us in completing the database.