Part 1 - Characteristics of Silver (raupya)

The best silver (raupya) has the following characteristics. It is heavy, soothing, mild, white when melted, malleable, white as conch shell, smooth, glossy, and free from cracks.

Silver of eight kinds are to be rejected; viz. that which is red. yellow, or black, when heated; and that which is coarse, brittle, light, stiff, and rough.

Variety of silver.

Silver is of, three different kinds, viz, (1) that which is as old as the earth (2) that which grows in mines, and (3) artificial, that is, silver prepared from base metals.

(1) Silver which is as old as the earth.

Silver of this description is to be found in kailash and some other mountains. Such a silver cures diseases by mere touch only.

(2) Silver growing in mines,

The silver which grows in mines found in the peaks of the Himalayas and in other places is called mineral silver. Such a silver is a good curer and preventer of senility.

(3) Artificial silver.

Artificial silver is the one which is nothing but tin, copper, or lead, transformed into silver by mercury (for processes of such transformation, see vol. I). It cures all sorts of diseases, if applied properly.

Qualities of silver (1).

Silver is astringent and sour in taste, but it turns sweet, when digested in the stomach. It is cool, laxative, reducer of fat, increaser of appetite, soothing, pacifier of vayu and kapha, and increaser of the digesting heat in the stomach. It strengthens the body, retains youth, and increases memory.

Qualities of silver (2)

Silver is cool, astringent, sour, pacifier of pitta and vayu, and heavy in point of digestion. It cures all the diseases, if taken in accordance with the regulations prescribed for taking of medicines efficacious in curing and preventing senile decay.

Silver is to be purified and incinerated.

Silver (raupya), not properly purified and incinerated, impairs longevity, semen, and strength. It gives rise to inflammation and constipation. It should therefore be purified and incinerated.