Part 5 - Lavana (5): Romaka (sambar-salt)

In the province of Jayapura (in Rajputana), there is a salt-water lake, named Shakambhara, now called Sambar. Its water is as saline as sea-water. The salt, produced from the water of this lake, is called “romaka”. In ancient times, a river named “Romavati” (now extinct) flowed from this lake. The salt which was produced from the water of this river was also called ‘romaka’ salt. In the vicinity of this lake, there was, in ancient times, a famous town, called ‘Roma’. It was perhaps located somewhere near the modem town of Jaypore (built by king Jaysinha), There is another town in the neighbourhood, named Ambar, which is a corrupted form of Sam bar (the modern name of the lake).

Its properties.

Romaka or sambara salt is bitter, pungent, and saline. It is acrid, warm, light, digestive, and laxative. It gives rise to pitta, inflammation, and waste. It helps the emission of phlegm (through nostrils and eyes). It is capable of passing even through the finest and minutest passages of the system, and is a pacifier of vayu.