Bijakashtha, Bījakāṣṭha, Bija-kashtha: 1 definition

Introduction:

Bijakashtha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

The Sanskrit term Bījakāṣṭha can be transliterated into English as Bijakastha or Bijakashtha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)

Source: History of Science in South Asia: Making Gems in Indian Alchemical Literature

Bījakāṣṭha (बीजकाष्ठ) or Bīja refers to “red sandalwood” which is used in the recipe for creating artificial Blue Sapphires, according to the Vādakhaṇḍa section of the Rasaratnākara (lit. “jewel mine of mercury”): a 13th century alchemical work in Sanskrit written by Nityanātha.—Accordingly: “Add an equal amount of indigo powder to the fish black, and an equal amount of red sandalwood (bījakāṣṭha) placed in water for a day. Let all that be heated for three hours. Having set it aside, one should store it well. And the “rain-stones” are soaked with it and one should heat it as before. These will undoubtedly become similar to blue sapphire”.

Ayurveda book cover
context information

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Discover the meaning of bijakashtha or bijakastha in the context of Ayurveda from relevant books on Exotic India

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