The Sanskrit term Gaganabhakṣaṇa can be transliterated into English as Gaganabhaksana or Gaganabhakshana, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)

Source: Wisdom Library: Rasa-śāstra

Gaganabhakṣaṇa (गगनभक्षण) or gaganagrāsa:—Ninth of the eighteen Saṃskāra (special purification process). They are used to purify rasa (mercury) as per Rasaśāstra literature (Medicinal Alchemy), and are mentioned in texts such as the Rasaprakāśasudhākara. In Āyurveda, Saṃskāra refers to the “detoxification” process of metals and herbs. The Gaganagrāsa-saṃskāra is mainly used for transmutational alchemical purposes. In other words: the last ten saṃskāras are sequentially used for the ends of transmutational and elixir alchemy. Gaganagrāsa refers to the process of the ‘swallowing of mica’. It is also known as Abhraka-grāsa-māna.

Source: archive.org: History of Indian Science Technology (rasashastra)

Gaganabhakṣaṇa (गगनभक्षण, “consumption”) refers to “consumption of ‘essence’ of mica” and represents to the ninth of eighteen alchemical purification processes of mercury (mahārasa, rasendra or pārada). A religio-philosophic base was given to mercury-based alchemy in India. Mercury was looked upon as the essence of God Śiva, and sulphur as that of Goddess Pārvatī.

Mercury had to undergo 18 processes (e.g., gaganabhakṣaṇa) before it could be used for transforming either metals or the human body. A combination of male and female principles (i.e. mercury and sulphur) forming cinnabar or mercuric sulphide or even of mercury and mica, was supposed to be highly potent and was therefore consumed as a Rasāyana or medicine for increasing body fluids or vitality. The earliest mention of Rasāyana was found in Āyurveda which was probably composed by 8th or 9th century BC, since it was a part of Atharvaveda, the last of the four Vedas.

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Bhakshana, Gagana.

Full-text: Gaganagrasa, Samskara.

Relevant text

No search results for Gaganabhakshana, Gaganabhakṣaṇa, Gagana-bhakshana, Gagana-bhakṣaṇa, Gagana-bhaksana, Gaganabhaksana; (plurals include: Gaganabhakshanas, Gaganabhakṣaṇas, bhakshanas, bhakṣaṇas, bhaksanas, Gaganabhaksanas) in any book or story.