Introduction

Rodhana means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali. 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.

In Hinduism

Rasashastra (chemistry and alchemy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Rasa-śāstra

Rodhana (रोधन):—Sixth 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 Bodhana-saṃskāra is commonly used for Dravya-karma and Rasāyana-karma, but also to change (rasa) in its undesired properties and to improve its Bubhukṣā. In other words: the first eight saṃskāras are sequentially used to purify and detoxify mercury in preparation for internal use. Rodhana refers to the process of ‘countering’ or ‘coagulation’, by means of which mercury that has become purged of its toxic content but also its potency through the preceding operations, has its ‘virility’ (vīrya) restored to it through irrigation in a salt bath. This operation is said to give mercury a ‘mouth’ (mukha) with which to absorb other elements. This saṃskāra is also known as or bodhana (‘awakening’).

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

Rodhana (रोधन, “potentiation”) represents to the sixth 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 (eg., rodhana) 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.

Source: Academia.edu: Ayurveda and Pharmaceutics (rasashastra)

Rodhana (coagulation).—One of the eight Aṣṭasamskāra, or, processes that render mercury fit for internal use. These Aṣṭasamskāra of pārada (eight detoxification techniques for mercury) are mandatory before mercury is used in the pharmaceutical preparations. For Rodhana process mercury is mixed with rock salt and kept under the ground for three days.

Source: CCRAS: Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia of India, Appendix I

Rodhana (उत्थापन):—The sixth of the eight purification steps of Pārada (mercury), also known as the Aṣṭasaṃskāra.—Place the Pārada in a pot containing Saindhava-lavaṇa-jala and seal the mouth of the pot tightly. Place the pot undisturbed for three days. Decant the water on the fourth day to collect the Pārada. (see the Rasendracūḍāmaṇi 4.88, which is a 16th-century alchemical century treatise on Rasaśāstra by Ācārya Somdeva).

Ingredients:

1. Pārada [Mercury] (3 parts),
2. Saindhava-lavaṇa-jala (quantum satis).

context information

Rasashastra (रसशास्त्र, rasaśāstra) is an important branch of Ayurveda, specialising in chemical interactions with herbs, metals and minerals. Some texts combine yogic and tantric practices with various alchemical operations. The ultimate goal of Rasashastra is not only to preserve and prolong life, but also to bestow wealth upon humankind.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

rodhana : (nt.) obstruction; prevention.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Rodhana, (nt.) (fr. rudh) obstructing J. V, 346; Sdhp. 57. (Page 576)

context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Rodhana (रोधन).—[rudh-lyu lyuṭ vā] The planet Mercury.

-nam Stopping, checking, confining, restraint, check &c.

Derivable forms: rodhanaḥ (रोधनः).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Rodhana (रोधन).—mfn.

(-naḥ-nī-naṃ) Impeding, that which impedes or obstructs, an obstacle, a hinderer or hindrance. m.

(-naḥ) The planet Mercury. n.

(-naṃ) 1. Impeding, obstructing. 2. Besieging, blockading. E. rudh to obstruct, aff. lyuṭ .

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Rodhana (रोधन).—i. e. rudh + ana, I. adj. That which obstructs. Ii. m. The planet Mercury. Iii. n. 1. Obstructing. 2. Besieging.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Rodhana (रोधन).—[neuter] confining, investing, shutting up; restraining, suppressing.

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family. Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Ends with (+2): Akrodhana, Anurodhana, Arodhana, Avarodhana, Avatanirodhana, Avatavirodhana, Avirodhana, Krodhana, Malarodhana, Mutramarganirodhana, Nirodhana, Prarodhana, Pratirodhana, Pratyavarodhana, Purodhana, Sakrodhana, Samrodhana, Sannirodhana, Tirodhana, Udrodhana.

Full-text: Bodhana, Ashtasamskara, Anurodha, Udrodhana, Avarodhana, Malarodhana, Uparodhana, Arodhana, Pratirodhana, Samrodhana, Virodhana, Rodha, Samskara.

Relevant text

Search found 3 books and stories containing Rodhana, Rodhanā; (plurals include: Rodhanas, Rodhanās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 1: Initiation, Mercury and Laboratory (by Bhudeb Mookerjee)

Part 8 - Mercurial operations (6): Confinement of Mercury (rodhana) < [Chapter IV-V - Mercurial operations]

Part 2 - Eighteen different kinds of Mercurial operations < [Chapter IV-V - Mercurial operations]

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Brihad Bhagavatamrita (by Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī)

Verse 2.7.70 < [Chapter 7 - Jagad-ānanda: The Bliss of the Worlds]

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Bhajana-Rahasya (by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura Mahasaya)

Text 11 < [Chapter 8 - Aṣṭama-yāma-sādhana (Rātri-līlā–prema-bhajana sambhoga)]

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