Uparasa, aka: Upa-rasa; 5 Definition(s)
Introduction
Uparasa 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.
In Hinduism
Rasashastra (chemistry and alchemy)
1) Mahārasa and Uparasa, (translated as ‘mercuries’) are two groups of alchemical mineral agents, according to the Rasaśāstroddhṛti (Sanskrit alchemical work). These two groups of minerals (or rocks that contain minerals) are involved in ‘purifying’ and ‘killing’ metals, as well as eliminating the poisonous components of mercury. Therefore, they are also called the ‘devourer elements’.
According to the Rasasiddhiśāstra, the seven uparasa are:
- kashika (kāśīsa) or ‘iron-sulphate’,
- yellow and white orpiment,
- realgar,
- sulphur,
- ‘acid rock’ (skyur po’i rdo),
- ‘petals’ (’dab ma),
- and ‘hematite’ (sbal rgyab rdo).
2) Uparasa (महारस):—The name of a group of eight minerals, according to the Rasaprakāśasudhākara: a 13th century Sanskrit book on Indian alchemy, or, Rasaśāstra. They are considered inferior in relation to their superior counterparts of the Mahārasa group, also consisting of eight minerals.
These are the names of the eight minerals (Sanskrit name first, english name in brackets):
- Tālaka/Haritāla (‘orpiment’),
- Saurāṣṭrī/Tubarī/Sphaṭikā/Kāṅkṣī (‘alum’),
- Gandhaka (‘sulphur’),
- Kaṅkuṣṭha (‘rhubarb extract’),
- Kunaṭi/Manaḥśilā (‘realger’),
- Añjana/Sauvīra/Nīlāñjana (‘lead sulphide’),
- Gairika (‘hematite’/‘red ochre’)
- and Khecara/Kāsīsa (‘green vitriol’/‘ferrous sulphate’).
As per Rasaprakāśa Sudhākara following eight drugs are included in this (uparasa) group, viz-
- Tālaka/haritāla (orpiment),
- tubari/sphaṭikā (alum),
- gandhaka (sulphur),
- kaṅkuṣṭha (rhubarb extract),
- kunaṭi/manaḥśilā (realger),
- sauvīra/nīlȧn‚
- jana (lead sulphide),
- gairika (hematite-red) ochre
- and khecara/kāsīsa (green vitriol/ ferrous sulphate)

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.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Uparasa (उपरस).—The first kind of rasābhāsa, occurring when one tastes one kind of mellow and something extra is imposed.
Source: ISKCON Press: GlossaryLanguages of India and abroad
Sanskrit-English dictionary
Uparasa (उपरस).—
1) A secondary mineral, (red chalk, bitumen, mākṣika, śilājita &c).
2) A secondary passion or feeling.
3) A subordinate flavour.
Derivable forms: uparasaḥ (उपरसः).
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryUparasa (उपरस).—m.
(-saḥ) 1. A secondary mineral, as red chalk, bitumen, &c. 2. A secondary passion. 3. A subordinate flavour. E. upa minor, rasa flavour, &c.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionarySanskrit, 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.
Relevant definitions
Search found 2013 related definition(s) that might help you understand this better. Below you will find the 15 most relevant articles:
Rasa | 1) Rasa (sentiment) or Navarasa is defined in the the first book of the Pañcamarapu (‘five-fold... | |
Surasa | Surasa (सुरस).—mfn. (-saḥ-sā-saṃ) 1. Sweet. 2. Well-flavoured, sapid, juicy. 3. Elegant, (as a ... | |
Rasatala | Rasātala (रसातल).—n. (-laṃ) 1. Patala; the seven infernal regions under the earth, and the resi... | |
Rasayana | Rasāyana (रसायन).—n. (-naṃ) 1. Alchemy, chemistry. 2. The employment of mercury in medicine. 3.... | |
Svarasa | Svarasa (स्वरस).—m. (-saḥ) 1. Expressed or extracted juice. 2. Sediment of oil, &c., ground... | |
Upanga | Upāṅga (उपाङ्ग) refers to the “subsidiary limbs” and represents one of the three types of Āṅgik... | |
Rasanjana | Rasāñjana (रसाञ्जन).—n. (-naṃ) A sort of collyrium, prepared either with the calx of brass, or ... | |
Gorasa | Gorasa (गोरस).—mn. (-saḥ-saṃ) 1. Milk. 2. Curdled or caogulated milk. 3. Buttermilk. E. go a co... | |
Upadha | Upa-dhā.—(CII 1), cf. hīta-sukham=upadadhyuḥ; to bring [welfare and happiness to the people]. N... | |
Shadrasa | Ṣaḍrasa (षड्रस) refers to “six flavours”, as defined in the Śivapurāṇa 1.14. Accordingly, “[...... | |
Upa | Upa (उप).—ind.1) As a prefix to verbs and nouns it expresses towards, near to, by the side of, ... | |
Rasashastra | Rasaśāstra (रसशास्त्र).—The Kakṣapuṭatantra has an affinity with rasaśāstras. Among the works c... | |
Virarasa | Vīrarasa (वीररस) refers to the “heroic sentiment” or the “sentiment of heroism” as defined by C... | |
Hasyarasa | Hāsyarasa (हास्यरस).—m. (-saḥ) The sentiment of humour. | |
Rasajna | Rasajña (रसज्ञ).—mfn. (-jñaḥ-jñā-jñaṃ) Discriminating or acquainted with tastes, sentiments, &a... |
Relevant text
Search found 3 books and stories containing Uparasa or Upa-rasa. You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Nectar of Devotion (by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)
Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 2: Minerals (uparasa) (by Bhudeb Mookerjee)
Chapter V - Uparasa (5-6): Tuttha and Sasyaka (copper sulphate)
Introduction (classes of uparasa)
Sri Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī)
Verse 4.9.40 < [Part 9 - Incomplete Expression of Mellows (rasābhāsa)]
Verse 4.9.3 < [Part 9 - Incomplete Expression of Mellows (rasābhāsa)]
Verse 4.9.2 < [Part 9 - Incomplete Expression of Mellows (rasābhāsa)]