Uparasa, Upa-rasa: 12 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Ayurveda
2. Vaishnavism
Languages
1. Sanskrit
2. Nepali
See also
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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

Ayurveda (science of life)

Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)

Source: Wisdom Library: Rasa-śāstra

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’).

Source: Indian Journal of History of Science: Rasaprakāśa-sudhākara, chapter 6

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)

Source: Ancient Science of Life: Critical Review of Rasaratna Samuccaya

Uparasa (उपरस) refers to “eight metals which are considered slightly inferior to mahārasas in processing mercury”, and mentioned in the Rasaratnasamuccaya: a 13th century C.E. alchemical treatise, authored by Vāgbhaṭa, is a useful compilation related to preparation and properties of drugs of mineral and metallic origin.

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.

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: ISKCON Press: Glossary

Uparasa (उपरस).—The first kind of rasābhāsa, occurring when one tastes one kind of mellow and something extra is imposed.

context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical 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: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Uparasa (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: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Uparasa (उपरस):—[=upa-rasa] m. a secondary mineral (as red chalk, bitumen etc.), [Bhāvaprakāśa]

2) [v.s. ...] a secondary feeling or passion, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

3) [v.s. ...] a secondary flavour, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

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

Uparasa (उपरस):—[upa-rasa] (saḥ) 1. m. Secondary mineral, flavour or passion.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Uparasa (उपरस) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Orasa.

[Sanskrit to German]

Uparasa in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). 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.

Nepali dictionary

Source: unoes: Nepali-English Dictionary

Uparasa (उपरस):—n. 1. a kind of beneficial juice; 2. a secondary mineral; 3. pure thought/feeling;

context information

Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.

Relevant text

Search found 17 books and stories containing Uparasa, Upa-rasa, Upa-rasas, Uparasas; (plurals include: Uparasas, rasas, rasases, Uparasases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Introduction (classes of uparasa)

Part 2 - Purification of sadharana uparasas (i.e. from kampilla to bhunaga) < [Chapter XVI - Uparasa (17): Kampilla]

Part 2 - Purification of Kankustha (an ore containing tin) < [Chapter XV - Uparasa (16): Kankustha (an ore containing tin)]

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Representation of rasadravyas in the modern periodic table. < [2023: Volume 12, September issue 15]

Critical review of Rasaratna Samucchaya, Indian alchemy treatise. < [2023: Volume 12, August issue 13]

A bird eye view on gairikam in ayurved classic < [2020: Volume 9, October issue 12]

+ 67 more chapters

Rasadravya vargeekarana concept and relevance < [2017, Issue II February,]

Critical review of rasa ratna samucchaya w.s.r. to it’s deepika teeka < [2021, Issue 4, April]

Ntroduction and pharmaceutical study of gandhaka (sulphur) < [2016, Issue VII July]

+ 30 more chapters / show preview