Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 2: Minerals (uparasa)

by Bhudeb Mookerjee | 1938 | 28,803 words | ISBN-10: 8170305829 | ISBN-13: 9788170305828

This second volume of the Rasa-jala-nidhi deals with the purification, incineration and medicinal uses of various minerals (uparasa), as well as preventing faults due to misuse. It is continued in the third volume which deals with the various metals. The Rasa-jala-nidhi (“the ocean of Iatrochemistry, or, chemical medicine) is a compendium of Sansk...

Part 5 - Killing (incineration) of Mica

Characteristics of killed (incinerated) mica.

Mica is said to be killed or incinerated, if it is deprived of its glaze, and becomes as fine as collyrium; otherwise, it is to be considered un-killed.

Impartation of the qualities of nectar upon killed mica.

Sixteen palas (64 tolas) of decoction of triphala, eight palams of cow’s ghee, and ten palas of killed mica are to be mixed together, and heated in an iron cauldron by a mild fire, until the whole thing gets dried. This mica gains in efficacy and is to be used in all sorts of diseases, The same process is to be followed in the nectarisation of other metals also.

Another process of nectarisation of mica.

Incinerated mica, with an equal quantity of clarified butter, are to be heated in an iron cauldron, until the ghee is dried up. Efficacy of mica is enhanced by this process.

N. B. These processes hold good in the cases of dead mica, not red in colour. The qualities of dead mica, red in colour, do not improve by the process of nectarisation, On the other hand, red mica undergoes deterioration in efficacy by this process.

Importance of puta in killing of mica.

Mica, incinerated by putas numbering 10 to 100, is to be used only for the purpose of curing of disease. Mica, incinerated by putas numbering 100 to 1000, may be used for the purposes of curing and preventing physical decay and senility.

Another view.

Mica, incinerated by puta for 18 times becomes pacifier of bayu. It becomes a pacifier of pitta, if incinerated by puta for 36 times. It pacifies phlegm, if incinerated by puta for 54 times. Mica, subjected to puta for more than one hundred times, is entitled to the name of bija (seed). Such a mica increases semen, vitality, complexion, and strength of body.

Rubbing not necessary in putas for 1000 times.

If it is intended to subject mica to puta for a thousand times, it need not be rubbed with any of the prescribed juices. The mere act of subjecting the mica to bhavana with the prescribed juices will suffice in such a case.

Killers of mica.

Mica is also incinerated by being subjected to puta, after having been rubbed with the following:—tanduliyaka, brihati, nagaballi, tagarpadika, punamava,[1] hilamochika, mandukaparni, tiktaka (kirata-tikta), akhuparni, madana, ardraka, palasha, mercury, and amalaki.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Purified gold, and silver, as well as mica of the above des-creption, are called “bijam” (seed), simply because they are fit for being swallowed by mercury.

Conclusion:

Rasasastra category This concludes ‘Killing (incineration) of Mica’ included in Bhudeb Mookerjee Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 2: Initiation, Mercury and Laboratory. The text includes treatments, recipes and remedies and is categorised as Rasa Shastra: an important branch of Ayurveda that specialises in medicinal/ herbal chemistry, alchemy and mineralogy, for the purpose of prolonging and preserving life.

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