Part 1 - Characteristics of Rasaka/Kharpara (calamine)

Rasaka is of two kinds, viz, “Durdara”^[1] and “karabella.” The variety which has got layers is called the “Durdara” and the one which has got no layers is called the “karabella.” The first variety is to be preferred for the purpose of extraction of essence, whereas the second one is more suitable for purpose of being used in medicines. Rasaka resembles in appearance three different things, viz, mud, stone, and molasses. The first is yellow in colour and is full of layers. Both the second and the third are thick and without layers. In quality, the second is inferior to the first, and the third is inferior to the second. Rasaka cures all sorts of venereal diseases and eye-diseases; it pacifies an abnormal excess of the three doshas, and is a dyer of iron and mercury. The art of transforming the body into steel becomes a hand maid, as it were, to the person who can make mercury and rasaka stand fire,

Inability of Rasaka to stand fire.

Rasaka cannot stand fire. It is so combustible that it burns on a slight heat being applied to it. There are a few things in this world which can make rasaka stand fire.