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 1 - Characteristics of Gandhaka (sulphur)

Variety of sulphur.

Gandhaka is of four different kinds, according to its colour. The white variety has the appearance of khati or chalk; it is capable of incinerating a metal by besmearing the latter (with white sulphur rubbed with a vegetable acid, and then heating it by a puta). The yellow variety is called the “amala-sara”. It has the colour of the beak of a Suka (parrot); it is best suited to the requirements of mercury and of medicines prepared with a view to cure physical decay and senility. The red variety is best suited to the requirements of alchemy. The black variety is very rare; it is capable of overcoming senility and death.

Properties of sulphur.

Sulphur arrests and cures physical decay and senility; it is sweet in taste, but turns pungent and hot, when digested in the stomach. It cures itches, leprosy, erysipelas, and ring worm. It increases appetite and helps digestion of food. It destroys mucus and eliminates it from the system. It does away with poison, and imparts potency to mercury. It destroys worms, and is a greater tonic than even gold.

Sulphur is to be purified.

Sulphur contains two foreign matters, viz, particles of stone and poison. It is therefore to be purified very carefully. Impure sulphur gives rise to leprosy, inflammation, giddiness, diseases due to an excess of pitta, and loss of beauty, happiness, strength, and semen.

Conclusion:

Rasasastra category This concludes ‘Characteristics of Gandhaka (sulphur)’ 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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