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 Manahshila or Manas-shila (realgar)
Manas-shila is only a variety of haritala; haritala is very yellow, whereas manas-shila is reddish in colour.
Different kinds of manas-shila.
Manas-shila is of three different kinds, viz. shyama, kanaviraka, and khanda. Shyama is reddish white with a black tint and is heavy. Kanabiraka is bright without whiteness, and has the appearance of copper. Khanda is in the form of powder. It is very red and heavy. The last mentioned, viz. khanda, is the best of all varieties and has plenty of essence.
Properties of manas-shila (1)
Manas-shila is an excellent rasayana (i.e. a medicine which prevents and cures senility and physical decay). It is bitter, pungent, producer of heat, destroyer of phlegm and air; and has an ample essence. It cures influences exerted by ghosts on human system, poison, indigestion, itches, cough, and phthisis.
Properties of manas-shila (2)
Manas-shila is heavy, improver of complexion, laxative, producer of heat in the system, destroyer of fat, pungent and bitter in taste, soothing, and curer of poison, asthma, bronchitis, evil influences of ghosts, and impurities of the blood.
Conclusion:
This concludes ‘Characteristics of Manahshila or Manas-shila (realgar)’ 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.