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 3 - Incineration of kapardi (cowrie)
First process.
Cowrie is reduced to ashes, if placed upon charcoal fire until it bursts. When cooled of itself, it may be reduced to powder and used in all things.
Second process.
Kapardi is undoubtedly reduced to ashes, if subjected to puta by means of a strong fire. When cooled of itself, it is to be reduced to powder and used as required.
Third process.
A big and wide-mouthed earthen pot is to be placed in a pit, made in a clean and level soil. About half of this pot is to be filled with paddy husks into which is to be placed the closed crucible or samputa containing cowries. Upon this crucible or samputa is to be made a fire made of cowdung cakes, which will effect the incineration of the cowries. The apparatus referred to here is called the Panika-yantra.
Conclusion:
This concludes ‘Incineration of kapardi (cowrie)’ 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.