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...
Go directly to: Footnotes.
Part 3 - Incineration of Makshika
First process.
Makshika is incinerated, if it is rubbed with the juice of matulunga and sulphur, confined in a crucible, and then subjected to kroda-puta[1] for five times.
Second process.
Makshika is incinerated, if rubbed with castor oil, or cow’s ghee, or juice of matulunga, and then placed on a basin and heated steadily. Thus incinerated, it may be used in mercurial operations, as well as for medicinal purposes.
Third process.
Makshika is incinerated, if it is rubbed with the decoction of kulattha, or takra (curd diluted with water), or goats urine, and then heated in a cauldron, and turned all the while by means of a ladle.
Fourth process.
Makshika with one fourth its quantity of sulphur is to be rubbed with castor oil, and made into cakes, which are to be confined within a samputa, and subjected to gaja-puta, with husk of paddy put on all sides of the samputa. This will reduce the nakshika to ashes, as red as vermilion.
Fifth process.
Purified makshika is to be rubbed with the juice of kumari, made into cakes, dried, and then subjected to kukkuta-puta for twenty seven times, which make it like nectar.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Kroda-puta is another name for labaka-puta (see page 298, vol I).
Conclusion:
This concludes ‘Incineration of Makshika� 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.