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Preparation of Mercury – The Eight Samskaras of Parada(Mercury)

5.2.8 Samskara – Dipana (Hot liquid bath)Diese Diashow benötigt JavaScript.

a) Name of the Process: Dipana Samskara of Paradab) Reference: (R.H.T., Rasa Hridaya Tantra, 2005)1

Definition

The process in which mercury (Parada) is mixed with special drugs and subjected to swedana (hotliquid bath) in dola yantra (swinging apparatus) for 3 days is known as dipana samskara. (R.R.S.,1998)2

Aims and Objectives

This process is performed to improve the “appetite” (bubhukshita) and metal consuming power ofmercury, and make mecury ready to receive metals and minerals in the form of a bolus and digestthem completely (grasarthi). (R.R.S., 1998)3, (R.H.T.,Rasa Hridaya Tantra, 2005)4

Ingredients of Diana Samskara

Sr. No. Ingredients Quantity (g)1. Niyamita Parada 1080 g2. Kanji (sour gruel) with a ph of 3 to 4 104 l3. Kalka Dravas (each 1/16 part of Parada3.1 Bhu - Suddha Sphatika (Alum) 67.5 g3.2 Khaga - Suddha Kasisa (Green Vitriol) 67.5 g3.3 Shuddha Tankana (Borax) 67.5 g3.4 Marica (Piper nigrum Linn.) 67.5 g3.5 Saindhava lavana (Rock salt) 67.5 g3.6 Asuri - Rajika (Brassica juncca Linn.) 67.5 g3.7 Sigru twaka (Moringa oleifera Gaerth.) 67.5 g

Process

(pls see photos above)

Niyamita Parada and all the ingredients of kalka dravyas (Tab. 27, No. 3.1 to 3.7) were mixed1.and triturated in the iron mortar (khalva yantra) with a small amount of Kanji (sour gruel) untila compact dough was formed.The dough (kalka) was put into a small steel vessel and shaped into a cup.2.The dough was left to dry overnight.3.The next morning mercury was carefully poured into the cup.4.The dough was put on banana leaves, opening upwards, wrapped with cotton cloths, prepared5.into a bag prepared (pottali), kept in Kanji and placed on fire for 72 hours, as it was done with

Rasa Shastra in Ayurvedic Medicine [XXIII]

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niyamana samskara (seventh process).The following procedures like washing etc. were the same as those used in niyamana samskara6.(seventh process)

Timetable

The dipana samskara (hot liquid bath) was carried out from 25th to 28th July, 2012, for a period of72 hours.

Observations

After 20 minutes of trituration the paste with the above mentioned ingredients became sandy and alittle oily. The smell of the paste was metallic and slightly ammoniak-like.

The other observations as well as the safety percautions were the same as those of the niyamanasamskara (seventh process).

Results of Dipana Samskara

Sr.No. Observations of Dipana Samskara Results1. Total time taken for Dipana Samskara 72 hrs2. Weight of Niyamita Parada 1080 g3. Weight of Dipita Parada 1078 g4. Loss of weight of Parada 2 g5. Percent of loss of Parada 0.19 %6. Sample kept for analysis 10 g7. Parada obtained after Ashtasamskaras 1068 g

Final Detailed Profile of the Eight Samskaras of Parada (Mercury)

Sr.No. Name of Samskara TotalDays

Initial wtof Hg (g)

Final wt ofHg (g)

Wt lossof Hg

(g)% Loss of

HgSample

kept(g)

1 Svedana 4 2000 1963 37 1.85 202 Mardana 7 1943 1898 45 2.32 203+4 Murchana & Utthapana 3 1878 1417 461 24.55 105 Patana: Urdhva 7 1407 1323 84 5.97 23

Patana: Adhah 5 1300 1171 129 9.92 10Patana: Tiryak 7 1161 1111 50 4.31 10

6 Rodhana 3 1101 1101 0 0 107 Niyamana 4 1091 1090 1 0.09 108 Dipana 4 1080 1078 2 0.19 10

Total after Ashta-Samskaras 44 1068 809 40.45 1223

Total Parada after Ashtasamskaras: 1068 g

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Total Parada with samples kept after Ashtasamskaras: 1191 g

Final Profile Final Profile of Ashtasamskaras after Accomplishment

Sr.No. Year Hg(g) beforeAshtasamskaras

Hg(g) afterAshtasamskaras

Wt loss(g) % loss Total

Days1. 2012 2000 1191 809 40.45 40

Total percentage loss of Parada = 40.45 %

Mercury (Parada) after the Eight Samskaras

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Footnotes

1 Rasa Hridaya Tantra, Avabodha 2/112 Rasa Ratna Samuchchaya, 11/473 Rasa Ratna Samuchchaya, 11/474 Rasa Hridaya Tantra, Avabodha 2/11

References

R.H.T.,Rasa Hridaya Tantra, G. (2005). Mugdhavabodhini Hindi Commentory by Acharya Chaturbhuja Mishra.Chaukhambha Publications, Varanasi, India.R.R.S. (1998). Rasa Ratna Samuchchaya. 1, Chapter 5/139. New Delhi: Meherchand Laxmandas Publications.

…to be continued