Rasa Sindhura Preparation with Paradha: A Brief tutorial

Image source- Google/ Image by- Hi-Res Images of Chemical Elements

The term in Sanskrit for what we call mercury now is known as parada. therefore, as you read further into this post, I'll be addressing mercury, as parada, Ok! 

 You may have learned about the element mercury and its characteristics in primary school. Did you know it's an pharmaceutical medication that you can take? Did you know it's a powerful remedy that can treat a variety of ailments?  

Rasashtra is an important subject for the preparation of superior blend products. In regard to the significance of Rasashastra by Rasendrasara sangraha, Rasa preparations (mercurial preparations) are considered to be superior to other therapies because even low dosages are helpful and help in recovering health faster. Mercurial preparations can even be prescribed in the treatment of incurable disorders. Mercury has the yogavahi characteristic, which means it enhances the action of medications that are given to it. It has aphrodisiac properties, enhances vision, and has been shown to be useful in skin diseases.

Let me now discuss Rasa Sindhura preparation. Controversy exists that mercury imparts toxicity, although pure mercury treated to adequate processing techniques with herbal medications is not poisonous when consumed. Mercury made using old techniques is considered to be beneficial in healing diseases and safe for human consumption. 

What is the ancient way of obtaining mercury, according to Rasendrasara?

The traditional process of extracting mercury is still practised in rasashastra laboratories today. The primary source of mercury is cinnabar (hingula).  The hingula is tritiated with lemon juice for a day and processed with Vrddhvapatana yantra, and pure mercury free of flaws such as vanga, Naga, and so on is obtained.

Now that we know how to obtain pure mercury, let us look at how this mercury is made for medicinal use. The main mercury preparations that I will cover here is rasa sindoora. So why rasa preparation given this much importance?

Benefits of rasa preparations

• consumption in  fewer doses, 
• faster relief, 
• milder alleviation,
• more sustained in comparison to use of herbal drugs alone.

Rasa Sindoora

Sindura is made from the combination of sulphur and mercury. The relative amount of sulphur added to the mercury can be chosen based on the conditions. Because it is produced in glass bottles, rasa sindura is also known as Kupi-pakwa rasayana. 

Equipment required for preparation

1. Kupi (glass bottle)
2. Cloth
3. Multhani mitti (clay)
4. Iron trough
5. Sand (valuka)
6. Thin iron rode
7. kiln

Stages of Rasa sindura preparation:-

1. Rasa gandhaka shodana - Purification of mercury and sulphur
2. Kajjalinirmana- Preparation of Kajjali
3. Kajjali Bhavana - Grinding of kajjali with herbal juice
4. Filling of kajjali into the glass bottle (kupi)
5. Valuka yantra sthapana
6. Administering to two stages of heating
7. Kupi mukha mudrana- Closing and sealing of bottle.
8. Administering to 3rd stage heating
9. Breaking of glass bottle.
10. Collection and preservation of the medicine.

1.Purification (Rasa gandhaka shodhana) 

The best approach is ashta samskara of mercury. If not, the above-mentioned ancient purifying practise of mercury can be used.

Sulphur is purified by melting it and pouring it six times through a cloth into cow's milk.

2. Kajjalinirmana-

To make kajalli, purified mercury and sulphur are ground in kalva yantra together in equal parts. While grinding, look for the signs ensuring proper kajjali is made i.e.

• fineness
• appearance like collyrium
• having no mercurial lustre
• floating on the surface when put on water.

3. Kajjali bavana-

This kajjali is then trituated with any of the swarasa- Shalmali moola swarasa, kumari swarasa, Ankola mula kwatha. 

4. Filling of kajjali into the glass bottle (kupi)

Kajjali is filled in a green/ red coloured glass bottle having 750 ml capacity is enwrapped with clay smeared cloth (multhani mitti) for 7 days and dried. Ensure the glass bottle is sterile.

5. Valuka yantra sthapana-

A 12 inch diameter, 10 inch depth, and 8 inch diameter at the bottom iron trough is created. The coarse sand is piled up to a height of 2 inches. The glass bottle is positioned in the centre. Sand is poured around the bottle until the top while the bottle is briefly closed.

6. Administering to two stages of heating-

Firewood was kept in the kiln and lit. 

The first step of heating is known as mandagni, and it is during this stage that the kajjali begins to melt. Later, vapours begin to emerge from the bottle. Mild heating is continued until the fumes stop and blue flames appear, indicating gandhaka jarana (excess sulphur burning out). The heat is gradually increased from mild to moderate. When the blue flames stop, it presumes that gandhaka jarana has been completed and the formation of sindura has begun.

At this point, a copper coin test is performed, with the copper coin placed on top. Yellow coating indicates the presence of excess sulphur, while white coating indicates the absence of extra sulphur.

7. Kupi mukha mudrana- Closing and sealing of bottle

After confirmation of gandhaka jarana, the lid is tightly sealed with clay smeared cloth.

8. Administering to 3rd stage heating

Firewood is filled int he kiln and fire is raised to the highest.

9.Breaking of glass bottle-

After a period of high heat, the setup is allowed to cool naturally. It typically takes 24 hours. The glass bottle is then removed, and the clay-smeared cloth is removed and cleaned. A wick is created by soaking it in kerosene. It is rolled over the bottle, which must be snapped and lit. After 1 minute, the burning wick is removed, and the bottle is immediately held in a damp cloth with pressure applied. It would erupt neatly. Sindura is gently collected from the bottle's neck. 

10. Collection and preservation of the medicine-  In an air tight container.

It takes effort and time to prepare, and any faults at any level of the process render it ineffective. 

image credit- rasashastra department PNPS AMC

Rasa sindura is used to 

• treat acute and chronic fevers, 
• epilepsy, 
• arshas (piles),
•  dyspnoea, 
• jaundice, 
• anaemia, and 
• impotency.

Expressing Gratitude to Doctor. Mithya mam of the Department of Rasashastra, for her kind guidance and encouragement on this topic during her teaching sessions. That is what has piqued my interest in this topic. 

I hope you found this post useful. Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by keep visiting the blog and by following to  https://follow.it/drpravirasyahridayam?leanpub.