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History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c18.s1: Mercurial and Metallic Compound in Caraka Samhita

History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c18.s1

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English

Contents

Mercurial and Metallic Compound in Caraka Samhita

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In *Caraka*, metals/minerals are enumerated under ‘*pārthiva/bhauma*’ group of drugs. The metals gold with five other metals like silver, copper, iron, tin and lead alongwith their mala (mandura/loha kiṭṭa) and in mineral sand, calcium compound, realgar, orpiment, gems, salts, hematite/red ochre and galena are described.

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As regards their uses these are used externally or internally for obtaining Rasayana effects and for curing various diseases. During the period of ‘*Caraka Samhitā*’ the metals are advised for internal use in the form of very fine powder i.e. as fine as ‘*añjana*’ (Collyriums) applicable to the eyes.

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The method of converting iron or other metals into very fine powder form is also found described in Caraka (Ci. 1/3/15-23). Though, initially this method is described with reference to iron only, however, afterwards it is advised to be followed commonly for all the metals (Gold, Silver and Copper etc.) to convert these into fine powder form.

Description of Method

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The pieces of thin iron sheets are made red hot and quenched in cold Triphalārasa, Cow's urine, Kṣāra or Lavana drava, Iṅgudi kṣāra drava and Kiṃśuka kṣāra drava serially for number of times or till their very fine powder like that of Añjana (Collyrium) is made. These powders mixed with honey and āmalaka juice may be kept in an earthen pot anointed with ghee for one year under the heap of barley grains and then be used internally with honey and ghee.

A. Metallic Compounds Consisting Gold

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1. Brāhma Rasāyana (CS. Ci. 1/1/58) is a compound of Gold, Silver, Copper and Iron alongwith Coral powder and indicated for Rasāyana purpose.

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2. Aindra Rasāyana (CS. Ci. 1/3/24-29) is a compound of Gold and contains gold powder in two yava (barley grain) quantity.

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3. Lohādi Rasāyana (CS. Ci. 1/3/15-23) is in fact not a metallic compound rather through this the method of converting metals into Añjanābha (Collyrium like) fine powder form and their method of internal use as Rasayana are described. Though, this method is mainly described for Iron it may also be applicable in case of other metals like Gold, Silver and Copper etc.

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4. Triphalā Rasāyana IV (CS. Ci. 1/3/46-47) is a gold compound or compound of all the other metals (Tin, Lead, Copper, Silver and Iron). In this the metals are used in fine powder form.

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5. Indrokta Rasāyana (CS. Ci. 1/4/22-23) is a compound of Gold, Silver, Copper and Iron. In this fine powder of metals is used in 1/16th part alongwith Coral, Quartz, Pearl, Cat's eye and Conch Shell powder.

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6. Nyāgrodhādi Leha (CS. Ci. 27/30) is a Gold compound and contains gold powder alongwith other drugs and indicated for Urustambha (Stiffness of thigh).

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7. Savarṇīkaraṇa Lepa (CS. Ci. 25/116) is a Gold compound to be applied as paste externally and contains Gold powder and Rasottama (mercury).

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8. Varṇakara Lepa (CS. Ci. 25/117) is a Gold compound and contains Hematite, Copper and Ferrous Sulphate in addition to gold powder.

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9. Hema Cūrṇa Prayoga (CS. Ci. 23/239-240), this Gold powder alone is advised for internal use for nutralising the effect of poisons and also of copper powder.

B. Other Metallic Compounds

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1. Harītaki yoga (CS. Ci. 1/1/77) is an Iron compound in which 1/4th part of iron powder is used alongwith other drugs.

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2. *Nigrahīta rasa* (CS. Ci. 7/72) is a compound of mercury advised for internal use in *Kuṣṭha roga* (leprotic skin lesions) but according to some scholars it is doubtful.

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3. *Madhvāsava* (CS. Ci. 7/73-75) is an Iron compound prepared by fermentation process and indicated in *Kuṣṭha roga*. It contains Iron powder and advised to be prepared in Iron pot.

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4. *Triphalādyariṣṭha* (CS. Ci. 12/39-40) is an Iron compound and contains Iron powder.

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5. *Gauḍoriṣṭha* (CS. Ci. 12/39-40) is an Iron compound and contains Iron powder.

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In these *Asavāriṣṭha* preparations Iron powder is also advised to be mixed from the beginning itself and allowed to remain there till the completion of the process. It may be presumed here that during fermentation process iron added may get dissolved in the liquid by some kind of chemical reaction. thus, this is another kind of method for using metals internally, i.e.in solution form.

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6. *Mahānīla Taila* (CS.Ci. 26/270-272) is an oily iron compound in which *Tīkṣṇa Loha Cūrṇa* is added alongwith *Kāsīśa* (ferrous sulphate).

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7. *Jīvantyādi leha* (CS. Ci. 18/176-177) is an Iron compound - contains iron powder and indicated in *Kāsa*.

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8. *Dārvyādi leha* (CS. Ci. 16/97) is an Iron compound - contains iron powder and indicated in *Kāmalā* and *Pāṇḍu*.

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9. *Pathyādi leha* (CS. Ci. 16/98) is an Iron compound, - contains iron powder and indicated in *Kāmalā* and *Pāṇḍu*.

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10. *Triphalādyava leha* (CS. Ci. 16/99) is an Iron compound, contains iron powder and indicated in *Kāmalā* and *Pāṇḍu*. These are other medias of using iron metal internally. That means through oily and sugar based medias the iron metal was being used in ancient times.

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11. *Kṛṣṇatvakāra lepa* (CS. Ci. 25/115) is an iron paste compound which contains Iron and Ferrous Sulphate.

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12. *Tryūṣaṇādi Cūrṇa* (CS. Ci. 12/42) is an Iron compound indicated for *Tridoṣaja Śopha*.

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13. *Navāyasa Cūrṇa* (CS. Ci. 16/70-71) is an Iron Compound in which 9 parts of Iron powder is used and indicated for *Pāṇḍu* & *Kāmalā*.

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14. *Yogarāja* (CS. Ci. 16/80-86) is an Iron compound and indicated for *Rasāyana* Karma. It contains iron powder alongwith purified Chalcopyrite, *Rupyamala* and *Silajatu*.

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16. *Muktādya Cūrṇa* (CS. Ci. 17/125-128) is a metallic compound and indicated for *Svāsa*, *Kasa* and *Hikkā*. It contains Copper, Iron, Silver and Lead alongwith Pearl, Coral, Cat's eye, Quartz, Conch Shell, Galena, Sulphur and Salts.

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17. *Kṣāra Guḍicā* (CS. Ci. 12/43) is an Iron Compound and indicated in *Śopha*.

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18. *Magadhyādi Rāsāyana* (CS. Ci. 30/150) is an Iron compound indicated for *Rasāyana* Karma.

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19. Sarvākṣiroganut Varti (CS. Ci. 26/246) is an Iron and Copper compound alongwith Conch Shell, Coral and Cat's eye powder. It is indicated for applying in eye lids as Añjana (Collyrium).

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20. Pippalyādi yoga (CS. Ci. 18/74) is an Iron compound and indicated in Śleṣmalā yoni.

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21. Sūkṣma Tāmra rajaḥ prayoga (CS. Ci. 23/239), in this fine powder of Copper is advised for internal use for producing emasis (vomiting) in cases of poisoning due to the ingestion of poisons mixed with food. It is followed by Hema Cūrṇa prayoga.

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22. Kuṣṭhādi lepa (CS. Ci. 7/117-118) is a paste compound prepared in Copper vessel and kept for one week in copper vessel before use. It contains Realgar and Ferrous sulphate.

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23. Saindhavādi lepa & Triphalādya lepa (CS.Ci. 26/280-282) are paste compounds indicated for applying on head and contain Iron powder.

Mineral Compounds

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In Caraka Saṃhitā number of mineral compounds are found referred to. As minerals also contain one or other or more metals as their constituents, hence these may also be taken as metallic compounds and as such are also being described here.

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1. In Caraka Saṃhitā (CS. Ci. 1/3/48-65) a detailed description of Śilājatu (a famous mineral Bituman) obtained from Himalayan mountains as an exudate is found mentioned which consists of its origin, varieties and properties. It is also mentioned in the same context that the varieties of Śilājatu are based on its metallic contents i.e. suvarṇa, raupya, tāmra and loha śilājatu.

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2. Further in Caraka Saṃhitā (CS. Ci. 12/49) Silajatu parayoga is mentioned for Tridoṣaja Śotha. And there are number of other compounds in which Śilājatu is included as one of the constituent.

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3. Makṣika yoga (CS. Ci. 7/70) is a Chalcopyrite compound indicated for Kuṣṭha roga.

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4. Gandhaka yoga (CS. Ci.7/71) is a Sulphur compound indicated in Kuṣṭha roga.

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5. Kanakakṣīrī taila (CS. Ci 7/111-116) is an oily preparation, indicated in skin lesions, contains Orpiment, Copper Sulphate, Zinc ore, Alum and Ferrous Sulphate.

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6. Kuṣṭhādi lapa (CS. Ci. 7/117-118) is a past compound for external application and contains Realgar and Ferrous Sulphate.

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7. Vipādikāhara Taila/Ghṛta (CS. Ci. 7/120) is an oily preparation and contains Copper Sulphate.

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8. Manaḥ Śilādi Ghṛta (CS. Ci. 17/145-146) is a ghrta preparation and contains Realgar.

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⁹ Punarnavā Maṇḍūra (CS. Ci. 16/93-96) and Maṇḍūra Vaṭaka 1 & 2 (CS. Ci. 16/72, 102-104) are the compounds of purified Maṇḍūra(Rusted iron powder)and indicated for Pāṇḍu and Kāmalā

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10. Puṣyānuga Cūrṇa (CS. Ci. 30/90-95) is a Gairika (Hematite) compound indicated in Yonidoṣa and Rajodoṣa.

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11. Kāsīśa Cūrṇa (CS. 30/122) is a compound of ferrous Sulphate and Alum and indicated in Picchilā yoni.

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12. Tāpyādi Cūrṇa (CS. Ci. 16/78-79) is a Chalcopyrite, Bitumen, Ayomala (Maṇḍūra) and Silver compound and indicated in Pāṇḍu roga.

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13. Yogarāja (CS. Ci.16/80-86) is a compound of Chalcopyrite, Śilājatu and Rūpyamala.

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14. Manaḥśilādi ghṛta (CS. Ci. 17/145-146), Viḍaṅgādi leha (CS. Ci.18/52) and certain Dhuma yogas (CS. Ci.18/69-75) are Realgar or orpiment compounds.

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15. Bālaka yoga (CS. Ci. 20/32-33) indicated for Pittaja vami.

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16. Śali Cūrṇa yoga (CS. Ci. 20/39) indicated for Pittaja chardi.

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17. Muktādya Pradeha (CS. Ci. 21/81-82) indicated for Visarpa roga.

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18. Kṣārāgada (CS. Ci. 23/78-79) indicated for all types of Viṣas.

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19. Somavalkādi lepa (CS. Ci. 23/220) indicated for Viṣas.

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20. Khadirādi gudikā (CS. Ci. 26/210) indicated for Mukha roga.

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21. Puṣyānuga Cūrṇa (CS. Ci. 30/90-95) indicated for yonidoṣa and rajodoṣa is the compound of Gairika/Suvarṇa Gairika/Lohamṛt (Hematite/Red-ochre) which is also an iron compound and the main source of Iron.

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Thus, in short it may be said that during the period of Caraka Saṃhitā six metals are known. Of these five metals except gold are said to contain some kind of malas (impurity/slag). In malas ‘Ayomala’ Maṇḍūra (Rusted iron/Iron oxide) is given much importance in therapeutics. Besides metals a few minerals were also in common use for therapeutic purposes, such as - Śilājatu, Kāsīśa, Gairika, Tuttha, Kharpara, Haritala, Manāḥsila, Kāṅkṣi, Añjana (Galena), Rasāñjana (Solid extract of Darvikvatha), Suvarṇa Makṣika and Gandhakā.

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Apart from minerals the following gems were also in use in therapeutics, viz. - Mani in general, Muktā (Pearl), Pravāla (Coral), Saugandika Māṇikya (Ruby), Vajra (Diamond), Vaidūrya (Cat’s eye), Sphatika (Quartz) & Śaṅkha (Conch Shell) etc.

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As regards mercury and its compounds it may be said that mercury and mercurial compounds are not commonly referred to in this text, only at one place Nigrahīta rasa prayoga is found mentioned for internal use but it is also doubtful and at one place Rasottama term (may be denoting mercury) is found referred to in a paste yoga for external use. Hence it may be said that in the period of Caraka Saṃhitā mercury is found used for external application only. Further it may be pointed out that this external use of mercury is also found mentioned in the portion redacted by Drdhavala. Thus in this period of caraka the metals are used either in powder form converted to a very fine state of sub- division by heating the metals to red hot and quenching these into cold liquids (decoctions/juices/alkaline liquids) several times and then powdering finely. These metals are also used in solution form by putting iron powder into the liquids of Āsava and Āriṣṭha preparations and keeping it into the contact of liquid through the process (3-4 months) or till its complete dissolution. These (metals) are also used through oily media and sugar base mixed with lehya preparations, and also as paste after rubbing on stone.

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In Caraka Iron is used frequently in number of preparations (compounds) for therapeutic and Rasāyana purposes. Besides Iron, Gold, and Silver are also used in many compounds. Their vessels are also advised to be used for keeping the drugs. And the metals are also used for making the equipments and instruments. Copper is also used but less commonly for the above purposes. The Lead compounds are also found referred to for internal use and external application.

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In minerals, mostly the Iron and Copper containing compounds and also Arsenic containing compounds find frequent uses in therapeutics. The use of lead and zinc containing compounds is less common. In other minerals the use of ‘Silājatu’ is more frequent. The use of Copper powder, in case of poisoning produced by the use of poisons mixed with food materials, for inducing vomitting and doing Hṛdviśodhana is worth mentioning. Here the use of Copper was followed by the internal use of Gold powder to neutralise the toxic effects of copper and also of the other poisons. Both these uses of Copper and Gold by ‘Caraka’ are worth mentioning.

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