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History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c18.s1.t4: Mineral Compounds

History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c18.s1.t4

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English

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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