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History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c18.s2: Mercurial and Metallic Compounds in Suśruta Saṃhitā

History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c18.s2

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English

Contents

Mercurial and Metallic Compounds in Suśruta Saṃhitā

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The review of this text revealed that there are number of metallic compounds but no mercurial compound suitable for internal use is found referred to in this text. Besides metallic compounds seven metals (gold, silver, copper, bell metal, Iron, tin & lead) are found described under ‘Trapvādigana’ (SS.Su.38/30) This text has also described the common properties of the drugs of ‘Trapvādi’ group. Not only this the properties of each metal (SS. Su. 46/360-365) are also found described here, which are not seen in earlier text (Caraka Saṃhitā). Apart from metals a few minerals and their compounds are also found described under ‘Uṣakadigana’ (SS. Su. 38/18), the drugs of gem group in ‘Manivarga’ (SS. Su. 46/366) and the types of Salts in ‘Lavaṇa Varga’ (SS. Su. 46/343).

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In ‘Uṣakadigana’, Uṣaka (Alkaline earth), Saindhava (Rock salt), Silajatu (Bituman), Kāśīśadvaya (Kasisal Puspaka Sisa) and Tutthaka (Blue Vitriol) are included. In ‘Maṇi group’, Mukta (pearl), Vidruma (Coral), Vajra (Daimond), Indra (Sapphire), Vaidūrya (Cat’s eye) and Sphaṭika (Quartz) are enumerated alongwith their properties. In Lavaṇa group’ - Saindhava, Sāmudra Viḍa, Sauvarcala, Romaka and Audbhida varieties of salt are included alongwith a brief description of each variety (SS. Su. 46/346-351). Further the properties of Ṭaṅkana (Borax (SS. Su. 46/359) are also found described here.

Metal processing method

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In addition to the processing method of metals in general and Iron in particular is also found described in this text by the term ‘Ayaskṛti (SS. Ci. 10/11-14) which is of three types, viz.

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1. Ayaskṛti, 2. Auṣadhāyaskṛti and 3. Mahauṣadhāyaskṛti *Method of Making Ayaskṛti*

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For this thin sheets of *Tīkṣṇa* variety of Iron are first pasted with the paste of different salts and then heated strongly in cow dung fire and quenched in the decoctions of *‘Triphālā’* and *‘Sālasāradi group’* of drugs repeatedly for sixteen times. There after these are heated in *Khadirāngāra* (strong heat) and on cooling these are made into fine powder form by grinding and sieving through a fine cloth. It is known as *‘Ayaskṛti’* and may be used in suitable doses mixed with ghee and honey.

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*Ausadhayāskṛti*

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For *‘ausadhāyaskṛti’* strongly heated pieces of thin Iron sheets are quenched in the decoction of *Tṛvrit* etc. drugs, kept in a boat shaped tub made of *Palāśa* wood repeatedly for twenty one times. There after Iron pieces should be kept in a *thālī* (wide mouth vessel) with the above liquid and heated over cow dung fire till the liquid reduces to 1/4th part and filtered. This filtrate may again be used for quenching hot iron sheets pieces repeatedly. In the end mix *Pippalyādi* powder one part, ghee and honey two parts each with the treated Iron in an Iron pot and keep it in secret place for sometimes. It is known as *‘Auṣadhāyaskṛti’*.

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*Mahauṣadhāyaskṛti*

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For *‘Mahauṣadhāyaskṛti’* strongly heated pieces of thin iron sheets are quenched in the decoction of *Śālasārādi-gaṇa* drugs kept in a boat shaped palāśa wood tub for twenty one times. On cooling so treated iron pieces are ground to a fine paste from with the above decoction. Now mix 1/4th part of above decoction with it and fill it in an already prepared earthen pot. Add *Pippalyādi Cūrṇa* in a quantity sufficient to develop a pungent taste of the liquid or equal to Iron paste or in double amount. Keep it in a calm place for one month or as required. It is known as *‘Mahauṣadhāyaskṛti’* similar to *Āsavāriṣṭha* preparation.

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Besides different methods of making *‘Ayaṣkṛties’*, another method of using Iron internally is also found described in Susruta in the context of *‘Lohāriṣṭha’* (SS. Ci. 12/11).

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In this context small pieces of thin *Tīkṣṇa* loha scats, obtained after strong heating are advised to be added with the liquid of *‘Lohāriṣṭha’* since the beginning of the fermentation process and is allowed to remain in contact with the liquid for 3-4 months (i.e. till the completion of the fermentation process) or till complete dissolution of thin Iron pieces is achieved in the liquid and on developing a specific taste of the liquid it may be taken for use.

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It means during samhita period (classical age-1000 BC - 500 BC) Iron was also advised to be used in solution form through *Āsavāriṣṭha* preparations. Not only this the Iron and Copper powders were also advised for internal use mixed with *leha* (liking) type of compounds. The *Śālasārādi leha* (SS. Ci. 12/9) deserves mention in this context.

Metallic Compounds

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A. Gold Compounds

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The number of gold compounds are referred to in this text in different contexts, viz. -

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1. *Bilva Suvarṇa yoga* (SS. Ci. 28/9-10) is a gold compound recommended for removing *Alakṣmī* (misfortune).

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2. *Padma Bījādi yoga* (SS. Ci. 28/13) is a gold compound, recommended to remove *Alakṣmī* (misfortune) and misery.

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3. *Nīlotpalādi yoga* (SS. Ci. 28/14) is a gold compound, recommended for removing *Alakṣmī* (misfortune) and misery.

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4. *Vacābilvādi yoga* (SS. Ci. 28/16) is a gold compound, recommended for improving *Medhā* (intelligence) and *Āyu* (longevity).

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5. *Gopayas Madhūcchiṣṭadi yoga* (SS. Ci. 28/15) is a gold compound recommended for *Rasāyana Karma*.

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6. *Madhvamalaka yoga* (SS. Ci. 28/19) is a gold compound recommended for destroying *Āriṣṭha Lakṣaṇas* in severe diseases.

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7. *Śatāvarī ghṛta prayoga* (SS. Ci. 28/20) is a gold compound to make the kings under control.

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8. *Gocandanādi yoga* (SS. Ci. 28/21) is a gold compound recommended to produce *Saubhāgya* (fortune).

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9. *Padma Nīlotpala Sarpi* (SS. Ci. 28/22) is a gold compound recommended to prolong *Āyu* (longevity).

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10. *Mahākalyāṇaka Ghṛta* (SS. Utt. 39/118-119) is a gold and gem compound indicated in *Jwara*.

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B. Iron Compounds

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1. *Navāyasa Cūrṇa* (SS. Ci. 12/10) is an Iron compound in which nine parts of iron powder (equal to nine herbal drugs) is mixed.

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2. *Mārkavādiyoga* (SS. Ci. 19/20) is an iron and copper compound indicated for *upadaṃśa* (Gonorrheal type infection).

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3. *Śala Sārādi leha* (SS. Ci. 12/9) is an Iron and Copper compound and indicated in all types of *Pramehas*.

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4. *Lohariṣṭha* (SS. Ci. 12/11) is a fermented liquid preparation, in which strongly heated thin Iron pieces are added and allowed to remain in the solution till these get dissolved in the solution. It is indicated in *Meha*, *Pāṇḍu* diseases etc.

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C. Mineral Compounds

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As almost all the minerals contain some or the other metals in them hence their compounds are also being described here.

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1. *Saurāṣṭryadi Cūrṇa* (SS. Ci. 19/19) indicated for *upadaṃśa*, contains hematite, Copper sulphate, white iron sulphate, Galena, orpiment, Realgar, Alum and Rock Salt etc. minerals.

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2. *Gundrā bhasma yoga* (SS. Ci. 19/20) indicated for *Upadaṃśa* contains orpiment and Realgar.

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3. *Tuttha Kāsīsādi Cūrṇa* (SS. Ci. 19/20) indicated for *Vraṇa* and *Visarpa* contains copper and Ferrous Sulphate, Realgar and Rasanjana etc. minerals.

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Thus, in *Suśruta Saṃhitā* more advancement in the knowledge of using metals in metallic compounds could be seen.

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A. In this text the metals and minerals are described under different groups depending upon their nature and types. Such classification of the drugs of mineral origin is not seen in ‘*Caraka Saṃhitā*’. The *Trapvādigaṇa*, *Uṣakadigana*, *Manivarga* and *Lavanavarga* etc. deserve mention in this context.

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B. The common properties of the drugs of these groups and the specific properties of individual metals and minerals included in these groups have also been found described in this text for the first time.

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C. Further this text has used the term ‘*Ayaskṛti*’ for the first time for the method through which metals are converted into the pharmaceutical form suitable for internal use.

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D. Three methods for making ‘*Ayaskṛties*’ mentioned in this text indicate that further modification in the processing method of metals has taken place with a view to make them more suitable for internal use.

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E. In addition to ‘*Ayaskṛti*’, a form of metals advised for internal use, the other method of using metals internally (solution form) is also found mentioned in this text, while describing the *Āsavariṣṭha* preparations.

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F. The iron etc. metals were also advised to be used in oily media and in *Avaleha* media in this text.

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G. For increasing *Medhā*, *Āyu*, *Ārogya* and Fortune and to prevent *Alakṣmī* (misfortune) and diseases nine gold compounds preparations are found mentioned in this text.

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H. No mercurial compound suitable for internal use is found referred to in this text.

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