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History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c18.s2.t2: Metallic Compounds

History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c18.s2.t2

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English

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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