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History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c18.s3: Mercurial and Metallic Compounds in Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya

History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c18.s3

Language
English

Contents

Mercurial and Metallic Compounds in Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya

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‘*Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya*’ (7th century A.D.) is also an important text of Ayurvedic Medicine written by Vāgbhaṭṭa Junior in about 7th century A.D. though, it is a compilation of the ideas and subject materials dealt with by ‘*Caraka*’ and ‘*Suśruta*’, it has described the important aspects of Ayurvedic medicine in a very concise form. In this text metals and minerals are not found described under the heading of any group.

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From the historical point of view it may be considered as a land mark (last limit) for using the metals in *Rajas/Cūrṇa* (powder) form. In this text Mercury (*Pārada*)

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is also found referred to by the terms ‘Pārada and ‘Rasottama for both internal and external uses mixed with other drugs.

Mercury Compounds

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It is evident from the study of Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya that in this period (7th century A.D.) the mercurial compounds have found place in the therapeutics for both internal and external uses.

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Mercurial Compounds for Internal Use

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1. Śilājatvadi rasāyana (Ast Hr. Utt. 39/161) is a compound of mercury, iron and a few other minerals indicated for internal use for obtaining rasāyana effect and to provide nourishment to the weak body tissues.

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2. Mañjiṣṭhādi taila (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. 32/31) is again a mercury compound advised for internal use in cases of Nīlaka and Vyanga of the diseases of face. In addition to mercury it contains Red Ochre, Realgar, Orpiment and a few herbal drugs.

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Mercurial Compounds for External Use

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1. Kālīyākādi lepa (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. 25/61) is a compound of mercury used as paste for applying externally on skin. It is also known as Savarnakara lepa and recommended for making color of the skin of affected part similar to the healthy skin. In this compound the term ‘Rasottam’ is used for denoting mercury.

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2. Nayanāmṛtāñjana (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. 13/36) is also a compound of mercury and lead and recommended for using as Añjana (Collyrium) in the Timira roga of eyes.

Metallic Compounds

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A. Gold Compounds - In this text number of gold compounds are found mentioned and these are advised for using in newly born children to elderly persons.

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Gold compounds for children

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1. Tapta Rajata-Tapanīya Nimajjita Koṣṇa Jala (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. I/7). It is a slightly hot water prepared by quenching red hot gold and silver sheets in water. It is advised for using the same for the bath of newly born child.

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2. Vacādi Cūrṇa (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. I/7) is a gold compound prepared by mixing gold leaves/powder with prescribed herbal drugs and recommended for use in newly born child for improving its Bala and Medhā.

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3. Hemadhātri Cūrṇa (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. I/9) is a gold compound prepared by mixing gold with Dhātri (Amalaka) Cūrṇa. It is recommended for internal use in newly born child.

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4. Vacādi, Arkapuspyādi, Matsyakṣādi and Kaidaryādi prasa (Ast.Hṛ. I/47-48) are the four gold compounds advised for internal use in children upto one year for increasing their strength, body tissues, complexion and intelligence.

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5. Tāpyasuvarṇa leha (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. 35/56) is a gold compound of leha type. In this gold and chalcopyrite powders are mixed with honey and sugar for making as leha. It is recommended for use in Sarvayogajavisa.

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6. Hemaprayoga (Aṣṭ.Hṛ.Su 7/27-27). In this the use of gold powder is advised after doing Hṛdviśodhana by the use of copper powder to neutralise the effect of poisons used with foods in general and Garaviṣa in particular and to prolong life span.

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7. Triphalā Rasāyana (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. 39/42-43) is a gold compound alongwith five other metals and recommended as rasayana.

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8. Pancaravinda rasāyana (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. 39/48) is a gold compound and contains other drugs also, it is recommended for rasayana purpose.

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9. Catuṣkuvalaya ghṛta (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. 39/49) is a gold compound containing gold leaves with other drugs and recommended for rasayana karma.

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10. Brāhmī rasāyana (Aṣṭ. Hṛ, Utt. 39/50) is a gold compound and contains gold powder in yava quantity alongwith other herbal drugs.

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11. Cūrṇānjana (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. 13/45) is an Anjana type gold compound in which silver, quartz, gems, lead compound (Srotonjaña) copper, Iron, Red Ochre and Conch shell are included in addition to gold. It is recommended for all types of eye diseases for applying in eyes.

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B. Iron Compounds

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1. Navāyasa loha (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Ci. 16/14-15) is an iron compound in which Ayorajas (Iron powder) is used in nine parts (equal to all the herbal drugs) and indicated for Pāṇḍu and Kāmalā.

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2. Triphalā rasāyana (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. 39/42-43) is an Iron compound contains Iron alongwith other metals and indicated as rasayana.

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3. Vākuci rasāyana (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. 39/107) is an iron compound contains Loha Cūrṇa (iron powder) alongwith herbal drugs and indicated as rasayana.

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4. Śilājatvādi rasāyana (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. 39/161) is an Iron compound and also contains mercury and other minerals and indicated as best rasayana.

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5. Nāra Siṃgha Ghṛta (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. 39/169-173) is an Iron compound indicated for rasāyana and Vājīkaraṇa purposes, contains Iron pieces and advised to be prepared in iron vessel.

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6. Maṇḍūra Vaṭaka (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Ci. 16/16-19) is a compound of maṇḍura (Rusted iron), also contains Tāpya (Chalcopyrite) and indicated for Pāṇḍu.

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7. Tāpyādi Cūrṇa (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Ci. 16/20-22) is a compound of silver and Rusted iron, also contains Tapya and Śilajatu indicated in Pāṇḍuroga.

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8. Dhātryādi leha (Aṣṭ.Hṛ.Utt. 39/149) is an Iron compound indicated to preserve youthfulness.

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9. Ayoraḥ prayoga (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. 34/55) is an Iron compound indicated in Picchilā yonī.

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10. Loha Viḍaṅga leha (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. 39/150) is an Iron compound indicated for making the man youthful with black hairs.

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11. Tāmra rajaḥ prayoga (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Su. 7/27) here copper powder mixed with honey is advised for internal use for Hṛdviśodhana in cases of food poisoning for producing vomiting. And it is followed by hema curna prayoga for neutralising the effect of poisoning of Copper and also of Garavisa and to prolong life span.

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C. Mineral Compounds

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Just like Caraka and Śusruta saṃhitā there are many mineral compounds found referred to in this text of Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya. These are being mentioned here on account of their metal content. The important minerals referred to are śilājatu (Bituman), tāpya (Chalcopyrite), haritāla (Orpiment), manaḥśilā (Realgar), gairika (Hematite), añjana (Galena), tuttha (Blue Vitriol), kāśīśa (Green Vitriol) and kārkṣī (Alum) etc.

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1. Śilājatu rasāyana (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. 39/130-142). Here Śilājatu is described in detail mentioning its place of origin, varieties, properties, Sodhana method, the method of its uses, dose schedule and its superiority in therapeutics than the other drugs. It is considered best for achieving rasayana effect.

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2. Candrodaya Agada (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. 35/24) is compound of Galena, Orpiment and Realgar and indicated as anti poisonous agent.

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3. Mañjiṣṭhādi taila (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. 32/31) is a compound of Alum, Orpiment, Realgar, Hematite and Copper Sulphate and indicated for improving the complexion of the face.

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4. Kāśīsādi yoga (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. 34/55) is a compound of Alum and Green bitriol indicated for cleansing yoni.

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5. Tutthakādi lepa (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. 34/4-5) is a compound of Copper Sulphate, Ferrous Sulphate, Orpiment, Realgar, Heamatite, Rasanjana, Alum, and common salt and indicated in Upadaṃśavraṇa.

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6. Pearl yoga (Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. 37/27) is a compound of Pearl in the form of paste and applied in burning sensation caused by poisons.

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7. Anti-poisonous Gem Compound(Aṣṭ. Hṛ. Utt. 36/90) In this group of gems is indicated for destroying the effect of Snake poison. The gems are - Karketana (Ruby), Marakata (Emerald), Vajra (Diamond), Gajamuktā (Pearls obtained from elephant), Vaidūrya (Cat's eye), Gardabha Maṇi (Gem obtained from donkey) and Serpamaṇi (Gem obtained from snake).

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*A few more mercurial and metallic compounds:*

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1. In this text many mercurial compounds are found referred to for both (internal and external) uses. The mercurials for internal use are not found mentioned in earlier texts.

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2. In this text gold and its commpounds are frequently and commonly found indicated for the use in newly born child to improve its bala (resistance), growth and intelligence.

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3. For Rasayāna purposes and increasing the Āyu (life span) number of gold compounds are found referred to in Medhāyus kāmīya rasāyanādhyāya.

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4. More number of metallic and mineral compound could be seen referred to in this text.

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5. Various precious stones are found referred to in this text and were recognised for their anti-poisonous effects.

Linked texts (3)