History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c18.s4.t5: 6. Rasendra Cintāmaṇi (12th century A.D.)
History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c18.s4.t5
- Language
- English
6. Rasendra Cintāmaṇi (12th century A.D.)
v1.c18.s4.t5.1
This text is written by Shri Dhuṇḍhuka Nātha in the later part of 12th century A.D. The Indian alchemy and therapeutics are dealt with in this text. It includes a few important manufacturing processes, mercurial and metallic compounds.
v1.c18.s4.t5.2
In mercurial processes 19(nineteen) *saṃskāras* (special processes) for removing various types of mercurial *doṣas* (impurities/toxic materials) and for inducing many alchemical and therapeutic properties in Mercury are described.
v1.c18.s4.t5.3
Besides special processes of Mercury a most important process known as *Mūrcchanā* (compound making) for preparing mercurial compounds of therapeutic importance is described for the first time in this text. This text gives much emphasis on *Mūrcchanā* as according to it this is the only process which induces a definite disease destroying capacity in mercurial compounds.
v1.c18.s4.t5.4
It is further said in the context of *Mūrcchanā* that before subjecting Mercury with this process prior purification of Mercury is essential. Many kinds of *Mūrcchanā* are described in this text and of these following two types are most important from therapeutic point of view, viz. 1. *Mūrcchanā* with Sulphur and 2. *Mūrcchanā* without Sulphur.
v1.c18.s4.t5.5
Further in the context of *Mūrcchanā* with Sulphur it is said that without doing ‘*Ṣadguṇabali jāraṇa*’ (without burning six times Sulphur with Mercury) the desired disease destroying power could never be induced in Mercury. It is also mentioned in this text that for inducing Rasayana property consumption and digestion of Mica (*Satva*) and Gold into Mercury is highly essential. Hence, in relation to Mercury *Mūrcchanā* and *Jāraṇa* are the two most important processes to potentiate Mercury for therapeutic as well as Rasāyana purposes.
v1.c18.s4.t5.6
The methods and the apparatus’ required for burning six times sulphur are also described in this text, viz.
v1.c18.s4.t5.7
1. As regards the method the Sulphur should either be added at a time or gradually and the heat should be applied through *Sikatā yantra* Bātuka system in a graded (slowly increasing) manner with a view to allow sulphur to remain in contact with mercury for longer duration.
v1.c18.s4.t5.8
2. As regards the apparatus the *Sikatā* and *Bhūdhara* yantras are specially recommended. Thus, for ‘*Ṣadguṇa Gandhaka Jāraṇa*’ the *Kūpīpāka* method is usually followed. The descriptions regarding the *Kūpī* (bottle) and its sealing materials are also found mentioned in this context.
v1.c18.s4.t5.9
Besides ‘*Ṣadguṇa Balijāraṇa*’. The preparation method for preparing *Kajjalī* is also mentioned in this context.
v1.c18.s4.t5.10
Further, in the context of ‘*Mūrcchanā* without Sulphur’ this text has mentioned about ‘*Lavaṇa Mūrcchanā*’ i.e. compounding of Mercury with *lavaṇa* (Sodium Chloride) and the compound thus prepared is known as ‘*Rasa lavaṇa Piṇḍa*’. It is also claimed as one of the type of *bandhas* (solidified state) of mercury.
v1.c18.s4.t5.11
It may be mentioned here that though, the term ‘*Rasa Karpura*’ is not found mentioned in this text the terms ‘*lavaṇa mūrcchanā*’ and ‘*rasa lavaṇa piṇḍa*’ and its preparation method (heating in *Kūpī* through *Sikatā* yantra) indicate that the mercurial or mercurous compound known as mercuric chloride was known and prepared in India since the later part of 12th century A.D.
v1.c18.s4.t5.12
It is also mentioned in this context that if pure Mercury is not available then use Hiṅgula (Cinnabar) an important of ore of Mercury for obtaining pure Mercury through Damuru Yantra by extraction method.
v1.c18.s4.t5.13
Thus, in short it could be said that this text has mentioned the Mūrcchanā process for the first time to preparre Mercurial commpounds of therapeutic importance. Two types are usually recommended in therapeutics for curing various diseases, viz.
v1.c18.s4.t5.14
1. The compounds of Mercury prepared with Sulphur. Its examples are Kajjali and Rasa Sindūra.
v1.c18.s4.t5.15
2. Non Sulphur compounds i.e. compounds of mercury prepared with herbs and lavana.
v1.c18.s4.t5.16
For preparing Kupipakva Rasāyanas and/or Ṣaḍguṇa balijāraṇa heating through Sikatāyantra in a graded manner is advised to achieve optimum properties and benefits. If pure Mercury is not available its important mineral hingula was used for obtaining (extracting) pure Mercury to prepare mercurial compounds with sulphur or lavana by Mūrcchanā process.
v1.c18.s4.t5.17
It is claimed that for inducing curative power in Mercury, Ṣaḍguṇa Balijāraṇa is essential and for inducing Rasāyana property Jāraṇa of Mica (Satva) and Gold is essential.