A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c48.s16.9

v3.c48.s16.9

The procedures for these saṃskāras are described, together with the effects obtained. Pāṭasāraṇa (31) removes impurities, in particular those associated with the presence of tin or lead in crude mercury. Mardana (32–33) makes impure mercury lose its blackness. The varieties of śodhana (34–42) make mercury free from the kañcukas and doṣas. 97 Mūrchanotthāpana (43–46) renders purified mercury tejasvin, pātana (47–57ab) abolishes its subtle defects (sūkṣmadoṣa); utthāpana (57cd–69) makes it pervasive (vyāpaka) and clear (svaccha). Svedana (70–82) activates the mukhavāñchā of mercury, i.e., its ability to digest other substances, and increases its heat-resistancy; the same properties are further stimulated by niyāmana (38–89) and nirodhana (90–92).