A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c50.s1.1

v3.c50.s1.1

The Rasakhaṇḍa 4 (577 verses) consists of ten chapters (upadeśa). 5 Chapter one (rasapīṭhikā; 33 verses) opens with a maṅgala addressed to Caṇḍikā (i.e., a terrific form of Pārvatī) 6 and Candraśekhara (i.e., Śiva), followed by some verses on the five sections of the Rasaratnākara and those to whom they are addressed (1–6). The other subjects of chapter one are: the praise of mercury (7–14 and 23–24) and the iatrochemist (15), the usefulness of the book (16–22 and 25–26), the doṣas of naturally occurring mercury (27–29ab), the qualities of purified mercury (29cd–30), and the quantity to be taken for purification (31–33). The treatise is declared to be based on earlier works, the teachings of the author's guru and personal experience (16–22). Chapter two (rasaśodhanamāraṇa; 46 verses) describes the purification and killing of mercury. Four kinds of bhasman are produced by these processes: white, yellow, red, and black in colour. The māraṇauṣadhis are listed in this chapter (15–20). Chapter three (māraṇa; 46 verses) is about a better method of killing mercury; this type of killing is preceded by jāraṇā and the addition of a bīja (1–2). In order to achieve jāraṇā, mercury has to be provided with a ‘mouth’ (mukha) first (3–7ab), which process is called mukhakaraṇa. Killing of mercury is also possible, without giving a mukha to mercury (nirmukha), by adding a bīḍa; the way to prepare a bīḍa is described (13cd–18). The niyāmaka plants are enumerated, employed in the māraṇa, mūrchana and bandhana of mercury (34–41). The examination of mercurial bhasmans and their uses are dealt with (43cd–46). Chapter four (mūrchanādinirūpaṇa; 54 verses) is concerned with the mūrchana and bandha of mercury. The same chapter describes the preparation of hairayaṅgabhakarasa (29cd–30). The chapter ends with a verse on the daivī, mānuṣī and rākṣasī types of medical treatment (54), i.e., the treatment with rasas, with herbs and mantras, and with surgical methods.