Rasamitra

Āyurvedīya-Rasaśāstraṃ Adhīyānāya (Notes for Ayurvedic Medical Students)

Topic: Rasamitra, Navanītapiṣṭi (Kajjali), Evaṃ Bhavanā Prakriyā

प्रकरणम् (Prakaraṇam – Subject): Fundamental Principles of Rasaśāstra (Indian Alchemy & Mercury Medicine)

1. पारदविज्ञानीयम् (Pārada-Vijñānīyam) – The Science of Mercury (Hg)

सिद्धान्तः (Siddhāntaḥ – Core Principle):

Pārada (Mercury) is considered the king of medicines (Rasarāja). It is Śiva Vīrya itself, possessing the potential to bestow invincibility and longevity.
However, in its raw state, it is unstable, toxic, and cannot be absorbed by the human body. It requires elaborate pharmaceutical processing (Saṃskāra) to become therapeutically efficacious and non-toxic. This is the entire purpose of Rasaśāstra.

2. रसमित्रम् (Rasamitram) – The Ally of Mercury

परिभाषा (Paribhāṣā – Definition):
A substance that forms a stable, biocompatible, and therapeutically potent compound with mercury, facilitating its assimilation and directing its action is called a Rasamitra.

मुख्यं रसमित्रं (Mukhyaṃ Rasamitram – The Primary Ally):
Gandhaka (Sulphur – S) is the most important Rasamitra.

गुणाः (Guṇāḥ – Properties of Gandhaka):
- Uṣṇa Vīrya (Hot Potency)
- Tīkṣṇa (Penetrating)
- Kṛmighna (Anthelmintic)
- Kuṣṭhaghna (Antimicrobial, useful for skin diseases)
- Rasāyanīya (Rejuvenative)

योग्यता (Yogyatā – Rationale for the Alliance):

बन्धनकारकः (Bandhanakārakaḥ – The Binder): Sulphur has a unique affinity to bind with mercury, forming a stable black compound (Kajjali). This process is called Bandhana (bonding).
अनुप्रवेशकः (Anupraveśakaḥ – The Penetrating Agent): Gandhaka’s Tīkṣṇa quality helps carry mercury deep into the tissues (Dhātus), enhancing bioavailability.
मार्गदर्शकः (Mārgadarśakaḥ – The Guide): It directs the therapeutic action of mercury to the desired site (e.g., for skin diseases, respiratory ailments).
संस्कारकः (Saṃskārakaḥ – The Detoxifier): The process of bonding with sulphur is in itself a purification (Śodhana) and detoxification (Māraṇa) for both metals.

सारांशः (Sārāṃśaḥ – Summary): Without Gandhaka, mercury remains unbound, volatile, and toxic. Gandhaka is the key that unlocks mercury’s therapeutic potential.

3. नवनीतपिष्टिः / कज्जली (Navanītapiṣṭiḥ / Kajjalī)

परिभाषा (Paribhāṣā – Definition):
The supreme, finely ground, black amalgam of Śodhita Pārada (Purified Mercury) and Śodhita Gandhaka (Purified Sulphur) in equal proportions (1:1 ratio), possessing the consistency and smoothness of butter, is called Navanītapiṣṭi or Kajjali.

लक्षणम् (Lakṣaṇam – Ideal Characteristics):

वर्णः (Varṇaḥ – Colour): Niścandrakaśyāma – Jet black, like a moonless night.
स्पर्शः (Sparśaḥ – Touch): Sūkṣma, Slakṣṇa, Nava-Navanīta-Sadṛśa – Very fine, smooth, and buttery to the touch.
रेखा (Rekhā – Streak Test): When a small amount is rubbed between two fingers, it should leave no gritty particles. It should be Niṣṭhīvana-Anuṣṇatā (no warmth felt on spitting) and Rekhāpuṃ (should enter the finger-crease lines without any residue).
अनिद्रता (Anidratā – Test for Unbound Mercury): A small pinch is placed on a piece of paper. No silvery droplets of mercury should appear after some time.

महत्त्वम् (Mahattvam – Therapeutic Significance):

आधारभूतौषधम् (Ādhārabhūtauṣadham – Base Medicine): It is the fundamental base for most herbo-mineral formulations like Rasasindūra, Makardhwaja, etc.
रोगघ्नं (Rogaghnaṃ – Broad Spectrum): It is a potent medicine by itself.
- Actions: Rasāyana (Rejuvenative), Vṛṣya (Aphrodisiac), Bṛṃhaṇa (Nutritive), Āyuvardhaka (Life-promoting).
- Indications: Pradara (Leucorrhea), Śvāsa (Asthma, COPD), Kāsa (Cough), Kṣaya (Consumption/TB), Śukradaurbalya (Low sperm count/quality).

भेषजकल्पना (Bheṣajakalpanā – Pharmaceutical Preparation):

शोधनम् (Śodhanam – Purification): Both Mercury and Sulphur are purified individually as per classical texts (e.g., by grinding with specific herbs like Bhṛṅgarāja juice, garlic, etc.).
मर्दनम् (Mardanam – Trituration): The purified materials are taken in a 1:1 ratio in a stone mortar (Khalva Yantra).
कज्जलीकरणम् (Kajjalīkaraṇam – The Process of Amalgamation): They are triturated continuously for 6-8 hours (or as prescribed) until the above-mentioned Lakṣaṇas are achieved. This process requires great patience and skill.

4. भावनाकर्म (Bhavanā Karma) – The Process of Impregnation

परिभाषा (Paribhāṣā – Definition):
Bhavanā is a unique pharmaceutical process where a fine powder of a drug (often Kajjali or other Bhasmas) is triturated with a specified liquid medium (herbal decoction – Kvātha, fresh juice – Svarasa, cow’s urine – Gomūtra, etc.) and then dried. This process is repeated multiple times.

उद्देश्यम् (Uddēśyam – Objectives):

गुणान्तराधानम् (Guṇāntarādhānam – Transfer of Properties): To impregnate the mineral drug with the therapeutic properties of the herbal liquid.
सूक्ष्मीकरणम् (Sūkṣmīkaraṇam – Particle Size Reduction): Further reduction of particle size, enhancing bioavailability (Suṣirā).
शोधनम् एवं संस्कारणम् (Śodhanaṃ Evaṃ Saṃskāraṇaṃ – Purification & Processing): To further detoxify and process the drug.
बन्धनम् (Bandhanam – Binding): To provide a suitable medium for pill formation (Gutikā).

प्रक्रिया (Prakriyā – The Procedure with Kajjali):

The Kajjali is placed in the Khalva Yantra.
A small amount of the prescribed liquid (e.g., Nimbu Svarasa – lemon juice for Suvarna Vanga) is added.
It is triturated in one direction for a fixed duration until a smooth paste forms.
The paste is dried completely in sunlight or mild heat.
Once dry, the powder is again triturated, and steps 2-4 are repeated. This is one Bhavanā.
The number of Bhavanās is specified in the formulation (e.g., 3, 7, 21, or even 108 times).

सारांशः (Sārāṃśaḥ): Bhavanā is not merely mixing; it is a profound process of energizing and transforming a mineral drug into a potent, targeted herbo-mineral medicine.

5. चिकित्साकौमुदी (Cikitsā Kaumudī – Clinical Correlation)

Formulation Example: Rasasindūra

Base: Kajjali (1 part Hg + 1 part S).
Process: The Kajjali is given Bhavanās with specific liquids (e.g., Kumārī Svarasa – Aloe vera juice). It is then subjected to Dhanyābhraka Puta (a specific measure of heat in a closed-container furnace).
Outcome: This process transforms black Kajjali into the brilliant crimson-red Rasasindūra.
Action: A supreme Rasāyana and adaptogen, used for a wide range of chronic debilitating conditions.

सावधानता (Sāvadhānatā – Precautions):

These medicines are potent and must only be administered by a qualified Vaidya.
Strict Pathya-Apathya (do’s and don’ts of diet and lifestyle) must be followed by the patient.
The quality of raw materials and adherence to classical preparation methods are non-negotiable for safety and efficacy.

॥ इति शिवम् ॥
(Iti Śivam – Thus ends the notes in auspiciousness)