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=== Panchavidha gati (five movements) of Mercury ===

=== Panchavidha gati (five movements) of Mercury ===

Rasaratna Samucchaya mentions five movements of Mercury.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":0" />

Mercury is the liquid moving metal. In processing of parada, much Parada is lost due to the parada gatis. Rasaratna Samucchaya mentions five movements of Mercury.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":0" /><blockquote>जलगो जलरूपेण त्वरितो हंसगो भवेत् । मलगो मलरूपेण सधूमो धूमगो भवेत् ॥ ८३॥  

 

जलगो जलरूपेण त्वरितो हंसगो भवेत् । मलगो मलरूपेण सधूमो धूमगो भवेत् ॥ ८३॥  

अन्या जीवगतीर्दैवी जीवोऽण्डादिव निष्क्रमेत् । स तांश्च जीवयोज्जीवांस्तेन जीवो रसः स्मृतः ॥ ८४ ॥  

अन्या जीवगतीर्दैवी जीवोऽण्डादिव निष्क्रमेत् । स तांश्च जीवयोज्जीवांस्तेन जीवो रसः स्मृतः ॥ ८४ ॥  

anyā jīvagatīrdaivī jīvō’ṇḍādiva niṣkramēt | sa tāṁśca jīvayōjjīvāṁstēna jīvō rasaḥ smr̥taḥ || 84 ||

anyā jīvagatīrdaivī jīvō’ṇḍādiva niṣkramēt | sa tāṁśca jīvayōjjīvāṁstēna jīvō rasaḥ smr̥taḥ || 84 ||

catasrō gatayō dr̥śyā adr̥śyā paṁcamī gatiḥ | maṁtradhyānādinā tasya rudhyatē paṁcamī gatiḥ || 85 ||

catasrō gatayō dr̥śyā adr̥śyā paṁcamī gatiḥ | maṁtradhyānādinā tasya rudhyatē paṁcamī gatiḥ || 85 ||</blockquote>

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|+Panchavidha gati (five movements) of Mercury<ref name=":0" />

|+Panchavidha gati (five movements) of Mercury<ref name=":0" />

=== Pharmacological Properties ===

=== Pharmacological Properties ===

Most of Rasa formulations have mercury as an important ingredient. Unpurified mercury has many toxic effects such as severe gastrointestinal irritations, peripheral circulatory collapse, metallic taste in mouth, excessive salivation, inflammation of gums, etc. Almost all classical texts related to Rasa Shastra (Ayurveda pharmaceutics for metalo-mineral preparations) have emphasized Parada Shodhana (purifying process of mercury) but with a variety of methods. These methods need to be revalidated with comprehensive methodology to develop its standard operative procedure (SOP), because standardization of the drugs is very crucial to ensure quality, efficacy, and reproducibility. Hence, Shodhana (purifying process), Mardana (trituration), Marana (incineration), Jarana (polling), Murchchna (process to put in disease curing capacity), etc., with herbomineral drugs are to be carried out as appropriate to receive the therapeutic benefits of Parada.<ref>Bhinde SS, Patgiri BJ. ''Quantification of mercury after Samanya Shodhana (purifying process): A preliminary analysis.'' J Drug Res Ayurvedic Sci 2022;6:65-71.</ref>  

Most of Rasa formulations have mercury as an important ingredient. Unpurified mercury has many toxic effects such as severe gastrointestinal irritations, peripheral circulatory collapse, metallic taste in mouth, excessive salivation, inflammation of gums, etc. Almost all classical texts related to Rasa Shastra (Ayurveda pharmaceutics for metalo-mineral preparations) have emphasized Parada Shodhana (purifying process of mercury) but with a variety of methods. These methods need to be revalidated with comprehensive methodology to develop its standard operative procedure (SOP), because standardization of the drugs is very crucial to ensure quality, efficacy, and reproducibility. Hence, Shodhana (purifying process), Mardana (trituration), Marana (incineration), Jarana (polling), Murchchna (process to put in disease curing capacity), etc., with herbo-mineral drugs are to be carried out as appropriate to receive the therapeutic benefits of Parada.<ref>Bhinde SS, Patgiri BJ. ''Quantification of mercury after Samanya Shodhana (purifying process): A preliminary analysis.'' J Drug Res Ayurvedic Sci 2022;6:65-71.</ref>  

Although mercury compounds are regarded as poisonous, cinnabar (mercuric sulphide) is subjected to eighteen complex processes called ''samskāras'', including rubbing with various medicinally efficacious plant juices and extracts, incorporation of sulphur, mica, certain alkaline substances, etc. The resulting mercury compound was then declared fit for consumption and believed to lead to the body’s rejuvenation.  

Although mercury compounds are regarded as poisonous, cinnabar (mercuric sulphide) is subjected to eighteen complex processes called ''samskāras'', including rubbing with various medicinally efficacious plant juices and extracts, incorporation of sulphur, mica, certain alkaline substances, etc. The resulting mercury compound was then declared fit for consumption and believed to lead to the body’s rejuvenation.  

=== Uses of Mercury ===

=== Uses of Mercury ===

|Naga (Lead) and Vanga (Tin) (2) as per Rasa Ratna samucchaya.

|Naga (Lead) and Vanga (Tin) (2) as per Rasa Ratna samucchaya.

According to Anandakanda there are three Yougika doshas Naga, Vanga and Visha.

According to Anandakanda there are three Yougika doshas Naga, Vanga and Visha.

|यौगिकौ नागवङ्गौ द्वैतौ जाड्याध्मान कुष्ठादौ । (Rasa Ratna Samu 11.18)  

|यौगिकौ नागवङ्गौ द्वैतौ जाड्याध्मान कुष्ठादौ । (Rasa Ratna Samu 11.18)<ref name=":6" />

|-

|-

|3

|3

|Oupadika

|Oupadika

|Kanchuka and other doshas (7)

|Kanchuka and other doshas (7)

|औपाधिकाः पुनश्चान्ये कीर्तिताः सप्तकञ्चुकाः । भूमिज गिरिजा वर्जा द्वे च द्वे नागवङ्गजौ ॥ (Rasa. Ratn. Samu. 1.11)

|औपाधिकाः पुनश्चान्ये कीर्तिताः सप्तकञ्चुकाः॥  १६

भूमिजा गिरिजा वर्जा द्वे च द्वे नागवङ्गजौ । दशैते हि रसे दोषाः प्रोक्ता रसविशारदैः ॥ १७

 

(Rasa. Ratn. Samu. 1.16-17)<ref>Shankarlal Harishankar, (2019) ed. ''Rasaratna Sammuchhaya by Acharya Vagbhata'' Bombay: Khemraj Srikrishnadas Prakashan. pp.256</ref>

|}

|}

Apart from the above mentioned natural adulterations of Parada, treatises on Rasashastra mention about extra impurities of Parada (Para) in form of encapsulation or external coverings. These layers of extra impurities are known as Kanchukas and as they are seven in number called to as Sapta (7)- Kanchuka (covers) dosha (adulterations) of Parada. In short, these coverings are a mixture of other metals in powdered form with Parad, which cause disorders in the body if Parad is consumed without getting rid of these layers; Seven Kanchuka Doshas are as follows<ref name=":4">Manoj, Amrit S, Sohit S. ''[https://www.wjpmr.com/download/article/95042022/1651491290.pdf A Critical Review of Parada Samskaras in Context of Ayurvedic and Modern Concept.]'' World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research, 2022, 8(5), 139-142</ref>

Apart from the above mentioned natural adulterations of Parada, treatises on Rasashastra mention about extra impurities of Parada (Para) in form of encapsulation or external coverings. These layers of extra impurities are known as Kanchukas and as they are seven in number called to as Sapta (7)- Kanchuka (covers) dosha (adulterations) of Parada. In short, these coverings are a mixture of other metals in powdered form with Parad, which cause disorders in the body if Parada is consumed without getting rid of these layers; Seven Kanchuka Doshas are as follows<ref name=":4">Manoj, Amrit S, Sohit S. ''[https://www.wjpmr.com/download/article/95042022/1651491290.pdf A Critical Review of Parada Samskaras in Context of Ayurvedic and Modern Concept.]'' World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research, 2022, 8(5), 139-142</ref><blockquote>पर्पटी पाटनी भेदी द्रावी मलकरी तथा । अन्धकारी तथा ध्वांक्षी  विज्ञेयाः सप्त कंचुकाः ॥ (Rasa. Ratn. Samu. 11.19)<ref>Shankarlal Harishankar, (2019) ed. ''Rasaratna Sammuchhaya by Acharya Vagbhata'' Bombay: Khemraj Srikrishnadas Prakashan. pp.257</ref>

# Bhedi (tearing)  

# Bhedi (tearing)  

# Malakad (causing impurities)  

# Malakad (causing impurities)  

# Patanakari (rupturing)  

# Patanakari (rupturing)  

# Andhakari (causing blindness)

# Andhakari (causing blindness)

=== Harmful effects of consuming impure Mercury ===

=== Harmful effects of consuming impure Mercury ===

Ayurveda Prakasa and Rasatarangini enumerates the harmful effects of unpurified mercury which has the above mentioned doshas. <blockquote>नागाद् व्रणं भवेत्कुष्ठं वङ्गात्तापोऽग्निदोषतः । मलाज्जड्यं तु चापल्याद् बोजनाशो विषान्मृतिः ।॥८॥ nāgād vraṇaṁ bhavētkuṣṭhaṁ vaṅgāttāpō’gnidōṣataḥ | malājjaḍyaṁ tu cāpalyād bōjanāśō viṣānmr̥tiḥ |||8||

Ayurveda Prakasa and Rasatarangini enumerates the harmful effects of unpurified mercury which has the above mentioned doshas. <blockquote>नागाद् व्रणं भवेत्कुष्ठं वङ्गात्तापोऽग्निदोषतः । मलाज्जड्यं तु चापल्याद् बोजनाशो विषान्मृतिः ।॥८॥ nāgād vraṇaṁ bhavētkuṣṭhaṁ vaṅgāttāpō’gnidōṣataḥ | malājjaḍyaṁ tu cāpalyād bōjanāśō viṣānmr̥tiḥ |||8||  

गिरेः स्फोटोऽथ मोहश्च ह्यसह्याग्नेः प्रजायते । एतैर्दोषैर्विहीनञ्च रसेन्द्रमिह योजयेत् ॥ ९॥ girēḥ sphōṭō’tha mōhaśca hyasahyāgnēḥ prajāyatē | ētairdōṣairvihīnañca rasēndramiha yōjayēt || 9|| (Rasa. Tara. 5.7-9)<ref name=":1" /></blockquote>

गिरेः स्फोटोऽथ मोहश्च ह्यसह्याग्नेः प्रजायते । एतैर्दोषैर्विहीनञ्च रसेन्द्रमिह योजयेत् ॥ ९॥ girēḥ sphōṭō’tha mōhaśca hyasahyāgnēḥ prajāyatē | ētairdōṣairvihīnañca rasēndramiha yōjayēt || 9|| (Rasa. Tara. 5.8-9)<ref name=":1" /></blockquote>

They are as follows as per both Acharyas.

They are as follows as per both Acharyas.

=== Shodhana Process or Samskaras of Mercury ===

=== Shodhana Process or Samskaras of Mercury ===

Ayurveda texts inform about Ashtadasha Sanskaras (18 processes) required to clean Mercury. Of these, only the first 8 are suggested for Deh-vadha (medicinal purposes) while the remaining 10 steps, which are obscure and have occult implications, are used only for purifying Parada in such a way to convert metals into gold (Loh-vadha). The eight samskaras are as follows<ref name=":4" />

Purification is of two types - vyadhi nasha (by samanya shodhana) and preparation of rasayana (visesha shodhana). Ayurveda texts inform about Ashtadasha Sanskaras (18 processes) required to clean Mercury. In Rasaratna Samuchaya<ref name=":5">Shankarlal Harishankar, (2019) ed. ''[https://archive.org/details/rasa-ratna-samucchaya-of-vagbhatacharya-shankar-lal-hari-shankar/page/n79/mode/2up Rasaratna Sammuchhaya by Acharya Vagbhata]'' Bombay: Khemraj Srikrishnadas Prakashan. pp. 255</ref><blockquote>स्यात्स्वेदनं तदनु मर्द्दनमूच्छनं च उत्थापानं पतनरोथनियामनानि । संदीपनं गगनभक्षणमानमत्र संचारणा तदनु गर्भगता द्रुतिश्च॥ ११ ॥

 

 

 

bāhyadrutiḥ sūtakajāraṇā syāt grāsastathā sāraṇakarma paścāt | saṃkrāmaṇaṃ vedhavidhiḥ śarīre yogastathāṣṭādaśadhātra karma || 12 || (Rasa. Ratn. Samu. 11.11-12)</blockquote>Of these, only the first 8 are suggested for Deh-vadha (medicinal purposes) while the remaining 10 steps, which are obscure and have occult implications, are used only for purifying Parada in such a way to convert metals into gold (Loh-vadha). The eight samskaras are as follows<ref name=":4" />

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

'''Svedana''' - Pippali, Maricha, Chitraka, Aradraka, Triphala and Saindhav Lavan are mixed together and made into paste. Parad sixteen times the weight of the mixed herbal paste is added with this paste carefully blended and the mixture rolled into a ball. The ball is tied in a poultice and steamed in dolayantra filled with Sauveer for 3-4 days. Everyday fresh herbal paste and Kaanji is used. This process of steaming Parada with natural herbs is called as Svedana Sanskara which helps to clear the impurities present in Parada.

Parada procured after Utthapana is treated to three different types of Patana-karma (sublimation process; downward, upward & oblique). This process is carried out in a special set of apparatus called as Patan-Yantra which are distinct for each process - Urdhvapatana and Adhapatana.

'''Mardana'''- Parada procured after Svedan Sanskar is further vigorously rubbed individually with the following ingredients; Sarshap, Rasona, Soot (Jute or any cloth with a rough surface), Triphala, Aradrak and Lavan (Saindhav Lavan). This process is called as Mardana Sanskar which helps to clear Parad impurities that might not have been cleared by Svedana process.

'''Prayojana - Naga, Vanga doshas are removed by Patana samskara.'''

'''Murchana'''- The next process after Mardana includes a further combination or processing of Parad with decoctions formed from Triphala, Chitraka and Kumari for one week each. This process is called as Murchana Sanskar which completely eliminates abnormalities and gives it a pulverised form.

Bodhana /Rodhana Sanskara or process awakens Parad after its earlier treatments which give Parad its powers to move in different directions. To accomplish this, Parad obtained from the preceding Patana sanskara is tied in a poultice with bark obtained from the Bhurjapatra tree. The poultice is then steamed in salt-water (mixed with saline water). It removes impotency of Parad which occurs due to its previous sanskaras of Mardana (rubbing).

'''Utthapana'''- Parad needs to recover its natural traits and form which is achieved from the Utthapana process. The Murchit Parad is steamed properly with Kaanji and carefully washed (The time-span is not fixed). The process gives Parad its normal form, eliminating all impurities.

'''Prayojana - Due to Mardana, Patana samskaras, Parada will get Jadatwa (klaibyatva), hence to remove it Rodana samskara is adopted.'''

'''Patana'''- Parad procured after Utthapana is treated to three different types of Patana-karma (sublimation process; downward, upward & oblique). This process is carried out in a special set of apparatus called as Patan-Yantra which are distinct for each process - Urdhvapatana and Adhapatana.

This type of Sanskar is done to remove any defects or instability with Parada after the Bodhana sanskar. The Parad is steamed with Rason, Bhringaraja, Amlika, Navsagar and Musta. The process needs to be carried out for three days, which is said to purify Parad of its Bhushali, Kanchuka and Mala impurities.

'''Bodhana /Rodhana'''- Bodhana /Rodhana Sanskara or process awakens Parad after its earlier treatments which give Parad its powers to move in different directions. To accomplish this, Parad obtained from the preceding Patana sanskara is tied in a poultice with bark obtained from the Bhurjapatra tree. The poultice is then steamed in salt-water (mixed with saline water). It removes impotency of Parad which occurs due to its previous sanskaras of Mardana (rubbing).

'''Prayojana - This procedure is done to remove the chapalatva of Parada.'''

'''Niyamana'''- This type of Sanskar is done to remove any defects or instability with Parada after the Bodhana sanskar. The Parad is steamed with Rason, Bhringaraja, Amlika, Navsagar and Musta. The process needs to be carried out for three days, which is said to purify Parad of its Bhushali, Kanchuka and Mala impurities.

Parada procured after the Niyamana sanskar is considered free of its impurities and its unpredictable properties. However, it still needs to be prepared for combining with other components to form complex and compound preparations. To complete this, Parad is steamed with the help of Dolayantra filled with Kaanji /Arnaal for one Prahara (3 hrs). This procedure is known as Deepana-sanskara which makes Parad capable of swallowing, digesting or amalgamating other entities. Deepana sanskar is the last Parad sanskara for Deh-Vada. Parad obtained after this sanskar can be used as medicine.

'''Deepana'''- Parad procured after the Niyamana sanskar is considered free of its impurities and its unpredictable properties. However, it still needs to be prepared for combining with other components to form complex and compound preparations. To complete this, Parad is steamed with the help of Dolayantra filled with Kaanji /Arnaal for one Prahara (3 hrs). This procedure is known as Deepana-sanskara which makes Parad capable of swallowing, digesting or amalgamating other entities. Deepana sanskar is the last Parad sanskara for Deh-Vada. Parad obtained after this sanskar can be used as medicine.

'''Prayojana - After this process, mercury gets the power to consume the Abhrakadi dravyas.'''

The remaining 10 Sanskaras (treatments) specifically used for Loh-vadha (alchemical, spiritual and occult purposes) are as follows.<ref name=":4" />

The remaining 10 Sanskaras (treatments) specifically used for Loh-vadha (alchemical, spiritual and occult purposes) are as follows.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":2" />

# Grasa (swallowing)

# Grasa (swallowing)

# Vedha (transmentation)

# Vedha (transmentation)

# Sevana (application)

# Sevana (application)

=== Mercury Poisoning ===

=== Mercury Poisoning ===

What causes concern to environmentalists at present is the alkyl compounds—methyl and ethyl mercurials. The alkyl mercury compounds can cause congenital mental retardation, cerebral palsy and chromosomal abnormalities. The chemical basis for these effects is mercury’s strong affinity for sulphur, particularly for the sulphydryl (S-H) groups in proteins (for which arsenic and lead have a similar affinity). Bound to proteins in a cell membrane, the mercury may interfere with a number of enzymes systems essential to cellular metabolism and alter the distribution of ions, change electrical potentials and thus interfere with the movements of fluid across the membrane. There are also indications that binding of mercury to protein disturbs the normal operation of structures, such as mitochondria and lysosomes within the cell.<ref>Lele, R. D. (2012) ''History of Medicine in India''. New Delhi: National Centre of Indian Medical Heritage, Ministry of AYUSH, GOI</ref>

What causes concern to environmentalists at present is the alkyl compounds—methyl and ethyl mercurials. The alkyl mercury compounds can cause congenital mental retardation, cerebral palsy and chromosomal abnormalities. The chemical basis for these effects is mercury’s strong affinity for sulphur, particularly for the sulphydryl (S-H) groups in proteins (for which arsenic and lead have a similar affinity). Bound to proteins in a cell membrane, the mercury may interfere with a number of enzymes systems essential to cellular metabolism and alter the distribution of ions, change electrical potentials and thus interfere with the movements of fluid across the membrane. There are also indications that binding of mercury to protein disturbs the normal operation of structures, such as mitochondria and lysosomes within the cell.<ref>Lele, R. D. (2012) ''History of Medicine in India''. New Delhi: National Centre of Indian Medical Heritage, Ministry of AYUSH, GOI</ref>

== References ==

== References ==