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Gandhaka means Sulphur in English. It is a chemical element with atomic number 16 and chemical formula 'S'. In Ayurveda's [[Rasashastra (रसशास्त्रम्)|Rasashastra]], this element is used widely in medicinal formulations. In Rasashastra treatises, various details about sulphur like appearance, types, purification, processing, use in medicinal formulations etc has been discussed in depth. Although sulfa drugs are popularly used antibiotics and represent therapeutic use of Sulphur in western medicine, the nature and form in which sulphur in utilized in Ayurvedic medicines is completely different and it has been in practice since many thousand years before the western medicine used it as antibiotic.  

Gandhaka (गन्धकः) means Sulphur in English. It is a chemical element with atomic number 16 and chemical formula 'S'. In Ayurveda's [[Rasashastra (रसशास्त्रम्)]], this element is used widely in medicinal formulations. In Rasashastra (रसशास्त्रम्) treatises, various details about sulphur like appearance, types, purification, processing, use in medicinal formulations etc has been discussed in depth. Although sulfa drugs are popularly used antibiotics and represent therapeutic use of Sulphur in western medicine, the nature and form in which sulphur in utilized in Ayurvedic medicines is completely different and it has been in practice since many thousand years before the western medicine used it as antibiotic.  

== Alternative names of Gandhaka used in Ayurveda ==

== पर्यायाः Alternative names of Gandhaka used in Ayurveda ==

# Gauripushpa

# Gauripushpa (गौरीपुष्पः)

# balivasa

# balivasa (बलिवसा)

# Lelitaka

# Lelitaka (लेलितक)

# Atigandha

# Atigandha (अतिगन्धः)

# Kushthari

# Kushthari (कुष्ठारिः)

# Kitaghna

# Kitaghna (कीटघ्नः)

# Navaneeta

# Navaneeta (नवनीतः)

# Shulbari

# Shulbari (शुल्बारिः)

# Pamari

# Pamari (पामारिः)

# Bali

# Bali (बलिः)

# Sugandha

# Sugandha (सुगन्धः)

== History ==

== इतिहासः History ==

The knowledge of Indians about sulfur is very ancient. In the oldest and most popular treatise of Ayurveda "[[Charaka Samhita (चरक संहिता)|Charaka Samhita]]" which was written 1200 years before Christ, sulfur has been used at many places for the treatment of many diseases. Its use has increased in texts written in later times. In the texts after the 8th century, Parada (Mercury) was mixed with Gandhaka and used in medicines and in Dhatuvada or metallurgical work. Since then till today no metal work is done without sulphur. The name Shulbari etc. is the symbol of Sulphur being the enemy of copper. If copper is heated by mixing sulphur, then copper gets destroyed.

The knowledge of Indians about sulfur is very ancient. In the oldest and most popular treatise of Ayurveda "[[Charaka Samhita (चरक संहिता)]]" which was written 1200 years before Christ, sulfur has been used at many places for the treatment of many diseases. Its use has increased in texts written in later times. In the texts after the 8th century, Parada (पारदः Mercury) was mixed with Gandhaka and used in medicines and in Dhatuvada (धातुवाद) or metallurgical work. Since then till today no metal work is done without sulphur. The name Shulbari etc. is the symbol of Sulphur being the enemy of copper. If copper is heated by mixing sulphur, then copper gets destroyed.

== Appearance ==

== स्वरूपम् Appearance ==

Gandhaka is available in both free and bound forms. Sulfur mixed with metals is available in pure form near volcanic mountains and at other places. Sulfur is found in the form of both sulphide and sulphate compounds.

Gandhaka is available in both free and bound forms. Sulfur mixed with metals is available in pure form near volcanic mountains and at other places. Sulfur is found in the form of both sulphide and sulphate compounds.

== Sulfur Minerals ==

== गन्धकखनिजानि Sulfur Minerals ==

 

* Sulphide - in Sulphide form

* Sulphide - in Sulphide form

# Iron Pyrite Iron Pyrite (Fe S2)

# Iron Pyrite Iron Pyrite (Fe S2)

# Copper Pyrite Copper Pyrite (Cu,S Fe, S

# Copper Pyrite Copper Pyrite (Cu,S Fe, S)

# Galena (PbS)

# Galena (PbS)

# Cinnabar (Hg S)

# Cinnabar (Hg S)

# Copper Sulphate (Cu SO, SHO)  

# Copper Sulphate (Cu SO, SHO)  

Apart from this, sulfur is also found in some organic substances like radish, onion, garlic, egg, etc. and in coal and crude petroleum products.

Sulfur is also found in some organic substances like radish, onion, garlic, egg, etc. and in coal and crude petroleum products. These are the natural sources through which one can get organic form of sulphur.

== Place of receipt ==

== प्राप्तिस्थानम् Place of receipt ==

Free sulfur is found in the Sicilian volcanic region of 'Italy', Spain, Texas, New Zealand, Japan etc. countries. In addition to countries like Russia, Japan, Verma, Iceland, America, Chile, Philippines, etc., sulfur is found in abundance in Singhbhum district and Rohitas district of Jharkhand province of India and in Rajasthan. Apart from this, sulfur is also found in areas like Kumaon and Assam.

Free sulfur is found in the Sicilian volcanic region of 'Italy', Spain, Texas, New Zealand, Japan etc. countries. In addition to countries like Russia, Japan, Verma, Iceland, America, Chile, Philippines, etc., sulfur is found in abundance in Singhbhum district and Rohitas district of Jharkhand province of India and in Rajasthan. Apart from this, sulfur is also found in areas like Kumaon and Assam.

== Sulfur Types ==

== गन्धकभेदाः Sulfur Types ==

Types of Sulphur are described in Rasashastra treatises. Sulphur types are classified on the basis of their color, mode of consumption or utilization etc.  

Ayurveda scholars have described various types of Gandhaka. It is classified on the basis of color, mode of consumption or utilization etc. Depending on its colour the supremacy of the gandhaka type and its value based on it has been decided. Gandhaka types are thus further also graded into Good, better, best types. From a philosophical point of view, sulfur is the same but there are many differences of sulfur in shape, color etc.

 

From a philosophical point of view, sulfur is the same but there are many differences of sulfur in shape. There are four types of sulfur in rhetoric.

 

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