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Gandhaka (Samskrit: गन्धकः) means Sulphur (also Sulfur) in English. It is a chemical element with atomic number 16 and chemical formula 'S'. Sulfur (S), nonmetallic chemical element belonging to the oxygen group (Group 16 [VIa] of the periodic table), is one of the most reactive of the elements. Pure sulfur is a tasteless, odourless, brittle solid that is pale yellow in colour, a poor conductor of electricity, and insoluble in water. It reacts with all metals except gold and platinum, forming sulfides; it also forms compounds with several nonmetallic elements. Millions of tons of sulfur are produced each year, mostly for the manufacture of sulfuric acid, which is widely used in industry.<ref name=":0">Brasted, R. C.. "sulfur." Encyclopedia Britannica, September 14, 2024. <nowiki>https://www.britannica.com/science/sulfur</nowiki>.</ref>  

Gandhaka (Samskrit: गन्धकः) means Sulphur (also Sulfur) in English. It is a chemical element with atomic number 16 and chemical formula 'S'. Sulfur (S), nonmetallic chemical element belonging to the oxygen group (Group 16 [VIa] of the periodic table), is one of the most reactive of the elements. Pure sulfur is a tasteless, odourless, brittle solid that is pale yellow in colour, a poor conductor of electricity, and insoluble in water. It reacts with all metals except gold and platinum, forming sulfides; it also forms compounds with several nonmetallic elements. Millions of tons of sulfur are produced each year, mostly for the manufacture of sulfuric acid, which is widely used in industry.<ref name=":0">Brasted, R. C.. "sulfur." Encyclopedia Britannica, September 14, 2024. <nowiki>https://www.britannica.com/science/sulfur</nowiki>.</ref>  

Though it is a non-metal, ancient Indian alchemists studied about this element at length, its ores, availability and properties and its role in curing physical decay, skin diseases and senility has been in use in Ayurveda. Texts such as Arthashastra have  

Though it is a non-metal, ancient Indian alchemists studied about this element at length, its ores, availability and properties and its role in curing physical decay, skin diseases and senility has been in use in Ayurveda. Texts such as [[Arthashastra (अर्थशास्त्रम्)|Arthashastra]] give us extensive information about metals, non-metals, ores and their uses and their compounds.  

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== पर्यायाः ॥ Synonyms of Gandhaka used in Ayurveda ==

== पर्यायाः ॥ Synonyms of Gandhaka used in Ayurveda ==

 

# Gauripushpa (गौरीपुष्पः)

# Gauripushpa (गौरीपुष्पः)

# Balivasa (बलिवसा)

# Balivasa (बलिवसा)

# Bali (बलिः)

# Bali (बलिः)

# Sugandha (सुगन्धः)

# Sugandha (सुगन्धः)

== इतिहासः ॥ 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)]] 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.

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.

== स्वरूपम् ॥ Appearance ==

== स्वरूपम् ॥ Appearance ==

* Useful in purifying metals and making fertilizers.

* Useful in purifying metals and making fertilizers.

== Doshas / Problems with sulphur ==

== Doshas / Impurities in Sulphur ==

# Shila  Churna  (physical  impurities like  clay,  sand etc) and

There are two types of impurities in sulphur

Therefore, it should be purified by a skilled physician with care.

# शिलाचूर्णम्  ॥ Shila  Churna  (physical  impurities  like  clay, sand etc) and

Therefore, it should be purified by a skilled physician with care. Impure sulphur gives rise to leprosy, giddiness, diseases due to an excess of pitta, loss of beauty, happiness, strength and semen.

Ayurveda advocates use of any mineral or metal only after its thorough purification known as Shodhana. It is applicable for Gandhaka as well. Rasashastra brnach of Ayurevda provides various methods to purify and process Gndhaka before using it in the medicinal formulations. If the appropriate methods of processing Gandhaka are not used or they are skipped and such Gandhaka/Sulphur is used in the medicinal formulations then it can certainly cause some ill effects. Ayurveda acharyas have deeply studied these effects and described those to make people aware and cautious.  

The tale about origin of Sulphur and its resultant effects

Ayurveda advocates use of any mineral or metal only after its thorough purification known as Shodhana. It is applicable for Gandhaka as well. Rasashastra branch of Ayurveda provides various methods to purify and process Gandhaka before using it in the medicinal formulations. If the appropriate methods of processing Gandhaka are not used or they are skipped and such Gandhaka/Sulphur is used in the medicinal formulations then it can certainly cause some ill effects. Ayurveda acharyas have deeply studied these effects and described those to make people aware and cautious. There is tale about origin of Sulphur and its resultant effects  

Leprosy by consuming impure sulphur- Anger

Leprosy by consuming impure sulphur- Anger

And produces gall disease. Destroys form, semen, strength and happiness. Pure sulfur should always be used.

And produces gall disease. Destroys form, semen, strength and happiness. Pure sulfur should always be used.

If sulfur is not purified properly while consuming it, etc. Halahal kills a person like using poison. Because sulfur originated at the time of Gandhak Utpa time (according to the context of earlier reading, sulfur was generated at the time of churning of the ocean;

If sulfur is not purified properly while consuming it, etc. Halahal kills a person like using poison. Because sulfur originated at the time of Gandhak Utpa time (according to the context of earlier reading, sulfur was generated at the time of churning of the ocean; had been found in sulfur. Therefore, improper use works like poison.

 

had been found in sulfur. Therefore, improper use works like poison.

By looking at Amlasar Gandhak, its toxicity etc. defects are not visible, these defects are visible in the form of poison on the person's body after use. That's why it is known as poisoning. which is experiential. Sulfur

By looking at Amlasar Gandhak, its toxicity etc. defects are not visible, these defects are visible in the form of poison on the person's body after use. That's why it is known as poisoning. which is experiential. Sulfur