154 RASA RATNA SAMUCCAYA RASA RATNA SAMUCCAYA NOTES ON THE FOURTH CHAPTER RATNAS (GEMS STONES) Ratnas are those which are considered the best with regards to qualities and properties in their respective groups. Some scholars mentioned that some substances are known as rainas because of their high cost, shining and bright appearance and a few other superior qualities, and on account of these superior characteristics and qualities these are liked by rich persons. Generally rainas are stone materials but a few animal products are also included in this group because of their high cost and superior characteristics and qualities. In modern literature these are called gems or precious stones. In ancient literature rainas, on the basis of their characteristics, are divided into two groups. viz.. (1) ratnas (precious stones) and (2) uparainas (semiprecious stones). In this chapter nine raénas have been described in detail and in the end a few drugs of the uparaina group have also been described, though these are not found mentioned in the original text. The relationship of the nine ra¢nas with the nine planets is also mentioned in Rasa Ratna Samuccaya. This is shown in Table 1. At The nine rainas (gems), their hindi and english names and their relationship with the nine planets (grahas} Name ofthe Hindi name English name Name of the Planet Gem ‘graha) Manikya Manika Ruby Siirya -Sun Mukti Moti Pearl Candra - Moon Vidrum Munga Coral Mangala - Mars Tarksya Panna Emerald Budha - Mercury Puspariiga Pukharaja Topaz Guru - Jupiter Bhidura Hira Diamond Sukra - Venus Nilam Nila Sapphire Sani - Saturn Gomedaka Gomeda Hessonite Rahu - Dragon's head Viduraka Vaidirya Car's eye Ketu - Dragon's tailFOURTH CHAPTER — ENGLISH TRANSLATION 155 In this way mdnikya and the other gems are claimed to be related with the nine planets, Sun and the others, respectively. In other words these gems could be used to please the respective planets or to remove their ill effects. For this purpose superior quality gem only should be used for wearing. donation and also for using internally. Qualities of best rainas (gems): The best quality gem should be clear, tight, shining or glittering, and must possess various surfaces and angles. According to modern view gems should be beautiful, durable, rare, costly and portable. The beauty of a gem depends upon its transparency, clarity, brilliancy, colour, lustre, and shining appearance. These qualities could best be seen when the gems are cut and polished. Defects of ratnas : In ancient texts five defects of gems are described. These are grasa, trasa, bindu, rekhd, and jalagarbhatd. According to modern terminology these may be explained as :grdsa means black spots, ¢rdsa means discolouration or presence of grains, bindu means erosions, rekha means lines or boundaries, and jalagarbhaid means presence of bubbles. Gems are claimed to be free from earth and water born defects. Origin of rainas : Icis claimed in ancient texts that ratnas got originated from the shining eyes of angry Mahakala engaged in the drying of sea at the end of pralaya It is also mentioned that mountains, rocks, the sea and animals are important sources of the rainas. Superior-most ratnas : Of the nine gems the following five, viz, padmaraga (ruby), indra nila (sapphire), marakata (emerald), pusparéga (topaz) and vajra (diamond) are considered to be the superior-most rainas. These possess all the qualities of best rainas Common uses of rainas Rasendra Ciid@mani mentions the following uses of rarnas. Rainas are used for rasa karmas (mercurial processes) and rasdvana karmas (rejuvenating and/or therapeutic purposes) in addition to dana (donation), dhdrana (wearing) and devatarcand (adoration of gods/planets). It is further stated that they not only check the ill effects of grahas (planets) but can also grant longevity, wealth, fortune, courage and energy to the human beings and remove poverty. misery, misfortune and the influence of evil spirits.156 RASA RATNA SAMUCCAYA. Pharmacotherapeutic effects of ratnas : Ratnas are generally madhura (sweet) and kasdya (astringent) in rasa (taste), Sita and sara in gunas (property/potency), dipana (stomachic), kanti vardhana (improve complexion), agni.vardhaka (digestive), vilekhana (anti- obese), visahara (anti-poison) and netrdmayahara (destroyer of eye diseases). Further, on account of their cooling property and potency all the gems are claimed to pacify pitta dosa in particular and sridosas in general. These are the properties of ratnas alone but if rainas are mixed or used in combination with mercury they may prove still more effective. i.e.. just like amrta (nectar), in preventing senility and mortality. Processing of rainas Just like metals and minerals rainas also need some processing before they are subjected to internal use for therapeutic purposes. Sodhana (purification) : Though it is mentioned in the texts that the ra‘nas do not necessarily require purification as in their cases no bad effects are obsefved even if they are used without purification a common method, however, for their purification is found mentioned in the texts which probably helps in removing their external impurities, if any, and in reducing their hardness to a large extent so that their conversion to fine subdivisions become easier. This treatment may also help in enhancing their pharmacotherapeutic properties. For purification, specific sodhana drugs are recommended for different gems but the process remains common for all the gems. (Table-2) TABLE 2 Sodhana of different gems Gem Sodhana drug Manikya ‘Amia varga drugs (acidic group of liquids). Mukti Jayantipatra rasa (juice of Jayanti leaves). Pravala KsGravarga drugs (alkaline liquids) Tarksya Godugdha (cow's milk). Puspariiga Sandhana varga (fermented acidic liquids). Kulattha kvatha (decoction of kulatha). Vajra Tanduliva jute. Nila Mili rasa. Gomeda Gorocani jala (liquid of bright yellow pigment obtained from cattles). Vaidirva Triphala kvatha, Uttama kvatha. Process : Svedana (boiling in liquids) for one ydma (3 hours). Nirvapa (heating and quenching) several times (100 times). Apparatus : Dolavantra, (heating pan).FOURTH CHAPTER — ENGLISH TRANSLATION 157 Effect of $odhana : By svedana, external or soluble impurities present in the gems may be removed and by nirvapa or nisecana hardness of the gems could be reduced to some extent and they are made brittle. Marana (incineration) Just like sodkana a common procedure for marana (incineration) for all the gems except va/ra (diamond) is also mentioned in the RRS. Procedure : The gems (except diamond) are smeared with a paste made of manahsild (realgar), gandhaka (sulphur) and ta/aka (orpiment) by triturating these three with the juice of lakuca. These are then closed in a Sarava samputa and subjected to heating eight times by pura system. By this method all the gems are converted to ashes without any doubt. Gajaputa heat is used for incineration of gems. Dravana (liquefaction) of ratnas : Just like sodhana and marana a common method for ratna drdvana (liquefaction of gems) is also found mentioned in the RRS. The process is known as druzi. In this process solid gems are converted into liquid state and maintained in this state for ever. Procedure: A paste of ramatha (asafoetida), five /avanas, three ksdras. amlavetasa, culhikd lavana, large and ripe kumbhiphata, jvalémukhi. dravanii, sudanti, payasya and ciiraka milla is prepared by adding snuhi dugdha, arka dugdha and mamsa drava and triturating carefully. Inside a bolus of this paste, purified best quality gems are put and the bolus is wrapped with bhurja patra and carefully tied with thread. This is then put in a cloth piece to make bundle and the bundle is suspended like a dola in a pot filled with fermented acidic liquid associated with other acidic extractives. The pot is subjected to heating by svedana method (boiling) on strong fire for three days and nights. In the end the bundle is taken away from dolayanira and the druti of ratnas is collected. The shade of the druti should closely resemble the colour of the gem from which it is prepared. It is light in weight and may be used for both dehakarma and lohakarma, Method of preserving drutis for a long time : If the druii of any gem is kept into kusumbha taila, it remains unaltered (in the same state) for a long time, and whenever required it may be used for the desired purpose. The physical characteristics of superior and inferior varieties of each gem are then described in this chapter, along with their pharmacotherapeutic158 RASA RATNA SAMUCCAYA properties. And in case of diamond a detailed description of its varieties, characteristics, properties and processing are found described. DESCRIPTION OF INDIVIDUAL GEMS MANIKYA (RUBY) Al,O, Modern description Chemically ruby is aluminium oxide but also contains iron, chromium, and titanium oxides in traces. Its colour is deep red due to the presence of iron and chromium in small amounts. Its hardness is 9 and sp. gr. 4. Its crystals are hexagonal and its lustre is vitreous. Ruby occurs in Burma, Sri Lanka and India, and specially in Mysore and Orissa. The ruby obtained from Burma is considered to be the best. Varieties of ruby : . Padmaraga - Red. Nilagandhi- Bluish red. Kuruvinda, . Saugandhika. Red, . Yellowish, . Greenish /asokapatrachaya). . Reddish yellow /tmburucchaya). According to Rasa texts : According to Sanskrit text : Nene According to colour : Bone Spnonyms of ruby : Padmaraga, vasuratna, suratnaka, kuruvinda, Physical varieties : Superior variety—Ruby of superior variety should be deep red just like gunja (dried berry of Arbus precatorius) or indragopa (cochineal), should have shine like lotus, should be transparent, oval, smooth, clear, uneven and big in size. Besides these, it should emanate red rays on coming in contact with the morning sun, put in milk will make the milk look red, and on rubbing over the nikasa (touch stone) would shine much and look beautiful. Inferior variety—The ruby having holes, rough and flat surface, dull appearance, light weight, uneven, and small in size is inferior. According to Yukti Kalpataru, manikya is supposed to contain the following defects, viz, vicchdya, viripa, asobhana, dhiimravat pasubandhu vinasakrt, parabhavakara, sastraghatakara and sambhedan (jathara dosakrt).FOURTH CHAPTER — ENGLISH TRANSLATION 159 Pharmaco-therapeutic properties : Rasa - Madhura. Guna - Snigdha, Sita, riksa Karma - Sandipana, vrsyatama. balya, raséyana, medhya, hrdya. dyusya, vajikara. Dosa prabhava- Kapha vatahara, vatapitianut, tridosandsana. Vyadhi prabhava - Karmaja roga, bhittavaitdladijanyaroga, siiryagrahajanya roga (Siropida, prameha, satata jvara, santata jvara and pitia roga), ksayaroga, Gmasiila, hrdroga, visitcika. daha jvara, hikka, sirovrana, visaja roga. Processing of ruby 1. Sodhana : Sodhana drugs - Nimbiirasa or any amladrava, Sodhana process ~ Subjected to svedana in dolayantra for one vama 2. Marana : Marana drugs + Sildjaiu, amla vetasa, culhika lavana. taikana, manahsila, haritala, gandhaka, hingula. Bhavana drugs - Lakuca rasa. nimbii rasa, mayiira pitta. Bhavana process - Putapaka. Number and types of putas - Eight— Gajaputas Colour of bhasma Paindura varna. Dose - 1/4th to 1/2 guaya. Note - 1, Manikya is the most favourite gem of the planet Sun /stirva graha/ and hence should be worn on the body or used internally to please the planet sun and vanish its prakopa (ill effects). 2. Ruby and sapphire can be produced artificially.. The synthetic corundums are very shining and bright and when small in size extremely difficult to distinguish from natural stones. NILAM (SAPPHIRE) A1,0, Modern description Chemically nilamani is aluminium oxide but contains traces ‘of cobalt,160 RASA RATNA SAMUCCAYA which gives a blue colour to it. Colour of nilam is deep blue. Except for its blue colour and the trace element there is no difference between manikya and nilam. Nilam also belongs to corundum group of stones. Good variety of sapphire is transparent and its colour varies from blue to white. Crystals are hexagonal, usually showing asterism. Nilam occurs in Burma, Sti Lanka, and India. In India it occurs specially in Jammu and Kashmir and near Vijayanagaram. Its hardness is 9 and sp. gr. 4. Varieties of nilam : As per Rasa texts . Indranila - Deep blue - Good. ioe . Jalanila - Whitish blue - ordinary. As per modern texts . Blue, violet. . Yellow, golden yellow. . Green. . White. Bevn- Synonyms of nilam : Indranila, Mahdnila, Sakranila, Krsnamani, Jalanila. Physical properties of nilam : Superior variety - Nilam of superior variety should be deep blue in colour. possess one colour only, shall be heavy, clear, shining, beautiful, smooth. bright and round. Mahanila and indranila are such and their blue colour should resemble either the cloud or atasipuspa. It makes milk or clear water look blue when put in them: Inferior variety - The nilam which is soft, light-red, rough, small, flat, has different colours in the two halves and contain blood like smell is inferior. According to Rasa Prakasa Sudhakara jalanila is considered such. Pharmaco-therapeutic properties : Rasa - x Guna 7 Karma - Balya, vrsya, dipana, rasayana, medhya, hrdya, ivacya, varnya, visahara, and papaghna. Dosa prabhava - Tridosaghna.FOURTH CHAPTER — ENGLISH TRANSLATION 161 Vyadhi- prabhava - Kasa, svdsa, jvara, visama jvara, kustha, pandu, drsa, papajaroga, sanigrahajanya roga (yaksma, vatodara, milrccha, snayuruk, krmi, paksaghata, évasa, plihdroga. jirna:jvara, sarvangavata, hastapadaprakampa). Processing of nilam : Sodhana : Sodhana drugs - Nilirasa. Sodhana process - Svedana in doldyantra for one yama. Marana : Marana drugs + Mrta vajraciirna, Bhavana drugs - Mayirapitta. Process - Roasting with vajraciirna. The process becomes easier if mayitrapitta is added and the gem ground with it and then roasted. Note - Nilam is the most favourite gem of the planet Sani and hence should be worn on the body or used internaily to please the planet Sani and remove its prakopa (bad effects). TARKSYA (EMERALD OR BERYL) BeO,.Al,0,.6SiO, Modern description Chemically sdrksya is berylium aluminium silicon oxide but it also contains chromium in traces which imparts a green colour to it. Tarksya has a shining deep green colour and its value is in proportion to its greenness, transparency and brightness. It is an intimate mixture of corundum. magnesite, hematite. quartz and spinel and may vary from dark grey to black. Initially it was considered to be an iron ore. Its hardness varies from 7 to 9. Tarksya occurs in Columbia, Russia, China, Central Asia, Egypt and India. In India it is obtained from Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh. Bihar, Mysore and Coimbatore in small quantities. : Varieties of tarksya : Varieties of arksya are not mentioned in Ayurvedic rasa texts. However, in modern literature its three varieties based on colour are mentioned. 1. Green 7 Good. 2. Bluish - Medium. 3. Whitish - Ordinary.162 RASA RATNA SAMUCCAYA Synonyms of emerald : Tarksya, garutmata, garudodgara. drsadgarbha, haritamani. Physical properties of emerald : Superior variety - Tarksya of superior variety should be green like grass, leaf of banana or bamboo, should shine like sun rays, should be smooth, brilliant, heavy, big, and without holes and bubbles. Further, it should resemble peacock’s neck in colour and appearance. Inferior variety - Tarksya which is black, reddish black, blue and white, rough, flat, uneven, light small, contains holes and bubbles is inferior. Pharmaco-therapeutic properties : Rasa - Madhura. Guna - Sita, snigdha. Virya + Sita. Karma - Ojovardhana, balya vrsya, pustikara, agnidipana, pacana, rucikara, visaghna, bhistabadhahara Dosa prabhava - Sannipatanut. Vyadhi prabhava - Agnimiandya, amlapitta, chardi, arga, Sila, jvara, Sopha, pandu, Svasa, sannipaia, visa and Budhagrahajanya roga ‘twakroga, vdtajapida, vicarciké, unmada, jihvaroga. vamana, kaphaja and (ridosaja vyadhis). Processing of tarksya : Sodhana : Sodhana drugs - Godugdha. Sodhana process - Svedana in doldyantra for one yama. Marana: As per manikya or by general method. Note - Tarksya is the most favourite gem of the planet Budha and hence should be worn on the body or used internally to please the planet Budha and vanish its prokopa (ill effects). PUSPARAGA (TOPAZ) - A1(FOH)SiO, Modern description - Chemically puspardga is fluorohydroxy aluminium silicate, containingFOURTH CHAPTER ~ ENGLISH TRANSLATION 163 aluminium, fluorine , hydrogen, oxygen, and silicon. Its fluorine content varies from 15.5 to 20% and sometimes it does not contain hydrogen. It is also a corundum group stone. Its colour is wine yellow and it is claimed to resemble the flowers of Cassia fistula. 1t may also be greyish, light blue. violet, rosy, reddish in colour, or colourless. Its appearance is clear, shining and transparent, sometimes opaque also. Lustre is vitreous. Hardness is 8 and sp. gr. is 3.5 Crystals are orthorhombic, prismatic. Puspardga occurs in North Asia, Burma, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Montana, and India (specially in Himalayas). Varieties of pusparaga Varieties of puspardga are not mentioned in Rasa texts, but in Yukei Kalpatarw its two types are mentioned. 1. Padmaragakarodbhava. 2. Marakatakarodbhava Synonyms of topaz : Puspardga, mafjuratna, gururatna, pitamani. vacaspativallabha. Physical properties of topaz : Superior variety - Puspardga of superior variety should be yellow like the flowers of karnikara or campaka, and should be heavy, smooth, clear, shining, even, big, soft and transparent. On rubbing over nikasa (touch stone) it should appear brighter and more shining. Inferior variety - Puspardga which is reddish-yellow, blackish or pale. rough, uneven, lustreless, dull and less shining is inferior. Pharmaco-therapeutic properties Rasa x Guna - Laghu, sita. Virya - Sita, Karma - Dipana, pacana, visaghna, medhya, brmhana, dyusya. dahaprasamana Dosa prabhava- Agnimandya, chardi, visa daha, mitrakrechra, kustha, arga and gurugrahajanyaroga (siropidd, medoroga. anghrivedana, svasavarodha). Processing of topaz : Sodhana : Sodhana drugs - Dhanyamla(KaAjika). Kulaitha kasaya.164 RASA RATNA SAMUCCAYA Sodhana process - Svedana in dolavantra for one yama. Marana: As for manikya or by the general method. Note ; Puspardga is the most favourite gem of the planet Guru and hence should be worn on the body or used internally to please the planet Guru and remove its prakopa (ill effects). VAJRA (DIAMOND) Modern description + Chemically Vajra (diamond) contains carbon only and belongs to coal group. Hence when heated in open air in the presence of oxygen at high temperature CO, is produced from it. The difference between diamond and coal lies in their structure, £e., in diamond the carbon atoms are situated densely hence it is very hard. Its hardness is 10, and sp. gr. is 3.5. Diamond has no specific colour or is usually colourless but sometimes it is slightly yellowish, yellow, red, green, blue and rarely black. Its crystals are cubic, hexaoctohedral, often rounded or distorted. The crystals are transparent to translucent and opaque. The colourless diamonds are pure carbon but coloured stones may contain calcium, sodium, copper, silicon, aluminium, boron, iron and magnesium in traces. Diamond is unaffected by acids, is an excellent conductor of heat but poor conductor of electricity. Till 17th A.D. diamond was not found in any other country except India. But now-a-days diamonds are found abundantly in Brazil, Australia, South Africa and India. Indian mines are situated in Vijayanagaram, Golkunda, Madras and Bundelkhanda. India and Borneo were the earliest sources of diamond. Varieties of vajra : On the basis of sex - 1, Nara vajra - Very good. 2. Nari vajra - Good. 3. Napumsaka vajra Inferior. On the basis of colour - 1. White, 2. Yellow, 3, Red, 4. Black. On the basis of castes + 1, Brdhmana - Good for Rasayana karma. 2. Ksatriya - Good for rogaharana. 3. Vaisya — - Good for lohakarma. 4, Sidra - Good for vayastambhana and vyadhi Samana.FOURTH CHAPTER —ENGLISH TRANSLATION 165 These diamonds are good for the respective castes. However, higher caste diamonds may be used in lower caste persons also, but as per the opinion of Bhairava, lower caste diamonds are not recommended for higher caste persons. Synonyms of diamond : Kulisa, vajra. pavi, hiraka, bhargavapriva Physical properties of diamonds Superior varieties - Diamonds of superior variety have eight edges, eight surfaces and six angles. It should be very attractive, shining, colourless, transparent, round, light and free from defects like line, spot, e¢c, Further, it should be very clear, white and shining like a star, and should reflect light from its transparent inner surface in different directions producing a very handsome play of colours, and sparkle very brilliantly. Superior variety diamond can cut all other substances but itself remains uncut on account of its extreme hardness, Inferior variety - Diamonds which are thin and long, blue or ash coloured, rough, broken from one side, contain defects like rekhd, ka@kapada, are considered inferior. Napumsaka vajra belongs to inferior variety. Male diamond (nara vajra) should have eight edges. eight surfaces and six angles. should be highly shining and exhibit many colours like rainbow. It should also be light /varizaray, round, and free from defects like line, spot. eve. Female diamond /ndr7 vajra should have all the above characteristics of male diamond but its shape is flat or oval and rough and it may contain line and spot. Both nara vajra and navi vajra are considered to be of superior variety. Diamond which is round, thin. long. does not have the edges, possess three angles, and heavy is napumsaka vajra, This is not recommended for use. Pharmaco-therapeutic properties Rasa - Sadrasa Guna - Sniydha. Karma Avuprada, parama hrdya. — yogavalt. pradipana, vrsyatama, vayastambhakara, kantijanana, saukhyajanana, rasayana, sudhdsama, balaprada, neirya, medhya, rogaghna, mriyuhara, sarva. siddhiprada, dravyakari,, rasabandhakara, rasamaraka. Dosa prabhava - Tridosasamana,166 RASA RATNA SAMUCCAYA Vyddhi prabhava Sakala roga.balipalita, rajayaksma, prameha, medoroga,. pandu, Sotha, udararoga, klaivya and mrtyu. Nara vajra : Sarvadosdpaha, vedhaka, rasabandhakara, loha kraémanasila, satvayukta, good for all. vajra : Deha — siddhiprada, _ dehak@ntijanana, specially good for ladies, less powerful. Napumsaka vajra Possess less krdmana power, is without satva. useful for k/ibas (impotents) only. Mythological origin : Diamond is said to have originated from the fallen drops of amrta (nectar), being drunk by the Gods and demons. Also sdid to have originated from the body of the demon Bali. Processing of diamond : Necessity of Sodhana and marana : It is said in Rasa Manjari and Rasa Kamadhenu that if diamond is used without being processed by sodhana and marana processes it is likely to produce diseases like pandu, parsvapida. déha/santapa, kilasa, kustha, bhrama, gurutva and ksaya. Sodhana : Sodhana drugs - Kulattha or kodrava kvaiha, hayamiitra, tanduliya drava, vajraksira. vydghri kanda. parada. Sodhana process - 1) Nisecana after strong heating for one hundred times at least. 2) Svedana in doldyantra from one yama to seven days. 3) Putapdka for twentyfour hours. 4) Dipping into mercury after heating. Marana : Marana drugs - Purified manahsild, haritdla, gandhaka. rasasindura, svarnamaksika bhasma. Bhavand drugs - Kulaitha kvatha, three years old karpasa- mula svarasa. Putapaka - Heating fourteen times by puta system through mahaputa or gajaputa.FOURTH CHAPTER — ENGLISH TRANSLATION 167 Note - 1) There are a number of marana methods for vajramarana but the above mentioned method is simple, easy and common. It is a slight modification of the method mentioned by Soma Senani in Rasa Ratna Samuccaya. The conversion of diamond into ash’ is really a difficult task. 2) Diamond is the most favourite gem of the planet /graha) $ukra and hence may be worn on the body or may be used internally in ash form to please the planet Sukra or to remove its prakopa (ill effects). VAIDURYA (CAT'S EYE) BeA1;0, Modern description - Chemically vaidiirya is berylium aluminium oxide containing BeO 19.8% and A1,0, 80.2% with traces of iron and magnesium. Its crystals are orthorhombic, tubular or heart shaped, lustre is vitreous to greasy, colour is greenish white or greenish yellow, transparent to translucent, exhibits play of colours on exposure to sun rays. Its hardness is 8.5 and sp. gr. is 3.6 - 3.8. Its mineral, Cymophan is opalescent and has a yellow green colour, silky lustre and fibrous structure. Hence the name cat's eye is given to it. It also resembles garlic //ehagunu) in appearance hence in Hindi it is called lahasuniya. It contains white shining line in the middle and in ancient taxts this is described as if it contains a white cloth like or white cloud like structure across the middle. On the basis of its shape and appearance raidiry different groups, viz.. 1. chrysoberyl or emerald group. may belong to two nd 2. quartz group. The green fibrous variey, crocidolite, of quartz group is also known as Cat's Eye. It is an asbestos like substance and contains FeSiO , having a hardness of 4. It appears to be a secondary mineral. Varieties of Cats Eve On the basis of colour 1. White. 2. Smoky. 3. Blackish. 4. Mixed coloured On the basis of caste 1. Brahmana - Whitish blue 2. Ksairiva - Whitish red 3. Vaigva - Yellowish blue 4. Sidra - Blue, Synonyms of Cats Eve : Vaidirya, vidalaksa. marj@ranetra.168 RASA RATNA SAMUCCAYA Physical properties of vaidurya : Superior variety - Vaidiirya of superior variety should be blackish white, clear, even, heavy, greasy, smooth, containing white fibre like structure across the middle surface and should look like cat's eye. Inferior variety - Vaidiirya which is black, looks like water, rough, flat, light in weight and contain red lines in its middle is considered inferior. Pharmaco-therapeutic properties : Rasa - Madhura. Guna - Sita, snigdha. Virya - Sita Karma + Dipana, picana, buddhi/prajnabardhana, a@yubardhana, balabardhana. —_parama- brmhana, medhya. netrya, malamocana. Dosa prabhava - Pittaghna. Vyadhi prabhava - Raktapitia, —pittdmaya, —_netraroga, ketugrahajanya roga. Processing of vaidiirya : Sodhana : Sodhana drugs + Triphala kvatha, Sodhana process - Svedana in doléyantra for one yama. Marana : Marana drugs - Manikya and vajra powder. Marana process - Vaidiirya powder mixed with the above powders and heated in gajaputa fire by puta system is converted into ashes. The other process may be the same as followed in the case of manikya. Note - Vaidiirya is the most favourite gem of the planet (graha) Ketu and hence may be worn on the body or used internally to please the planet Ketu or to remove its prakopa (ill effects). GOMEDA (CINNAMON STONE/HESSONITE) CaA1(SiO;) Modern description - Chemically gomeda is calcium aluminium silicate in which calcium may be replaced partially by ferrous iron and aluminium by ferric iron. Its crystals areFOURTH CHAPTER ~ ENGLISH TRANSLATION 169 cubic, colour is dark brown or rose red, hardness is 6°5 to 7°5 and sp. gr. is 3°5 to 3-7, It is translucent to opaque having vitreous to resinous lustre. Its mineral is grossularite. Some scholars consider zircon (ZrSiO,) as gomeda, Zircon is brown or greyish in colour, transparent to opaque, has tetragonal crystals and adamantine lustre. Its hardness is 7°5 and sp. gr. is 4°65 to 4°71, According to Rasendra Ciidamani the colour of gomeda should resemble the colour of cow’s fat and that is why it is named as gomeda, and this means it should be light red in colour. Nighantu Rarnakara mentions that it is similar to gomitra (cow's urine} in colour. Gomeda occurs in South Africa, Ukraine and Arizona. It does not occur in India. Varieties of gomeda : Four varieties of gomeda based on colour and caste are described in Rasa Kamadhenu. These are : 1, Whitish yellow - Braéhmana. 2. Reddish yellow - Ksatriya 3. Yellow - Vaisva. 4, Blackish yellow - Sudra Synonyms of gomeda : Gomeda. pitaratna, trnajvara, sundara Physical properties of gomeda Superior variety - Gomeda of superior variety should be smooth. clear. shining, heavy. even, without layers. having a colour similar to that of gomeda or gomittra, i-e.. light brown. Inferior variety - Gomeda, which is less shining. opaque. rough, flat, with layers, light in weight. dirty. dull, looking like yellow glass is inferior. This is not recommended. Just like diamond gomeda also possesses defects like-mala, bindu, rekhd. trasa and kakapada Pharmaco-therapeutic properties : Rasa - Amla. Guna - Usna. Karma - Dipana, pacana, rucya, twacya, atibuddhi- prabodhana, balya, papandgana. ys170 RASA RATNA SAMUCCAYA Dosa prabhava - Kapha pittaghna, vatakapha vikaranut. Vyadhi prabhava - Pandu, ksaya, kaphavata vikara, tvak dosa, aruci Processing of gomeda : Sodhana : Sodhana drugs - Nimburasa. Sodhkana process - Svedana in dolayantra for one yama. Marana : Just like that for mdnikya or by general method. Dose - 1/4th to 1 gunja. Note - Gomeda is the most favourite gem for the planet /graha) Rahu and may be used for wearing on the body or internally to please the graha Rahu or to remove its prakopa (ill effects). MUKTA (PEARL) CaCO, Modern description - Chemically pear? is calcium carbonate but it may also contain some other elements in traces which makes pear! medicinally more effective than other calcium compounds such as safikha, Sukti, vardta, pravéla and marble. Pearls generally occur in the sea inside a shell known as Muktd Sukti, They are obtained from Australian, Iranian and Indian oceans. Of the various pearls, Basarai pearls are considered the best. IIn India, natural pearls are obtained from the sea near Kathjgvar and Rameshwaram from the shallow sea water. According to ancient belief, mukza is obtained from the following sources, viz, megha, varaha, sarkha, sukti, gaja, matsya, sarpa and bamsa. Of these, Sukti is the most common source of mukta and mukta from sukti is considered the best for medicinal uses. In addition to these natural sources pearls now-a-days are produced artificially by culture method. These pearls are in no way inferior to the natural ones. Formation of pearls in sukti: Pearls are formed in the Muktd Suktis. Actually these are formed by a secretion of a worm living inside the Muk/d Sukti. It is secreted from the outer portion of the skin of the worm and is very shining. And because of this theFOURTH CHAPTER — ENGLISH TRANSLATION 171 inner surface of the Mukra Sukti looks very bright and shining. It is a continuous process and the secretion goes on sticking on the inner surface of the Sukti but sometimes if a sand particle enters into the Suksi, the secretion starts adhering around the particle and in due course. when many layers of secretion adheres on the particle, a pearl is formed. The size of pearl depends upon the number of layers of the secretion which adheres on the granule or on the particle. These layers consist of two types of secretions. The first type of secretion is calcium carbonate while the second type is Kanchi Maline. These layers are like those of onion. Thus when light rays fall on pearls some rays get reflected from the outer layers while the others enter to still deeper layers and get reflected from there. This produces a play of light rays which looks most beautiful to the viewer and makes the pearl most shining and bright. But sometimes an opaque substance comes in between the layers during pearl formation and this makes the pearl uneven, opaque and defective. This is the natural process of pear! formation but in this process one has to depend on nature for the entrance of the sand particle in the Muksa Suk«i containing the worm. Hence natural pearls are rare. To overcome this, scientists have developed a culture method for pearl production. In this process a small granule is put inside the Muka Suktt containing the worm and the shells are closed. The Suki/is then put in the sea water to allow the worm to secrete and the secretion to adhere on the granule.thus facilitatingthe formation of good pearl in due course. By this process a good variety of pearl is formed in a comparatively shorter period. There is not much difference between natural and cultured pearls as both are formed under the same conditions and with the same materials, Varieties of pearls According to method of preparation Prakrta 1. Natural 2. Cultured Krtrima : Artificial According 10 orig Eight’ types. (U1) meghaja. (2) Saikhaja, (3) bamSaja. (4) vardhaja (5) hastifa. (6) minaja. 1?) phanija and (8) suksija Synonyms of pearl : Mukta, muktaphala, Sauktikeya, sasipriva, candraratna, jivaratna, sindhuja Physical properties of pearls : Superior variety - The pearls which are like a star or rays, smooth, clear, 9172 RASA RATNA SAMUCCAYA. round, light, big in size, pleasing, and looking like clear water are superior. Some scholars are of the view that heavy pearls are the best. Inferior variety - The pearls which are rough, blackish or reddish in colour, half white, look like salt, lustreless, uneven, dirty, opaque. contain nodules and look like a ks@ra (alkali) are inferior. Defects of pearls The pearls are said to contain four mah@dosas (great blemishes) and six samanyadosas (minor blemishes). Their names and effects are as follows : 1. Suksti khanda - Kastakara. 2. Matsyaksa + Putra nasakara. 3. Jathara - Mrtyukara 4. Vidrumacchdva —- — Dairidryakara. S Saubhagya ndsaka. 6. Cipita + Akirtikara 7. Krsa - — Prajnét vidhvamsakara, 8. Trikona + Saubhdgya ksayakara. 9. Krsa parsva - Nirudyogakara. 10, Avrtta - Sarva sumpattindsaka According to Rasa Paddhati pearls are supposed to have three types of lustres : 1. Madhucchava - like honey. 2. Sitacchaya - like sugar. 3. Srikhandacchaya —-—Mike Srikhanda (a preparation made of curd and sugar) Srikhandacchaya pearls or pearls having the lustre similar to that of srikhanda are considered of superior quality. Test of good quality pearls Pearls should be rubbed with the husk of sali (rice) and then washed with salted cow’s urine. If no change is observed, the pearls are considered of good quality. Pearls lose their lustre if treated with sulphuric acid. Mythological origin A) Mythologically pearls are supposed to have originated from the broken parts of teeth of the demon Bala.FOURTH CHAPTER —ENGLISH TRANSLATION 173 B) Itis believed that if a drop of rain water falls inside a suku/ floating in the sea-water in Svati naksatra, the drop turns into pearl of good quality. It is further stated that if this happens in rukmani variety of Sukti the pearl would be still better in quality. Only such pearls are considered the most auspicious. Pharmaco-therapeutic properties’: Rasa Guna Virya Karma Dosa prabhava Vyddhi prabhava Processing : Sodhana Sodhana drugs Sodhana process Marana : Marana process Bhasma colour Pisti nirmana : Madhura. Susita. laghu, snigdha, Sita, Brmhana, vrsya, balya, dyusya, medhya, viryaprada, tustikara, pustikara, caksusya, dipana, kntiprada, visépaha, daha Samana, asthidania vivardhana, Pittahara, kaphapitiahara. Rijyaksma. ksata, ksaya, kasa, svasa, viryaksaya, daha, dantodbhedaja jvara, santapa, agnimandya, prameha, drstiroga. unmdda, vatavyddhi. diseases caused by candragraha — prakopa, _—_(galaganda gandamalé, slipada, jalodara, svésa, kasa, hrdroga, Sula, chardi, ksaya, jvara.) Jayantipatra rasa, agastya patra rasa. nimbu rasa. usnodaka Svedana in doldyantra for one ydma praksdlana with usnodaka Grinding with kum@ri rasa, godugdha and arka gulab and heating three times in laghuputa White like moon. For preparing pissi, powdered pearls are ground with rose water. arka kevard. arkaveda musk, etc. for twentyone days or till they become very fine like collyrium. The pisti so obtained is a light pink powder.174 RASA RATNA SAMUCCAYA Dose - 1/4th to | guaja in suitable vehicle. Note - Pearl is the most favourite gem of the planet Moon (Candragraha) and hence may be used for wearing on the body or internally to please the planet, Moon or to cure the diseases caused by its prakopa (ill effects). PRAVALA (CORAL) CaCO, Modern description - Chemically coral also is calcium carbonate but contains other elements in traces which makes it different from other calcium carbonate group of compounds and therapeutically more effective. Corals generally occur in shallow sea water but red or rosy corals are obtained from a depth of at least 50 feet. Corals are originated from the sea animal Anthozoan polyps. These animals drink sea water for their survival. and calcium in the sea water is absorbed and get deposited in various parts of their body. After some time when the quantity of deposited calcium in the body becomes excessive the animals die and the dead body is known as pravala or coral. These animals are found in different shape, have many feet and ring like structures. A special type of water and a particular temperature is required for their growth and hence these are found only in some particular places. Such places are in Mediterranean Sea between Europe and Africa. south of Burma. and ‘north of Australia. In these places the coral reefs spread over hundreds of miles and still the animals continue to grow in the sea water. In Ayurvedic literature also. corals are said to be obtainable from the sea and are described as creeper (ara) Varieties On the basis of colour there are four varieties of coral viz., white, grey. black, and red or rosy. Of these only the red or rosy corals are considered the best and recommended for rasakarma, rasayanakarma, dana, dharana, etc. These are found in Mediterranean Sea near Italy. On the basis of caste pravdla is described to be of four types : 1, Brahmana + red like rabbit blood and smooth. 2. Ksatriva - red like japapuspa and rough. 3. Vaigya - red like paldsapuspa and less shining. 4, Sidra - red like lotus and without shine and lustre. Synonyms Vidruma. abdhilata. latamani. raktakanda, bhaumaratna.FOURTH CHAPTER — ENGLISH TRANSLATION 175 Physical properties : Superior varies Coral which is red like ripe bimbiphala, long, round, even, smooth, thick, without holes and fissures is of superior variety. Inferior variety - A coral which is whitish or grey coloured, rough. light. thin, and contains holes and fissures is of inferior variety. Pharmaco-therapeutic properties Rasa Guna Virya Karma Dosa prabhava Vyadhi prabhava Processing Sodhana : Sodhana drugs Sodhana process Marana Marana drugs Bhavana drugs Marana process Colour of bhasma Pisti nirmana Dose 19A Kasaya, madhura, and amla Laghu. snigdha. Sita Sita. Dipana, pacana, balya, pustikara, kantikara. virvavrddhikara, —caksusya, — manigalya. bhiitédi Samana, graha dosahara. Pittahara, kaphapittanut. tridosaghna Rajayaksma, ksaya, ksata, kasu, svdsa. raksapitta, drstiroga. raktaroga, bhiitonmada and the diseases caused by the wrath of marigalagraha, viz., raktadusti, raktapitea, dadru, visphota, bhagandara, dusta vrana. prameha, asthi bhanga, raktasrava, rakta- tisara, and visa. Jayantipatra rasa. sanduliya rasa. ksara drava. Svedana in dolavanira for one ydma, Nothing specific Kumarisvarasa. godwgdha, satévart rasa. Jayanti rasa. Heating by pura system applying two to three gajapuras. White. Purified coral powder should be ground with rose water or kevara water till it becomes fine like collyrium 1-2 gunja with honey.176 RASA RATNA SAMUCCAYA Note - Coral is the most favourite gem of the planet /graha) Mangala and may be used for wearing on the body or internally to please Mangala graha or to destroy its ill effects. UPARATNAS (SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES) Some Uparatnas (semi-precious stones) are also recognised for their medicinal values. The stones which are less hard, less shining, less transparent, and less costly are included in this group. The following substances of this group are found described in Rasa Raina Samuccaya Vaikranta Tourmaline Siiryakanta - Sun stone Candrakanta - Moon stone Rajavarta - Lapis lazuli and Sphatika - Quartz. VAIKRANTA (TOURMALINE) Much details about vaikranta, except its druci processes, are not available in this chapter of Rasa Ratna Samuccaya. But according to the description in other Rasa texts, it appears that vaikrania has been included in two groups. i.e.. in maharasa group and in mani group in general, and in uparaina group in particular. It is also said about vaikrania that vaikranta could be used in the place of vajra (diamond), as it is almost similar to vajra in characteristics and properties. Some rasa texts call it patka vajra or dagdha hiraka which also suggests that it is very close to diamond in quality and properties, On this basis some scholars consider it as Irish diamond. The other details regarding vaikranta have been described in the second chapter of Rasa Ratna Samuccaya, SURYAKANTA (SUN STONE) Na, A1,0,6Si0, or Ca0A1, 0, 2Si0, Modern description - Chemically sun stone is a combination of sodium, aluminium, silicon, oxygen, and calcium. It is a variety of Adularia, Its mineral is called Avanturine oligoclase which is somewhat red in colour with bright yellow or red reflections from the ingrained thin scales of hematite. Its crystals are triclinic, hardness is 5.5 to 6, sp. gr. is 2.65. It is translucent, exhibiting reddish flashes owing to the admixture of mica or other thin plate-like minerals. It is mentioned in ancient texts that owing to its reddish colour suryakanta looks like burning charcoal when the sunrays fall on its surface. It is further said that when the sunrays accumulate on its particular part it becomes veryFOURTH CHAPTER — ENGLISH TRANSLATION 177 hot and burns a thin piece of cotton or paper if this is brought near this part of the gem. Sun stone occurs in Burma, Russia, Norway and Madagaskar. Physical properties Superior variety - Sun stone of superior variety should be very clear. smooth, round, free from layers and holes, and would look burning when in contact with intense sun-rays. Inferior variety - Sun stone which does not have the above characteristics is of inferior variety. Pharmaco-therapeutic properties : Rasa ee 3 Guna - Usna. Virya - Usna. Karma - Rasayana, medhya. ravitustikara Dosa prabhava - Vata slesmahara. Processing : Marana : Marana drugs - Suddha manahsita and gandhaka. Marana process - Heating by pura system using seven gajapusas. Note - Sun stone is the favourite gem of the graka Surya and may be used for wearing on the body or internally for therapeutic purposes to please the planet. CANDRAKANTA (MOON STONE) NaA1Si,0, or KAISi,0, Modern description - Chemically Moon stone is a combination of sodium, aluminium, silicon and oxygen but sometimes it may contain potassium or calcium in place of sodium. It is a variety of Adularia and occurs usually in white or colourless crystals which are usually transparent or slightly cloudy and possess excellent opalescence. Its lustre is vitreous to pearl like. It comes under orthoclase group. Its crystals are monoclinic. A variety of Albite (Soda feldspar) showing bluish opalescence is also called Moon stone. Its crystals are triclinic, usually small and found in twins. These are colourless or grey. Its colour is bluish white but sometimes it may have many colours. In Moon rays it looks very178 RASA RATNA SAMUCCAYA beautiful, pleasing and very cold and shines like water. In ancient texts it is said about it that if kept in moon rays it starts a secretion. But this is not correct, it only gives such impression. Moon stone occurs in Sri Lanka, Burma and Madagaskar. Physical properties : Superior variety - Moon stone which is smooth, yellowish from all sides, cold to touch, clear, free from irasa dosa, gives an impression of secretion in the moon light is of superior variety. Inferior variety - Moon stone not possessing the above characteristics is inferior. Pharmaco-therapeutic properties = Rasa ak Guna - Sita. Virya - Sita Karma + Asranut, tapanut, grahalaksmivinagana, Sivapritikara Dosa prabhava + Pittanut. Vyddhi prabhava + Raktavikdra, pittavikara, daha, santapa, raktapitta. Processing : Marana : May be done by the method used for Sun stone. Note - Moon stone is the favourite gem of the planet Moon (Candragraha) and may be used for wearing or internally to please the planet moon. RAJAVARTA (LAPIS LAZULI) Na,(NaS,A1)A1, Si0, Modern description - Chemically rajavarta is a combination of sodium, sulphur, aluminium, silicon and oxygen. It is known as a sulphur containing silicate complex. It is also known as ultramarine which is bright blue in colour. Its crystals are cubical, fracture uneven, lustre is vitreous to greasy, appearance is opaque to translucent, hardness is about 5.5, sp. gr. is 2.4 to 2.8. It is a contact mineral and occurs in crystalline lime stone.FOURTH CHAPTER ~ ENGLISH TRANSLATION 179 Turkistan, Afghanistan, Russia and ally in Germany. Lapis lazuli occurs mostly in Persi India (near Ajmer), It is also made arti Varieties : According to form - Gutika svarupa, Cina svarupa According to colour - Rakta (red), Nila (blue), Misrita (mixed colour) According to source - ‘Natural, Artificial. Physical properties : Superior variety - Lapis lazuli which is blue with reddish tinge, heavy. smooth or oily, very clear, bright. sky coloured or of colour similar to peacock’s neck or black is superior. Inferior variety - Lapis lazuli which does not possess the above characteristics is inferior. Pharmaco-therapeutic properties Rasa - Kat, Tikta. Guna + Snigdha. sita Virya - Sita, Karma + Dipana, pacana, vrsya, vrmhana, rasayana, ‘isapaha. Dosa Prabhava - Slesmahara, anilapaha, pittanasana Vyadhi prabhava - Prameha, ksaya, pandu. ara, chardi, meha. miirecha. Sosa. madiityaya. hikka, daha, clama. Processing : Sodhana : Sodhana drugs - Gomiitra with ksara, nimburasa, kséradrava, amla drava, Sirisa puspa rasa, mahisi ksira with goghria. ardraka rasa Sodhana process - 1. Svedana in doldyantra for one yama. 2. Pacana in lohapdtra. 3. Bhavana two to three times with some of the above liquids.180 RASA RATNA SAMUCCAYA. Marana : Marana drugs - Purified sulphur, sukapuccha ciirna. Bhavana drugs - Nimburasa, bhrngaraja rasa. Process - Heating by pufa system applying seven or eight gajaputas. Satvapatana : Satvapatana drugs Manahsilé, ghrta,mahis Process + Mix all well, heat in an iron pan till dry, then add mitrapancaka and prepare round balls. Put these in a miisd and apply strong heating using khadirangar. sira,mitrapancaka. Colour of satva - Not mentioned. SPHATIKA (QUARTZ/ROCK-CRYSTAL) Si0, Modern description Chemically it is a combination of silica and oxygen, but sometimes contains other elements in trace which imparts various colours to it. Pure quartz consists of 45.7% Si and 53.3% O. Massive varieties often contain calcium, iron, copper, clay and other impurities. It occurs in distinct crystals which are commonly prismatic, hexagonal or trigonal, its lustre is vitreous to greasy. Pure specimens of quartz are transparent and colourless but most varieties are coloured due to impurities. It occurs abundantly throughout the world, Akika (agate) is one of its crystalline varieties. Synonyms : Sphatikopala, bhasura, dautopala, sitopala, salipista, amalamani. kécamani, Siva ratna. Physical properties : Superior variety - Quartz which is white as Garigd water, very bright, without layers, smooth, cool to touch, very clear, not loosing brightness even after rubbing or breaking and looking very beautiful is of superior variety. Inferior variety - Quartz which does not possess the above characteristics is inferior. Pharmaco-therapeutic properties : Rasa + Madhura. Guna + Atisita, snigdha. Virya + Sita, samavirya (neither Sita nor usna).FOURTH CHAPTER — ENGLISH TRANSLATION 181 Karma - Hrdya, netrya, balya. Dosa prabhava - Pittahara. Vyadhi prabhava - Diha, raktasrava, raktapiuia, —jvara, pittaroga, Sosa. Processing : Sodhana and marana may be done following the method employed for rajavarta. Note - Sphatika is the most favourite gem of Lord Siva. Hence if a garland (mala) made of its round pieces is worn or used for uttering the name of Lord Siva its effect becomes milion times more for pleasing Lord Siva.