Vol: No.

XXVII (4) April, May, June 2008

Chemistry of Kupipakwa Rasayanas A Review

Received: 03.10.2007
Prasanta Kumar Sarkar, Neky J. Mehta,
Accepted: 12.02.2008
P. K. Prajapati.

Depart of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya

Kalpana including Drug Research, I. P. G.
T. & R. A., Gujarat Ayurved University,
Jamnagar- 361008

.
Introduction:
Abstract: Kupipakwa Rasayanas are very
popular and commonly prescribed Chemistry in ancient India had its origin in
preparations among the Ayurvedic the development of practical arts to meet the
physicians, and are looked upon as panacea. demand for the necessities of life, as also in
These are prepared in a specially designed the speculation about the nature and
glass bottle by gradual heating immersion in composition of matter. Since the beginning
sand bath (Valuka Yantra). Particular of this civilization, the evaluation of
chemical processes are involved in these chemistry may be said to have proceeded in
preparations which also bear testimony to a more or less uninterrupted course in spite
the great chemical knowledge prevailing in of numerous political and social changes in
ancient India. In the present review, the the country. Use of various metals and
probable chemistry of Kupipakwa minerals and transformation of these into
Rasayanas has been discussed. effective drugs in Ayurvedic system of
medicine serve as evidence for this fact1.
Key words: Rasasindura, Makaradhwaja, Metallic and mineral preparations are unique
Mallasindura, Shilasindura, Talasindura, in Ayurveda and are known by the name of
Rasakarpura, Rasapushpa, Swarna Vanga Bhasma, Kupipakwa Rasayana, etc.

The terminology Kupipakwa itself denotes

the pharmaceutical processing that is

1
involved in these preparations by heating in whole are triturated for several hours until
glass bottle. The products thus obtained are the mixture is converted into Kajjali. Other
very favourite and frequently used remedy purified materials (Haritala(orpiment),
by the Ayurvedic physicians. These are Manahshila (realgar), etc.) are mixed with
reputed to be panacea for a variety of ills the prepared Kajjali for different
Kupipakwa Rasayana preparations
that human flesh is heir to2. The general (Talasindura, etc.). The Kajjali is then
belief is that by association with mercury levigated by specific liquid media. The
and sulphur, these products acquire the most prepared Kajjali is then placed in a specially
potent efficacy. designed glass bottle (with seven layers of
mud smeared clothes), and the heating
The process of Kupipakwa Rasayana process is carried out by immersing the
preparation employs many of the alchemical filled bottle in Valuka Yantra and gradually
principles and observations. In these increasing temperature for specific duration.
processes mercury (Hg) has been used On cooling the prepared Kupipakwa
extensively to bring about the desired Rasayana is found to be deposited in the
chemical changes in the final product. The inner surface of either the neck or bottom of
other element used freely is sulphur (S). the bottle and is collected by breaking the
High chemical reactivity of both these bottle.
elements is well known today3, and it seems
that the Ayurvedic scholars were conscious Various Kupipakwa Rasayana and their
of their properties. Many studies have so far Chemistry:
been carried out on various Kupipakwa
Rasayana preparations, and the properties Rasasindura:
and chemical composition of these
preparations have been reported4,5,6. Equal quantity of Shuddha Parada (purified
mercury) and Shuddha Gandhaka (purified
Preparation of Kupipakwa Rasayana: sulphur) are triturated together for several
hours until the mixture is converted into a
The authentic raw metals or minerals black, lusterless, fine, impalpable powder of
(Parada (Mercury), Gandhaka (Sulphur) uniform consistency. This is known as
and other metals and minerals) are procured Kajjali. The Kajjali is then levigated by
first, and are subjected for Shodhana liquids like aloe gel (leaf pulp juice of Aloe
(purification) procedure according to barbadensis Mill.) or juice of leaf buds of
classical Ayurvedic references. Then Ficus bengalensis Linn. (Vatankura
specified quantity of Shuddha materials Swarasa). It is allowed to complete dryness.
(mostly Parada and Gandhaka) are mixed The dried Kajjali is then placed in a long
and triturated together for several hours until neck, narrow mouthed bottle (beer bottle)
the mixture is converted into a black, and is gradually heated on a sand bath
lusterless, fine, impalpable powder of (Valuka Yantra). On cooling Rasasindura is
uniform consistence. This is known as found to be deposited in the inner surface of
Kajjali. In some preparations the neck of the bottle and is collected by
(Makaradhwaja, etc.), Shuddha Parada is breaking of the bottle7.
rubbed with Shuddha Dhatu (metal like
gold, etc.) to make an amalgam. Shuddha Chemistry: Rasasindura is identical with
Gandhaka is added to the amalgam and the red sulphide of mercury and has the same

2
composition as that of the mineral cinnabar, mixed and triturated. Further procedures are
HgS. During trituration and when heated to same as Rasasindura11.
about 50OC, the black mass of mercuric
sulphide (metacinnabar) is formed. And Chemistry: Malla/Tala/Shila Sindura are
when heated, it slowly becomes red and also identical with red sulphide of mercury
crystalline and sublimed in the long necked and have the same composition as that of the
glass bottle. mineral cinnabar, HgS. These also contain
Hg + S = HgS varying quantity of arsenic in combination
with mercuric sulphide12,13.
The black sulphide becomes red on
sublimation; the unstable black form is Rasakarpura:
being converted into stable red form on
heating8. Specified quantity of Shuddha Parada
(purified mercury), Shuddha Sphatika
Makaradhwaja: (purified alum), Shuddha Kasisa (purified
ferrous sulphate), Saidhava Lavana (rock
Eight parts of Shuddha Parada (purified salt), and other substances like brick
mercury) and one part of Shuddha Swarna powder, Gairika (red ochre), etc. are
(purified gold) leaf are rubbed together in a triturated together for several hours until the
stone mortar to make an amalgam. Sixteen mixture is converted into lusterless, fine,
parts of Shuddha Gandhaka (purified impalpable powder of uniform consistence.
sulphur) are added to the amalgam and the The mixture is subjected in a long neck glass
whole are triturated for several hours until bottle (bear bottle) and is gradually heated
the mixture is converted into Kajjali. on a sand bath (Valuka Yantra). After self-
Further procedures are same as Rasasindura cooling the prepared Rasakarpura is
preparation. The only difference is, here collected from the neck of the bottle after
levigation is done with juice of Gossypium breaking14.
arboreum Linn. (Rakta Karpasa) flower9.
Chemistry: Alum or ferrous sulphate, when
Chemistry: Makaradhwaja is also identical heated, yields some sulphuric acid. This
with red sulphide of mercury and has the reacts with rock salt to liberate hydrochloric
same composition as that of the naturally acid. The latter undergoes aerial oxidation in
occurring cinnabar, HgS. It also contains contact with ferric oxide from the brick dust,
very minute quantity of gold in combination Gairika (red ochre), clay, etc., acting as
with mercuric sulphide10. catalyst, and sets free chlorine, which
attacks the mercury, giving rise to calomel
Malla/Tala/Shila Sindura: (Hg2Cl2). Alumina from alum or from clay
may also catalyze the reaction to a certain
Equal quantity of Shuddha Parada (purified extent like the ferric oxide15.
mercury) and Shuddha Gandhaka (purified
sulphur) are triturated together to make K2SO4,Al2 (SO4) 3,24H2O = K2O + 4H2SO4
Kajjali, then varying proportion (equal or + Al2O3 + 20H2O
half or quarter) of purified arsenicals Hg + 2H2SO4 = HgSO4 + 2H2O + SO2
(Shuddha Malla, arsenite, As2O3 and/or Hg2SO4 + 2NaCl + Hg = Na2SO4 + Hg2Cl2
Shuddha Haratala, orpiment, As2S3 and/or
Shuddha Manahshila, realgar, As2S2) are Rasakarpura of Rasatarangini:

3
 Chemistry: During trituration of mercury
Shuddha Parada (Purified mercury) is and ferrous sulphate, mercuric sulphate is
mixed with one and half times its weight of formed and some part of mercury remains
Gandhakamla (sulphuric acid) and heated. free. The intimate mixture of converted
Thus the white moistureless powder formed, mercuric sulphate, mercury and rock salt
is mixed with equal quantity of powdered are, when heated mercurous chloride is
Saindhava Lavana (rock salt) and triturated. formed. It sublimes to the cooler upper part
The fine, lusterless, uniform mixture is of the bottle and the crust of the sublimate is
placed in a long necked bottle (beer bottle) collected. It sublimes at 380OC17.
and is subjected on mild heat gradually on a
sand bath (Valuka Yantra). After self- Hg2SO4 + 2NaCl + Hg = Na2SO4 + Hg2Cl2
cooling the sublimed material is collected
from the neck of the bottle by breaking it11. Swarna Vanga:

Chemistry: Mercury when boiled with one Shuddha Vanga (Purified tin) is melted and
and a half times its weight of concentrated mixed with equal quantity of Shuddha
sulphuric acid, mercuric sulphate(HgSO4) is Parada (purified mercury) and rubbed
formed. together in a stone mortar to form an
amalgam. Equal parts of Shuddha Gandhaka
Hg + 2H2SO4 = HgSO4 + 2H2O + SO2 (purified sulphur) and Shuddha Navasadara
(purified ammonium chloride) are added to
On heating the dry mixture of equal weights the amalgam and the whole are triturated for
of mercuric sulphate and rock salt, mercuric several hours until the mixture is converted
chloride is prepared. It separates by to lusterless, fine, homogeneous powder.
sublimation on the cooler upper part of the The mixture is then placed in a glass bottle
bottle. It forms colourless needle shaped and is gradually heated on a sand bath
crystals having melting point 277OC and (Valuka Yantra), until the fumes disappear
boiling point 320OC16. completely. On cooling, the golden-yellow
HgSO4 + 2NaCl = Na2SO4 + HgCl2 coloured crystalline Swarna Vanga is
collected from lower part of the bottle by
Rasapushpa: breaking it18.

Equal quantity of Shuddha Parada (purified Chemistry: Swarna Vanga is obtained as

mercury) and Shuddha Kasisa (purified golden yellow scales of crystalline SnS2,
ferrous sulphate) are mixed and triturated better known as mosaic gold. By heating a
together, until a lusterless, fine, impalpable mixture of tin, sulphur and ammonium
powder is formed, then equal part of chloride in glass bottle, a stannate and thio-
Saindhava Lavana (rock salt) is added with stannate is formed19.
the mixture and triturated again. The
mixture is then placed in a long necked glass Sn + 4NH4Cl = (NH4) 2SnCl4 + H2 + 2NH3
bottle (beer bottle) and heated gradually on a 2(NH4) 2SnCl4 + 2S = SnS2 + (NH4) 2SnCl6
sand bath (Valuka Yantra). On cooling, + 2NH4Cl
Rasapushpa is found to be deposited in the
inner surface of neck of the bottle and is Discussion:
collected by breaking of the bottle11.

4
The Kupipakwa Rasanayas are prepared in layer formed on the metal particles and thus
especially prepared glass bottle, called as exposing new metallic surface. These
Kupi, by adopting a specially designed conditions were achieved by intermittent
instrument, known as Valuka Yantra. The trituration. In solid-solid reaction, trituration
glass bottle with a long neck (beer bottle) is increased the chemical rate kinetics1.
wrapped with several folds of cloth smeared
with clay, and then dried in the sun. That Sublimation is the chemical process,
makes the bottle more heat stable. The bottle involved in most of the Kupipakwa
is buried up to its neck in sand placed in an Rasayana preparation. It is the unique
iron pot; heat is applied from under the pot. process converting a solid directly into
This arrangement helps in gradual and vapour and condensing the vapor into solid
homogeneous heating. state having the same composition3. The
ancient scholars of Rasashastra (12th cen.
Mercury and sulphur are the elements AD) may be acknowledged as the pioneers
mostly used in preparation of various of the sublimation process. The gradual
Kupipakwa Rasayanas. In many processes heating pattern, use of sand bath (Valuka
mercury has been used to amalgamate with Yantra) for indirect and homogeneous
the metals and form an intermediate product, heating and long necked glass bottle for
which could increase the surface reactivity providing adequate space for re-
of the metal with other chemical. Sulphur solidification, should be considered as
facilitates the formation of respective examples of great knowledge of chemical
sulphide. In these cases mercury and sulphur processes.
have acted as promoters for the final
chemical reaction. Mercury itself is being in Now a days electric muffle furnace is
liquid state, readily reacts with sulphur to brought into practice instead of Valuka
form HgS (black sulphide)3. When mercury Yantra for preparation of Kupipakwa
is amalgamated with metals, it gets Rasayanas with added advantage of easy
converted into semisolid mass and easily regulation of temperature, lack of need of
reacts with sulphur to form black sulphide, fuel (coal), elimination of smoke and dust,
HgS, and thus it promotes the high etc. But there are some disadvantages also
temperature reaction with other metals. like high product cost due to electricity
charges, and difficulty in large scale
Most of the chemical reactions involve in production. The temperature pattern in
Kupipakwa Rasayana preparations are muffle furnace for preparation of
heterogeneous kinetics i.e. reaction between Kupipakwa Rasayanas is also being
solid-gas or solid-liquid and it is known that standardized, like for mild temperature
the rate of such reactions is proportional to (Mriduagni) the temperature range will be
the interfacial area. During such reactions, at 150OC 200OC, for moderate temperature
first a surface layer of the chemical is (Madhyamagni) the temperature range will
readily formed (chemical rate controlled) be 200OC - 400OC and for higher
and afterwards the rate of reaction becomes temperature (Tivragni) the temperature
diffusion, rate controlled and slow. The range will be 400OC 600OC20.
ancient Ayurvedic scholars were conscious
of these facts and overcame this problem The temperature pattern and duration for
firstly by increasing the primary surface area preparation of all the Kupipakwa Rasayanas
and secondly by removing the chemical are different, but gradual heating system is

5
followed for all. Preparation of Rasasindura, may contribute these trace elements to the
Makaradhwaja, Malla/Tala/Shila Sindura final product.
need almost same grade of heating but
duration depends on amount of free sulphur Conclusion:
in the Kajjali, here required highest
temperature is around 600OC. For In conclusion it may be said that all the
preparation of Rasakarpura the highest Kupipakwa Rasayanas are product of
temperature should not exceed 300OC and complex chemical processes. The modern
required duration is 9 h. The highest analysis of these processes confirms the high
temperature and duration for preparation of level of understanding of the physico-
Rasapuspha are 400OC and 9 h respectively. chemical principles and the skill achieved at
For preparation of Swarna Vanga the an early date in ancient India.
highest temperature given is 450OC and is
needed for longer duration, not less than 12 Acknowledgement:
h.
Authors are thankful to Dr. B. J. Patgiri and
It must be remembered that all the Dr. Galib, lecturer, Department of
Kupipakwa Rasayanas are not pure Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana,
chemical compound, rather cocktail of many I.P.G.T.&R.A., Gujarat Ayurved University,
trace elements also. Those make the product Jamnagar, for their valuable suggestion and
therapeutically more potent and less toxic16. co-operation in writing the manuscript.
The drugs for levigation (Bhavana Dravyas)

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