Publication

Abstract :

Samskara, a special type of processing of mercury, apart from alleviating the blemishes, gives strength and luster to mercury. The author of Rasahrdaya tantra holds that the samskaras of parada are eighteen. Some say they are nineteen while some hold that these are eight. According to Rasahrdayatantra the eighteen samskaras of parada are Swedana (boiling), Mardana (grinding), Murcchana (swooning), Utthapana (revival), Patana (condensation), Rodhana (awakening), Niyamana (controlling), Dipana (appetising), Gagana grasa or Abhraka bhakshana mana, charana (adding), Garbhadruti (liquefying), Bahyadruti (liquefying), Jarana (digestion), Sarana, Kramana, Loha Vedha (transformation) and bhakshana. The first eight samskaras are considered as useful to make mercury eligible for adding into medicines and for internal administration, which is called dehavada. The remaining ten are aimed at alchemical and body- transmutation processes, which is called lohavada. The concept of lohavada – conversion of lower metals to higher metals served as the base for the development of dehavada concept. The concept of dehavada is to make the body strong, healthy, and free from diseases and oldage and make it immortal. According to acharyas the samskarita parada which has the ability to convert lower metals to higher metals can also convert diseased body into healthy one. With this healthy body, we can perform austerities and attain moksha, the fourth purushartha in this life itself. Here is a review on the different views of three different classical Rasasastra text books – Rasaratnasamucchaya, Rasahrdayatantra and Ayurvedaprakasha on Ashtadasha samskaras of parada.