ZEEVA-SASTRAZM (JEEVA-SASTRAM=AYURVEDA)

 

JeevaSastram means the treatise speaks about the life of the living creature.  Actually it is called Ayurveda, the name of the Indian medicine means that the Veda for (lengthening) the span of life which considered an Upanga (Subsidiary) to the Atharvaveda. The chief works on Indian ancient medicine have been described by J. Jolly, Medicine (Grudriss III, 10) that “in Medicine are included, through teaching on healings, what the Indians know about Botany, Minerelogy, and Chemistry (Alchemy)”. 

The science of medicine is also called VaidyaSastram.  According to tradition this JeevaSastram through the book SusrutaSamhita of the saint and physician Susruta originally consisted of

तस्यायुर्वेदस्याङ्गान्यष्टौ तद्यथा कायचिकित्सा, शालाक्यं, शल्यापहर्तृकं, विषगरवैरोधिकप्रशमनं, भूतविद्या, कौमारभृत्यकं रसायनं वाजीकरणमिति॥ (IV.34)

Ashtaanga=eight parts, in which Salya=major surgery, Saalaakya=minor surgery (E.N.T), Kaaaaya-Chikitsaa=treatment of disease of the body, BhoothaVidyaa=demonology-teaching on diseases caused by the demons (Psychology), KaumaraBruthyaa=healing of diseases of children(Paediatrics), VishaGaraVairodhikaPrasamanam or AgadaTantra=Toxicology, Rasaayana=Elixir (Treatment with Chemicals) and VaajeeKarana=Aphrodiasiaca.

Divine Origin

In the BrahmaVaivartaPuraana, the following phrases suggest that

ऋग्यजुस्सामाथर्वाख्यान् दृष्ट्वा वेदान् प्रजापतिः। विचिन्त्य तेषामर्थाञ्चैवायुर्वेदं चकार सः॥

कृत्वा तु पञ्चमं वेदं भास्कराय ददौ विभुः। स्वतन्त्रसंहितां तस्मात् भास्करश्च चकार सः॥

Brahma is reported to have transmitted Ayurveda, the fifth Veda, to Bhaskara, and then Bhaskara is mentioned to have compiled and independent Samhitaa.  Then one after the other it went to Asvini-Devatas, Indra and it was transmitted by these gods to the sages.

Blood Flow

According to BhelaSamhita, “हृदो रसो निस्सरति तस्मादेति च सर्वशः। सिराभिर्हृदयं वैति तस्मात्तत्प्रभवाः सिराः॥” (20.3)

Rasa i.e., blood flows from the heart and then to all places.  Through the veins it again reaches the heart.

Botanical facts

SaanthiParva of MahaBharatam (184.13) says that

वल्ली वेष्टयते वृक्षं सर्वतश्चैव गच्छति। नाप्यदृष्टेश्च मार्गोऽस्ति तस्मात् पश्यन्ति पादपाः॥

The creeper moves about the tree trunks, covering it all around.  There is no path for thee one without sight.  Hence creeper can see. Moreover, trees can smell, have the sense of touch and even hear.

Many aspects of plant life are yet to be studied by modern science.  These facts are propounded by our fore-fathers ages before.

Some of the Important works

1. AthreyaSamhitha

2. HaritaSamhita

3. KaasyapaSamhita (VruddhaJeevakeeyam)

4. Agnivesa’s CarakaSamhita

5. BhelaSamhita

6. Works of Nagarjuna (Buddhist Philosopher)

                                

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YOGA SASTRAM – SCIENCE ON MENTAL CARE

 

Yoga Sastram refers to a book of knowledge or authoritative teaching about the practice of yoga. While traditionally it refers to an in-depth classical text about yoga, in modern times the term has come to be associated with The Yoga Sutras, which were written by Patanjali, the founder of this Yoga philosophy.  This system is closely allied to the Sankhya.  It mostly accepts the epistemology and metaphysics of the Sankhya with its twenty-five principles, but admits also the existence of God.  The special interest of this Yoga system is in the practice of yoga as the means to the attainment of Vivekajnaana or discriminative knowledge.

The term, yoga-sastra, derives from the ancient Sanskrit language. Yoga means “to bind together” or “union,” while sastra means “instruction,” “treatise,” “sacred book,” “manual” or “scripture.”

According to Patanjali’s Yogasutram "चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः योगः", Yoga consists in the cessation of all mental functions. These are (क्षिप्त = dissipated condition मूढ, = stupefied condition, विक्षिप्त = relatively pacified condition, एकाग्र = concentration and निरुद्ध = cessation of the function of contemplation - इति पञ्चचित्तभूमयः) the five levels of mental functions.

In the classical sense, examples of yoga-sastras include: "Hemachandra's Yogasastra" (a Svetambara Jain text), "Yoga-Sastra of Dattatreya" (one of the lords of yoga and considered a deity by some), and also the Hindu sacred book, the Bhagavad Gita.

But it is The Yoga Sutras that are most mentioned as Yoga-Sastra in the modern world. The 196 sutras are arranged into four chapters:

Samadhi-Pada, which describes yoga, nature and the path to samadhi (enlightenment).

Sadhana-Pada, which describes the practice of kriya (selfless action) yoga and Ashtanga (eightfold path) yoga.

Vibhuti-Pada, which describes the spiritual and mystical powers of yoga practice.

Kaivalya-Pada, which describes moksha (liberation) and the transcendental ego.

It is the eightfold path described in Sadhana Pada that is most familiar

to yogis in the western world. It consists of yamas (ethical rules),

niyamas (virtues), asanas (yoga postures), pranayama (breathing

exercises), pratyahara (sensory withdrawal), dharana (concentration),

dhyana (deep meditation) and samadhi (a state of intense concentration

and union).

 

Some of the Important works

1. YogaSutram of Patanjali

2. YogaSutraBhashyam of Vyasa Rishi.

3. TattvaVaisaradi of Vacaspati.

4. Vrutthi & YogaManiPrabha of Bhojaraja of Dhara.

5. YogaVarthikam of VijnaanaBhikshu

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XENA-SASTRAM (SENA-SASTRAM) THE SCIENCE ON ARMY

 

Indian culture has a distinct claim to a higher antiquity of the dynasty of kings. Their main duty was to protect the kingship by which they can even protect their subject.  To maintain their own sovereignty, they invaded the other country, captured the people, young ladies, forts etc., and looted the wealth.  Their warfare has developed on mechanical lines, giving less scope for the qualities of courage and individual leadership.

War is actually political institution and a necessary evil.  In ancient times, the laws of war were designed to bring out the best and not the worst of human traits.  Chivalry, individual heroism, qualities of mercy and notability of outlook even in the grimmest of struggles were not unknown to the soldiers of ancient India.  Thus among the laws of war, one can find that (1) a warrior in armour must not fight with one not so clad, (2) one should fight only one enemy and cease fighting if the opponent is disabled, (3) aged men, women and children, the retreating, or one who held a straw in his lips as a sign of unconditional surrender should not be killed.

Regular and proper organisation are the life and soul of an army.  Owing to peculiar geographical features, with vast plains interspersed with forests, the ancient Indian State had to make extensive use of mounted forces which comprised chariots, elephants, cavalry and infantries, collectively known as Caturangabala.

Divisions of the Army

The traditional fourfold force was thus described.

एतन्मौलादिषड्भेदं चतुरङ्गं बलं विदुः। षडङ्गं मन्त्रकोशाभ्यां पदात्यश्वरथद्विपैः॥

Army was regarded as a six-fold force, Mantra or the force of counsel and Kosa or the power of the treasury being added to the original four divisions.

Chariots were used in warfare from very remote times. There are different terms like Ratin, Suta and Saarathi used to denote the charioteer.  The Suta type charioteer was the one who become horse-trainer, physician. 

Chanakya mentioned them as Rathaadhyaksha = Superintendent of Chariots in his ArthaSastra.  It also mentions that "हस्त्यध्यक्षो हस्तिवनरक्षां दास्यकर्मक्षान्तानां हस्तिहस्तिनीकलभानां.........चिकित्सकानाकस्थायुकवर्गं चानुतिष्ठेत्॥" - a special officer of the state for the care of elephants, and lays down his duties and other particulars connected with that office.

Characteristics of A Good Army

The Sukraniti further describes the characteristics of agood army.  In short this political treatise envisages that “गुल्मीभूतंसाधिकारि स्वस्वामिकमगुल्मकम्। दत्तास्त्रादि स्वामिना यत् स्वशस्त्रास्त्रमतोऽन्यथा॥”  - two kinds of recruitment - Gulmibhuta answering to the standing army, and Agulmaka corresponding to the mercenary troops.

Units of the Army

The Indian army was divided in to Pathi, Senamukha, Gulma, Gana, Vahini, Pruthanaa, Chamoo, Aneekinee, and Akshauhinee.  These divisions roughly correspond to our modern battalions, regiments, companies etc.,  An akshauhinee consisted of 21,870 Chariots, 21,870 Elephants, 65,610 horses and 1,09,350 foot-soldiers, says Amarakosa thus

आधोरणा हस्तिपका हस्त्यारोहा निषादिनः । नियन्ता प्राजिता यन्ता सूतः क्षत्ता च सारथिः।

सव्येष्ठदक्षिणस्थौ च संज्ञा रथकुटुम्बिनः । रथिनः स्यन्दनारोहा अश्वारोहास्तु सादिनः।

भटा योधाश्च योद्धारः सेनारक्षास्तु सैनिकाः। सेनायां समवेता ये सैन्यास्ते सैनिकाश्च ते।

बलिनो ये सहस्रेण साहस्रास्ते सहस्रिणः। परिधिस्थः परिचरः सेनानीर्वाहिनीपतिः।

Some of the Important works

ArthaSastram  Dhanurveda HariharaChaturanga Ramayanam MahaBharatam Manasollasa of Somesvara and Sukranitisaram

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WAANIJYAM (VAANIJYAM) - THE SCIENCE OF COMMERCE

 

The science of commerce is called Vaanijyam commerce in Sanskrit.  The word “Commerce” means - an interchange of goods., merchandise of property of any kind between countries or communities, mercantile pursuits, trade, traffic, mutual dealings in common life etc.,  The record of transactions in business or trade in a regular manner is called trade . 

The main purpose is to make profits and make the rulers rich.  A person who does business or trade is called a trader or merchant.  Merchants were named after the nature of their business and the amount of capital they invested in it, like – Vanik = Trader, KrayaVikraya = Seller & Purchaser, Vaastika = Seller of Goods, Samsthaanika=member of commercial guild.

Navigation for the trade

There are references in the hymns of the Rgveda to the trade with distinct lands for profit:

वेदा यो वीनां पदमन्तरिक्षेम पतताम्। वेद ना वः समुद्रियः।

वेद वातस्य वर्तनिमुरोर्ऋष्वस्य बृहतः। वेदा ये अध्यासते॥

This above hymn indicates that ocean navigation was known to the Indians of those days.

Organisation of Trade and Business

YajnaValkya describes thus:

समवायेन वणिजां लाभार्थं कर्म कुर्वताम्। लाभालाभौ यथाद्रव्यं यथा वा संविदा कृतौ॥

The sharing of profits in partnership in accordance with the amount of capital investment by different partners keeping in view the agreement of the partnership concerned.

Article of Trade

YajnaValkyaSmriti (II-245&246) tells that

भेषज-स्नेह-लवण-गन्ध-धान्य-गुडादिषु। मृत्- चर्म-मणि-सूत्र-अयःकाष्ठ-वल्कल-वासताम्॥

The chief articles of trade, Medicinal herbs, ghee, salt, a fragrant root, grains, jiggery, asafoetida, black pepper, skin of the animals, crystal, ruby and other precious gems, silver, iron, sandalwood, cotton, silk and so on.

Price Fixation

स्वदेशपण्ये तु शतं वणिग्गृह्णीत पञ्चकम्। दशकं पारदेशे तु यः सद्यः क्रयविक्रयी॥

YajnaValkya has explained that 5% percent of profit for local goods and 10% of profit for foreign goods.  Here the word Sadyah indicates that if the sale takes place immediately then alone this condition would prevail.  If the sale is effected (takes place) after some time, the profit can be increased accordingly.

Fairdealings in Transactions

NaradaSmriti (VIII-9) says that

क्रीत्वा मूल्येन यः पण्यं दुःक्रीतं  मन्यते क्रयी। विक्रेतुः प्रतिदेयं तत्तस्मिन्नेवाह्न्यविक्षतम्॥

द्वितीयेऽह्नि ददत्क्रेता मूल्यात् त्रिंशांशमावहेत्। द्विगुणं तु तृतीयेऽह्नि परतः क्रेतुरेव तत्॥

If the object is to be returned, it should be done the same day.  If it is returned the second day, then the purchaser should give 1/30^th part of the commodity.  After the third day it could not be returned.

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VASTU SASTRAM -A SCIENCE ON ARCHITECTURE

 

Vastu is the bridge between man and nature. Everything is made up of basic (Pancha-bhootas) five elements – FIRE, WATER, EARTH, SPACE, and AIR. All These elements are only found on earth that is why it is the only planet that supports life and nature. If the residential and commercial buildings are constructed without any regards to these elements, then how would it will give any benefits? From each of the basic elements we are getting a strange precious gift due to infinite powers of the universe. 

Vāstuśāstra (वास्तुशास्त्र) refers to the “knowledge of the science” and represents the first qualification which an architect [i.e., sthapati] must possess to start with. This Vāstuśāstra consists of the knowledge of the canons of the site-planning and its layout, the planning of the buildings, the laying out of gardens, parks, town-planning and regional planning and all that constitutes the traditional subject-matter of architecture. All this comes under śilpa. Apart from śilpa, his intellectual equipment should be broadened with the knowledge of carpentery, engineering, machine-making (yantra-karma-vidhi) etc.

All materials in the world, irrespective of their size, shape, colour, physical or chemical compositions have embedded their origins from one of the Pancha-bhootas . They enjoy peculiar vibration levels, which is evading the intelligence of human beings. 

Vastu is in a position to reduce the gravity of the problems faced by human beings as well as industries particularly those suffering from sickness through vibrations of Pancha-bhootas which has anchored their roots in the body of the human beings as well as the external and internal building configurations.

The Vastu science is founded upon the laws of nature.  The basic source of energy of the whole world is stored at North and South Pole. It flows uninterruptedly from North Pole to South Pole in the form of magnetic waves. Therefore Southward portion of every building should be higher than the northward portion so that there may not be any hindrance to the flow of magnetic waves.

Material used for the tiles

Mayamatam says that - दग्धैश्च मृन्मयैश्चापि लोहलोष्ठैर्यथोचितम्। गोपनस्योपरिष्टात्तु छादनीयं 

        विचक्षणीयैः।  निश्छिद्रमिष्टमानेन विधातव्यं दृढं यथा॥        (XVII-104)

Sintered clay tiles or sheets of metal can be used as roof cover for the house which should be strong and non-porous.

Town Planning

Samarangana-Sutradhara by Bhoja representing a voluminous treatise on the science of Architecture, also known as Vastu-Shastra, encompassing eighty-three chapters in Sanskrit shloka format. The Samaranganasutradhara includes topics predominantly dealing with Architecture, Arts and Crafts, but also deals with Creation-theory, Geography, Iconography.

The Chapter 10 of the Samarāṅgaṇa-Sūtradhāra the original work of the King Bhoja of Dhara describes that,

पुरस्य त्रिविधस्यापि प्रमाणमथ कथ्यते | प्राकारपरिखाट्टालद्वाररथ्याध्वभिसह ॥ १॥

ज्येष्ठं तत्र चतुश्चापसहस्रं पुरमिष्यते । मध्यं द्वाभ्यां सहस्राभ्यामेकेन व्यासतोऽ धमम्‌ ॥ २ ॥

साष्टमांशं सपादं वा सार्धं वा व्यासमायतम् । कुर्यादेकैकमायामं चतुरस्रीकृतं शुभम्‌ ॥ ३ ॥

The scheme of planning of the town (of all categories) with all the common components like Prākāra, Parikhā, Aṭṭāla, gates, Gopuras, roads, and streets together with the site-planning, residential quarters of the towns-men belonging to different castes and professions and the temples has been elaborated here in this chapter, the notice of which has been taken in detail in a separate part of this Study (vide Part II, Town Planning).

The Significance of Vastu-Purusha-Mandala

The floor plan of any building, particularly its main gate must be done in accordance with Vastu Purusha Mandala. If done so, it brings ample prosperity for its occupants.  Usually Vastu Purusha Mandala is often depicted in square charts to represent the usually shape of the plot. But for better understanding, however, it is drawn in 360 degree chart format, which is universally more popular.

Some of the Important works

1. VastuSaaram
2. Mayamatam
3. MaanaSaaram
4. SamaranganaSutradhara
5. Sukraneeti
6. Silparatnam
 

          



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UJJVALA-NILAMANI – A TREATISE ON SANSKRIT POETICS

 

The main objective of the works on Sanskrit Poetics is to introduce the main schools of Sanskrit literary theories. The principal concepts of Sanskrit literary theories or poetics such as sentiments (rasas), suggestion (dhvani), figures of speech (alamkaras), literary merits (gunas), defects (doshas), propriety (aucitya), style (riti), the definition and classification of poetry, drama, prose, purpose of poetry,
equipment of the poet, the theory of deconstruction and such other matters related to literature are illustrated with suitable examples from Sanskrit literature. This book is intended to be a text book as well as a reference book for students of comparative literature and students of Sanskrit literature at Post-Graduate level in India and abroad. A special feature of the book is that it will help readers who do not know Sanskrit to grasp and appreciate the contents readily. Thus, knowledge of Sanskrit is not a pre-condition to understand the main aspects of literary theories of renowned Sanskrit Poeticians.  One such work is Ujjvala-nilamani written by Sri Rupa Gosvamin.

 

Rupa Goswami was a devotional teacher, poet, and philosopher of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. With his brother Sanatana Goswami, he is considered the most senior of the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan associated with Caitanya Mahaprabhu, a hidden avatar of Krishna in Kali Yuga.

Sri Ujjvala-nilamani deals with every aspect of madhura-rasa. This book is the only definitive guide to madhura-rasa and ragamayi-bhakti.

Chapter 1 Varieties of Heroes Chapter 2 Male Friends Who Assist in the Arrangements of Krishna's Pastimes with the Gopis Chapter 3 Lord Krishna's Amorous Lovers Chapter 4 Srimati Radharani Chapter 5 Varieties of Heroines Chapter 6 Varieties of Leaders of the Gopis Chapter 7 Varieties of Messengers Chapter 8 Srimati Radharani's Friends Chapter 9 Lord Krishna's Beloved Gopis Chapter 10 That Which Stimulates Ecstatic Love Chapter 11 Anubhava Ecstasy Chapter 12 Sattvika Ecstasy Chapter 13 The Vyabhicaris Chapter 14 Steady Ecstasy Chapter 15 Varieties of Conjugal Love Chapter 16 Conjugal Pleasure.

      

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TARKA SASTRAM - THE SCIENCE ON REASONING

 

Tarka Sastram is a system also called Nyaya System.  Tarka Sastram means the science of reasoning.  This system is the work of the great sage Goutama.  It is a realistic philosophy based mainly on logical grounds.  It admits four separate sources of true knowledge namely प्रत्यक्षम् = Perception, अनुमानम् = Inference, उपमानम् = Comparision, and शब्दः = testimony. This system is very useful in developing the powers of logical thinking and rigorous criticism in its students. This system is having other names Nyaya Philosophy, NyayaVidya, Tarka Sastram and Anveekshikee= the science of critical study.

Theory of Knowledge

Through these four separate sources of true knowledge namely प्रत्यक्षम् = Perception, अनुमानम् = Inference, उपमानम् = Comparision, and शब्दः = testimony this Tarka Sastram is highly helpful to understand about आत्मा = the self, शरीरम् = the body, इन्द्रियाणि तथा तन्मात्राः = the senses and their objects, बुद्धिः = cognition, मनः = mind, प्रवृत्तिः = activities, दोषाः = mental defects, प्रेत्यभावः = rebirth, फलम् = the feelings of pleasure and pressure, दुःखम् = suffering, and अपवर्गम् = the freedom from the suffering.  These are considered as प्रमाणानि = Pramanas or the methods of knowledge

Theory of Physical World

प्रमेयम् = Prameyam is the world of objects of knowledge. According to Gouthama, “As already seen”, these are: the self, the body, the senses and their objects, cognition, mind, activities, mental defects, rebirth, the feelings of pleasure and pressure, suffering, and the freedom from the suffering.  These are also such objects as द्रव्यानि = substances, गुणाः = qualities, कर्म = motion, सामान्य = the universal, विशेष = particulariy, समवायः = the relation of inherence, and अभाव = non-exixtence.  All of these प्रमेयाणि = Prameyams or knowables are not to be found in the physical world, because it includes only those objects that are either (भूत) physical or somehow belong to the world of physical nature.

Some important works of the Tarka System

1. NyayaSutram of Gouthama.

2. NyayaSutraBhashyam of Vatsyayana.

3. TatthvaChintamani of Gangesopadhyaya.

4. Dheedhithi of RaghunathaSiromani.

5. Gaadhaadharee of Gadhaadhara.

6. ThaathparyaTika of Vachaspathi Misra.

7. Nyaya Kusumanjali of Achaarya Udayana.

8. TarkaSangraha with Deepika of Annambhatta.

     (There are more than 25 commentaries available on Deepika)

 

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SANKHYA-DARSANAM

 

The Sankhya is a branch of Indian philosophical system.  Actually it is the very first school which was followed by other schools.  The Sankhya is a philosophy of dualistic realism, attributed to the sage Kapila. Lord Vishnu who was manifested as Kapila Muni propounded this system.

The main theme of this system is liberation can be attained through knowing the reality.  The very first phrase in the book “Sankhya Sutram”, advises that “अथ त्रिविधदुःखात्यन्तनिवृत्तिः अत्यन्तपुरुषार्थः”

The very almost virtue of human-life is relief from the three-fold worries (1. Aadhyaathmika= the worry self-committed in the form of afflicted by fever, wound, ache etc., 2. Aadhidhaivika= the worry created by the nine planets (i.e the inconvenience by eclipse) earthly disaster like earth-quake, storm, flood, thundershower etc., and the 3. AadhiBhauthika= the worry caused by the animals and birds (Bird flu etc.,)

This system is sometimes describe as the निरीश्वरसाङ्ख्य = ‘Atheistic Sankhya’, as distinguished from योगशास्त्रम् the Yoga which is called the सेश्वरसाङ्ख्य = ‘Theistic Sankhya’.  The reason for this that the Sage Kapila did not admit the existence of God and also thought that God’s existence could not be proved which become as a controversial point.

This system admits two ultimate realities namely Purusha and Prakruthi which are independent of each other in respect of their existence.

Theory of Causation

The Sankhya Metaphysics, especially its doctrine of Prakruthi, rests mainly on its theory of causation which is known as सत्कार्य-वादः means SatkaaryaVaada.  It is a theory as to the relation of कार्यम् = an effect to its कारणम् means material cause. It is also called आरम्भवादः i.e., the theory of the beginning of the effect anew.  This system is strengthen by the following 25 realities: 1. Purusha, 2. Prakruthi, 3. Mahat, 4. Ahankara, 5. Mind, 6. Sense of viewing, 7. Sense of tasting, 8. Sense of smelling, 9. Sense of hearing, 10. Sense of touching, 11. Sense organs like Eyes, 12. Tongue, 13, Nose, 14. Ears, 15. Skin, 16-20 The five Thanmaathras are the potential elements or generic essences of sound, touch, colour, taste and smell, and 21-25 Mahabhoothas = Sky, air, fire, water and earth (Plasma, Gas, Energy, Liquid and Solid).

Some important works of the Sankhya System

1. Sankhya Sutram of Kapila Muni.

2. Unknown works of Panchasikha.

3. Sankhya Karika of Isvara Krishna.

4. Sankhya Karika Bhashya of GoudaPada.

5. Tattva Kaumudi of Vacaspati.

6. Sankhya Sara of VijnanaBhikshu, and

7. Sankhya Pravacana Sutra Vrutti of Aniruddha.

               

    

(This blog post is a part of Blogchatter's #BlogchatterA2Z)

RASAVIDYA - CHEMISTRY

 

RasaVidya or RasayanaSastram is a famous subject in Sanskrit which deals about Chemistry.  Nagarjuna the famous Buddhist philosopher was himself an erudite Ayurvedic Physician and an expert in Chemistry.

Chemical Laboratory

The experiments of ancient Indian Alchemy were conducted in chemical laboratory RASASAALAA.  A full description of such a laboratory is described in RasaRatnaSamucchaya a Sanskrit treatise on Chemistry, which is given below:

रसशालां प्रकुर्वीत सर्वबाधाविवर्जिते।  सर्वौषधिमये देशे रम्ये कूपसमन्विते॥

यक्षत्र्यक्षसहस्राक्षदिग्विभागसुशोभने।  नानोपकरणोपेतां प्राकारेण सुशोभिताम्॥

शालायाः पूर्वदिग्भागे स्थापयेद्रसभैरवम्। वह्निकर्मानि चाग्नेये याम्ये पाषाणकर्म च॥

नैर्ऋत्ये शस्त्रकर्माणि वारुणे क्षालनादिकम्। शोषणं वायुकोणे च वेधकर्मोत्तरे तथा॥

स्थापनं सिद्धवस्तूनां प्रकुर्यादीशकोणके। पदार्थसङ्ग्रहः कार्यो रससाधनहेतुकः॥

             -  RasaRatnaSamucchaya 7 (1-5)

A laboratory is to be established in a region where abounds in medical plants, water and free from all interferences.  The building should be well protected with high boundary walls.  The laboratory is to be furnished with a variety of equipment.  The presiding diety , RasaBhairava made of Mercury is to be installed in the east.  The furnace should be arranged in the south-east.  Stone implements should be kept in the south.  In the south-west, apparatus for cutting, slicing etc., should be housed.  In the west, washing and cleaning should be arranged.  The north-west is reserved for dying operations.  Metallic investigations may be carried in the north.  The north-east is reserved for preserving and storing the preparations made in the laboratory.

CORROSION & LOSS ON HEATING

The Sanskrit text named Rasarnavam says that:

सुवर्णं रजतं ताम्रं तीक्ष्णं वङ्गं भुजङ्गमम्। लोहन्तु षड्विधं तच्च यथापूर्वं तदक्षयम्॥

               - Rasarnavam VII-96

Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron, Lead, Zinc are the six types of metals, their stability (resistance towards corrosion / reactivity)is in the reverse order of the above.

EXRACTION OF MERCURY

RasaRatnaSamucchaya a Sanskrit treatise on Chemistry describes about the Mercury that

उक्तोषधैर्मर्दितस्य यन्त्रस्थितस्योर्ध्वमधश्च तिर्यक्।

निर्यातनं पातनसंज्ञमुक्तं वङ्गाहिसम्पर्कजकञ्चुकघ्नम्॥

                  - RasaRatnaSamucchaya VII - 67

Sublimation is the process to remove the Naaga and Vanga Doshas from PARADA=Mercury.  The Paarada is ground with specific drugs and subjected to Paatana = Sublimation Uthpaatana=upwards, Adhafpaathana=downwards and Tiryakpaathana=obligue.

(This blog post is a part of Blogchatter's #BlogchatterA2Z)