ROLE & RATIONALE OF GANDHAKA SHODHANABYDr. MALAVI SHAYANUnder the guidance of Dr. Shobha.G.Hiremath Dr.Srinivas Yadav H.O.D & Proff. Lecturer Department of Rasashastra--G.A.M.C,Bangalore

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTIONMYTHOLOGICAL ORIGINVYUTPATTIVERNACULAR NAMES & SYNONYMSREVIEW OF GANDHAKA ACC. TO VARIOUS TEXTS GANDHAKA BHEDHAGRAHYA GANDHAKASHUDDHA & ASHUDDHA GANDHAKA LAKSHANANEED FOR SHODHANADIFF. METHODS OF GANDHAKA SHODHANAGANDHAKA RASAYANAMODERN ASPECT OF SULPHURDISCUSSION ON DIFF. METHODS OF SHODHANACONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION

GANDHAKA is included under uparasas by all the rasa granthas.

Mercury & Sulphur finds maximum use in indian medicine. Gandhaka is the principal material used for making the most imp. preparations like rasalinga, rasabandha etc.

Gandhaka stands next to Parada in importance, it is also considered as an essential substance for Murchana and Marana. The Rasadravyas are classified as Sagandha Murchana and Nirgandha Murchana on the basis of presence of Gandhaka.

In Ayurveda, more specially in Rasashastra, most of the things start from construction of Rasalinga, the fundamental part of ayurvedic lab.

Since Gandhaka is the fixer of Parada in making the Rasa linga etc, it is necessary to mention its utility as a primary substance.

MYTHOLOGICAL ORIGIN : In ancient times Goddess Parvathi joyfully decorated with ornaments of Ratnas , was dancing along with Vidyadaris , Yoginis & Apsaras, accompanied with various musical instruments at SHWETHA-DWEEPA, which is on the bank of Ksheera Sagara. Meanwhile , got her menses which stained her garments with red colour. Then, she went to Kailasa Parvatha leaving the garments after bathing on the bank of KsheeraSagara. The clothes were taken to the middle of KsheeraSagara by the waves. At the time of churning of the Sagara by Suras & Asuras as it came to the surface of the water which was emitting some sort of smell, where the Suras & Asuras named it as GANDHAKA. ( Dharmananda sastry- Rasa Vignaneeya)

2. Gandhaka, considered to be originated from the Goddess Parvathi as Gouri beeja. (Rasa. Manjari)

3.During Samudra Manthana of Ksheera Sagara, there evolved a substance with smell and called as Gandhaka. (Ayu.Pra.32/3-6)

4.During Samudra Manthana, churning with Vasuki Sarpa, it produced flame from its mouth, because of its hotness Vasa of Lord Bali melted in to the Samudra and that had smell was called as Gandhaka. (Ayu. Pra. 2/7-9)

5. A Daitya by name Lelihan was a Mahabahu grown up to 33 Yojanas. The Vishnu chakra cut him and the Vasa fell on the earth from his body is called as Lelitaka.

urimi

Fa ak Axrxii ! (z.M.S.)The drug which exhibits severe smell

akq MUi r xW akM ! (p.U.z.)That which produces smell

Acc. to M.Williams (Sans-Eng Dic1979)The word Gandhaka would mean a lump or a ball.

Etymologically the word gandhaka is derived from three words:

alkM Axr Axj x alkM ||The substance which has got smell.

zpl alkM Axr Axj ||Here, shobhanaha has got two meanings i.e best & a sort of yellow pigment. Therefore, it is the substance which has got yellow colour & also smell.

AqS szr alk ||that substance which contains gandha & gives happiness.

VERNACULAR NAMES

INDIANNAMES FOREIGN NAMESKANNADAGANDHAKABURMANKAUSANSKRITPERSIANGOWRIDGUJRATHIGERMANSCHWELFELHINDIDUTCHZWAVELMARATHIFRENCHSOUFREBENGALIGANDRAKSPANISHAZUFREASSMEESKIBURITLATINSULPHURMALAYALAMGENDAGUMENGLISHBRIMSTONETELUGUGANDHAKAM

mrr

alkM alk mwh alkzq alkqSl | mialk Ai alk xalkuxij || xalk Sur alk Ux alkM | MU MOalk MO zUpqi || ( U. l.)

alkM alkmwh alk c UxalkM | xalkM alkM alk xalkMxij || mialk Aialk mqU MOlvl | ososuxZr MU vUpqe || vsoU luli SirlS alkqSl | MObl Ualk x Lu mUMii || (U.i.8/1-3)

A) Related To Mythology:Gouribeeja, BalivasaVasaraka,Daityendra,BaliVasavat,Vatasougandhika

B) Related To Its Occurance:Shara bhumija

C) Related to personality: Lelitaka,Leli

D) Related to colour: Peeta gandha,Gandha peetaka

E) Related To Odouric Nature: Gandha, Gandhaka, Atigandha Kruragandha, Gandhapashana ,Sugandha, Gandhapitaka, Gandhashma, Gandhika, Rasagandha,Vigandha.

F) Related To Appearance: Navaneetaka

G) On Simile:Shuka Tunda,Shukha Piccha

H) On Marana Property:Dhatuha,Shulbari

I) On Pharmaco-Therapeutic Activity:Keetaghna,Kusthari,Pamari

J) Anya:Vikruntaka,Lekhi

Various Synonyms of Gandhaka designate its Physical, Chemical, Therapeutic as well as its Mythological Origin as:

Atigandha: With Pungent Smell.Bali:Balya in nature, King Bali had used it.Balivasa: Originated from fat of king BaliDaityendra:King BaliGandhamadana: Characteristic Sharp odour.Gandhaka:That which produces smell.Gandha Pashana: Hard like stone with distinct odour Gouri Pushpa: Originated from Deity Parvathi Kitaghna: Anti microbial / BactericidalKruragandha: That which is having intolerable smell.Leleetaka: Originated from fat of Leleehan.Navaneeta: Smooth and soft like Butter. Pamari: Enemy of Pama.Puti Gandha:That which is having Putrid smell.Rasagandha: That Uparasa, which is having smell.Shulbari: Enemy of TamraSugandha: Having Good Smell.Sougandhika: That Produces Good smell.Shara bhumija: Originated from Shara Bhumi (Jangala)

Sl.No.SynonymsA.P-2/10R.J.N-2/2R.R.S-1/124R.T-8/1-31Gandhapashana+-++2Sougandhika++++3Balivasa+--+4Gandhashma-+--5Gandhi-+--6Sugandhika-+++7Pamaghna----8Gandhamadana-+-+9Shulbari-+++10Putigandha-+-+11Kushtari-+-+12Divya-+--

Sl.No.SynonymsA.P-2/10R.J.N-2/2R.R.S--1/124R.T-8/1-313Bali++-+14Kitaghna-+-+15Navaneeta-+++16Sharabhumija-+-+17Gourirajha-+-+18Manohara-+--19Shukapiccha--+-20Pamari--++21Atigandha---+22Kruragandha---+23Rasagandhaka---+24Daityendra---+

REVIEW OF GANDHAKA ACC. TO VARIOUS RASA TEXTS :

The origin of Gandhaka is explained 1st in Shrimad Bhagwathgeeta.

In Ch.Chi.7:- In Kusthadhikara use of Gandhaka with amalakarasa and madhu

In Su.Chi.9:- In Kushtha chikitsa Gandhaka is one of the ingredient of Maha vajrataila

In Ah.Hri:- Lepa yoga prepared out of Chakrataila along with guggulu, gandhaka etc is to be applied over affected part & exposed to sunlight

In Ras. Mangala:- 1st book to mention about Kajjali & parpati kalpana with gandhaka as main ingredient

In R.R.S:- Explanation of gandhaka shodhana, its maatra and different yoga is mentioned

In R.Pra.Su:- Among bheda of gandhaka, raktavarna gandhaka is said to be laksharasanibham and mentions that krishnavarna gandhaka makes body as vajra.

In R.Hri.T:- Use of gandhaka as rasayana with the combination of abhraka

In Ayu.Pra:- Among gandhaka yoga mentioned, 7th yoga is said as sarvottam

In Ras.Ta:- Ashtam taranga is dedicated to gandhaka vigyana

In Ras.Yog.Sag:- 8 types of gandhaka rasayana yoga are mentioned

GANDHAKA BHEDHA

x cm uk Su ! vMcclp uU | qkrq miuh xri vYsuhkq xqi ||cik alkM r uh iSp Zs |i ZOM m sml sWqUh ||ij cqsxU xrkr puimiuhul |vMmcN x Lu xri UxUxrl ||U vMihQZr kiuSuk uU |Ssp Mwhuh x eUqirlvl || (U.U.x 3/12-15)

As per RasarnavaShukacanchuka / Raktavarna --ShresthaPita Varna -- MadhyamaShweta Varana -- Adhama

As per Ayurveda Prakasha Rakta Varna -Uttama-Used for dhatu vadaPeeta Varna -- Madhyama Used for Rasa,Rasayana.Shukla Varna -- Adhama- UsedforExternalApplicationKrishna Varna --Durlabha Jaramrityu Nashana.

As per Rasendra Chudamani

VARNAAKARAKARMASWETAKHATIKAAKARA DHATU MARANAPEETASHUKA PICCHA NIBHARASAYANARAKTASHUKA TUNDA NIBHADHATUVADAKRISHNADURLABHAJARA MRUTYU NASHA

As per Nighantu Ratnakara 6 types Above 4 types + other shr & AqsxU

alkM uk m shr cqsxUMq | rar u cqsxUq W Uxqa ahsmMq || (l.U.) Loneeya & amlasara gandhaka.

USES OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF GANDHAKA:-

GANDHAKA BHEDHAUSESWETHALEPANARTHA & MARANARTHAPEETA RASA RAYANASRAKTADHATUVADAKRISHNADURLABHA

GRAHYA GANDHAKA / SHODHANA YOGYA GANDHAKA :-

zMmcNxqcNr lulixqmp | qxh MPl xlak alkM Ecri || { A. m-2/20}

Shuka Piccha nibhaMruduNavaneetaMasrunaKathinaSnigdha Turmeric yellow colour

lqsxi Uelxqmp Smiq luliMqs | Mii W AqsxU xM alkM UxUxrl uU|| (U.i.8/4)Amlasara Gandhaka is accepted for medicinal and rasayana use that which is clean, processed with colour of turmeric, should have a glow, bright shinning, on touch it should be like butter.

SHUDDHA GANDHAKA GUNAS :-

zkS alk WUSal MqireUSMl | AalMU qWlw urukS MUi c || {A.m-2/17}

Shuddha Gandhaka cures kushta, mrutyu, jara. It is deepaka & does veerya vruddhi.

ASHUDDHA GANDHAKA DOSHAS

AzkSalk Mi c M im pq mie iju | m xZ uros lWli ixqzkS ulrelr || ( A.m- 2/18)

Ashuddha gandhaka causes kushta, tapa, bhrama & pittaja vyadhi.It decreases the dehakanti, sukha, veerya & bala.

NEED FOR SHODHANA-

alk qsr S vsch uw ij | vkiurxii rSpl rjuk || (Ux eslk)

To remove physical impurities like shila, churna (stony particles or clay) To remove chemical or toxic impurities

IN GENERAL SHODHANA HELPS IN-

1.removal of unwanted ailments.2.removal of visible and invisible impurities.3.detoxificate the drug.4.It converts heterogeneous properties to homogenous form.5. Eradicates adulterants present in the drug.6. Makes hard matters brittle, which helps in incineration.7. Enhances the therapeutic value of dravyas.

RASAPANCHAKA OF GANDHAKA-

RASAKATU, TIKTA, KASHAYAGUNAUSHNA, SARA, SNIGDHAVEERYAUSHNAVIPAKAMADHURA(R.Chu.), KATU(A.P)PRABHAVARASAYANAKARMADeepana, pachana, vishahara, jantughna, krimihara, amapachana, rasashoshana, rasayana, vedhi, sootamurchana, deergha-ayushyakara.DOSHA PRABHAVAPITTALA, KAPHAVATAHARAVYADHI PRABHAVAKandu, kushta, visarpa, dadru, twakroga, aama dosha, aamajeerna,visha, bhutadosha, krimi, pleeha roga, kshaya roga, jara roga, netraroga, jwara, mrutyu, kasa, mandagni, balakshaya, urdhwanga sakalaroga.

DIFFERENT METHODS OF GANDHAKA SHODHANA

Swedana MethodRasa. Tar./ R.R.S

Dhalana & Vastra Galana Method R.R.S

Kurma Puta Method Ras. Chud/ R.R.S/ Ayu. Pra/ R.T/ Rase.Sar.Sang

Bhavana Method R.T

Taila Pachana and Nikshepana Vidhi R.T

Damaru Yantra Vidhi R.T/ R.R.S

GANDHANASHANA VIDHI - R.T

SWEDANA METHOD

mr xu bOq uUki W alkM: | aureruSi uxsi zqcNi || Lu xzki x Ar mwhloU irei | bi uw iwMU xur mhQiuqu c || Ci z W alkzq lmjjuMi uei | AmjjSlrj Wlrimi WsWs rj || R R S -3/21-23Acc to R.R.S :- Swedana kriya is done for 1 hour mentioned as powdered gandhaka is taken in a clothmake pottali suspend it in a dolayantra containing milk & ghee. By this the impurities will get mixed up in ghee & milk , gandhaka gets collected in pinda rupa and ghee starts floating .

Dhalana & Vastra Galana Method

mr xu bOq uUki W alkM | aureruSi uxsi vqcNi || Lu xvki xr mwhqoU irei | bi uw iwMU xur mhQiuqi c || Ci v W alkvq lmjruMi uei| (U.U.x 3/20-21)

alkM Sui paUx miu uvkri | iSx xmik xu alkM mUvkri || (U.U.x 3/23)

Take a mrita patra fill of the vessel with milk cover the mouth by a cloth & tie it, then ghee is applied on the cloth then some gandhaka is taken in a ghee smeared spoon and melt it on heat and pour over the cloth into earthen pot melted gandhaka get soldified in milktake out and wash it in warm water and dry for further purity repeat this for 3-7 times .

Gandhaka can also be purified with Bhringaraja swarasa

KURMA PUTA METHOD -

xjsr Sak ulmr qZ ux lokr c | alkM i lmr chi xMiMiq || NSri mjSbh ZmUhu alkMq | eusri ZmUxrku ulcNhxijms || Sak lmii alk asi mUvkri | viuU i cu lalk eri kuq || (U.U.x 3/24-25)

A pot is filled with milk & its mouth is covered with a cloth & gandhaka choorna is spread over it & covered with an inverted sarava. Upalas are spread over the sarava & ignited. Gandhaka melts & penetrates through the cloth & gets collected at the bottom of the pot. Repeating this for 100 times, gandhaka becomes nirgandha.

BHAVANA METHOD -Acc to R.J.N- Bhavana kriya is mentioned as 1 part of gandhaka & 1/4th part of tankana are done Mardana with Matulunga swarasa and thereafter Eranda taila bhavana is given

TAILA PACHANA & NIKSHEPA VIDHI - Acc to R.T :- Taila pachana & Nikshepa vidhi is mentioned as a vessel is taken with Tila/ Kusubhma/ Sarshapa taila warm it on mandagni and add powdered gandhaka to it continue till it melts and pour into milk wash with warm water and dry it.

DAMRU YANTRA VIDHI/ URDHWAPATANA OF GANDHAKA

Damru yantra vidhi / Urdhwapatana of gandhaka is also mentioned as fine powder of gandhaka is taken around 4 palas in a damru yantra urdhwapatana kriya is done to get shuddha gandhaka this is said to be the purest form of gandhaka.

GANDHANASHANA VIDHI xalkM uchi mci Sakqkraq | rS bliuqmlrS iS xucsUxq || mSj ml mccNl zlpwauU | es TsMpSu ulmi ii ok || xualkq alkM eWirzwi Siq | cUzljqSz os lrerpSwM || ( U-i 8/ 33-35)

Powdered gandhaka should be mixed with milk cooked on mrudu agni, & when gandhaka gets swollen, then sugandhika swarasa should be added & again boiled on mandagni . Then , gandhaka should be dipped in triphala qwatha & cooled.By this gandhaka looses its swabhavika gandha & becomes shuddha & came used for chirakala.

DRAVA DRAVYAS USED IN GANDHAKA SHODHANA

REFERENCEMETHODDRAVA DRAVYAR.R.S-3/20, R.S.S 1/127/128, R.Man, R.T-8/7-12DHALANAGODUGDHAR.R.S-3/23, R.T.-8/21-22, R.J.N-Vol II, R.ChuDHALANABHRINGARAJA SWARASARASAYANA SARADHALANATAKRA / PALANDU RASAR.J.NBHAVANAMATULUNGA RASA & ERANDA TAILAR.R.S-3/24BHAVANABHRINGARAJA RASAR.T- 8/23-25URDHWAPATANADAMARU YANTRAR.Man-3/10, R.Chu-11/8-10,R.R.S-3/21-23SWEDANAGODUGDHA+GHRUTHAR.T-8/18-20TAILA PACHANA & NIKSHEPA VIDHITILA TAILA , KUSUMBHA TAILA

Gandhaka Rasayana Acc. to different Authors

Acc to Rasa.Yoga.Sagar:-

1 pala triphala churna- pala shuddha gandhaka-1 karsha loha bhasmaall these powders are mixed together licked in ardha karsha pramana along with madhu sarpi

1 part amramajja-1 part amrutha-1 part trivrita-1 part shuddha gandhakaall these are given bhavana with kumari swarasa and take in 2 masha pramana with aajya.

Gandhaka is purified in bhanda method, then bhavana is given with ajaksheera and give 10 bhavanas with each drugs like ikshurasa, amruta, madhuka, gokshura, varahi, kushta, bhringrajato this add churnas of pippali, pippalimula, lavanaga, nagkesara, triphala, padmabeeja in equal quantity-this has to be consumed in masha pramana with madhu/sharkara

Acc to Anand.Kanda.13/27-28:-

1 nishka of triphala churna churna- 1 nishka of guggulu-1 gunja of shudha gandhaka licked in eranda tailatake this 1 gunja till 16.

Acc to Sahsra Yoga:-

Gudapaka is prepared by using following ingridients Shudha gandhaka, lohabhasma, trikatu, trijata, vidanga, rasna, bhringraja, bakuchi, erandabeeja, ghrita, madhu, guda ---it is given in karsha matra.

Acc to Ayu. Pra.2/46-48:-z osamrx uU iiieiaQcMSp !mjrkrwkpalUpuruU mjaSMh !xk xi rer isrpa Uxrl akMxgi xri !kir qWahalqkr zs ij MwPai Ual !MlrjSzUaxkuUriru c UeUaq !Mwlqi xui Li qir ur c m osqalSmiq !

Bhavana dravyaRasa GunaViryaDosha karmaKarmaKsheeraMadhuraGuruSheetaVatapittaghnaBhrimaniya, Rasayana, Vrishya, JeevaniyaTwakaKatu-tikta-madhuraLaghu-rukshaUshnaVatakaphaghnaAampachaka, Shukral, Rasayana, VarnyaPatraKinchita madhuraLaghu-pichhila-teekshnaUshnaVatakaphaghnaHrlaasa, Aruchi, PeenasaElaKatu-madhuraLaghu-rukshaSheetaTridoshaghnaShwasa, Kaasa, Arsha, Mutrakriccha5.NagkesaraKashaya-tiktaLaghu-rukshaIshada ushnaKaphapittaghnaAmpachana, Kustha, Trishna, Jwara, VisarpaGuduchiTikta-kashayaLaghu-snigdhaUshnaTridoshaghnaRasayana, Balya, Agnidipana, Sangrahi, Kasa, Kustha, Vatarakta

HaritakiKashaya pradhana-lavana varjitaLaghu-rukshaUshnaTridoshaghnaRasayana, Yogvahini, RechanaVibhitakiKashayaLaghu-rukshaUshnaTridoshaghnaBhedana, Madakaraka, KriminashanaAmalakiAmla pradhana-lavana varjitaGuru, ruksha, sheetaAtisheetaTridoshaghnaRasayana, ruchikara, Vibandha10. BhringrajaKatu-tiktaLaghu-rukshaUshna KaphavataghnaRasayana, Balya, Kasa, Vishghna, Kustha11. SunthiKatuLaghu-snigdhaUshnaKaphavataghnaVrishya, Pachana, VibandhaArdrakaKatuGuru-ruksha-teekshnaUshnaVatakaphaghnaDeepanaSitaMadhuraGuru-snigdha SheetaVatapittaghnaBhrimniya, Vrishya,Trishnahara, Jwaradahahara

MATRAANUPANA

DrugsAyu. PraR.T/R.R.SBha.Ra/ShaI.M.M1. Shuddha Gandhaka1 Nishka2-8 Ratti/1 Shaan1 Gunja-1Masha-----------2. Gandhaka Rasayana1 Karsha-----------------------------------------3. Gandhaka Rasayana------------------------------------------10-15 gms in Acute leprosy

RasamritamBha. Ra/ ShaI.M.MGandhaka RasayanaJala, Goksheera, Madhu, Manjistha kwatha, Mahatikta ghritaKsheeraMadhu--in Advanced LeprosyUshnajala--in Acute Leprosy

OCCURANCE

Sulphur may be formed in various ways.

It is frequently the result of volcanic activity & at times being deposited as a direct sublimation product.

It is formed by the incomplete oxidation by the oxygen of the air & of hydrogen-sulphide gas derived from volcanic sources.

Further, it is formed by the decomposition of the hydrogen sulphide that frequently occurs in thermal spring waters. This may come from volcanic sources by the action of acid-water on metallic sulphides or by reduction of sulphates especially gypsum. This last process is aided by the action of certain micro-organisms.

Also, the biological process of the sulphur bacteria results in the separation of sulphur.

The decomposition of metallic sulphides may produce sulphur , often in small crystals.

OCCURANCE CONT..

The free world production of sulphur is in the form of BRIM-STONE, comes esentially from North-America.

In the form of PYRITES, it is eesentially from western europe.

In the form of iron-pyrites it occurs in BIHAR & mined at Amjhor & other nearby places.

In CHITRADURGA , massive pyrites occurs in Imgaladahalu area.

Associated with thermal springs, it is found in various parts of the country.

Native sulphur is also reported from the Puga Valley of Ladakh area.

Recently deposits of native sulphur are reported from Barren Island in the Andaman group of Islands.

FORMS OF SULPHUR

CRYSTALLINERhombic/orthorhombic/ sulphurMonoclinic/prismatic/ sulphurAMORPHOUSPlastic/ / sulphurMilk of sulphur

ORES OF SULPHUR

SULPHIDESSULPHATESIron pyrites FeS2Gypsum/ Calcium sulphate CaSO4.2H20Copper pyrites Cu2SFe3S3Heavy spar BaSO4Galena PbSSelestone SrSO4Zinc Blend ZnSKiestite MgSO4.2H2ORealger As2S3Ferrous sulphate FeSO4.7H2OCinnabar HgSCopper sulphate CuSo4.5H2OHydrogen sulphide H2SGlober salt Na2SO4.10H2O

SULPHIDES - in the form of sulphide , Sulphur occurs in numerous minerals & metals.

MINERALS- Realgar, Orpiment, Tetradynite, Molybdenite, Stibnite, Bismuthinite etc.

METALS Galena group, Calceocite group, Sphalerite group, Cinnabar, Pyrite group, Marcasite group, Millerite group etc.

SULPHO-SALTS - SULPHUR also occurs as an essential substance of sulpharsimides, sulpha-antimonides & sulpha-bismuthides.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

ATOMIC NO 16

ATOMIC WEIGHT 32.065g mol -1

GROUP, PERIOD, BLOCK 16, 3, p

SPECIFIC GRAVITY 1.9 2.1

HARDNESS 1.5-2.5

MELTING POINT -115.21C

BOILING POINT 444.6 C

CRYSTAL STRUCTURE - ORTHORHOMBIC

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES Insoluble in water & acid, but dissolves in carbon disulphide, benzene & turpentine.

It is a bad conductor of heat & electricity. By friction negatively electrified.

On heating, sulphur melts into a red blood liquid.

Sulphur is a very reactive element. At 250C , it ignites with air. As it burns, it combines with oxygen to form sulphur dioxide, a colourless gas.

When burned it emits a blue flame giving sulphur dioxide & a little trioxide as well. S + O 2 SO2Sulphur forms explosive mixtures with oxidizing agents.Eg. Potassium chlorate & Potassium nitrate

Sulphur dissolves in alkalies on heating to give sulphides& thiosulphates & ultimately sodium pentasulphide. 4S + 6Naoh 2NaS +Na2S2O3+ 3H2O

It reduces hot conc. Sulphuric & nitric acid 2H2SO4 + S4 3SO2 + 2H2O S + 6HNO3 H2SO4 + 6NO2 + 2H2O

MINEROLOGY OF SULPHUR

Sulphur crystallizes in orthorhombic system. Crystals of sulphur are commonly acute pyramidal, sometimes thick, tubular, rarely turned.

CLEAVAGE imperfect cleavage

FRACTURE conchoidal to uneven. Rather brittle to imperfectly sectile.

LUSTURE resinous

COLOUR sulphur-yellow, straw & honey-yellow, yellowish-brown, greenish red to yellowish gray or white.

COMPOSITIONPure sulphur is often contaminated with clay , bitumen & other impurities.

SULPHUR IN HUMAN BODY sulphur is an essential element for all life & is widely used in bio-chemical processes.

It is the third most abundant element in human body by weight, being about as common as potassium & a little more common than sodium or chlorine. A 70kg human body contains about 140gms of sulphur.

Sulphur is the sixth most abundant macro mineral in breast milk.

In metabolic reactions, sulphur compounds serve as both fuels & respiratory (oxygen-alternative) materials for simple organisms.

Sulphur in organic form is present the vitamins biotin & thiamine.

Sulphur is an important part of many enzymes & in antioxidant molecules like glutathione & thioredoxin.

Organically bonded sulphur is a component of all proteins, as the amino acids cysteine & methionine.Any diet that provides protein is also providing some sulfur.Disulphide bonds are largely responsible for the mechanical strength & insolubility of the protein keratin, found in outer skin , hair, & feathers & the element contributes to their pungent odour when burned.

THERAPEUTIC UTILITY OF SULPHURSulpha drugs are used in the treatment of various infections. Precipitated sulphur, Milk of Sulphur is a topical scabicide, ant parasitic, antibacterial, antifungal, and keratolytic.

Sulphur is one of the oldest medications in use to treat acne.

Purified Sulphur Heals Radiation Damage- Purified sulphur has been used as a therapeutic agent to reduce a reaction to combined radiotherapy called autosensitisation, a type of autoimmunity associated with radiation therapy. Thirty-four women with diagnoses of cervical cancer (stages I and II) were given 0.5-1.0 g of purified sulphur mixed with 0.25 g of glucose orally in the morning every 2-3 hours before irradiation. A significant decrease in the reaction to therapeutic irradiation was noted in the sulphur group and no side effects were observed. Because radiation causes damage to DNA through free-radical intermediates, this with a net-positive charge may protect against radiation poisoning because they concentrate in the microenvironment of DNA and scavenge free radicals.

ACTION OF SULPHUR

Sulphur, when taken internally in small doses, becomes absorbed & may be detected in sweat , milk & urine.It is a stimulant to the secreting organs such as the skin & the bronchial mucous membranes.It has a specific action on the rectum & increases the haemorrhoidal secretions.The sulphurous & mineral waters as they contain earthy & alkaline sulphates act as laxative & diuretic, while the sulphurous acid disengaged from them acts as a diaphoretic. In large dose it acts as a purgative.

USES

OTHER USESIn manufacture of sulphuric acidIn manufacture of sulphur dioxide& sodium sulphite- used for bleaching straw & wood fibers & for removing lignin from wood pulp for paper industryIn manufacture of organic chemicals which contain sulphur Used in matches, insectisides & fungicides

DISCUSSIONON RATIONALITY OF SHODHANA

Changes during Shodhana Kriya:-

Properties Before ShodhanaAfter Shodhana

Colour Bright YellowLight YellowLuster ShinyNot shiny

Odour SulphurSulphur with milk

Form Crystalline Granules

On touch HardEasily powdered

SWEDANA METHOD OF GANDHAKA SHODHANA

PURPOSE OF DOING SWEDANA

To make rasoushadhis absolutely non-toxicTo enhance their therapeutic efficacyTo bring LaghutvaTo make them palatableTo make their therapeutic actions broad based Purification not only physically and but also chemically Attributing the properties of Swedana dravya to Swedya dravya Swedana is not only the shodhana samskara but also poorva karma for marana.

The chemical reactions that take place during Swedana process may be due to:

Diffusion OsmosisDiffusion refers to the process by which molecules intermingle as a result of theirkinetic energyof random motion.

Osmosis may also be used to describe a physical process in which any solvent moves, without input of energy,across a semipermeable membrane (permeable to thesolvent, but not the solute) separating two solutions of different concentrations.Although osmosis does not require input of energy, it does use kinetic energyand can be made to do.

Osmosisis a selectivediffusionprocess driven by theinternal energyof the solvent molecules.

PROBABLE REASON FOR TIME SPECIFICITY FOR SWEDANA

Ficks law of diffusion says, The flux of an atom of a substance travels from one concentration to other concentration in a fixed period of time.

The diffusion of the materials from Swedana dravya to the Swedya dravya depends on the nature of the substance. Based on this factor exact time duration might have been calculated by our Acharyas.

Swedana is one such process which makes the drug BIOCOMPATABLE by converting it into organometallic complex.

HENCE IN SWEDANA

Reduction in hardness : By continuous heating in a liquid media the hard material becomes soft in consistency.

Chemical reaction : During Swedana minute particles of the material come in contact with the liquid media, so there may be every possibility of occurrence of chemical reaction between the material and media.

Swedana serves as a purificatory process.

Biological changes :Organic components of the liquid media are transferred to the material to make it organo-metallic or organo-mineral compounds, which are favourable to the body.

Liquid media also serves as source of trace elements. Induction of trace elements helps in fulfilling the body requirement of trace elements and also acts in many physiological processes

BHAVANA METHOD OF GANDHAKA SHODHANA

CONCEPT OF BHAVANA ACC. TO DIFF. ACHARYAS

Acc. Cha. Sam:- The word Karana is mentioned in the context of Ashtaviddha Aahara Viddhi Visheshayatana, which means the procedures to change the innate quality of the drug. For this purpose, Bhavana is also a procedure employed which comes under Samskaras which inturns make the drug to take the properties in them.

Acc to R.T:- Bhavana means any powdered drug added with suitable dravadravya and grinded well to dry it.

Acc to Chakrapani:- Bhavana includes the use of swarasadi dravadravya which increases the gunas of the drug.

Acc to Sushruta:- urmjq Sulp qiq uqSiq i.e. drug should be completely mixed with drava & then it has to be done Mardana till the liquid absorbed by the drug and the particles become dry.

Acc to Sharangdhara:- Drava should be added to powdered drug in that much quantity which makes it Plavita or completely wet.

Acc. to Bhais. Rat:-If Bhavana time is not mentioned then it has to be done for 7 days. The drug has to be grinded under sunlight in daytime, which has kept soaked in dravadravya whole night.

Importance of Bhavana -

It extracts special gunas by doing samskara

Mardana procedure employed in bhavana is responsible for guna vardhana and which inturn enhances the medicinal properties

Even if given in alpa matra bala of drug is increased in the medicine.

Alpa karma and Alpa veerya of drug is changed to mahakarma and mahaveerya.

SHODHANA OF GANDHAKA USING GOGHRUTHA & GODUGDHA- A CHEMICAL ANALYSIS- BY BHANDHARI SRINIVASALU

GOVT. AYURVEDIC COLLEGE VIJAYAWADA, ANDHRA PRADESH

500mg GANDHAKA, 2lts milk , 150ml of goghrutha was taken & shodhana done by kurmaputa bhudhara yantra method acc to RASA TARANGINI.

OBSERVATIONS the shodhita gandhaka was shining yellow colour with a greenish tinge. It is found in the form of granules like jowar seeds.By shodhana, ghee absorbs toxic materials & separation of stones & other physical impurities through filtering cloth.By shodhana impurities of sulphur are eliminted in 3ways: -the fat soluble impurities are dissolved in ghee & removed with it. -the water & milk soluble impurities are removed with milk. - the foreign particles (sand/stone), mixed with sulphur, insoluble in ghee are held up in the cloth during filtering.

Thus, by shodhana, % of sulphur increased by 8% . KURMA PUTA METHOD OF GANDHAKA SHODHANA

SAMPLE CHEMICAL ASSAYIMPURE GANDHAKA89.38%PURE GANDHAKA97.14 %

TAILA PACHANA & NIKSHEPA METHOD

Fat soluble & milk soluble impurities are removed by this.

URDHWAPATANA OF GANDHAKA

Purification by sublimation is achieved by conversion of solid sulphur into a gas and condensing the gas to produce only sublimed crystals or flowers of sulphur (rather similar to the distillation process to purify liquids)

The purification of sulphur by " sublimation," with formation of flowers of sulphur, can be carried out easily as the triple point pressure (thetemperatureandpressureat which a substance can co-exist in equilibrium in the liquid, solid, and gaseous states)of sulphur is low.

Flowers of sulphur is the purest form of sulphur and isrecommended for products intended for internal use.

USES OF SUBLIMED SULPHUR

Powdered form of sulphur produced by sublimation; may contain up to 30% of the amorphous allotrope; used in rubber vulcanization, agricultural dusts, pharmaceutical products, stock feeds. Sublimed sulfur, aka Flower of Sulfur is a topical scabicide and antiparasitic ointment.

Its color is light yellow (lime). It smells like a lemon.

It is helps the skin heal, and people usually mix it with a cold cream.

It is used to treat just about any skin problems like acne, sores, insect bites, rashes, bacterial infections, bed sores, dermatitis, eczema, fungus/yeast infections, psoriasis type problems, ring worm, wounds that wont heal and more.

CONCLUSION

Among the various methods mentioned for gandhaka shodhana, the best method acc. To R. T is by Urdhwapatana method.

Method & media should be chosen as per the need by our YUKTI, as the indications to each shodhana procedure is not mentioned.

Thus, it can be concluded that, shodhana mentioned in Rasashastra texts is to remove the impurities & to improve the quality of material . So that it does not produce any harmful effects by internal / external administration.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SULFUR

Sulfur makes up almost 3% of the earths mass. If you think thats not much, next time you look to the sky and see the moon, think of this: the earth contains enough sulfur to make not just one new moon, but two!

When Shakespeares Othello asks for punishment, one possibility he mentions is: roast me in sulphur!

Sulfur burns with a very satisfying blue flame its old name is brimstone, which means burn stone or stone that burns.

Pure sulfur has no smell, but many of its compounds stink! For example sulfur compounds called mercaptans give skunks their awful smell. Rotten eggs (and most stink bombs) get their distinctive aroma courtesy of hydrogen sulfide, H2S.

Cave bacteria, which digest hydrogen sulfide, produce snottites (think of slimy stalactites) in caves. These snottites drip sulfuric acid with a pH as low as zero thats enough to burn holes in your clothes if you stand underneath them. Snottite bacteria thrive in areas where there are sulfur deposits or sulfur-containing minerals or hydrocarbons. The sulfuric acid they excrete carves out new cave systems underground by dissolving rocks.

Theres a much higher proportion of sulfur in the earths core than in its crust approximately 100 times more.

Penicillin is a natural, sulfur-based antibiotic.

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