'Pakshachedhana' simply means 'Cutting the wings'. In Ayurveda Rasasastra , Parada ( Mercury) is subjected to Pakshachedhana , through which the stability and heat sustaining capacity of Parada is attained . Pakshachinna Parada can thus be used accordingly in various efficient formulations.

1. The concept of Pakshachedana
Dr. EBIN T U
Assistant professor
Dept. Rasasastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana
Govt. Ayurveda College , Kannur

2. • Pakshechedha – Paksha – Wing Chedha
– To cut
• Pakshachedha – Literally means – To cut the
wing

3. NOT MUCH COMPLICATED

6. What is subjected to Pakshachedha?
• Parada (Mercury) is subjected to Pakshachedha

7. Need for Pakshachedha
• Parada is in built with Gati – or movements.
• Gati is the method of escape of Parada during its course of
samskara.
• There are 5 types of Gati; namely
1. Jala gati,
2. Hamsa Gati
3. Mala gati/ Kitta gati
4. Dhooma gati
5. Jeeva Gati.

8. • Apart from the above mentioned Gati, Parada retains
certain impurities by nature which are known as
Swabhavaja dosha. They are
1. Naga dosha
2. Vanga dosha
3. Mala dosha
4. Vahni dosha
5. Chapalya dosha
6. Visha dosha
7. Giri dosha
8. Asahyagni dosha
Among them ‘Chapalya Dosha’ and
‘Asahyagni Dosha’ are related to the
‘instability’ and heat intolerance of
Parada, which can be related to its
escape.

9. पारदस्य पञ्चावस्था
• In addition, there are 5 conditions of Parada, which
are known as Pancha Avastha. They include
धूमश्चिटिचिटिचिैव मण्डूकप्लुतिरेव ि I
सकम्पचि ववकम्पचि पञ्िावस्था रसस्य िुII
Akha a.vi 5/63 ½ -64 ½ /Rasarnava- 11/74
1. Dhooma
2. Chitichita
3. Mandooka pluthi
4. Sakampa
5. Vikampa

10. • Pakshachedha is described as one among the 8
avasthas of Abhraka Charana .
• Pakshachedha is described as the first avastha.
पक्षछेदस््वसदोष्वं लघुिा ग्रासयोग्यिा I
मुखििाश्ग्िसह्वं ि व्यावप्वं गतिहीििा II
रसेन्द्रस्यािवस्थ्वं भवेदभ्रकिारणाि ्I
Akha AmVi 4/61

11. Chinnapaksha Lakshana / Paksha
Chedha Lakshana
िोद्गारर कवपलो वणो वह्िौ तिष्ठति तिचछल: I
ववप्रुषो मुन्द्िेि ् देवव: तछन्द्िपक्षो भवेरस: II
A kh A vi 4/376
• Parada cannot rise up / spill out
• Kapila varna(brownish colour)
• Attains heat stability
• Devoid of bubbles

12. • Same reference is seen in Rasarnava in the context of
Abhraka Jaarana.
कवपलोऽथ तिरुद्गारर ववप्लुषचिैव मुञ्िति I
अग्िौ तिष्ठति तिष्कम्पो व्योमजीणणस्य लक्षणम्II
Rasarnava - 11/76
• Infact Rasarnava opines Pakshachedha is nothing but
preparation of Abhraka jaaritha Parada.
• There is no other dravya than Abhraka which can
create the ‘chinna paksha avastha’ of Parada.

13. मुक्त्वैकमभ्रकस्वं नान्य: पक्षापकर्तनसमथत:।
र्ेन ननरुथप्रसरो ननयम्यर्े बध्यर्े च सुखम् ॥
RHT- 4/3
Rasahridaya tantra considers Niyamana / Pakshachedhana /
Paksha apakarthana as synonymous . The process cannot be
carried out without Abhraka satwa charana.

14. • Thus Pakshachedhana is a tidious task , which removes
enables the Vaidya to control/ limit the Gathi of parada.
• Through Pakshachedhana , Parada can be stabilized and later
it can be converted into a suitable Dosage form
• Special characteristics of Parada like sublimation, flow, drop
formation can be removed by this process

15. Thank you