This document provides information on Parada (mercury) according to Ayurvedic texts, including its synonyms, types, natural impurities, and Ashtasamskaras (eight purification processes). It defines Parada, lists its many Sanskrit synonyms, and describes its ideal color and appearance. The document outlines five types of Parada based on origin, five modes of movement, its eight natural impurities, and seven external impurities/coverings. It concludes by detailing each of the eight purification processes (Svedana, Mardana, Murchana, Utthapana, Patana etc.) involved in preparing Parada for medicinal use according to classical Ayurvedic texts.

1. GOVERNMENT AYURVEDIC COLLEGE
PATIALA.
DEPTT. OF RASA SHATRA EVUM BHAISHJYA
KALPANA
STUDY OF PARADA
PARADA SYNONYMS,TYPES,
ASHTASAMSKARAS
SUBMITTED BY:- GUIDED BY:
ARVINDER KAUR
ROLL NO:=12920804
BAMS 2ND
YEAR DR.ADARSH KUMAR [HOD AND PROFESSOR]
DR.ABHISHEK [LECTURER]
DR.RAVNEET KAUR CHAHAL [LECTUER]

2. PARADA- SYNONYMS,TYPES AND SAMSKARAS
Rasashastra dravyas includes minerals and metals which are mainly Bhumij in origin (obtained
from earth),mercury is also one among them.In Rasashastra, the extra ordinary importance of
mercury is easily seen as the whole branch is named after Parada (synonym-rasa).It is believed
to be of divine origin and as per the mythology it is considered to be shiv-veerya.
According to references available in rasa classical texts, initially Parada was used for lohavada (a
process of converting lower metals in to higher one) but as time passed its use for
dehavada(treating disease) was brought into picture and was successfully seen.Thus evolved its
use in treatment.
The form of mercury used indicates its toxicity and utility. In Rasashastra maximum times
parada is used along with sulphur. Thus forms mercury sulphide which is safest.
But still in whichever form mercury is used it should be handled carefully as its misuse may lead
to toxicity.
According to recent autopsy study, it was found that individuals with more than 12 amalgam
fillings have more than 10-times higher mercury levels in several tissues including the brain,
compared to individuals with only 0-3 amalgam fillings .hence, amalgam filling leads to more
accumulation of parada in body tissues.
1) Synonyms and vernacular names of Parada -
Sanskrit – Parada
Hindi– Para
Marathi– Para
English– Mercury
Latin – Hydrargium( Hg)

3. Synonym
1.swaroopatmaka
Galad, raupyanibham(liquid silver),mahavhahni, mahateja,suvarna,chamar.
2.gatiyatmaka
Khechara, Chapala,chala,dhurtaka
3.dehavadatmaka
Amrut,jaiv,dehad,paramamrut,parat,parad,mrityunashan,rasayana
4.dhatuvadatmaka
Divyarasa,maharasa,rasa,rasendra,rasesh,
rasottam,rasadhatu,rasaraj,rasanath,rasaleha,
suta, sutak,sutraat,mishrak,siddhdhatu.
5.Vishist gunatmaka
Ananta, amar,kalikantaka,sukshma,saubhagya
6.Darshanik-aadhyatmik
Jiva,jaiva,divya,achintya
7.Dharmik-devatmaka
Trinetra,trilochana,deva,dehaj,prabhu,rudraj,
lokesh,shivveerya,harareta,shivbeeja etc.
SHUDHA PARADA SWAROOP
The Parada having blue tinge inside and bright outside, and having lusture of sun as seen in
noon, is said to be best. Whereas, the Parada which has smoky greyish or dull white colour or
strange mixed colours should not be used in different Rasa-Karmas.
In modern chemistry a similar explanation regarding mercury states that Mercury is a
silvery white liquid metal, with slight bluish tinge.In thin films, it emits violet light.

4. Types of Parada –
According to the origin of parada it is classified into 5 types.viz Rasa, rasendra, suta, parada and
mishraka.
Parada gati :
Parada has 5 types of gati which is considered to be the main cause of loss of parada while
manufacturing parada containing kalpas or while doing parade shodhan.They are-
1.jala gati 2.hansa gati 3.mala gati 4.dhooma gati 5.jeeva gati or adrushya
gati
Parada Dosha (Natural impurities of Parada)
Treatise on Rasashastra mention about the eight natural impurities or doshas of Parad. They
are
1. Naag (lead)
2. Vang (Tin)
3. Guru (unduly heaviness)
4. Bhushail (Jalaj (water impurities),
5. Bhumij (stone, mud, gravel),
6. Girij(minerals etc))
7. Chapal (instability, fickle nature)
8. Mala (endogenius, exogenius waste like excretea)
9. Agni(intolerance to heat)
10. Vish / Garal (poison)
Parada consumed with any of these impurities causes ulcer, leprosy, burning sensation,
eruptions, loss of reproductive power, dullness, loss of consciousness and death respectively.
Hence Parada needs to be free from these natural impurities before its use as medicine or for
other alchemical purposes.

5. Kanchuka Dosha of Parad(Coverings of Parada)
Apart from the eight mentioned natural impurities of Parada, Rasashastra text mention about
additional seven impurities/defects of Parada in form of encapsulation or external coverings or
layers. These layers are known as Kanchukas and since they are totaled 7 in number they are
refered to as Sapta (7)-Kanchuka (coverings) dosha (impurities) of Parada. In brief these
coverings are baically mixture of other metals in powdered form with Parada which cause
following 7 disorders in the human body if Parada is consumed without getiing rid of these
impurities;
1.Bhedi (tearing) 2. Dravi (liquefying) 3. Malakad (causing impurities)
4.Dhvanksi (causing darkness of skin) 5. Patanakari (rupturing)
6.Parpatika (producing scales on skin) 7. Andhakari (causing blindness)
Parada due to its mystical importance in Ayurveda and Rasasshastra is briefly used for two
purposes ; Deha-vadha (Medicine, body rejuvenation) and Loh-vadha (Occult, Alchemical and
Spiritual upliftment). To completely attain all the purposes, Ayurveda texts inform about
Ashtadash-Sanskar (Eighteen process) required to purify mercury. Of these, only the first eight
are recommended for Deh-vadha(medicinal purposes) while the remaining ten steps, which are
obscure and have occult overtones, are used only for purifying mercury in such a way that it can
transform vulgar metals into gold (Loh-vadha).
The first eight steps to prepare Parada for Deh-vadha (consumption as medicine, rasayana)
comprise of:
1. Svedana (steam, or make Parada seat)
2. Mardana (rubbing or massaging Parada)
3. Murchana (swooning or making Parada faint)
4. Utthapana (upliftment or elevation of Parada; installing upward direction into Parada)
5. Patana (sublimation of Parada , installing downward direction into Parada)
6. Bodhana /Rodhana (awakening of Parada, educating Parada)
7. Niyamana (restraining or disciplining Parada to have control over its movements)
8. Deepana (stimulation, energizing or potentiating Parada)

6. The remaining 10 sanskaras (treatments) which are speciffically used for Loh-vadha
(alchemical , spiritual and occult purposes) are as follows.
1. Grasa (swallowing)
2. Garbhadruti (internal liquelication)
3. Bahirdruti (external liquelication)
4. Charana (movement)
5. Jarana (amalgamation)
6. Ranjana (dyeing)
7. Sarana (pushing)
8. Kramana (leaping)
9. Vedha (transmentation)
10. Sevana (application)
ASHTA SAMSKARA OF PARADA
SVEDANA[STEAM]
Chitraka, Pippali, Maricha, Aradraka, Saindhav Lavan and Triphala are blended together and
made into paste. Parad 16 times the weight of the prepared herbal paste is added with this
paste, thoroughly blended and the mixture rolled into a ball. The ball is tied in a poultice and
steamed in dolayantra filled with Sauveer (see glossary) for three days. Each day fresh herbal
paste and Kaanji is used. This process of steaming Parada with herbs is known as Svedan
Sanskar which helps loosen or clear the impurities present in Parada.
Mardana (Rubbing)
Parada obtained after Svedan sanskar is further vigourously rubbed individually with the
following ingredients;Triphala, Sarshap, Rasona, Aradrak, Lavan (Saindhav Lavan) and Soot (Jute
or any cloth with rough surface). This process is known as Mardana Sanskar which helps clear
Parada of all impurities that might not have been cleared by Svedan process or might have
loosely been attached with Parada after the Svedan process.

7. Murchana (Swooning)
The third process after Mardana includes further blending or processing of Parada with
decoctions prepared from Chitraka, Kumari and Triphala for 1 week each (or collectively one
week as suggested by some authors). This process is known as Murchana Sanskar which
completly eradicates Parada with all its impurities and gives it a pulverised form. In this form
the ever mobile metal looks stagnant ang gives an appearance of fainting or swooning hence
the name (Murchan== faint, swoon)
Utthapana (Elevating)
Parada needs to regain its natural mobile properties and form which is achieved from this
process. The Murchit Parada is steamed with Kaanji (see glossary) and thoroughly washed (The
time-span for this procedure is not exactly clear). The process gives Parad its normal form
eliminating all abnormalities. Hence the process is known as Utthapana Sanskar (or one of
upliftment or elevation). Some authors suggest that Parad gains upward direction after this
treatment.
Patana (Sublimation)
Parada in this process is treated to 3 types of Patana-karma (sublimation process; upward,
downward and oblique). This procedure is carried out in a special set of appratus known as
Patan-Yantra which are differnt for each process.
Urdhvapatan sanskara
The upward sublimation process is carried out in Urdhvapatan (Urdhava==up)-Yantra (see
glossary).Parada is mixed with Tamra bhasma (1/4th the wieight of Parada) and Kaanji and
thoroughly blended. The mixture is then aplaced in the lower vessel of Urdhvapatanyantra and
heated. At the end of the process Parad is collected from top vessel. This procedure is said to
completely eliminate the and Vang impurities of Parada.
Adhapatan sanskara
The downward sublimation process is carried out in Adha (adha==down)-Patan Yantra(see
glossary). Parada is mixed with Sarshap, Saindhava Lavan,Shobhanjan Beej(Beej == seeds) and
Triphala (All ingredients taken 1/16th weight of Parad) and the mixture is thoroughly blended in
Kaanji. The Parada paste is applied on the inner side of the upper vessel of Adhapatan Yantra
and the lower vessel is kept immersed in water. The upper vessel is subjected to heat which
results in collectin of Parad in the lower vessel.

8. Tiryakpatan sanskara
The third process of oblique sublimation is carried out in Tiryak (tiryak==oblique)-Patanyantra
(see glossary). Parada procured from above two procedures is mixed with Abarakh
(Dhanyabrakh, 1/4th the weight of Parada) and thoroughly blended. The Parad-Abrakh paste is
transferred to the Tiryak-Patan Yantra and heated to obtain Parada as the end result in a more
pure form.
All the three yantras are distinctively comparable to modern apparatus used for process of
sublimation. Patan sanskar is specifically done to help Parad get rid of its Naag (lead) and Vanga
(tin) doshas (impurities).
Bodhana /Rodhana (Awakening)
This specific sanskara or process is said to implement logic or awaken Parada after its previous
treatments which give Parada its powers to move in all directions. This process is said to curtail
Parad of its audacity and move in an instructed manner in the body when used as medicine or
likewise. To accomplish this , Parada procured from the previous Patana sanskara is tied in a
poultice with help of bark procured from the Bhurjapatra tree. The poultice is then steamed in
salt-water (water mixed with Sindhav Lavan) or saline water. Here it is not clearly mentioned
about the period the process of steaming must be undertaken. Few treatise mention to expose
the entire mixture to heat treatment equal of one Laghuput (see gossary). Certain scholars
denote to Bodhana sanskara as removing impotency of Parada which occurs due to its previous
sanskaras of Mardana (rubbing) etc.
Niyamana (Restraining)
Niyamana sanskar is done to remove any defects of instability that may have been remained
with Parada after the Bodhana sanskar. This sanskara can be looked upon as restrainment or
curtailment of the fickle nature of Parada (Metaphorically stating as to remiving the mecurial
nature of Mercury). Parada is steamed with Bhringaraja, Rason, Navsagar, Amlika and Musta
(Here it is not specific if Parada needs to be steamed in juices/ decoction of the above
mentioned ingredients or mixed with their individual/combined paste and steamed.). The
process needs to be carried out over a period of 3 days which is said to purify Parada of its
Kanchuka, Bhushali and Mala impurities.

9. Dipana (Stimulation)
Parada procured after the Niyamana sanskar is considered free of its natural impurities and its
inherint unpredictable properties. However it still needs to be prepared for combining with
other ingredients to form complex and compound formulations. To acheive this, Parada is
steamed with the help of Dolayantra filled with Kaanji /Arnaal (see glossary) for 1Prahara (3
hours, see glossary). This process is known as Deepana-sanskara which makes Parada capable
of digesting, swallowing or amalgamating other entities. Deepana is the last Parad sanskara for
Deh-Vada. Parad procured after Deepana sanskar can be used as medicine.
Ayurvedic Pharmacological and therapeutic properties of parada –
Rasa – shadarasa
Guna –snigdha,sara,guru
Virya - Ushna
Vipaka - Madhura
Prabhava - Yogavahi
Doshagnata – Tridoshahara
Karma - Yogavahi, Rasayana, Balya, Vrisya etc.
VyadhiPrabhava-Kushtahar,Rasayana,Amruta,Sarvarogahara,vataroga
In Bhavaprakash(B.P. 5)important properties of mercury are described as
- Mercury has 6 tastes
- It has a soothing effect upon the human system (Snigdha)
- It corrects the imbalance of three Doshas (Tridoshaghna)
- It is efficacious in preventing diseases and arrival of premature old age (Rasayana)
- It serves to heighten the medicinal properties of any thing with which it is compounded
(Yogavahi)
- It is best aphrodisiac (Mahavrishya)
- It always increases the strength of the eyes (Sadadrishtibala Prada)
- It cures all sorts of diseases especially skin diseases.

10. In Rasendra Sara Sangraha it has been mentioned that –
- Mercury increases Buddhi (intelligence), Smriti (memory power),Prabha, Kanti (Lusture), Bala
(strength of the body). These properties of Rasa are only obtained when it is used in processed
form.
Uses in Ayurveda :
Preparation of Kajjali, Rasa Parpati, Rasa Sindur and many other kalpaslike aarogyavardhini ,
chandraprabhavati, makardhwaj etc.