A Study on Makaradhwaja (Ayurvedic Herbo Mineral Formulation): Makaradhwaja in Rasashastra

Makaradhwaja (A herbo-mineral compound prepared with gradual heating process in electric muffle furnace with Au, Hg and S as main ingredients) is generally prepared as per the reference of Rasendra Chintamani due to easy and convenient method of preparation. But here in this research work Triguna Makaradhwaja (TM) had been prepared by Bhaishajya Ratnawali Vajikarana 74/108-117 and for Shadguna Makaradhwaja (SM) by Bhaishajya Ratnawali Jwaradhikara 5/194. Kanji (Sour Gruel) was prepared as per the commentary of Prof. D A Kulkarni in Rasa Ratna Samucchaya in three batches. On an average, 80 l of water yielded 76.4 l of Kanji with a pH of 3.6 and required 30 days for completion of fermentation. 2 kg of Parada was subjected to 8 Samskaras following the method of Rasa Hridaya Tantra II Avabodha. At the end of Samskaras, 1.766 kg of Parada was obtained with 12.19 % of procedural loss in a total number of 67 days. Gandhaka Shodhana was carried out in 9 batches of 1 kg per batch as per the reference of Rasaratna Samucchaya 3/20-22. 12 % loss was encountered on an average in all the batches. Total 641 pieces of Swarna Varkha (Gold foils) were prepared from the 74 g of Shuddha Swarna.