Makaradvaj?
eki
I saw on a TM posting list mentioned an Ayurvedic
preparation called 'makaradvaj' (makaradhvaja?),
containing mercury, sulphur and gold. My dictionary
seems to suggest it might be an aphrodisiac. I wonder
if that's really the case.
Eddie Hadley
Just happen to have my Monier-Williams handy - don't know about
'makaradvaj', but there is a 'makara-dhvaja' on page 771.
It is equated to 'makara-ketana' meaning 'having a makara for an emblem',
i.e. the Name of KAma-deva. A 'makara' being some kind of sea monster
(dolphin/shark or even crocodile).
KAma-deva being the god of love, it would appear to be an emblem or banner.
As a 'medicine' it would be more likely to make people dead cold than red
hot :-).
Cheers,
Eddie.
"eki" <ekiheik@dee_dubya_pee.net> wrote in message
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Sunder Hattangadi
http://indianmedicine.nic.in/html/pharma/apmain.htm#ap
http://members.tripod.com/kelab2020_p2020/cah.htm
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Makardhwaj
English Name: Sulphide of Mercury
Makaradhwaj is a well-known inorganic preparation of the Ayurvedic
Pharmacopoeia. Chemically, it is red sulphide of mercury and gold in
uncombined form. It is a sublimed product made from pure mercury, sulphur
and gold.
Eight parts of mercury and one part of gold leaf are mixed together to form
an amalgam. To this mixture 16 parts of sublimed sulphur are added and the
resulting mixture is ground very thoroughly in a stone mortar for 24 hrs or
more until the whole is converted to a lusterless, fine, impalpable powder
of uniform consistence. This mixture is then placed in a narrow mouthed
bottle and is gradually heated on a sand bath. On heating, the bottle is
filled with reddish fumes of various hues. On cooling Makaradhvaja is found
deposited in the inner surface of the neck of the bottle.
It is seldom used alone. In the majority of cases, it is mixed with various
drugs called 'anupana' or adjuvants. In cases of indigestion and diarrhea,
Makaradhvaja is mixed with powdered bael fruit (Aegle marmelos); in cases of
fever and cough it is given with the juices of ginger, betel (Piper betel)
and tulsi leaves (Ocimum tenuiflorum). Generally, honey is used in the
absence of proper adjuvants. The medicine can be used both for adults and
children, the dosage being regulated according to age. Makaradhvaja, when
taken regularly, is believed in indigenous systems of medicine to be a
wonderful tonic and is said to increase longevity in a patient.
A valuable tonic in debilitating conditions and convalescent patients after
acute illness, in failing circulation and cardiac asthenia; it increases the
red blood corpuscles and improves general nutritional status. It is also
used as a laxative with good results particularly in those cases when there
are visceroptosis and atonic conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. It is
said to be of great value as an intestinal antiseptic and is supposed to
relieve the gaseous distension of bowels due to fermentation. It is used
widely as an alterative and an aphrodisiac.
Used in Abana (HeartCare), Tentex Forte.
"eki" <ekiheik@dee_dubya_pee.net> wrote in message
news:a2239v$m8k$2...@tron.sci.fi...
>
A.R.Ramachandran
I think it more appropriately refers to Vishnu than Kama deva, since
Kamadeva
does not have Makara as an emblem. Ref the Yajur veda verse 'makara
kundalavan, kiriti, hari...." which prays to Lord Vishnu immanent in the
sun....
Lord Vishnu is figured in many places as wearing the Makara (fish) as his
ear
rings, hence Makara dhvaja should appropriately refer to Vishnu. In South
India, among the famous 104 divya desams is a place called Thenthiruperai,
where we have the famous idol of Makara Kundalaledun Kadar, which means He
who
has Makara Kundala
KInd Regards, AR
>===== Original Message From "Eddie Hadley" <edd...@zulu.demon.co.uk> =====
>eki,
> Just happen to have my Monier-Williams handy - don't know about
>'makaradvaj', but there is a 'makara-dhvaja' on page 771.
>It is equated to 'makara-ketana' meaning 'having a makara for an emblem',
>i.e. the Name of KAma-deva. A 'makara' being some kind of sea monster
>(dolphin/shark or even crocodile).
>
>KAma-deva being the god of love, it would appear to be an emblem or banner.
>As a 'medicine' it would be more likely to make people dead cold than red
>hot :-).
>
>Cheers,
> Eddie.
>
>
>
>"eki" <ekiheik@dee_dubya_pee.net> wrote in message
>news:a2239v$m8k$2...@tron.sci.fi...
>>
>> I saw on a TM posting list mentioned an Ayurvedic
>> preparation called 'makaradvaj' (makaradhvaja?),
>> containing mercury, sulphur and gold. My dictionary
>> seems to suggest it might be an aphrodisiac. I wonder
>> if that's really the case.
>>
>
The Only Duty We Owe To History Is To Rewrite It - Oscar Wilde
Sunder Hattangadi
references to makaradhvaja point to KamaDeva.
Another name for makaradhvaja is 'jhaShadhvaja', and refers only to Kama
Deva.
Incidentally, makara ia referred to as a 'vibhuti' by Krishna in Gita
[10:31] - "jhaShANAM makaraH".
makara sankraanti [Jan. 14] is the start of uttaraayaNa, the Sun's northward
journey from the Cape of Capricorn. This is also celebrated as the birthday
of Lord Ayyappan in Kerala.
The legends around makara are numerous, and apparently in many mythologies
other than Hindu.
"A.R.Ramachandran" <Ramach...@MailAndNews.com> wrote in message
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Sunder Hattangadi
"Sunder Hattangadi" <sun...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
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Sunder Hattangadi
makara is a symbol of Time; the 534th name of Shiva [Shiva's 1000 names]
salutes Him as "makaraaya namaH".
Mercury and Sulphur were used in the pursuit of alchemy and rejuvenation
['kaayaa-kalpa'] by the Tantric practitioners.
The same ingredients are mentioned in the 'medicinal' preparation
makaradhvaja. There must have been diffusion of knowledge between the
alchemists and the Ayurvedic practitioners.
"eki" <ekiheik@dee_dubya_pee.net> wrote in message
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>