ROLE OF MITRAPANCHAKA GANA IN APUNARBHAV BHASMA PARIKSHA

Abstract

In Ayurveda Metals and Minerals are used in the form of Bhasma which are nanoparticles. Bhasma is prepared by performing Shodhan and Marana processes. Shodhan means the puri-fication of metals and minerals. This is not only reducing the impurities but also enhance the properties of metal and mineral. It is the first step of Maran i.e. Bhasmikaran. Maran is per-formed by triturating with herbs and giving heat i.e. Puta to metal or mineral .To check the quality of Bhasma, to see the procedure of Bhasma is completed or not, Various Testes are described in Ayurvedic texts. Those are Rekhapurnatva, Varitaratva, Unam Pariksha, Apunarbhava and Niruttha etc. Rekhapurnatva, Varitaratva tests are useful to check the par-ticle size, weight, Fineness etc. To observe that the Bhasma is prepared completely or not, are there any particles of metals or minerals are remained Apakwa, Apunarbhava and Nirutthatwa tests are important. Apunarbhava Bhasma Pariksha is performed with the group of dravyas called Mitrapanchaka Gana or Drawaka Gana. Jaggery, Gunja (Abrus Precatorious), Ghruta,Borax and Honey are the contents of Mitrapanchaka Gana. Bhasma is called as Apunarbhava, when it is strongly heated along with Jaggery, Gunja, Ghruta,Borax(Tankan) and Honey in a crucible and not converted again into metallic form. In this article Review of Mitrapanchaka Gana and its role in Apunarbhava Bhasma Pariksha is discussed.