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upon many of the gems in connection with the preparation of some medicines and the chemical process. According to the Rasaratna Samuccaya, the gems also are regarded as agencies which help the fixation of mercury.
Mauktika (Pearl)
Mauktika is attractive, white, light, smooth ray-like, pure, large, toyaprabha, (having the ray of water) and round. This pearl of nine qualities has been regarded as auspicious and best. The pearl which is dry (rough), nirjala (waterless), blackish copperish, grey white like salt, half-white, curved or zigzag (vikat), knotty-associated with all these faults is the lowest type.?
Garuda; or Pannā (Emerald) The best emarald is that which is of green colour, heavy, smooth, of bright ray, glossy, shining and well round, having these 7 qualities. The emarald contrary to this is the lowest type which is of Kapil (red) blue, yellow, black, etc.-colours and rough, light, sticky, curved or of zigzag shape and rough.
Vajra5 (Diamond)
According to the Rasaratna Samuccaya of Vāgbhat, Vajra is of three kinds-Nara hirā (male diamond). nāri hırā (female diamond) and napumsaka hirā (neuter diamond). Amongst them male diamond is the
1. Rasaratna Samuccaya. 2. Hladi svetaṁ laghusnighham rasmivanniramalam mahat/
Khyātam toyaprabham Vrttam mauktikam navadhāśubham/ Ruksāmgań nirjalam syāvam tāmrābham lavaṇopamam/ Ardha-subhraí ca vikaçan granthilam mauktikam tyajet")
Rs. 4/14, 16. 3. RSS. 1.9; 1.39. 4. Haridvarna - guru-snighdham sphuradrasmicayam śubham/
Masļņam bhāsuram tārkşyam gātram saptaguņam matam// Kapilaṁ karkasam nīlaṁ pandu Krsnam malānvitam/Cipiram
vikațam rūkşaṁ laghu tārkșyam no śamyate, Rs. 4/21-22. 5. SRSS 3.10, 3.40 (Vajra; this ulter is found, in SRSS, but its
meaning appears to hard (like diamond).
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