Significance of Dolayantra
Dolayantra is a traditional apparatus used in various purification processes in Rasashastra and Ayurvedic practices. It is utilized for boiling and heating substances, such as seeds, poisons, and medicinal herbs, with different liquids like milk or decoctions. This device plays a crucial role in methods like Shodhana and Swedana, facilitating the purification of numerous materials including mercury, Haritala, and Guggulu. Its applications highlight its significance in ensuring controlled heating and enhancing the medicinal properties of Ayurvedic drugs.
In Finnish: Dolayantra; In Spanish: Dolayantra; In Dutch: Dolyantra
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Dolayantra'
Dolayantra in Hinduism is an intricate purification apparatus used for boiling various substances, including poisons, mercury, and minerals, employing different methods and materials to achieve purification through heat and mechanical means.
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 2: Minerals (uparasa)
(1) A device used for boiling the substance during the fifth purification process for a specified duration.[1] (2) Dola-yantra is a method employed to boil arsenic stone confined inside karaballi fruit for purification.[2] (3) A device or apparatus used for purifying Shankha by boiling it.[3] (4) A device used for boiling and purifying Haritala with various substances such as juice of kushmanda, lime juice, and others.[4] (5) A specific apparatus used to boil Hingula in various purification processes.[5]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 3: Metals, Gems and other substances
(1) A specific apparatus used for boiling poisons with various substances like decoction of triphala and goats' milk for purification.[6] (2) A device used for boiling guggulu with a decoction of specific herbs.[7] (3) A method or device used to boil semi-poisons with milk for the purpose of purification.[8] (4) A method or apparatus used for boiling ingredients such as Guggulu, guruchi, or triphala.[9] (5) A mechanical device utilized to boil leaves in lime water as part of the purification method.[10]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 1: Initiation, Mercury and Laboratory
(1) A means by which the Phallic image is boiled inside a lemon.[11] (2) A device mentioned for boiling mercury, specifically in the context of employing kanji for purification.[12] (3) A device used to facilitate the swallowing of the morsels necessary for the exhaustion of mercury.[13] (4) An apparatus involving a vessel half filled with liquid, through which a rod passes, used for boiling materials suspended by a thread.[14] (5) A device in which mercury and other substances are heated for the dipana process.[15]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 4: Iatrochemistry
(1) A traditional apparatus or device used in the preparation process that involves the manipulation of elements like mercury and other ingredients.[16]
The concept of Dolayantra in local and regional sources
Dolayantra is an alchemical apparatus known as the "cradle-apparatus", utilized for steaming drugs, as referenced in the Majmu‘a-yi Żiya’i, highlighting its significance in historical alchemical practices.
From: History of Science in South Asia
(1) This is an alchemical apparatus, the "cradle-apparatus", used for steaming drugs, and is described in the Majmu‘a-yi Żiya’i.[17]