Gazala Hussain. Journal of Biological & Scientific Opinion  Volume 5 (1).

2017

Available online through

www.jbsoweb.com
ISSN 2321 - 6328

Review Article
A REVIEW ON PARADA BANDHANA
Gazala Hussain *
Associate Professor, Department of Agada Tantra avum Vidhi vaidyak, SDM College of Ayurveda & Hospital, Hassan,
Karnataka, India
*Corresponding Author Email: gazalanabeel@gmail.com

Article Received on: 06/01/17 Accepted on: 14/02/17

DOI: 10.7897/2321-6328.05151

ABSTRACT

Rasashastra is the branch of Ayurveda that deals with Indian alchemy. Mercury is the nucleus of the subject Rasashastra. It involves various processes
of Mercury where it is subjected to various samskaras to potentiate it for deha and lohavada. Various processes are explained in Rasashastra for
Mercury, one of the processes is termed as bandhana. The literal meaning of bandhana is to bind. This process is carried out to remove the quickness
and ungraspable property of Mercury. Different types of bandhas are explained in texts of rasashastra. The characteristics of baddha parada have been
explained and baddha parada is graded as superior, inferior, etc based on the media employed in the process of bandhana. The baddha Parada is useful
not only in therapeutics but also in attaining various siddhis. Different bandhana procedures are explained in texts of Rasashastra but only a few are
used in practice. This area opens a wide scope for research.

KEY WORDS: Alchemy, Bandha, Mercury, Parada, Rasashastra

INTRODUCTION Jalouka bandha: Mercury is heated with other drugs and

bandhana is done.
Mercury is in liquid condition at normal temperature. In this Khota bandha: Mercury is triturated with other drugs or dhatus
state, it is fickle and does not come into grip easily. Changing in mortar and pestle and it turns into a form of pishti.
this form of Mercury either into powder form or bolus form is Pata bandha: Mercury is triturated with Sulphur till it turns
called Rasa bandhana (binding of Mercury). black in colour and is lusterless and later heated and made into
form of a parpati (flake).
Bandhana or Bandha is a process in which Mercury is converted Bhasma bandha: Mercury is mixed with other drugs and made
from liquid to a solid state by application of various types of into a form of bhasma.
substances. This bandhana process is required to restrict the
chanchalata (quickness) and durgrahatva (grip) property of Types of bandhana as per Rasendra Mangala
Mercury1.
Chapala baddha7: Chapala baddha is explained with four
Form and appearance of baddha Mercury: Baddha parada colours of Chapala and use of other herbal drugs. It is beneficial
will be hard. It will be so hard that it can be compared to vajra in deha and lohavedha (transformation of body and metal to
(Diamond); it will be white and shiny like Moon2. higher level).
Khota bandha8: Five types of Khota bandha have been
The author of Rasa Ratna Samuchchaya has explained 25 types explained. There remains no doubt about the binding of Mercury
of bandhas namely- Hata, Arota, Abhasa, Kriyaheena, Pishtika, with drugs of maharasa.
Kshara, Khota, Pota, Kalka, Kajjali, Sajiva, Nirjiva, Sabija,
Nirbija, Shrinkala, Druti, Balaka, Kumara, Taruna, Vruddha, Three types of rasa bandhana have been explained in
Murti, Jala, Agni, Susamskruta and Mahabandha 3. Yogaratnakara9.
I Method: Mercury is to be triturated with herbal drugs like
Other than these another bandha termed as Jalouka bandha has Rambha (Musa paradisiaca), Veera (Coccinia grandis), Snuhi
been explained4. This Jalouka bandha of mercury is meant only (Euphorbia nerifolia), Haridra (Curcuma longa), etc
for sexual purpose and not for other therapeutic aims. There are II method: Mercury is to be placed in the vagina during the
ten varieties of Jalouka bandha described in Rasa Ratna monthly cycle by which it gets bonded.
Samuchchaya. It is named so as it looks like leech after mercury III method: A paste of earthworm and shatavari (Asparagus
gets bonded. The length of the jalouka is prescribed as per the racemosus) are prepared and applied to a crucible. Mercury is
age of the female i.e., for an individual of below sixteen years it placed in it and subjected to heat to bind Mercury.
should be eight inches, ten inches for a young lady and twelve
inches thereafter5. Sadhana of Bandhana10

Bandhas are classified as6 The different media for Parada bandhana are Moolika (Herbs),
Mani (Gemstones), Suvarna (Gold), Naga (Lead)- Vanga (Tin)
Jalouka bandha, Khota bandha, Pata bandha, Bhasma bandha and Druti (liquid form of metals & minerals).

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 Gazala Hussain. Journal of Biological & Scientific Opinion  Volume 5 (1). 2017

Moolika bandha: is one in which herbal drugs are used for the process are both employed are Abhasa bandha, Pota bandha and
purpose of Parada bandhana. In herbal drugs divyoushadhis Kalka bandha.
(celestial herbs) are adopted and are said to be best than
vanoushadhis (herbs); as the former will be agnisthayi (heat Properties of baddha Parada13
tolerant). Mercury turns into gutika form and becomes hard. The solidified and highly potentiated Mercury when kept in
This gutika does sthambana of vanga (Tin) and turns into rajata mouth will act as veerya sthambaka i.e., it arrests early
(Silver). When it is placed in the mouth it controls the discharge of semen. It turns the milk dry when kept in milk. It
ejaculation of semen. It gives all siddhis and is useful in all the gives all siddhis (supernatural powers), prevents jara (old age),
processes of Mercury. Five moolika bandhas have been removes Daridrata (deprivation), removes wrinkles, greying of
described in Rasa Prakasha Sudhakara. hair, cures all diseases and arrests ageing. It makes the body
Vajra bandha: Vajra baddhita Parada is Shatavedhi strong like diamond, will have power of vedha. When the
(transmutation for 100 times), mrutyunashaka (immortal) and baddha Parada is placed in mouth it destroys mukharoga
deha-lohakara (makes body strong and converts lower metals to (diseases of the mouth), Kramana of mercury in the body will
higher metals respectively). make the man free from old age and greying of hair.
Druti bandha11: It is prepared using different drutis specially
Abhraka druti and is claimed to be Dehalohakara. Hemadruti Suitability of Parada for bandhana14: Mercury should be
baddha Parada (Mercury bonded with Gold) is dehalohakara Abhrajirna (Mercury processed with Mica), Gandhakajirna
(turns body & mind noble), gives all siddhis, destroys old age (Mercury processed with Sulphur), Pakshachinnata (heat
and daridrata (indigence). resistant) and Sabijakata (Mercury processed with Gold). Herbs
Dhatu bandha: Dhatu baddhita Parada does Veerya sthambha will be able to do bandhana of Mercury that has been previously
and gives youthfulness. When it is tied to the ear, neck, hand or processed with certain metals and minerals only.
head then abhichari dosha does not occur.
Advantage of bandha15
Characteristics of bandhas Compared to murchita and marita mercury (Mercury in ash
form) the bonded mercury will be able to get siddhis.
Jalouka bandha: The mercury bonded will be of different
colours, clear, similar to leech and which gets baddha when kept Rasa bandhakara aushadha16
in the vagina Raktasnuhi (Euphorbia nerifolia), Somalata (Sarcostemma
Murthi bandha: Mercury will be heavy, reddish in colour and acidum), Rudanti (Cressa cretica), Raktachitraka (Plumbago
with luster of the sun. When this is placed in the middle of the indica), Ajamoda (Trachyspermum roxburghianum), Devadali
fire mercury will become agnisthayi (heat resistant). (Polyalthia longifolia), Arka (Calotropis procera), etc.
Patta bandha: When white or yellow coloured, heavy and wax Because of the strong odour, taste and touch of plant and animal
consistent mercury is stable on heat application, it is termed as drugs and by adopting various processes like steaming,
patta baddha parada. trituration, etc. mercury gets bonded.
Bhasma bandha: When mercury loses its quickness property and
turns black, white, yellow, blue and lustrous is termed as DISCUSSION
Bhasma bandha.
Khota bandha: On chedana (breaking) with little pressure it As Mercury is a liquid metal various processes were carried out
turns powder, it will be smooth, hard and white in colour. by experts of Rasashastra to make Mercury into a graspable
form and make it more stable. Different trials were carried out to
Gradation of Baddhita Parada12 achieve Mercury in a bonded form. The literary review carried
Bandhana done with herbs is said to be best. Parada bandhana out suggests it. Different authors have classified different
done adopting mani (Gemstones) is said to be Madhyama number of bandhana based on the drugs employed in the process
(moderate), with Gold is adhama (inferior) and with Lead and of bandha and on the form in which the baddhita Parada attains.
Tin is adhamadhama (least inferior). But binding of Parada Based on the form the Parada attains after the process the author
using drutis especially Abhraka druti is said to give deha and of Rasa Prakasha Sudhakara has termed it as Bhasma bandha,
loha siddhi. etc. Based on the media used for bandhana it has been graded.
Bandhana done with herbs is said to be best as it may add to the
Classification based on changes to heat therapeutic efficacy of the drug. Whereas the bandhana done
Agni sthayi (Stable to heat): In this mercury is stable to heat. with Tin and Lead is said as least inferior as these are puti lohas
Anagni sthayi (not stable to heat): Mercury evaporates when may add some undesired compounds. Different processes are
subjected to heat. Anagnisthayi bandhana facilitates temporary also explained for bandhana such as trituration, heating, etc. As
form change in mercury as per the process, i.e., powder form or Mercury is processed using different samskaras and by
bolus form which is not stable on heating. employing different herbs, metals, minerals, gemstones, etc; it
may get potentiated and will be able to give all siddhis like deha
Bandhas can be grouped as and Loha. The bonded Mercury will be useful in therapeutics in
1. Method of bandhana are explained: The bandhas are curing various diseases, preventing old age, etc.
Kriyaheena bandha, Pishtika bandha, Kshara bandha, Jala
bandha, Kajjali bandha, Abhasa bandha, Pota bandha, Kalka CONCLUSION
bandha, Arota bandha, etc.
2. Method of bandhana are not explained: The bandhas are Parada bandhana is a process solely aimed to bind Mercury.
Maha bandha, Agni bandha & Khota bandha Different bandhas have been explained in texts of Rasashastra.
Various media used for the bandhana like herbs, metals,
Bandhas can be classified by the process that is adopted minerals, gemstones, etc and gradation of bonded Mercury is
Bandhas where only trituration process is applied are based on the media used. Baddhita Parada is said to be superior
Kriyaheena bandha, Pishtika bandha, Kshara bandha, Jala to murchita Parada. The bonded Mercury is not just indicated in
bandha, Kajjali bandha. Bandhas where trituration and heating treatment of various disorders but also is said to be useful in
conversion of lower metals to higher metals like Gold, Silver,

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 Gazala Hussain. Journal of Biological & Scientific Opinion  Volume 5 (1). 2017

etc; to make the body strong devoid of old age, graying of hair, 7. Sharma Kaviraja HS, Rasendra Mangala. Varanasi:
etc. and baddhita Parada is said to give all siddhis (pinnacles in Chaukhamba Ayurveda Pratishtana; 2008.p 134.
all areas). The classification of bandhas is different by different 8. Sharma Kaviraja HS, Rasendra Mangala. Varanasi:
authors of Rasashastra. The properties and effects of different Chaukhamba Ayurveda Pratishtana; 2008.p 136-141.
bandhas have also been explained. Different ways had been 9. Tripathi Indradev, Yogaratnakara. 1st Edition, Varanasi:
exercised to achieve baddhita Parada capable of giving all Krishnadas Academy; 1998. P.120.
siddhis. A lot of scope remains in understanding and carrying 10. Siddhinandan Mishra, Rasa Prakasha Sudhakara. 2nd
out research in this area. Edition, Varnasi: Chaukhamba Orientalia; 1998. p36.
11. Siddhinandan Mishra, Rasa Prakasha Sudhakara. 2 nd
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