TRADE NAME
Iron Pyrite
MOLECULAR FORMULA
FeS2
SYNONYMS
Iron disulphide, Iron Pyrite, Dull Gold
ABOUT
Vimal as per Ayurveda descriptions can be tentatively compared to Iron Pyrite(See Note).Pyrite is the most common of the sulfide minerals.
SHODHAN OR AYURVEDA PURIFICATION PROCESS
NOTE
The identity of Vimal is disputed. Vimal as per Ayurveda descriptions (Siddhyogsangrah) is described to be highly similar to Makshik (pyrites). Vimal is described in Ayurveda as having three varities
- Swarna Vimal (which co-relates with Swarna-Makshik(copper pyrite))
Raupya Vimal (which co-relates with Raupya-Makshik)
Kansya Vimal (which co-relates with Kansya-Makshik)
Recent scholars of Rasashastra inform that Vimal is a compound of Sulphur and Iron as compared to Makshik which contains Sulphur, Iron and Copper. This description points that Vimal can be co-related with Iron pyrite(FeS). This information lead to immense confusion. However since Vimal and Makshik have been described so closely it is clear that Vimal is a Pyrite and provisionally can be accepted as Iron-Pyrite.
SUGGESTED READING
Check wikipedia.org Entry for Vimal.