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ABOUT
A big-mouthed hollow earthen vessel is punctured at its bottom to form 3 -5 small holes. These holes are made in a circular diameter which corresponds to the lower surface area of a glass vessel that is to be placed inside the vessel(So as to ensure that the lower surface of the glass vessel gets controlled heat when the equipment is placed on flames). This glass vessel is known as Kaach-Kupi (refer glossary).This Kaach-Kupi is filled with the medicine mixture till its half-full (Mostly the medicine is Kajjali with some other ingredients as per the formulation). The Kaach-Kupi is then covered or bandaged with cloth soaked in mud/clay or paste prepared from GopiChandan. The Kaach-Kupi is layered 7 times. On each layering the vessel is kept in sun till the paste dries. This is repeated 7 times. Certain treatise advise to first layer the Kaach-Kupi and then place the Kajjali-medicine inside it. Care is taken to ensure that the mud-paste dries else there is a danger of the Kaach-Kupi bursting. The layerd Kupi is then placed inside the earthen vessel ensuring that its lower surface covers all the holes made in the earthen vessel. The remaining spaces in the vessel is filled with Sand(Sanskrit:Valu) till the mouth level of the Kaach-Kupi. The vessel is then placed on flames to get the medicine.This entire setup is known as Valukayantra.(Valu==sand and Yantra==gadget/equipment). It is important that Parad vapor does not escape from the overheating of the ingredients. A copper coin placed at the lip of the bottle will turn white if Parad is being released. This indicates the process has gone too far. Thus prior to this point the Kaach-Kupi(bottle )should sealed with cork and seven layers of mud-smeared cloth. Thereafter heat is intensified. Each preparation has a specified amount of heat for each of the stages and should be carefully observed. Upon completion of cooking the Kaach-Kupi is removed and broken and the sublimed medicine is collected. Uncooked portions in the bottle bottom should be re-cooked as necessary. Since the medicine is obtained in the Kaach-Kupi they are known as Kupi-Pakv Rasayan.NOTE
Many treatise mentions that before the Valukayantra is exposed to flames, a puja (religious ritual) must be perfomed by 5 Kumarika(Skt) (Virgins/ or women who have not attained puberty) on the equipment to ensure succcess of the Project. KumkumTrishul(Skt)(traditional Indian trident) is drawn on the earthen vessel and over the floor or the wall where Valukayantra is intended to be placed for preparation.Flowers, Scented sticks etc. which are part of Hindu rituals are used as per religious prescriptions before commencement of the formula preparation. This information is mentioned explicitly by Yogratnakar.
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AushadhiGundharmshastra