Brief description & application of Musha (Crucible)

Author:- Dr. Sathyanarayana B
Principal, Muniyal Institute of Ayurveda Medical Sciences, Manipal

1. Brief description & application of Musha (Crucible) Dr. Sathyanarayana B Principal, Muniyal Institute of Ayurveda Medical Sciences, Manipal

2. RASASHASTRA PAPER I Part A Point 5 Time allotted: Two hours Necessary to know Expected marks: 01x05 01x02

3. मूषा प्रकरणम्

4. निरुक्ति - मुष्णाति दोषान्मूषेयान् सा मूषेति निगद्यते |- रसरत्नसमुच्चय १०/०२ Musha is a devise used to remove the removable dosa It is comparable with crucible. It eliminates the impurities of the materials heated in it

5. पर्याय (Synonyms) मूषा हि क्रौञ्चिका प्रोक्ता कुमुदी करहाटिका पाचनी वह्निमित्रा च रसवादिभिरीर्याते-र.र.स.१०/०१ क्रौञ्चिका कुमुदी करहाटिका पाचनी वह्निमित्रा

6. क्रौञ्चिका : As the soil of Krouncha mountain is suitably used to prepare Musha कुमुदी : कुमुदाकारसादृश्यात् कुमुदी च निगद्यते ( र.त .): Resembles the shape of Kumuda -White lilly /lotus flower करहाटिका : As the soil of Karahata Desha is ideal to prepare Musha पाचनी : द्रव्यपाचनयोगाच्च पाचनी समुदीरिता ( र.त .): Prepared by baking well and also the materials are subjected to Pachana in Musha वह्निमित्रा : वह्निमित्रं यतश्चास्या वह्निमित्रा ततः स्मृता ( र.त .): In contact with fire पर्याय (Synonyms)

7. उपादान कारण (Basic composition) उपादानं भवेत्तस्य मृत्तिका लोहमेव च –र.र.स.१०/०३ Basic composition: मृत्तिका : Clay with specific characters लोह : Iron powder

8. मूषोपयोगी मृत्तिका (Ideal characters of soil to prepare Musha ) मृत्तिका पाण्डुरस्थूला ÅÅशर्करा शोणपाण्डुरा चिराध्मातसहा सा हि मूषार्थमतिशस्यते तदभावे च वाल्मीकी कौलाली वा समीर्य्यते – र.र.स.१०/६ Mud should be pale yellow, reddish, reddish yellow, heavy, devoid of sand particles. It should tolerate high temperature for a prolonged time. If such mud is not available, potter’s clay or soil of anthill can be used.

9. मूषाभेद (Classification)

10. घटक द्रव्यानुसार (According to composition) सामान्य मूषा वज्र मूषा वर मूषा गार मूषा वज्रद्रावणी मूषा वज्र द्रावण मूषा योग मूषा विडमूषा

11. वर्ण मूषा रूप्य मूषा वर्णानुसार (According to colour )

12. गोस्तनी मूषा वृन्ताक मूषा महा मूषा मल्ल मूषा गोल मूषा पक्व मूषा मुसल मूषा मण्डूक / मञ्जूष मूषा स्वरूपानुसार (According to shape)

13. सामान्य मूषा या मृत्तिका दग्धतुषैः शणेन शिखित्रकैर्वा हयलद्दिना च लौहेन दण्डेन च कुट्टिता सा साधारणा स्यात्खलु मूषिकार्थे – र.र.स.१०/०७ Burnt paddy husk, hemp fibre , charcoal powder, horse dung all these are taken in equal quantities and the mud useful for making Musha is taken equal to the sum of the quantity of above mentioned ingredients. All the ingredients are mixed well, pounded well adding required amount of water till a homogenous semisolid mass is obtained. It is prepared into the Musha of required shape and size, dried under sun and baked well to get Samanya Musha

14. श्वेताश्मानस्तुषा दग्धाः शिखित्राः शणखर्परे लद्दिः किट्टं कृष्णमृत्स्ना संयोज्याः मूषिका मृदि-र.र.स.१०/०८ Components: 1. Shvetashma (Calcite) 2. Dagdha Tusha (Burnt paddy husk) 3. Shikhitra (coal) 4. Kharpara (broken pot pieces) 5. Hayaladdi (Horse dung) 6. Kitta (Iron rust) 7. Krishna Mrit (Black soil) 8. Musha Mrittika (Mud specified for Musha ) सामान्य मूषा - 2

15. वज्र मूषा मृदस्त्रिभागाः शणलद्दिभागौ भागश्च निर्दग्ध तुषोपलादेः किट्टार्धभागं परिखण्ड्य वज्रमूषां विदध्यात्खलु सत्वपाते – र.र.स . १०/९ Composition: Musha mrittika ( Musha specific mud): 3 parts Shana (Hemp fibre ): 2 parts Hayaladdi (Horse ding): 2 parts Dagdha Tusha (Burnt paddy husk): 1 part Dagdha Upala (Ash of cowdungs ): 1 part Kitta (Iron rust): ½ part

16. वरमूषा वस्त्र (Cloth fibre ) -1 pÉÉaÉ Aङ्गार (Charcoal) -1 pÉÉaÉ तुष (Paddy husk) : 1 pÉÉaÉ मूषामृत्तिकाÉ ( Musha specific mud) :- 4 pÉÉaÉ गार (Mud of pond) :- 4 pÉÉaÉ A ग्निसहत्व (Temperature tolerance) : 1 rÉÉqÉ वज्रांगार इति पाठभेदः - According to some scholars coal of Snuhi is to be used

17. गारमूषा COMPOSITION: गार (Mud of pond) :-6 भाग किट्टû (Iron rust) :-1 भाग Aङ्गार (Charcoal) :-1 भाग शण (Jute fibre ) :-1 भाग कृष्णमृत्ç (Black soil) :-1 भाग दुग्ध (Milk) :- यथावश्य A ग्नि सहत्व (Heat tolerance) : 2 याम

18. वज्रद्रावणी मूषा गार (Mud of pond) :- 1 भाग * भूनाग धौत :-1 भाग शण (Jute fibre ) :-1 भाग दग्ध तुष (Burnt paddy husk): -1 भाग मूषामृत् ( Musha specific mud) :- 4 भाग

19. वज्रद्रावण मूषा गार :-1 भाग भूनाग धौत :-1 भाग शण (Jute fibre ) :-1 भाग दग्ध तुष (Burnt paddy husk): -1 भाग मूषामृत् ( Musha specific mud): -4 भाग लिप्त्वा मत्कुणशोणितैः बालाब्धध्वनिमूलैश्च अग्निसहत्व : 4 याम

20. योग मूषा दग्धाङ्गार :- 1 भाग दग्ध तुष :- 1 भाग मूषामृत्तिका :- 1 भाग वल्मीक मृत्तिका :- 1 भाग तत्तद्बिडसमायुक्ता तत्तद्बिडविलेपिता अनया साधिता सूतो जायते गुणवत्त्तराः

21. बिडमूषा तत्तद्बिडमृदोद्भूता तत्तद्बिडविलेपिता देहलोहार्थयोगार्थं बिडमूषेत्युदाहृता-र.र.स.१०/१८ The musha which is prepared by specific kind of clay is smeared both internally & externally by bida . Such musha is called as Bida Musha . Uses - To prepare drugs which are usefull in dehasiddhi & lohasiddhi .

22. वर्णमूषा पाषाणरहिता रक्ता रक्तवर्गाम्बुभाविता मृत्तया साधिता मूषा क्षितिखेचरलेपिता वर्णमूषेति सा प्रोक्ता वर्णोत्कर्षे नियुज्यते-रा.र.स.१०/१६ Following ingredients are taken- Red mud devoid of stones Rakta vargiya dravyas Sphatika & Kasisa Churna Red mud devoid of stones is selected & bhavana is given with rakta vargiya dravyas and Musha is prepared. It is then smeared with Sphatika & Kasisa Churna . This type of musha is known as Varna Musha . Uses- To enhance the colour of the metals.

23. रूप्य मूषा एवं हि श्वेतवर्गेण रूप्यमूषा प्रकीर्तिता – र.र.स.१०/१७ It is similar to varna musha but instead of red soil white soil devoid of stones is used. In the place of rakta vargiya dravyas , sweta vargiya dravyas like  Kutaja , Kunda , Tagara , etc. are used. Uses- To enhance the colour of white metals. It gives silvery colour during Ranjana Samskara

24. गोस्तनी मूषा मूषा या गोस्तनाकारा शिखायुक्तपिधानका सत्त्वानाम् द्रावणे शुद्धौ मूषा सा गोस्तनी भवेत्-र.र . स. १०/२७ Gostani Musha - The crucible which is oblong, resembling the shape of a Gostana (Cow’s teat) having a lid ( pidhana ) on the top, with a hook( shikha ) is known as Gostani Musha

25. गोस्तनी मूषा

26. वृन्ताक मूषा वृन्ताकाकार मूषायां नालं द्वादशाङ्गुलम् धत्तूरपुष्पवच्चोर्ध्वं सदृढं श्लिष्टपुष्पवत् अष्टाङ्गुलञ्च सच्छिद्रं सा स्याद्वृन्ताकमूषिका अनया खर्परादीनां मृदूनां सत्त्वमाहरेत् ||-र.र.स.१०/२०-२२ A Brinjal shaped musha is made according to general procedure & a 12 angula long tube is connected to the orifice of the musha . The opening of the tube resembles the flower of  dhattura &  It should be 8 angula in circumference. Through this funnel like tube raw materials are inserted.

27. 8 angula 4 angula 8 angula

28. महा मूषा तले याकूर्पराकारा क्रमादुपरि विस्तृता स्थूलवृन्ताकवत्स्थूला महामूषेत्यसौ स्मृता सा चायो Åभ्रसत्त्वादेः पुटाय द्रावणाय च- र.र.स . १०/२८ It is a musha base of which is like elbow joint ( kurpara sandhi ). It expands upwards, stout in the middle & elongated. It resembles a large brinjal Use: Satvapatana of iron ores and Abhraka

29. मल्ल मूषा निर्दिष्टा मलामूषा या मल्लद्वितयसम्पुटात् पर्पट्यादिरसादीनां स्वेदनाय परिकीर्तिता-र.र.स.१०/२५ A musha is prepared by joining two saravas , one above the other like samaputa & there is a small opening on the upper sarava is known as Malla Musha . Uses - For preparation of parpati , swedana , etc.

30. गोल मूषा ( अन्ध मूषा ) निर्वक्त्रगोलाकारा पुटनद्रव्यगर्भिणी गोलमूषेति सा प्रोक्ता सत्वरं द्रवरोधिनी-र.र.स.१०/२७

31. पक्व मूषा कुलालभाण्डरूपा या दृढा च परिपाचिताû पक्वमूषेति सा प्रोक्ता पोट्टल्यादिविपाचने-र.र.स.१०/२६

32. मुसल मूषा मूषा या चिपिटामूले वर्तुला ÅÅष्टाङ्गुलोच्छ्रया मूषा सा मुसलाख्या स्याच्चक्रिबद्धरसे हिता-र.र.स.१०/३० 8 Angula

33. मण्डूक मूषा मण्डूकाकारमूषा या निम्नता ÅÅयामविस्तरा षडंगुलप्रमाणेन मूषा मण्डूकसंज्ञिका भूमौ निखन्य तां मूषां दद्यात्पुटमथोपरि-र.र.स.१०/२९ A Musha resembling the shape of frog with a dimension of 6x6x6 Angula is called as Manduka Musha . It is placed inside a pit of appropriate size and subjected to fire

34. MANJUSHA MUSHA This Musha resembles the shape of a purse having a string pulling which it can be closed. It has a wide base. Shape of this Musha is conical. Sometimes it is also referred as Manduka Musha

35. मूषा ÅÅप्यायनम् द्रव्ये द्रवीभावमुखे मूषायाः ध्मानयोगतः क्षणमुद्धरणं यत्तन्मूषा ÅÅप्यायनमुच्यते -र.र.स.१०/३१ Process of pulling out of Musha from fire momentarily when the material contained in Musha starts melting is known as Musha Apyayana

36. मूषा ÅÅप्यायनम्

37. सन्धिबन्धनम् मूषादीनां तु यत्सन्धौ किट्टाद्यैः परिलेपनम् तत्सन्धिलेपनं ख्यातं तच्चोक्तं सन्धिबन्धनम्-र.त.३/५ Sealing the joint between Musha etc with the closure by applying the paste of kitta (iron rust) etc. is referred as Sandhi bandhana

38. Synonyms of Sandhi Bandhana मूषापिधानयोर्बन्धे बन्धनं सन्धिलेपनम् अन्ध्रणं रन्ध्रणं चैव संश्लिष्टं सन्धिबन्धनम्-र.र.स.१०/५ बन्धनं सन्धिलेपनम् अन्ध्रणं रन्ध्रणं संश्लिष्टं

39. मुद्रा Mudra refers to sealing. Two types of mixtures are mentioned for sealing purpose. They are: मदन मुद्रा हठ मुद्रा

40. 1. मदन मुद्रा ( आनंद कंद ) उदुम्बर दुग्ध (Latex of Ficus glomerata ) : १ पल वट दुग्ध (Latex of Ficus benghalensis ) : १ पल लाक्षा चूर्ण (Lac powder) : १ पल चुम्बक लोह चूर्ण (Magnetic iron powder) : ७ पल A तसी तैल (Lin seed oil) : यथावश्य Method : Above mentioned ingredients are mixed together and ponded well till a soft, smooth waxy material is obtained Use : To seal bottle or earthen saucers during the procedures like Jarana and Marana of Parada

41. 2. हठ मुद्रा ( आनंद कंद ) चुम्बक लोह चूर्ण + क्रोढ रक्त Method : Magnetic iron powder ( Chumbaka Loha Churna ) is pounded with Pig (Swine) blood ( Krodha Rakta ) from sunrise till sunset till bee wax like sticky mass is obtained Use: This cementing material is very strong and doe not get disrupted even at high temperatures. Hence it is used in those processes of Parada where high temperature is used

42. CRUCIBLE A crucible is a container that can withstand very high temperatures and is used for metal, glass, and pigment production as well as a number of modern laboratory processes.

43. A  crucible  is a ceramic or metal container in which metals or other substances may be melted or subjected to very high temperatures. While crucibles historically were usually made from clay, they can be made from any material that withstands temperatures high enough to melt or otherwise alter its contents. CRUCIBLE

44. TYPES According to shape: Barrel shaped crucible Conical crucible Cylindrical crucible Wide form crucible High form crucible

45. 1. Barrel-shaped crucibles Barrel-shaped  crucibles have an opening with a top outer diameter (OD) that is essentially the same as, or only slightly smaller, than the base or bottom OD. The sidewalls bulge out and produce a barrel shaped crucible.

46. 2. Conical shaped crucible Conical or tapered  crucibles have an opening with a top OD that tapers down to smaller base or bottom diameter. Typically, the sidewalls are straight sided.

47. 3. Cylindrical crucible Cylindrical or straight walled  crucibles have an opening with a top OD that is essentially the same as or only slightly smaller than the base or bottom OD The sidewalls are straight sided without any bulging out. 

48. 4. Wide form crucible Wide-form  crucibles are low, shallow, or flat profile vessels with short walls compared to high-form crucibles. A wide-form crucible has a very wide opening with an OD that tapers down to a much smaller base-diameter. Typically, the sidewalls have a slight outward bow or bulge.

49. 5. High-form crucibles High-form  crucibles have high walls. High form crucibles have an opening with a top OD that tapers down to smaller base or bottom diameter. The sidewalls typically have a slight outward bow or bulge.

50. According to The Material clay crucible graphite crucible porcelain crucible aluminium crucible zirconia crucible magnesium crucible platinum crucible etc.

51. Special Types GOOCH CRUCIBLE HESSIAN CRUCIBLE

52. Gooch crucible A  Gooch crucible , named after Frank Austin Gooch, is a filtration device for laboratory use It is convenient for collecting a precipitate directly within the vessel in which it is to be dried, possibly ashed, and finally weighed in gravimetric analysis

53. Gooch crucible

54. Hessian Crucible A  Hessian crucible  is a type of ceramic crucible that was manufactured in the Hesse region of Germany from the late Middle Ages through the Renaissance period. They were renowned for their ability to withstand very high temperatures, rapid changes in temperature, and strong reagents. These crucibles were widely used for alchemy and early metallurgy. The crucibles were made by firing kaolinitic clay at temperatures greater than 1100℃

55. CONCLUSION Description of Musha given in Rasashastra is very scientific Every musha is mentioned foe specific use based on its composition, heat tolerance capacity etc The study of ancient crucibles reveals the chemical-metallurgical insights of alchemists Thorough study of such crucibles with their practical utilization will help in understanding the advancement of metallurgy in ancient India