Rasaprakāśasudhākara

It should be done with effort by those who know the science of mercury. Then steam it as before in a swinging apparatus for three days. (47)

Grind it for one day on a stone slab in the sun. This completes the raising, which destroys the swooning fault. (48)

Varieties of Sublimation (Patana)

I shall explain the great work of sublimation in detail. (49)

Sublimation is said to be three-fold and destroys mercury's faults. Upward sublimation, downward sublimation, and oblique sublimation, in order. (50)

Upward Sublimation (Urdhvapatana)

The characteristic of the upward sublimation apparatus is stated here. A clay pot should be made, six fingers high. (51)

Seven fingers long at the mouth, and thirteen fingers wide around. A second auspicious pot of this dimension should be made. (52)

Two alkalis, asafoetida, and the five-plant group. Combine with the acid group and grind the mercury with them. (53)

Coat the lower pot with that paste. Place the upper pot mouth-down, and make a seal. (54)

Apply a seal with salt-water-soaked cloth. Place the pot on a stove and apply grain-fire heat from paddy husks to it. (55)

Place water on top and do this for a period of twelve hours four yamas. Knowing it is cool, take the mercury that has risen. (56)

This is called the upward sublimation apparatus.

Downward Sublimation (Adhahpatana)

Place the previously mentioned pot upside down in mud. (57)

Set it in a pit in the ground and light a fire on top. For three watches (nine hours), the mercury falls downward. (58)

This is called the downward sublimation apparatus by those who know mercury.

Oblique Sublimation (Tiryakpatana)

Grind the King of Mercury with the aforementioned medicines. (59)

Put the mercury in an oblique pot. In its mouth, place another pot. A smaller one, with a hole in its belly, and in the hole, an iron tube. (60)

The best physician should make the tube rest in a water vessel. The wise should light an intense fire beneath the mercury apparatus. (61)

For three watches, the mercury falls obliquely. The trio of sublimation apparatuses is indeed easy. (62)

I have stated all of this according to the demonstration of the scriptures.

Restraint (Rodhana)

Now I shall tell of the mercury restraint process. (63)

Ten palas of rock salt and three prasthas a unit of volume of water. (64)

Keep the faultless mercury inside the pot. By closing it, seal it well with mud. (65)

Keep it for three days in a windless, solitary place. In this way, perform the restraint, O King of Physicians. (66)