Ashtasamskaara of Paarada

In the ancient times mercury (Pārada) obtained in a crude form used to be highly contaminated with several impurities and therefore aṣṭasamskāra of mercury was prescribed for its purification and potentisation. However, in sufficiently pure for medicinal use. Alternatively the mercury available in the metallic form should be subjected to distillation three times in an iron retort (tiryakapātana yantra), The finel distillate is fairly pure for medicinal use. aṣṭasamskārita pārada is also used in the preparation of medcicines.