Gorochana

Gorochana (transliterated from Sanskrit: गोरोचन "cattle-light"; also Standard Tibetan: (gi-wang) gi-wang) are gallstones found in cattle (Sanskrit: गो go), such as the bulls, cows, buffaloes, and yaks. Its presence in the animals is indicated by the snoring and other nocturnal sounds made by the animals in their sleep. Its equivalent in Sinitic culture is calculus bovis. The vernacular Hindi and Bengali names are the same as the Sanskrit.

Hindu mythology

In Hindu mythology, Indra once cast the five precious minerals: gold, silver, coral, pearl, and turquoise, into a ocean. These were eventually consumed by various animals, which then formed gallstones in their bodies. They have different colours and potencies based on the animals they originate from.

Medicinal properties

Reputedly, Gorochana acts as an antidote to poisons, promotes clear thoughts, and alleviates fevers and contagious diseases. The superior, mediocre, and inferior forms of these stones are reputed to respectively cure seven, five, three patients who have been poisoned. In medieval European medical traditions, gallstones were highly esteemed as an antidote to poisoning. 'Oriental gallstones' obtained from the East were particularly prized ones. In the Indian subcontinent, a drop of Gorochana will be given along with mother's milk, every particular day of the baby's birth. It will help to tremendously increase voice clarity for babies.

Sources and other properties

Gorochanas of the finest qualities is obtained from the brain of an elephant and from the stomach of a cattle and other animals. Resembling the yellow yolk of a boiled egg, the yellow pigments obtained from a Gorochana is used as a tonic, sedative or tilaka to the forehead.