Gorochana or gorocana (transliterated from sa, गोरोचन "cattle-light"; also bo, (?) ''gi-wang'') refers to a stone or '

bezoar A bezoar is a mass often found trapped in the gastrointestinal system, though it can occur in other locations. A pseudobezoar is an indigestible object introduced intentionally into the digestive system. There are several varieties of bezoar, s ...

' found in

cattle Cattle (''Bos taurus'') are large, domesticated, cloven-hooved, herbivores. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae and the most widespread species of the genus ''Bos''. Adult females are referred to as cows and adult mal ...

( sa, गो ''go''), such as the bull, cow, ox, and yak. Its presence in the animal is reputedly indicated by the snoring or other nocturnal sounds made by the animal in its sleep.The Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols, Serindia Publications, Inc., 2003, Page 20 Its equivalent in

Sinitic The Sinitic languages (漢語族/汉语族), often synonymous with "Chinese languages", are a group of East Asian analytic languages that constitute the major branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. It is frequently proposed that there is ...

culture is

calculus bovis ''Calculus bovis'', ''niu-huang'' (牛黃) or ox bezoars are dried gallstones of cattle used in Chinese herbology. In China and Japan it has been long used to treat various diseases, including high fever, convulsion and stroke. In Asian countries, ...

. The

vernacular A vernacular or vernacular language is in contrast with a "standard language". It refers to the language or dialect that is spoken by people that are inhabiting a particular country or region. The vernacular is typically the native language, n ...

Hindi and Bengali names are the same as the Sanskrit.

Vedic legend

Legend has it that

Indra Indra (; Sanskrit: इन्द्र) is the king of the devas (god-like deities) and Svarga (heaven) in Hindu mythology. He is associated with the sky, lightning, weather, thunder, storms, rains, river flows, and war. volumes/ref> I ...

once cast the five precious minerals: gold, silver, coral, pearl, and either sapphire or turquoise, into the great ocean. These were eventually consumed by various animals, which then formed bezoars within their bodies. They have different colors and potencies based on the animal 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, or three patients who have been poisoned. In medieval European medical traditions

bezoars A bezoar is a mass often found trapped in the gastrointestinal system, though it can occur in other locations. A pseudobezoar is an indigestible object introduced intentionally into the digestive system. There are several varieties of bezoar, ...

were highly esteemed as an antidote to poisoning. 'Oriental bezoars' obtained from the East were particularly prized ones. In India, A drop of Gorochana will be given along with mothers milk every particular day of the baby's birth. It will help to tremendously enhance voice clarity for babies.

Source and other properties

Gorochana of the finest quality is supposedly obtained from the brain or forehead of an elephant, and the second best quality is obtained from the stomach of a cow. Resembling the yellow yolk of a boiled egg, the yellow pigment obtained from a Gorochana is used as a tonic, sedative or

tilaka In Dharmic culture, the ''tilaka'' ( sa, तिलक) () is a mark worn usually on the forehead, at the point of the Ajna chakra, or sometimes another part of the body such as the neck, hand, chest or arm. ''Tilaka'' may be worn daily or for ...

to the forehead.

References

{{Reflist Tibetan Buddhism