History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c13.s2.t4.153

v1.c13.s2.t4.153

i) Make a paste of the gelatin from the sheep’s horn and pigeon’s, mouse’s dung with the juice of the plant Arka (Caletropis gigantica) and apply this to the steel after rubbing it with seasam oil. Heat the sword in the fire and when it is red hot sprinkle on it water or milk of horse (camel or goat) or ghee (clarified butter) or blood or fat or bile. Then sharpen the edge on the lathe (Varāhamihira *Kharaglakṣṇam*, Chap.XVIX, Śloka 23-26).