Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c43.s3.t8.22
Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c43.s3.t8.22
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v2.c43.s3.t8.22
Mecaka is dark blue (green also?) and asra means blood. *Jyotirasa* in this passage, was rightly equated by Tagore as blood-stone or heliotrope. It should also be noted that *Arthaśāstra* mentioned *jyotirasaka* (AS, 2.11.35) and *Bṛhatsaṃhitā* mentioned *jyotirasa* (Br. Saṃ., 80.5) without explaining what these materials were, and we have taken the liberty of suggesting that in different contexts these could have meant lens-grade rock crystal or agate-carnelian complex. *Lohitākṣa* and *jyotirasaka* in AS, 2.11.35 could mean either carnelian or heliotrope (as suggested by Tagore).