Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c45.s3.15

v2.c45.s3.15

Sasyaka or blue vitriol was likened to the blue neck of a peacock (2.125). Rājanighaṇṭu commented that sasyaka is a natural material, while tuttha or tutthaka (copper sulphate) is artificially prepared. “In the absence of one, the other may be used”. The chemical identity of the two was not firmly established. Similarly, while describing satvapātana or metal extraction from sasyaka by reduction-heating in a crucible, the identity of the red metal ‘looking like indragopa or coccinella insect’ with copper was guessed but not confidently affirmed (RRS, 2.133-2.134):