Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c45.s7.2

v2.c45.s7.2

Mercury was obtained by distillation of cinnabar or *hingula/darada* in a *Vidyādhara Yantra* (9.57). The distillate was called *hingulākṛṣṭa rasa* (8.37). Cinnabar was known to occur in two varieties: low quality *śukaṭuṇḍa* or *carmāra* and good quality *haṃsapāda*, having white lines and looking like coral (3.141-144).