A History of Indian Medical Literature v2.c33.110

v2.c33.110

96 The iron should be pure (śuddha) and śaikya. Cakra interprets śaikya as sharp, Ḍalhaṇa as meaning either sharp or made of purified iron (sāramayalauhaghaṭita). See R.F.G. Müller (1943–52: 234) on the connection between śaikya and śikya. Pālakāpya (śalya 30) says that the instruments should be made from tīkṣṇāyas. The iron mentioned may be steel, because tempering is referred to in this chapter. It cannot be proved that śaikya means wootz in this context (see R.F.G. Müller, 1943–1952: 234–235). Wootz is the steel used for damascening. See on wootz: B. Allchin and R. Allchin (1968); T.R. Anantharaman (1995): 5–6; V. Ball (1884): 230 and 234; H.C. Bhardwaj (1979): 158–160; A.K. Biswas (1994a): 595–602; *B. Bronson (1986); D.K. Chakrabarti (1992): 1–6; J.M. Heath (1839); Hobson-Jobson 972–973; O.P. Jaggi VII, 103–111; I.G. Khan (1986): 72–74; C.D. MacLean (1982): 1025; P. Neogi (1914): 65–76; C. Panseri (1965); P. Rãy (1956): 102 and 216; *M. Sachse (1993); G. Watt IV, 503–504.