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A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c51: Chapter 10: Rasārṇava and Rasārṇavakalpa

A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c51

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English

Contents

Chapter 10: Rasārṇava and Rasārṇavakalpa

The Rasārṇava

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The Rasārṇava 1 is one of the earliest and most important treatises on alchemy.

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Contents 2 The Rasārṇava consists of about 2,300 verses, arranged in eighteen chapters (paṭala). It is written in the form of a conversation between Śiva and Pārvatī. 3

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Chapter one (tantrāvatāra; 60 verses) is about jīvanmukti, 4 obtained by means of mercury (4–31), the origin of mercury (33–36), 5 the good results of venerating the rasa-liṅga, the bad effects of despising mercury, the praise of mercury and those who practise the art in the proper way, etc. (37–60).

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Chapter two (dīkṣāvidhāna; 133 verses) begins with a description of the characteristics of a qualified guru (2–6), a pupil fit for initiation (7–14), and the female companion to be selected (15–35). 6 It proceeds with an account of the construction of the workshop (maṇḍapa) of the alchemist 7 and the elaborate rituals to be performed (dīkṣā) before beginning the alchemical operations (36–133).

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Chapter three (mantrayāsa; 33 verses) continues the description of the preparatory rituals, accompanied by many mantras.

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Chapter four (yantramuṣāgnivarṇana; 65 verses) opens with an enumeration of the utensils, apparatus and substances that should be present in the workshop (2–6). A number of yantras are dealt with: dolāyantra (7), jāraṇāyantra (8–14), mūṣāyantra or somānalayantra (15), garbhayantra (16–19), guptayantra (20–25), and haṃsapākayantra (28–29), 8 the various kinds of earth (30–35), and a series of mūṣās: vajramūṣā, varamūṣā, prakāśamūṣā, andhamūṣā, and bhasmamūṣā (36–43). 9 The functions of the rakta-, śukla- and biḍavarga are defined (44–46); substances for sealing a mūṣā (mūṣālepa) are described (47–48), followed by the colours of the flames which are specific for a particular substance (49–51), the characteristics of purified loha (52), definitions of pratīvāpa, niṣeka and snapana (53–54), and lohāvarta (55). The chapter ends with descriptions of koṣṭhakas, the vaṅkanāla, khalla, mardaka (56–60), and, finally, purificatory procedures (56–63).

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Chapter five (oṣadhinirṇaya; 45 verses) lists the items of groups of vegetable and other substances employed in alchemical operations: niyāmaka plants (2–7), nirjīvakāraka plants (8–13), māraka plants (14–16), rasabandhakara plants (17–21), drāvaka plants (22–23), krāmaka plants (24–25), plants useful for rasāyana (526), the groups called mūlikā and pañcaratna (27–29), the substances called kṣāra (30), the groups of substances called amlavarga, pañcalavaṇa, mahāviṣa, upaviṣa, tailavarga,¹⁰ mūtravarga, pittavarga, vasāvarga, viḍvarga,¹¹ raktavarga, pītavarga, śuklavarga, drāvanavarga,¹² and śodhanavarga (31–42).

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¹⁰ text of the note

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¹¹ text of the note

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¹² text of the note

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Chapter six (abhrakādilakṣaṇasaṃskāranirṇaya; 139 verses) deals with abhraka (mica), kānta(loha), vajra and vaikrānta. The subjects of the section on abhraka are: the origin of mica, its four colours (yellow, black, white, and red) and four varieties (piṇāka, dardura, nāga, vajra), the properties of the four varieties (2–9), the purification of mica (10–13), the extraction of its essence (14–16), and the liquefaction of the essence (druti; 17–39). The section on kānta begins with an enumeration of its five types, their characteristics, properties and uses (40–54); the five types are bhrāmaka, cumbaka, karṣaka, drāvaka and romaka. The subjects that follow are the preparation of sūtaloha (55–57), and the purification and liquefaction of kānta (58–64). Section three, on diamonds (vajra), is concerned with their origin and types (brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra; male, female, napumsaka), the characteristics, properties and uses of these types (65–78), the purification of diamonds, their killing and liquefaction (79–122). Section four is about the origin of vaikrānta, its seven types (white, yellow, red, dark-blue, dove-coloured, coloured like a peacock's tail, emerald-green) and their uses (123–129), its purification, the extraction of its essence, and liquefaction (130–138).

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Chapter seven (mahārasaparasalohalakṣaṇasaṃskāraratnadrāvaṇamāraṇanirṇaya; 154 verses) deals with the mahārasas, uparasas, metals (loha) and gems (ratna). The section on the mahārasas begins with their enumeration: mākṣika, vimala, śaila, capala, rasaka, sasyaka, darada and sroto’ñjana (2); it proceeds with the origin, purification and extraction of the essences of mākṣika and vimala, followed by their medicinal properties and uses (3–17); two varieties of mākṣika are distinguished (yellow and white) and three varieties of vimala (white, yellow and red). The next subjects are śilājatu (= śaila), its origin, varieties (patita and apatita), names, and purification (18–22); the varieties of capala (yellowish, white, reddish, black) and their uses, the etymology of capala, its killing (23–27); rasaka, its three varieties (resembling mṛttikā, guḍa and pāṣāṇa),¹³ its purification, the extraction of its essence, its synonyms, the medicinal properties of rasaka and its essence (28–38); sasyaka, its origin, purification, the extraction of its essence, its medicinal properties (39–45); darada (cinnabar), its names and its three varieties (carmāra, śukaṭuṇḍaka, haṃsapāda),¹⁴ the extraction of mercury from it, its medicinal properties (46–52); sroto’ñjana, its purification and properties (53–54).

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¹³ text of the note

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¹⁴ text of the note

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The section on the uparasas begins with the enumeration of the items of this group: gandhaka, tālaka, (manaḥ)śilā, sauraṣṭrī, khaga (= kāsīsa), gairika, rājāvarta and kaṅkuṣṭha (56); it proceeds with the mythical origin of gandhaka (sulphur),¹⁵ its three varieties (coloured like the beak of a parakeet, yellow, white), and its purification (57–73); tālaka, its two varieties (pāṭala and piṇḍa), its purification and the extraction of its essence (74–77); the purification and liquefaction of (manaḥ)śilā (78); the purification of the two varieties of sauraṣṭrī (white and black) and the extraction of its essence (79–80); the purification of the three varieties (white, black, yellow) of kāsīsa (81–82);¹⁶ the purification of the three varieties of gairika (rakta-, hema-, kevalagairika) and the extraction of a white and a red essence (83–84); the purification of the two varieties of

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¹⁵ text of the note

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¹⁶ text of the note

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rājāvarta (gulikā and cūrṇa) and the extraction of its essence (85–87); the description of kaṅkuṣṭha (88); a general method of purifying the mahārasas and uparasas (89–90); the preparation of a vajrapiṇḍī, useful in extracting the essence from the mahārasas and uparasas (91–95).

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The section on the metals (loha) begins with their enumeration: gold, silver, copper, iron (tīkṣṇa), tin and lead (96–98). The subjects dealt with are: the three varieties of gold (rasaja, kṣetraya, lohasaṃkaraja); the best type of gold is that of sixteen varṇa¹⁷ (99–101); the purification of gold (102); the two varieties of silver (white and black) and their purification (103–104); the purification of the two varieties (red and black) of copper (105–106), the three varieties (rohaṇa, bājara, kapalālaya) of tīkṣṇa or kānta (107–109), the two varieties (white and black) of tin, and lead (110–115); the liquefaction of the metals (118–136).

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¹⁷ text of the note

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The last part of the chapter is concerned with the liquefaction of gems (137–146), the killing of metals (147–149), and the praise of some important substances (150–153).

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Chapter eight (bījasādhana; 88 verses) gives a detailed account of the power (rāgasamkhyā) of diverse substances used in colouring mercury (2–15). The next subject is the preparation of bījas (16–23), divided into hema- and tārabīja,¹⁸ kalpita-, rañjita- and pakvabīja; a kalpitabīja is of two varieties, śuddha and miśra. The other subjects are the preparation of mixtures of two (dvandvamelāpana) or more (melana) substances (24–40), such as hemābhra, tārābhra, tīkṣṇābhra, vaṅgābhra, nāgābhra; the colouring (rañjana) of mercury by means of kalpita- and rañjitabījas (41–49), and pakvabījas (50–57); the preparation of hema- and tārabīja (58–72), rañjanabīja (75–79), rañjanataila (80–82), and śāraṇataila (83–85).

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¹⁸ text of the note

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Chapter nine (viḍakathana; 19 verses) describes viḍas,¹⁹ employed in the process called jāraṇa. Some of these viḍas bear names: vaḍavāmukha,²⁰ vahnimukha, jvālā-mukha.

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¹⁹ text of the note

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²⁰ text of the note

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Chapter ten (rasaśodhana; 60 verses) deals with the names of mercury and its five varieties (12–9), and the names of eight saṃskāras and their effects: svedana, mardana, cāraṇa, jāraṇa, drāvaṇa, rañjana, śāraṇa and krāmaṇa (10–12). Five gatis of mercury are mentioned: mala-,²¹ haṃsa-,²² mala-, dhūma-²³ and jīvagati,²⁴ together with their characteristics (13–16).²⁵ Five avasthās of mercury are described: dhūma, ciṭiciṭi, maṇḍūkapluti, akampa and vikampa; these are removed by means of niyamana (17–22).²⁶ The saṃskāras which were enumerated in some preceding verses are elucidated (23–28). Three doṣas of mercury are mentioned: viṣa, vahni, mala (30–31). The system of weights (mānaparibhāṣā) is discussed (32–37). The remaining part of the chapter is devoted to a number of saṃskāras: svedana, mardana, pātana, nirodha, niyamana, and dīpana (38–59);²⁷ the seven kaṅcukas (42) or upādhihajoḍas are referred to (48).

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²¹ text of the note

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²² text of the note

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²³ text of the note

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²⁴ text of the note

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²⁵ text of the note

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²⁶ text of the note

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²⁷ text of the note

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Chapter eleven (bālājarāṇa; 221 verses) is mainly about cāraṇa and jāraṇa (1). Jāraṇa is of two types: bāla- and baddhajāraṇa (7). The order of a series of operations is elucidated (8–10). Jāraṇa of mica is said to be of two (pattrābhrajāraṇa and sattvajāraṇa) or three (samukha, nirmukha, vāsanāmukha) types (14–15).²⁸ These processes are described in detail (16–80ab). The state of mercury and its appearance are dependent on the amount of grāsa (abhraka, abhakasattva, nāgābhra, etc.) added;

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²⁸ text of the note

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six states are distinguished: daṇḍadhārin, jalaukasāma (resembling a leech), kākaviṣṭhāsama (resembling the droppings of a crow), dadhimanḍasama (resembling whey), navanītasama (resembling butter) and golakākāra (resembling small balls) (50–54). The five avasthās are mentioned again (75).29 The amount of mica digested (jīrṇa) by mercury determines whether the product is called bāla, yauvanastha or vṛddha (77–80ab).30 If abhrakasattva is not available, a grāsa consisting of kānta or tīkṣṇa may be employed as a substitute (80cd–81).

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Subjects discussed after this section on the jāraṇa of abhraka(sattva) are the jāraṇa of gold (86–89), the types of jāraṇa known as bhūcarī and khecarī (90–107), and two more types of jāraṇa (108–124).

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The next subject is the jāraṇa of gems (125–137). The verses which follow are about mercurial preparations ensuring vedha (138–163), the jāraṇa of liquefied sulphur and lead (164–175), the colouring of mercury (176), garbhadṛti (177–179ab), the preparation of tārāriṣṭa (179cd–180), the preparation of nāgābhra and its jāraṇa (180–191), krāmaṇa (197), seven forms of mercury: mūrchita,31 mṛta,32 jalūkābaddha, mūrtibaddha, paṭṭabaddha,33 bhasman and khoṭa (198), and their description (199–208).

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The order in which several operations are to be performed is mentioned: śodhana, grāsamāna, jāraṇa of sattvas, garbhadṛti and bāhyadṛti, jāraṇa of gold, puṭa of divine herbs, bandha of gems, rañjana, jāraṇa, anusāraṇa, krāmaṇa, and finally dāna (210–212).34

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The chapter ends with verses on the actions of processed mercury.

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Chapter twelve (rasabandhana; 382 verses), the longest, deals with the bandhana of mercury, an art unknown to Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Indra (2). Mercury is said to be immediately solidified (baddha) in the vicinity of a rākṣasa called Prayoga, who lives in the region between Gaṅgā and Yamunā (3).

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The first part of the chapter consists of a long series of kalpas, describing preparations of particular plants (divyauṣadhi) and some other substances used in achieving alchemical aims, specifically rasabandha. The contents of this part of the chapter are closely related to the second part of the Rasārṇavakalpa of the Rudrayāmala.35 A first series of kalpas deals with niśācara (4–26),36 ajanāyikā (27–35),37 narasāra (36–51), kaṅkālakhecarī (52–57), mantrasimhāsanī (58–64), surasimhanī (65–67),38 and harīndarī (68–70). Some verses on the excellence of the sixty-four divyauṣadhis or kulaudhis for alchemical operations and the inferiority of the tṛṇauṣadhis follow (71–83).

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The second series of plants dealt with consists of divyauṣadhis: kṣamāpāla39 and gajārī (84–96), caṭulaparṇī (97),40 ekavīrā (98), raktakañcukī (99), vṛścikāpattrikā (100), vajrakanda (101–102), lāṅgalikanda and karkoṭikanda (103–104ab), śukacañcu and śukatuṇḍī and haṃsapādī or haṃsāṅghri (104cd–108), traṇayotis (109–111), uccaṭī (112–116),41 raktasnuhi (117–121), sthalapadminī (122–128), kumudinī (129–131),42 the three varieties (white, red, deep blue) of citraka (132–140), nāginī (141–142),43 jyotiṣmatī (143–148), dagdhāroha (149–155), kaṭutumbī (156–165), kṣīrakanda (166–169), tinṭiṇī (170–171),44 śākavṛkṣa (172–178), devadālī (179–182), and śvetaguñjā (183–188).45

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The second part of twelve is devoted to other substances employed in the solidification (bandha) of mercury: canrodaka (189–211), viṣodaka (212–231), samjī-

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vanijala (231–258), uṣṇodaka (259–276), and śailodaka (277–327);46 it ends with rasāyanas, in particular pills (guṭikā), prepared by means of śailodaka (328–357), and bhasmans (358–382).

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Chapter thirteen (dṛtibandhana; 31 verses) is concerned with baddhajāraṇā, a process said to be superior to bālajāraṇā, described in chapter eleven.

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Three types of bandha are distinguished: mūla- or vāsanābandha, rasabandha, and pākabandha; mūlabandha, accomplished by means of the plants called mūlikā, is the best method (7–8). Three more types are: piṇḍikā-, druti- or kṣaṇa-, and saṃkocabandha (10–11). The larger part of the chapter gives an account of methods to achieve dṛtibandha.

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Chapter fourteen (vajrabandha; 174 verses) describes many ways of achieving bandha by means of the bhasman of diamonds. Mercury, solidified (baddha) in this way, brings about krāmaṇa and vedha. The power of accomplishing vedha depends on the amount of mercury present in the mixture of substances. Ten varieties of the process called saṃkali are described (7–18).

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Pills (guṭikā), consisting of mercury solidified by means of vajrabhasman, are said to have wonderful properties, if used in the prescribed way, accompanied by the appropriate mantras (19–36, 37–48, 49–56).

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Chapter fifteen (piṣṭistambhamahārasaparavajrabandha; 207 verses) begins with the bandha of mercury by means of several varieties of vaikrānta (2–47), by means of kānta (48–50), capala (51–62), gandhaka and gandhapiṣṭikā47 (63–106), and tālaka (107–111). It goes on with several ways of making a khoṭa (= baddhasūta, solidified mercury), also called the stambhana of a rasapiṣṭikā (112–163). Five types of bandha are said to produce a nigala or gola: khoṭa-, poṭa-, bhasma-, dhūli- and kalkabandha (164). Several methods of making a nigala are described (165–185), followed by procedures aiming at piṣṭikāstambhana (186–205).

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Chapter sixteen (rasarañjana; 110 verses) describes the liquefaction (drāvaṇa, druti) of solidified (baddha) mercury, followed by its digestion (jāraṇa) of diamonds and other precious and semi-precious stones. These and other similar processes result in the colouring of metals, making them resemble gold, and in the acquisition of a divine body.

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Some bandhas are also dealt with (95–98: cūrṇabandha; 99–107).

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Chapter seventeen (lohavedha; 166 verses) is concerned with the saṃskāras called sāraṇa and krāmaṇa, which result in vedha, the transmutation of base metals into silver and gold. The three stages of sāraṇa, called sāraṇa, pratisāraṇa and anusāraṇa, are described (2–5). Some methods of reducing the hardness of metals (mṛdukaraṇa) are dealt with (106–114), as well as procedures enhancing the colour of the artificial gold (varṇatkarṣaṇa) and purifying it (118–151).

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Chapter eighteen (dehavedha; 230 verses) describes the acquisition of a divine, immortal body, not subject to disease and decrepitude.48

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The chapter begins with the purification of one’s body (kṣetrīkaraṇa; 2–22), preliminary to the consumption of the mercurial preparation called āroṭa (12). The bhasman of mercury that has digested diamonds is the best preparation one can take; the bhasman of mercury that has digested gold, silver, copper, tīkṣṇa, capala, bājara, rohaṇa, or a common type of tīkṣṇa make one attain the position of Rudra, Viṣṇu, Brahmā, Kubera, Sūrya, Soma, Agni, or Indra respectively (23–25). The urine and faeces of the successful alchemist (sādhaka) turn soil and stones into gold and his drops of sweat convert the eight metals into gold (28–29). 49 The miraculous effects of the mercurial preparations taken by the practitioner are elaborately described. These effects depend on the type of preparation and its dosage (40–46 and 56–60). The attempts will be abortive, however, if the appropriate mantras are neglected which protect the adept against the attacks of all sorts of malevolent beings (100–106). The eight articles of food called kakāra should be avoided: kūṣmāṇḍa, karkaṭī, kāliṅga, kāravellaka, kusumbhaka, karkoṭa, kadalī and kākamācikā (120). Many more articles of food are prohibited (124–126) and numerous rules of behaviour are to be observed (121–123, 127–136, 144–146).

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The disorders brought about by improper use (rasajīrṇa) and their treatment are discussed (137–143).

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Eight kinds of vedha of the body are distinguished: tvag-, māṃsa-, rakta-, asthi-, majja-, nāḍī-, dhātu- and kavacavedha; each kind also leads to a particular type of transmutation of a metal (147–153ab).

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Several marvellous pills (guṭikā) are described: vajrāṅgasundarī (174–177), sarvasiddhidā (179–181), some pills without a name, and a gola (195–199).

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Sources are not cited by name. Once (7.18) a granthāntara is mentioned, which may be the Carakasaṃhitā or one of the other āyurvedic classics. 50 The Ḍāmaratantra appears to be referred to in some MSS. 51

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The Rasārṇava is quoted or referred to in the Amṛtasāgara, 52 the pariśiṣṭas of the Ānandakanda, the commentary on the Aṣṭamahāmātrā, the Āyurvedaprakāśa, Āyurvedasaukhya, 53 Āyurvedīya Khanijavijñāna, 54 Bṛhadrasarājasundara, Bṛhadyogatarangiṇī, 55 Capalanirṇaya of the Rasatarangiṇī, 56 a Cikitsāsārasaṃgraha, 57 Gulrājśarmamiśra's commentary on the Āyurvedaprakāśa, 58 Hazārīlāl Sukul's commentary on the Rasaratnasamuccaya, Khare's commentary on the Rasaratnasamuccaya, Mādhava's Āyurvedaprakāśa, Nārāyaṇabhūpati's Nārāyaṇavilāsa, 59 the Pākāvalī, 60 Pāradasaṃhitā, Rasadhātuprakāśa, Rasakakṣapuṭa, Rasakāmadhenu, Rasāmṛta, 61 Rasaprakāśasudhakara, Rasarājalakṣmī, Rasaratnasamuccaya, Rasasaṃgrahasiddhānta, Rasasindhu, the commentary on the Rasatarangiṇī, 62 the Rasatattvavivecana, Rasayogasāgara, Rasendracintāmaṇi, 63 Rasendrakalpadruma, Rasendrapurāṇa, 64 Raṇākarauṣadhayogagrantha, Sarvadarśanasaṃgraha, 65 Somadevaśarman's commentary on the Āyurvedaprakāśa, Mallāri's Vaidyakalpataru, the Vaidyakaśaroddhāra, Vaidyaśāstrapravartakācāryanāmasamuccaya, Revana's Vīrabhaṭṭīya, the Yogaratnākara, 66 and the Yogatarangiṇī. 67

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Anonymous quotations from the Rasārṇava are found in the Rasajalanidhi, Mahādeva's commentary on the Rasapaddhati, 68 the Rasaratnasamuccaya, and Ṭoḍara's Āyurvedasaukhya.

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A number of passages from the Rasārṇava are nearly identical to passages from the Rasahṛdaya. 69 The Rasendramaṅgala borrows widely from the Rasārṇava. 70 Borrowings from the Rasārṇava or from a common source are also found in the Kākacaṇḍīśvarakalpatantra and Kākacaṇḍeśvarīmata. 71

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The Rasārṇava was one of the sources of the Āyurvedaprakāśa, Kūpīpakvara-

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sanirmāṇavijñāna and Rasendrasambhava.

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The Rasārṇava is mentioned in Māṇikyadeva's Rasaratnasamuccaya.

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Special features

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Alchemy and the philosophy on which it is based are declared to be superior to the six philosophical systems (ṣaḍdarśana), because of the importance of the conservation of the human body (piṇḍadhāraṇa) for those aiming at emancipation while still alive (jīvanmukti; 1.7–17). Alchemy is regarded as belonging to karmayoga, a way of life governed by the cultivation of either rasa (mercury) or vāyu (breath); 72 both ways are described as parallel methods (1.18–22). The practitioner of the alchemical art should also be experienced in Haṭhayoga (1.26). 73

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Four varieties of the rasaliṅga, to be worshipped by the alchemist, are distinguished, in increasing order of merit: made from mercury mixed with mica, mixed with a viḍa, prepared by help of mantras, and mixed with rasaka (1.44).

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Members of all four varṇas may be accepted as pupils by a teacher (2.12). The female companions to be selected are, according to the characteristics they possess, called kākiṇī, kīkaṇī and kāñcikācinī (2.19).

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The construction of the alchemist's workshop (maṇḍapa) with its rasaliṅga, a process accompanied by rituals, is described in detail (2.38–103). 74 Many divinities should be worshipped, amongst whom are Nandin, Mahākāla, Bhṛṅgīka, Dṛḍhāyudha, the ten alchemical Dūtīs: 75 Lepikā, Kṣepikā, Kṣārikā, Lohaṭī, Bhaḍakārī, Bhūcarī, Mṛtyunāśinī, 76 Vibhūti, and Khecarī 77 (2.54 and 57–58), the four Śaktis: Mālinī, Hemaśakti, Balā, and Vajraśakti (2.62), and the six divinities consisting of Mahākāla, Mahābala, Aghora, Vajravīraka, Krodha, and Kaṅkāla (2.96–97).

v3.c51.s1.72

Chapter three also refers to many divinities and other authorities, amongst whom are the four Siddhas, the eighteen excellent men, 78 Caṇḍaghaṇṭā, Bhairavī, and Caṇḍakāpālinī (3.10–15). A number of mantras are referred to by name: ḍāmaramantra, cintāmaṇimahāvidyā, caṇḍikāmahāmantra, aghorāstra, mahāpāśupatāstra (3.23–28), rasāṅkuśamantra, and kubjikāmantra (3.29–32).

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The Rasārṇava distinguishes five mahāviṣas (major poisons): saktuka, kālakūṭa, sitamustā, śṛṅgī and kṛṣṇaviṣa (5.33), and five upaviṣas (minor poisons): snuhī, arka, unmattaka, karavīra and lāṅgalī (5.34ab). 79

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The Rasārṇava adds karṣaka to the usual four varieties of kāntaloha; it is regarded as the second best, next to drāvaka, the very best; both varieties are said to be suitable to alchemical and rasāyana purposes (6.40, 44, 48). Seven varieties of vaikrānta are described (6.127); the karbura type is not mentioned.

v3.c51.s1.75

The list of mahārasas (7.2) is unusual in including darada (cinnabar) and sroto'ñjana, whereas abhraka (mica) and vaikrānta are omitted. 80 The Rasārṇava is the only rasaśāstra listing sroto'ñjana as a mahārasa and excluding vaikrānta from the group. 81

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Two varieties of mākṣika 82 are mentioned, yellow and white in colour (7.5). Their usual names, suvarṇa- and raupyamākṣika, are absent from the Rasārṇava, where they are called tāpya and āvartaka (7.14). Three varieties of vimala are distinguished: yellow, white and red (7.5); their usual names, hema-, tāra- and kāṃsyavimala, are absent. The two varieties of śilājatu, patita and apatita (7.18), not known from other texts, may correspond to those usually called gomūtra- and karpūraśilājatu.⁸³ The four varieties of capala, white, yellow, red and black (7.23), are also mentioned in the Rasapaddhati, Rasaratnākara and Rasendrapurāṇa; the Rasārṇava and Rasapaddhati agree in regarding the white and yellow varieties as useful for alchemical purposes. The three varieties of rasaka, resembling mṛttikā, guḍa and pāṣāṇa (7.28–29), are peculiar to the Rasārṇava; its sattva, which may be zinc, is said to resemble tin (kuṭila; 7.35). The verses on sroto’ñjana (7.53–54) do not refer to the other varieties of añjana, described in many rasaśāstra texts.

v3.c51.s1.77

The uparasa list of the Rasārṇava (7.56) is remarkable by its inclusion of rājāvarta, in common with the Rasaratnākara (III.157) and one of the lists found in the Rasasāra (6.8–9a). The three varieties of sulphur (gandhaka) (7.67) are also found in the Rasapaddhati (55), whereas many treatises add a fourth variety, black in colour. The two types of tālaka are called paṭala and piṇḍa (7.74); the paṭala type corresponds to the one called pattra, pattrin or dala in other texts. Varieties of manaḥśilā are not mentioned (7.78). A white and black variety of saurāṣṭrī are distinguished (7.79), a white, black and yellow one of kāsīsa (7.81). Three differently coloured varieties of gairika are mentioned (7.⁸³), whereas most texts describe two varieties. The two types of rājāvarta (gulikā and cūrṇa; 7.85–87) may be peculiar to the Rasārṇava. Kaṅkuṣṭha is very briefly characterized as having the colour of coral and possessing a sattva (7.⁸⁸).

v3.c51.s1.78

⁸³ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.79

The metals are called loha; the term dhātu is not used in the Rasārṇava. The series of metals is noteworthy by its mention of tīkṣṇa, which is usually one of the three types of iron, the other two being kānta and muṇḍa. Kānta is dealt with separately (6.40–64), while muṇḍa is not described in the Rasārṇava. Gold and silver are sāralohas, tīkṣṇa and copper sādhāraṇalohas, tin and lead pūtikalohas (7.96–98).

v3.c51.s1.80

Gold is said to be of three varieties only and to be either red or yellow (7.99–100); its sixteen varṇas are not, as in other texts, restricted to divine types of gold (7.¹⁰¹). Silver is either white or black (7.¹⁰³). Copper is red or black (7.¹⁰⁵); the two varieties called nepāla and kṣuraka are not mentioned. Three varieties of tīkṣṇa are enumerated (rohaṇa, vājara, capalālaya; 7.¹⁰⁷), whereas many texts have more varieties; the verse listing these varieties adds that kāntaloha is a synonym of tīkṣṇa, which disagrees with the description of kānta in chapter six. Tin is described as white or black (7.¹¹⁰), while most treatises distinguish a kṣura and miśra type.

v3.c51.s1.81

Chapter eleven tells a story about Ruru,⁸⁴ one of the Dānavas,⁸⁵ who took a small amount of mercurial bhasman, which enabled him to root up the world and destroy Kailāsa; Śiva conquered this malevolent being after taking a particular, very potent, mercurial preparation (11.158–161).

v3.c51.s1.82

⁸⁴ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.83

⁸⁵ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.84

Four differently coloured varieties of mercurial bhasman are mentioned: black, white, yellow and blue (11.205).⁸⁶

v3.c51.s1.85

⁸⁶ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.86

Some of the divyauṣadhis mentioned in chapter twelve are described: caṭulaparṇī (12.⁹⁷), tṛṇajyotis (12.¹⁰⁹), uccaṭī (12.112–114), sthalapadminī (12.123–124), jyotiṣmatī (12.¹⁴⁴), dagdhārohā (12.149–151), and kṣīrakanda (12.166–168).

v3.c51.s1.87

Chapter twelve also deals with the mythical origin and properties of a wonderful

v3.c51.s1.88

substance called kartarīrasa (12.202–210).

v3.c51.s1.89

The saṃjīvanījala, which made the dead Daityas return to life, is said to be found near a village called Ambikā,⁸⁷ situated not far from the mountain Kṛṣṇagiri,⁸⁸ to the south of Kadalīnagara, a city located on the right bank of the Godāvarī (12.236–239).

v3.c51.s1.90

⁸⁷ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.91

⁸⁸ [Text of the note]

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Uṣṇodaka is found in the Uṣṇodakakuṇḍa, near a temple dedicated to Kampeśvara, lying on the river Praṇītā,⁸⁹ in the vicinity of the city called Kampa, located in its turn to the north of Mātāpura, a temple on the mountain Sahyādri, north of the Godāvarī (12.260–262).

v3.c51.s1.93

⁸⁹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.94

Geographical names occuring in the verses on śailodaka are: Adhāreśa, Bhadrāṅga, Bhagavātī,⁹⁰ Brahmagiri,⁹¹ Brahmeśvara, Dhāreśvara, Durjadeśa, Gokarṇa,⁹² Gokulanagara,⁹³ Kiṣkindhya,⁹⁴ Kṣīrakṣetra, Mālyavant,⁹⁵ Pampā,⁹⁶ Paryaṅka, Sahya,⁹⁷ Siṃhadvīpa, Śrīśaila,⁹⁸ Śrīvana, Tristhala, Varṣāpurī, Vindhya, and Vyāghrapurī⁹⁹ (12.282–287).

v3.c51.s1.95

⁹⁰ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.96

⁹¹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.97

⁹² [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.98

⁹³ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.99

⁹⁴ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.100

⁹⁵ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.101

⁹⁶ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.102

⁹⁷ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.103

⁹⁸ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.104

⁹⁹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.105

Chapter fourteen refers to a number of twenty-four Siddhas (14.40).

v3.c51.s1.106

Chapter seventeen, devoted to vedha, does not regard this process as a separate saṃskāra.¹⁰⁰

v3.c51.s1.107

¹⁰⁰ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.108

Several groups of drugs are listed in chapter five.

v3.c51.s1.109

The niyāmaka drugs are: ākhuparṇī,¹⁰¹ āmalakī, anantā, balā, bhṛṅgarāja, brahmahaṇḍī,¹⁰² cakramarda, dviparṇī, ekaparṇikā,¹⁰³ ghanadhvani,¹⁰⁴ girikarṇikā, gojihvā, jalabindu-jā,¹⁰⁵ jvālīnī,¹⁰⁶ kākajaṅghā, kākamācī, kañcukī, kapotikā, kokilākṣa, kṛṣṇā, kṛṣṇaparṇī,¹⁰⁷ kṣīriṇī, kukkuṭī,¹⁰⁸ kuruṅginī,¹⁰⁹ mahābalā, maṇḍūkaparṇī, matsyākṣī, meṣaśṛṅgī, nāgabalā, nīli, padmacāriṇī, pāṭhā, phaṇijihvā,¹¹⁰ punarnavā, rāsnā, sahacarā, sahādevī, śarapuṅkhā, śatāvarī, śikhaṇḍinī,¹¹¹ śvetā,¹¹² tittiḍī, triparṇī,¹¹³ tulasī, vahnikarṭī,¹¹⁴ and viṣṇukrāntā (5.2–7).

v3.c51.s1.110

¹⁰¹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.111

¹⁰² [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.112

¹⁰³ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.113

¹⁰⁴ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.114

¹⁰⁵ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.115

¹⁰⁶ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.116

¹⁰⁷ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.117

¹⁰⁸ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.118

¹⁰⁹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.119

¹¹⁰ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.120

¹¹¹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.121

¹¹² [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.122

¹¹³ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.123

¹¹⁴ [Text of the note]

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The rasanirjivakārikā drugs¹¹⁵ are: agnidhamanī, ajamārī, aṅganāmikā, bālamocakā,¹¹⁶ brahmacāriṇī,¹¹⁷ bṛhatī, cakrī,¹¹⁸ caṇḍālī,¹¹⁹ ekavīrā,¹²⁰ gajakarṇikā,¹²¹ gajārī,¹²² haṃsāṅghrī, hanūmatī,¹²³ hemapuṣpī, himāvatī, kākamācī, kākamuṇḍī,¹²⁴ kālikā, kāñcanī,¹²⁵ kañcukī, keśinī,¹²⁶ khaḍgārī,¹²⁷ koṭarākṣī,¹²⁸ kuhukamvikā,¹²⁹ kumārī, lakṣmī,¹³⁰ lāṅgalī, māninīkandā,¹³¹ meṣaśṛṅgikā, modā,¹³² narajīvā,¹³³ naranarakasā,¹³⁴ nilacitraka, rājikā, rākṣasī, raktacitraka, raktasnuhi, raktaśṛṅgī,¹³⁵ raktikā, rudantī, śakhoṭaka, śamī, śaṅkhapuṣpī, somalatā, śṛgālajihvā, sūryabhaktā, tāmbūlī, toyavallī,¹³⁶ uccaṭā, vajrī, vanarājī,¹³⁷ vyāghranakhī, and vyāghrī (5.8–13).¹³⁸

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¹¹⁵ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.126

¹¹⁶ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.127

¹¹⁷ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.128

¹¹⁸ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.129

¹¹⁹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.130

¹²⁰ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.131

¹²¹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.132

¹²² [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.133

¹²³ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.134

¹²⁴ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.135

¹²⁵ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.136

¹²⁶ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.137

¹²⁷ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.138

¹²⁸ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.139

¹²⁹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.140

¹³⁰ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.141

¹³¹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.142

¹³² [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.143

¹³³ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.144

¹³⁴ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.145

¹³⁵ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.146

¹³⁶ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.147

¹³⁷ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.148

¹³⁸ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.149

The drugs that are helpful in the killing (māraṇa) of mercury are: bākuci, bilva, brahmabīja, dantī, devadālī, gojihvā, gosandhī, indravāruṇī, kākajaṅghā, kañcukī, kāravallikā, karkoṭī, kārpāsa, kaṭutumbī, kṛṣṇajīraka, kṛṣṇakanaka,¹³⁹ mahākālī,¹⁴⁰ paṭolī, pipīlukā, śambarī,¹⁴¹ sitāṅkola, śvetaguñjā, śvetārka, and yava-cincā (5.14–16).

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¹³⁹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.151

¹⁴⁰ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.152

¹⁴¹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.153

Drugs used in the bandha of mercury are: arkapatrī, brahmadāṇḍī, cakrāṅkī, dagdharuhā, devadālī, hanūmatī, hemavallī, indurī,¹⁴² īśvarī, kākamācī, kṛṣṇamārjārī, kṣīrakukkuṭī, modinī,¹⁴³ nāgajihvā,¹⁴⁴ nāgakarṇī,¹⁴⁵ nīlajyotis, raktacitraka, raktasnuhi, śākhoṭakī, śaṅkhapuṣpī, somalatā, rudantī, sthalapadminī, tāmraparṇī,¹⁴⁶ tridaṇḍī, triśūlī, tṛṇajyotis, utkaṭā, vaṃśapatrī, vartulaparṇikā, vīrā, and vṛddhadāruka (5.17–21).

v3.c51.s1.154

¹⁴² [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.155

¹⁴³ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.156

¹⁴⁴ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.157

¹⁴⁵ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.158

¹⁴⁶ [Text of the note]

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The drāvikā group¹⁴⁷ consists of devadālī, kadaḷī, kākamācī, kośātakī, śigruka, sūryāvarta, udakakaṇā,¹⁴⁸ vajrakanda, and vandhyā (5.22–23).

v3.c51.s1.160

¹⁴⁷ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.161

¹⁴⁸ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s1.162

The krāmikā drugs 149 consist of arjunī, arkapattrikā, brahmī, cavī, ghanarava, ham-sapādī, kākamācī, kāravella, kāsamarda, kṛtāñjalī, kṣirānālī, kuravakā, lakṣmaṇā, nā-ginī, śatāvarī, saṭīrī, tāmbūlī, varāhakarṇī, 150 and vyāghrī (5.24–25). 151

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Brahmadaṇḍa, 152 sudaṇḍa 153 and lohaḍaṇḍa are useful for rasāyana purposes, because they are of the nature of Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara (5.26). Bhṛṅgarāj, bhūpā-ṭalī, hemaparṇī, kaumārī, 154 nāgavallī, paṭolī, siṃhavallī, and śūkarī are the eight plants called mūlikā (5.27). The pañcaratna group, employed in the purification of mercury and in jāraṇa, consists of indirā, kaṅkālakhecarī, kṣamāpālī, mantrasiddhāsanā, and ni-śācarī (5.28).

v3.c51.s1.164

Noteworthy names of plants, apart from those already mentioned, are: ahimāra (8. 77; 14.141), 155 amṛtākanda (6.98), āraktavallī (8.43; 15.2), bhiṇḍī (6.12), bhiṇḍī (6. 102), 156 bhūmyāmalaka (15.9), bījā (6.98), 157 brahmasomā (17.10), 158 bṛhatītraya (6. 35), cakrāṅkā (15.138; 16.17), challī (14.98), dvipadī (12.8, 37, 39; 14.38; 15.2, 72, 75, 187, 190; 16.96; 17.9), 159 dvyārdraka (7.21), gadā (11.24), 160 gaurīphala (7.113), gokarṇa (10.50), 161 gopālakī (7.109), 162 gorambhā (15.136), 163 kāntā (10.39), 167 kapālī (6. 26), 168 karaka (15.182), 169 karṇākhya (8.36), 170 kauberī (11.25), kīlāla (6.81), 171 kī-ṭamārī (12.42), 172 kokilā (15.148, 175, 182), 173 kulīśa (6.30), 174 kumudī (15.2), 175 mā-ghakhecarī (12.53), mahāsomā (15.138), mārjārapādī (6.27), 176 mārjārī (16.10), 177 nā-gakanyā (8.77), 178 nāgaśuṇḍī (11.44), 179 nārī (7.139; 13.17), 180 peṭārī (6.91, 99), rāgiṇī (11.86), 181 rasāṅkuśa (10.52), rasaphala (12.364), śakraiatā (16.89), 182 śalyā (15.45), śaṃkara (15.198), śivā (9.16; 16.89), 183 sthalakumbhī (6.118), śūkakanda (12.106), sumukha (6.13), suvarṇā (17.74), 184 tamā (15.153), 185 tiktasāha (11.26), 186 timira (6. 98; 14.150), 187 varṇikādvaya (11.178), 188 vasuhaṭṭa (11.86; 15.9), 189 vegā (6.30), 190 viṣaṭrṇa (12.229, 230), viśvāmitrakapāla (14.118), 191 and vyāghrakanda (6.130).

v3.c51.s1.165

Some interesting yantras referred to are: bhramarāyantra (15.46), cakrayantra (15. 107), dīpayantra (14.129), krauñcapāda (12.107), medīnyantra (12.60), and padmaya-ntra (11.194).

v3.c51.s1.166

Beef (gomāmsa) is an item required in a number of alchemical operations (6.32; 7.4 and 78).

v3.c51.s1.167

Kapāli(n) and Kāpālika are rather often employed terms, 192 which may refer to the alchemist Kāpālika or the sect of the Kāpālikas.

v3.c51.s1.168

The author The author of the Rasārṇava is unknown. The work is sometimes ascribed to Śambhu 193 or Bhairavānandayogin. 194 It is possible that later texts refer to the author as Manthānabhairava. 195

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Date The period of composition of the Rasārṇava cannot be established with any certainty, but the work is earlier than the middle of the fourteenth century, because it is quoted in the Sarvadarśanasaṃgraha. Most scholars place it, in imitation of P.C. Rāya, 196 in the twelfth century. 197 P.C. Rāya 198 claimed that the Rasārṇava borrowed copiously from

v3.c51.s1.170

Nāgārjuna's Rasaratnākara, i.e., the Rasendramaṅgala; 199 asserted that it borrowed from the Rasahṛdaya. D.G. White 200 noticed that the early eleventh-cen-tury Vimalaprabhā commentary on the Kālacakratantra reveals a number of striking similarities in both language and subject matter with the material found in the Rasā-rṇava.

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P. Rāya 201 regards the Devīśāstra, mentioned in a number of treatises, as identical with the Rasārṇava.

The Rasārṇavakalpa

v3.c51.s2.1

The Rasārṇavakalpa 202 is a treatise on alchemy that forms part of the Rudrayā-malatantra. 203 The work, in the form of a dialogue between Bhairava and Pārvatī, is written in the verse, with the exception of two passages in prose (368–370; 651), and consists of 814 stanzas. A division into chapters is absent, but the text can broadly be divided into three parts: (1) 77: rasāyana preparations; (2) 78–207: alchemical operations; (3) 213–814: kalpas. 204

v3.c51.s2.2

Contents 205 Part one describes several rasāyana preparations, all of them containing mercury or one of its compounds.

v3.c51.s2.3

Part two describes several methods of making artificial gold; 206 a number of saṃ-skāras of mercury are referred to; the medicinal qualities of some preparations are men-tioned; some substances are used for rasāyana purposes, to obtain dehasiddhi, or to revive the dead. Part two is also concerned with the alchemical uses of a number of plants; the groups of verses on these plants resemble kalpas; some of the plants are described: vartulaparṇī (152), jyotiṣmatī (173), and dagdharohā (177–180); the sixty-four divyauṣadhis are referred to (135); kulauṣadhis and tṛṇauṣadhis are distinguished; the tṛṇauṣadhis are, in contrast with the kulauṣadhis, useless for alchemical purposes (133cd–137).

v3.c51.s2.4

Part three consists of thirty-one kalpas, describing the origin of particular sub-stances, their names, characteristics, properties and uses. 207 Twenty-two kalpas are concerned with plants, three with inorganic substances (various substances, gandhaka, tālaka), and six with types of soil and water. 208

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The kalpas are devoted to: aparājitā (213–229), 209 brahmadaṇḍī (230–241), 210 aśvagandhā (242–250), 211 muṣalī (251–256), 212 a number of inorganic substances (257–260: śrīṅkālalakalpa), jyotiṣmatī (261–301), 213 śvetārka (302–322), 214 gandhaka (323–376), 215 tālaka (377–406), raktavajrī (407–414), uccatā (415–437), 216 kuṣmāṇḍī (438–448), īśvarī (449–491), 217 tṛṇajyotis (492–500), 218 vīrā (501–516), devadālī (517–545), 219 pītadevadālī (546–564), kaṭutumbī (565–578), 220 kṣīrakaṇṭacukī (579–590), 221 rudravantī (591–603), 222 somarājī (604–611), 223 dakṣiṇadeśatāmravarṇa-(mṛttikā) (612–617), mayūragira(rasa) (618–650), nāgamaṇḍala(rasa, -kardama, etc.) (651–701), 224 candrodaka (702–729), 225 viṣodaka (730–745), 226 śailodaka (746–756), 227 kolakavṛkṣa (757–764), śālmalī (765–782), 228 śrīvṛkṣa (738–789), and eraṇḍa (790–814). 229

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Sources are not referred to. An ancient authority mentioned is Nārada (215). ²³⁰ Part two of the Rasārṇavakalpa is closely related to Rasārṇava 12.8–182. The candrodaka-, viṣodaka- and śailodakakalpas also find counterparts in the Rasārṇava. ²³¹ Noteworthy agreements exist between verses of part three of the Rasārṇavakalpa and verses of the Kākacaṇḍīśvarakalpatantra. ²³²

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Special features Interesting plant names found in parts one and two are: ²³³ ajanāyikā (97), ²³⁴ anāmikā (66), arkanamitā (66), ²³⁵ arkavallī (61), ²³⁶ bahulā (64), ²³⁷ bhṛṅga (57), ²³⁸ dagdhārohā (177–181), ²³⁹ dvipadī (105; 106), ²⁴⁰ ekavīrā (153), gajadhvajī (66), ²⁴¹ gajāri (148), ²⁴² haṃsagamanī (66), ²⁴³ haṃsāṅghri (162), ²⁴⁴ harīndarī (130), ²⁴⁵ jaṭādhara (67), ²⁴⁶ kaṅkālakhecarī (115–116; 118), khecarī (122; 123), ²⁴⁷ koravallī (148), ²⁴⁸ kṛṣṇanāla (181), ²⁴⁹ kṣīrakaṇḍa (193), ²⁵⁰ kṣamāpāla (143), lajjākā (66), ²⁵¹ mantrasimhasanā (122; 123), niśācara (78; 80; 81; 84; 87; 90; 92; 96; 145), ²⁵² payovallī (59), ²⁵³ puṣpī (6; 123), ²⁵⁴ raktakañcukī (154), ²⁵⁵ śambhu (61), ²⁵⁶ siṃhatuṇḍa (109), ²⁵⁷ śukacañcu (162), ²⁵⁸ suśīraktī (61), ²⁵⁹ tṛṇajyotis (163cd–165), ²⁶⁰ vajrakaṇḍa (156), ²⁶¹ vartulaparṇī (152), vellakāra (61), ²⁶² and vṛścikā (155). ²⁶³

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The Rasārṇavakalpa contains a large number of geographical names. Regions mentioned are: Cyavana (613), Joṅgala (502), Kaṅkaṇaka (438), Nāgamaṇḍala (615; 654; 657; 667; 669), Pāṇḍava (613), and Pāriyātra (651). Cities and other places referred to are: Deūliyā (752), Karahāṭa (618), ²⁶⁴ Tillāpada (612), and Ujjayinī (180). Names of rivers are: Bhagavatī (750), ²⁶⁵ Candrabhāgā (653; 668; 680), ²⁶⁶ Gaṅgā (180; 653; 668), Kulā (670), Narmadā (653; 693; 695), Pāra (651), Pārā (669), ²⁶⁷ Sarasvatī (653; 669), ²⁶⁸ and Śoṇa (672). ²⁶⁹ Names of mountains are: Amarakaṇṭaka (703), ²⁷⁰ Bhadra (= Meru; 751), Brahmagiri (751), ²⁷¹ Candrakānta (429), Gandhaparvata (= Gandhamādana; 703), ²⁷² Gokarṇa (750), ²⁷³ Harīścandra (703), Hemaprastha (429), Himālaya (428), Himavant (704), Jālandhara (428), ²⁷⁴ Kapila (665; 666), Kardama (747), Karvura (654; 667; 668; 669; 680), Kumeru (427), Mahendra (503; 703), ²⁷⁵ Malaya (502; 703), Mayūragira (618), ²⁷⁶ Nṛsiṃha (752), Paryaṅka (749), Piṅgala (654; 668; 677; 699–701), Ṛkṣa (751), ²⁷⁷ Sahya (752), ²⁷⁸ Śrīsaila (703; 749), ²⁷⁹ Sunanda (654; 667), Trikūṭa (704), ²⁸⁰ Vindhya (428; 502; 751), and Vyāghra (667; 668).

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These geographical names are regarded as indications that the Rasārṇavakalpa has been composed in the Vindhya region. This hypothesis is thought to be supported by the consideration that the Rudrayāmalatantra came into being in the Viṣṇukrāntā area, which extended from the Vindhyas to Chaṭṭala (i.e., Chittagong). ²⁸¹

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Date Parts of the Rasārṇavakalpa are closely related to parts of chapter twelve of the Rasārṇava. Mira Roy and B.V. Subbarayappa expressed as their opinion that the Rasārṇava is posterior to the Rasārṇavakalpa, without claiming that the former borrowed from the latter, since indebtedness to a common source cannot be brushed aside easily. B.V. Subbarayappa is convinced that the Rasārṇavakalpa, on account of its emphasis on Tantric practices and its esoteric approach to alchemical procedures, dates from the be-

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ginning of the flourishing period of Indian alchemy, i.e., in his estimate, the period A.D. 900–1100. He assigns the Rasārṇava to the twelfth, the Rasārṇavakalpa to the eleventh century. The terminus post quem is in his view the date of the Rasaratnākara (i.e., in his opinion, the eighth or ninth century), because one of the verses of this work forms part of the Rasārṇavakalpa; ²⁸² this argument can be disregarded, because the pertinent verse is not from the Rasaratnākara, but from the Rasendramaṅgala.

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It seems hazardous to assume that an unsystematic text of a compilatory character like the Rasārṇavakalpa may be dated rather accurately. The chronological position of the Rudrayāmala, to which it is said to belong, and the different versions of that text should therefore carefully be taken into consideration.

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Rasasaṃketakalikā to Rasendracūḍāmaṇi

The Rasasaṃketakalikā

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The Rasasaṃketakalikā by Kāyastha Cāmuṇḍa¹ is a treatise on alchemy and iatro-chemistry in 399 verses,² arranged in four chapters (ullāsa).

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Contents³ The maṅgala is addressed to Śiva as the lord of mercury (Raseśa). Chapter one (49 verses) describes the mythical origin of mercury (1.2–4b),⁴ the varieties of mercury (1.4cd–5ab), the doṣas and kañcukas (1.5cd–6), some saṃskāras (mardana, svedana, mūrchana, pātana, gandhakajāraṇa, bandha, māraṇa; 1.7–40), the properties of killed mercury (mṛtarasa) (1.41–46), the side effects of the use of mṛtarasa and their treatment (1.47–48), and the results of paying homage to the lord of mercury (1.49). Chapter two (65 verses) is concerned with the description of the six natural metals (loha), their properties, varieties, purification and killing (2.1–49), lohakitta (2.50–51), kharpara (= rasaka; 2.52–53), the purification and killing of some alloys (kāṃsya and pittala; 2. 54ab), the treatment of disorders caused by the metals (2.54cd), and the nirutthakaraṇa⁵ of the metals (2.55–57); the chapter ends with the description of abhraka, its varieties, killing, the extraction of its essence (sattvapātana), the killing of the essence,⁶ and the uses of the products obtained (2.58–65). Chapter three (16 verses) deals with viṣas⁷ and upaviṣas (3.1–9), opium (3.10–12), and bhṛṅgī (3.13–16). Chapter four (129 verses) is a collection of rasayogas to be employed against various diseases and for rasāyana and vājīkaraṇa purposes. Chapter five (40 verses) contains formulae for pills (guṭikā; 5.1–30) and some other preparations (5.31–40).⁸

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Sources are not referred to. Cāmuṇḍa mentions the sampradāya of his guru (4.85 and 91).

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The Rasasaṃketakalikā is quoted in the paribhāṣā pariśiṣṭa of the Ānandakanda, the Āyurvedābdhisāra, Caturbhujamiśra’s commentary on the Rasahṛdaya, Khare’s commentary on the Rasaratnasamuccaya, Gulrājśarmamiśra’s commentary on the Āyurvedaprakāśa, the Rasakāmadhenu, the Rasamitra, the Rasāmṛta of Yādavji Trikamjī, the Rasāyanasaṃgraha, and Somadevaśarman’s commentary on the Āyurvedaprakāśa. It is one of the sources of the Āyurvedaprakāśa, Bheṣajasaṃhitā, Pāradasaṃhitā, and Rasayogasāgara.

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A commentary on the Rasasaṃketakalikā by Somadevaśarman is recorded.⁹

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Special features Four varieties of mercury are distinguished, named after the four varṇas (brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra; 1.4cd). Five naisargikadoṣas and seven kañcukas are mentioned; their names are not enumerated (1.5cd–6). Eighteen saṃskāras are referred to, but only a few, which are easily carried out, are described (1.7). Four types of rasabandha are mentioned: pāṭa¹⁰ or parpaṭīkābandha, khoṭa or piṣṭībandha, jalaukā or pakvabandha, and bhasmākhya (1.16–17). The preparation of two varieties of rasabhasman, ūrdhvaga- and talabhasman (1.18–28ab),¹¹ is described, as well as the preparation of five varieties which differ in colour: rakta, pīta, kṛṣṇa, nīla, and pāṇḍurāruṇa (1.28cd–33).¹² The six natural metals are gold, silver, copper (arka), tin, lead and iron (2.1); bronze (ghoṣa or kāṃsya) and brass (āvartaka or pittala) are alloys (2.1). Five varieties of gold are distinguished (prākṛta, sahaja, agnija, khanija and rasavāḍottha; 2.4–5), three varieties of silver (sahaja, khanija, kṛtrima; 2.10), two varieties of copper (nepāla and mleccha; 2.14) and of tin (khuraka amd miśraka; 2.25). Three types of iron are mentioned: muṇḍa, tīkṣṇa and kānta; muṇḍa has three varieties (mṛdu, kuṇṭha, kāṇḍāra), tīkṣṇa six (kharasāra, hotrāsa, tārāvarta, kālaloha, gajākhya), and kānta four (romaka, bhrāmaka, cumbaka, drāvaka) (2.34–37). Zinc is not mentioned as one of the metals, but kharparasattva is described (2.52–53).¹³

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Four varieties of mica (abhraka) are distinguished (pīta, sita, asita, and rakta, called respectively piṇāka, dardura, nāga, and vajra; 2.58–59). A nīlakaṇṭhamantra accompanies the killing of poisons (3.3–4ab). Upaviṣas mentioned are vajra, arka, heman, halinī, hayāri and viṣamuṣṭikā (3.9).¹⁴ Four varieties of bhṛṅgī¹⁵ are distinguished; their flowers are white, red, yellow and dark (kṛṣṇa) (3.13–15).

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The rasas of chapter four are not arranged according to a particular scheme. One of the formulae is also found in Cāmuṇḍa’s Jvaratimirabhāskara.¹⁶ Divine or human authorities to whom rasayogas are attributed are: Bhairavānanda,¹⁷ Brahmā,¹⁸ Nāgārjuna,¹⁹ and Rudra.²⁰ One formula²¹ is said to have been of profit to Ghaṭaśravas,²² Kumbhayoni,²³ Vṛkodara,²⁴ Śanaiścara,²⁵ Sahasraḍṛś,²⁶ Pañcamukha,²⁷ and Caturmukha.²⁸

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Some of the rasayogas may be original contributions of Cāmuṇḍa, because they are not found in earlier works.²⁹

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Noteworthy items of the materia medica are: ākalla(ka) (4.129; 5.12), jambhala (2.61), jhaṣanayana (2.61), malapū (1.38),³⁰ phaṭakī (1.40),³¹ phiṭkarī (4.83 and 127),³² and sora (4.83).³³

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Śaṅkhadrāva was known to Cāmuṇḍa (4.38–89).

The Rasasāra

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The Rasasāra by Govindācārya³⁴ is a treatise almost entirely devoted to alchemy.

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Contents³⁵ The work consists of 940 verses, arranged in twenty-six chapters (paṭala).

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Chapter one (rasapūjāvarūpastuti; 21 verses) is in praise of mercury and contains a number of mantras.³⁶ Chapter two (dravyasaṃgraha; 19 verses) enumerates the items of an alchemist's equipment. Chapter three (anukramaṇikā; 17 verses) lists twice twenty-four saṃskāras. Chapter four (aṣṭacatvāriṃśatsaṃskāra; 13 verses) is about the doṣas of mercury, its purification, and the effects of a number of saṃskāras. Chapter five (rasaśodhanasaṃskāra; 69 verses) describes the details of śodhana (1–12), svedana (13–15), mardana (16), mūrchana (17–21), utthāpana (22–25ab), pātana (25cd–36ab), bodhana (36cd–50ab), niyamana (50cd–56ab), and nirodhana (56cd–69) of mercury. Chapter six (rasalohaśuddhisattvapātana; 39 verses) deals with the purification of the rasas and uparasas and the extraction (pātana) of their essences, the extraction of the essences of bhūnāga, 37 kānta (13–15ab), caura, hiṅgula, śilā, kāṅkṣī, kāsīsa and tālaka (15cd–33), as well as with the purification of sulphur (34–39). Chapter seven (sattvasthirīkaraṇa; 14 verses and a half) is about processes which make the sattvas, after their extraction, stable (sthira). Chapter eight (drutipātānāṅguṇanirūpaṇa; 59 verses and a half) is concerned with the liquefaction (druti) of the sattvas of the rasas and uparasas, the druti of the lohas, ratnas, etc.; some groups of substances are also dealt with: tailavarga (32cd–34), 38 vasāvarga (35–36ab), 39 raktavarga (37–41), amlavarga (44cd–47ab), auṣadhīsāra-gaṇa (48–51), bidas (52cd–58). Chapter nine (kṣaradrāvabīḍapākadivyausadha; 28 verses) gives an account of raṅgākṛṣṭi or raṅgadruti, an author the learnt from Tibetan Buddhists, followed by the preparation of a bīḍa and the enumeration of herbs which are useful in the jāraṇa, māraṇa and bandhana of mercury. Chapter ten (ratnalakṣaṇadrāvaṇabhedanamelā-pāka; 50 verses and a half) describes the ratnas and their varieties, their drāvaṇa (= druti), māraṇa (or bhedana), and melana (mixing). Chapter eleven (bījapāka; 57 verses) describes a number of bījas, which are helpful in the process called jāraṇa, and the pāka of the bījas. Chapter twelve (mahārasajāraṇādividhi; 95 verses) is concerned with cāraṇa, garbhadṛuti, jāraṇa of a grāsa added to mercury, ratnadrutimela, rañjana, bandhana (mūṣābandha), sāraṇa, pratiśāraṇa, krāmaṇa, and vedha (also called praveśa). Chapter thirteen (vedhādikrama; 27 verses) describes several types of vedha; udghāṭana is also dealt with (22–26ab). Chapter fourteen (dvandvamārapi-ṣṭambhananigaḍabandhanasaṃkalikāyogadrutikarmādinirūpaṇa; 35 verses) gives an account of dvandvamela (mixing two substances) and dvandvamāra (killing of this mixture) (2–8), piṣṭistambhana (9–17ab), nigaḍabandhana (17cd–20), saṃkalī (21–33) and druti (34–35). Chapter fifteen (rasoparasalohakarman; 34 verses and a half) describes operations leading to transmutation (vedha), in which several sattvas of rasas and uparasas, such as those of vaikrānta of various colours and of vimala, are important. Chapter sixteen (ratnaprayoga; 22 verses) is about the uses of ratnas, their kalkas (pastes), etc., as bījas in the making of gold and silver. Chapter seventeen (anekakalkabheda; 45 verses) describes the kalkabandhana of mercury; the poisonous substances are enumerated; methods to achieve auri- and argentifaction by means of poisonous substances are dealt with. Chapter eighteen (maṇimūṣākarmadala; 24 verses) is about the uses of gem (maṇi) and the transmutation of metals. Chapter nineteen (guṭikākathana; 12 verses and a half) is devoted to the preparation of two varieties of guṭikā, called kāmadhenu, which convert base metals into gold and make one obtain a divine and invulnerable body. Chapter twenty (anekaguṭikādīnām sādhanopāyaḥ; 47 verses) describes several guṭikās which confer longevity, the ability

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to fly (khecaratva), invisibility, invulnerability, etc.; even the dead may be resuscitated by means of these pills. Chapter twenty-one (krauñcayogapakṣakarmadivyausadhi; 68 verses and a half) is concerned with the uses of animal products (krauñcayoga; 1–8ab) in alchemical operations and with divine herbs (divyausadhi; 8cd–59) and their uses. Chapter twenty-two (yantramūṣā; 20 verses and a half) describes yantras and other implements used in an alchemical workshop. Chapter twenty-three (mahārasasevana; 31 verses) is about rituals to be performed before using mercurial products that lead to dehasiddhi. Chapter twenty-four (rasāyanakathana; 16 verses) describes rasas which may be used for curing diseases and for rasāyana purposes. Chapter twenty-five (dhātumāraṇaprayoga; 28 verses) is concerned with the killing of metals and essences (sattva). Chapter twenty-six (mahārasasevā; 46 verses) is about the consumption of mercurial preparations and the wonderful effects obtained.

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