A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c51.s6: The Rasendracūḍāmaṇi

A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c51.s6

Language: English

The Rasendracūḍāmaṇi

v3.c51.s6.1

The Rasendracūḍāmaṇi by Somadeva²⁰³ is an important, systematically arranged, treatise on alchemy and iatrochemistry.

v3.c51.s6.t1.1

The work consists of 1,398 verses, arranged in sixteen chapters (adhyāya).

Chapter one²⁰⁵ (rasamahiman; 52 verses) contains maṅgalas addressed to Śiva and Rāma (1–2), a verse in praise of Raseśvara (3), a description of Rasamahābhairava (4), a verse praising Rasāṅkuśī (5), verses in homage of the Kaulikas²⁰⁶ and their lord (īśvara), Kaulika, i.e., Maheśvara (6–12),²⁰⁷ and a description of the despised pākhaṇḍaulika, who is a nāstika and vedanindaka (13); it deals with the mukti that can be reached by those adhering to the kaulika tradition, but not by the pākhaṇḍas (heretics)

v3.c51.s6.t1.3

(14–17), and with the importance of the body (18–24); the remaining part of the chapter is devoted to a eulogy of mercury and allied subjects.

v3.c51.s6.t1.4

Chapter two (śiṣyopanayana; 63 verses) begins with some verses giving information on the author and the purport of the chapter, which is called sūtrasthāna here (1–3). Subjects dealt with are: the initiation of a pupil (śiṣyopanayana; 4–8), the characteristics of the teacher and the sādhaka (9–12), the jāraṇa of mercury (14–22), the four faculties called śakti (23–24), the pūjā of Maheśvara and its attendants (25–29), and the pūjā of Rasabhairava and Rasāṅkuśa (30–57); the chapter ends with some verses on rasaśāstra.

v3.c51.s6.t1.5

Chapter three (rasaśālānirūpaṇa; 35 verses) describes the laboratory (rasaśālā) and its inventory (1–20ab), some implements (20cd–23), and the persons who are qualified to take part in alchemical operations (24–35).

v3.c51.s6.t1.6

Chapter four (paribhāṣā; 117 verses) gives definitions (paribhāṣā) of a large number of technical terms, and one formula, called siddhacapalarasa (58cd–71).

v3.c51.s6.t1.7

Chapter five (164 verses) contains descriptions of thirty yantras (3–94), sixteen types of mūṣā (103–126), four types of koṣṭhī (128–143), and ten types of puṭa (148–161); 208 subsidiary subjects are jalamrd (57cd–58), 209 vahnimṛtsnā (5.59–61), 210 the mūṣā in general (95–98), sandhilepana (99), 211 the clay (mṛttikā) and other substances used for the mūṣā (100–102), the vanganāla (141–142ab), 212 puṭa in general (144–147), types of puṭa left undescribed (162), and the synonyms of upala (cow dung used as fuel; 163).

v3.c51.s6.t1.8

Chapter six (72 verses) opens with verses characterizing a divine herb (divyauṣadhi), enumerating four categories of alchemically important drugs of vegetable origin (rasauṣadhi, mahauṣadhi, siddhauṣadhi, divyauṣadhi), and listing the six types of divyauṣadhi: vṛkṣa, vallī, latā, gulma, tṛṇa, and kanda (1–5). The main part (6–71) is devoted to a description of the sixty-four divyauṣadhis, which are particularly suitable to achieve the bandha of mercury.

v3.c51.s6.t1.9

Chapter seven (eleven verses) contains a list of the names of the sixty-eight rasauṣadhis, which are not described by Somadeva. These plants are said to grow in the Vindhyas and in the Himālaya and on the mountains called Malaya, Gomantaka, 213 Śrīgiri, 214 Sahya, 215 Pāriyātraka, 216 Kiṣkindha, 217 Māhendra, 218 and Mālyavant. 219

v3.c51.s6.t1.10

Chapter eight (48 verses) enumerates forty-six plants, forming the sarpākṣyādigaṇa, which are especially useful in the niyamana of mercury, for which reason they are called niyāmikāḥ (1–8ab), eighty-four plants, useful in making rasabhasman, which form the vyāghrikādigaṇa (9cd–20), forty plants, forming the raktasnuhyādigaṇa, employed in the killing and bandha of mercury (21–28), eight plants, forming the kadalyādigaṇa, which promote the liquefaction (drāvaṇa) of metals, rasas, etc. (29–30), and eighteen plants, constituting the kākamaṇcyādigaṇa, which are employed in the saṃskāra called krāmaṇa (31–33); four particularly powerful herbs are separately described: ekavīrā, mahāvīrā, prayoga, 220 and hemadaṇḍikā or hemavallī (34–41); the thirteen (organic and inorganic) drugs of the vajradaṇḍivarga are useful in rasāyana preparations (42–44), the eight plants of the bhūpāṭalyādivarga promote the bandha of mercury (45–46ab), and the five plants of the pañcaratnakagaṇa are suitable to achieve deha- and lohasiddhi (46cd–47).

v3.c51.s6.t1.11

Chapter nine (paribhāṣāprakaraṇa; 31 verses) describes groups of substances and their properties: madhuratraya (1ab), mūtravarga (1cd–2ab), pañcamṛttikā (2cd–3ab), kṣāratraya (3cd), kṣāravarga (4–6ab), amlavarga (6cd–8), lavaṇavarga (9–10), viṣavarga (11–12), upaviṣavarga (13–14ab), tailavarga (15–16ab), dugdhavarga (16cd–18ab), pittavarga (18cd–19), vasāvarga (20), viḍvarga (21–22ab), raktavarga (22cd–23), pītavarga (24), śvetavarga (25), kṛṣṇavarga (26), śodhanīyagaṇa (28), lohakāṭhinyanāśanayoga (29), and drāvaṇagaṇa (30).

v3.c51.s6.t1.12

Chapter ten (147 verses) deals with the eight mahārasas: ghana (= abhraka), rājavarta, vaikrānta, sasya, vimala, adrijāta (= śilājatu), tuttha and tāpya (= mākṣika) (1).

v3.c51.s6.t1.13

Its subjects are: abhraka (mica), its four varieties, its purification and killing, the extraction of its essence, the purification, softening and killing of this essence (2–54); the purification and killing of rājavarta, followed by the extraction of its essence (55–60); the purification, killing, the extraction of the essence, etc., of vaikrānta (61–71ab), sasyaka (71cd–84), 221 vimala (85–94), śilājatu (95–110ab), rasaka (110cd–128), 222 and mākṣika (129–147).

v3.c51.s6.t1.14

Chapter eleven (114 verses) gives an account of the eight uparasas and the eight sādhāraṇarasas.

v3.c51.s6.t1.15

The eight uparasas are: 223 gandhāśman (= gandhaka), tāla (= haritāla), tuvarī, kunaṭī (= manaḥśilā), suvīra (= sauvīrāñjana), kaṅkuṣṭha, khecara (= kāsīsa), and gairika (1).

v3.c51.s6.t1.16

The subjects of the first part of the chapter are: sulphur (gandhaka), its four varieties, its properties, a story explaining why sulphur is also called balivāsā, 224 the purification and liquefaction (druti) of sulphur, uses of sulphur and its products (2–31); the varieties, properties, purification, etc., of haritāla (32–48), tuvarī (49–53), manaḥśilā (54–61), añjana (62–68), kaṅkuṣṭha 225 (69–77), kāsīsa (78–84), and gairika (85–89).

v3.c51.s6.t1.17

The second part of the chapter is concerned with the eight sādhāraṇarasas: kampilla, 226 gaurīpāṣāṇa, 227 navasāraka, 228 kaparda, 229 vahnijāra (= agnijāra), 230 girisindūra, 231 hīngula, and boddāraśṛṅga 232 (90–91). Somadeva describes these substances and their properties; he adds verses on the purification of varāṭikā (= kaparda) and hīngula (cinnabar), a verse on the purification of sādhāraṇarasas in general, and a verse on mixing of the purified essences of uparasas and sādhāraṇarasas; agnijāra, however, need not be purified 233 (92–114).

v3.c51.s6.t1.18

Chapter twelve (68 verses) deals with the nine gems (ratna): māṇikya (ruby), muktāphala (pearl), vidruma (coral), tārkṣya (emerald), puṣpa (topaz), bhidura (diamond), nīla (sapphire), gomedaka (zircon), and vidūraka (cat's eye). The varieties, characteristics, blemishes and properties of these gems are described.

v3.c51.s6.t1.19

The ruby is of two varieties (padmarāga and nīlagandhi); the number of its blemishes is eight (14–16). The pearl (8–10) has nine characteristics. The emerald has seven characteristics and a large number of blemishes (14–16). The topaz presents eight good and nine bad characteristics (17–19). Diamonds are classified as male, female and napuṃsaka, or, according to their colour, as brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya and śūdra (20–25); the five blemishes that may be found in all gems are listed (27–28); 234 subjects added are the purification and killing of diamonds, the use of their bhasman, and a rasāyana formula (29–43). Two varieties of sapphire are distinguished: jalanīla and indranīla (44–47). The zircon has eight good and seven bad characteristics (48–50). Cat’s eyes have six good and six bad characteristics (51–52). The general methods of purifying and killing gems are described (54–56), followed by a procedure to liquefy (druti) them (57–65). The chapter ends with the advantages of wearing gems (66).

v3.c51.s6.t1.20

Chapter thirteen (78 verses) lists the following nine metals: (1) śuddhaloha: kanaka (gold), rajata (silver), bhānu (copper) and aśmasāra (iron), (2) pūtīloha: nāga (lead) and tin (vaṅga), (3) miśraloha (alloys): pittala, kāṃsya and varta (1). The terms dhātu and loha are used to denote metals.

v3.c51.s6.t1.21

Gold²³⁵ is of five varieties; its purification and killing are described, followed by the properties and uses of its bhasman (2–25). Silver (26–39)²³⁶ and copper (40–76)²³⁷ are similarly described. The usual three types of iron²³⁸ are distinguished: muṇḍa (cast iron), tīkṣṇa, and kānta (steel). Muṇḍa is of three varieties, the last of which is called kadāraka; the varieties of tīkṣṇa are khara, sāra, honnāla, tārāpaṭṭa and kālaloha, those of kānta are romaka, bhrāmaka, cumbaka and drāvaka (77–95). Somadeva gives an account of the purification of iron and its killing, the uses of iron and its bhasman, and the disorders caused by impurities (96–130); half a verse only is devoted to maṇḍūra (127cd).²³⁹ Tin,²⁴⁰ its varieties, properties, purification and killing are dealt with, followed by a rasāyana formula (131–145). The verses on lead²⁴¹ describe its characteristics and properties, its purification, its killing by means of a special apparatus, called bhrāṣṭrayantra, and a rasāyana formula (146–161). Two varieties of pittala (brass)²⁴² are described, rīti(kā) and kākatuṇḍī,²⁴³ of which rīti is superior in quality; the purification, killing and liquefaction of rīti are dealt with, followed by a rasāyana formula (162–173). Kāṃsya (bronze)²⁴⁴ is said to be made from eight parts of copper and two parts of tin; its characteristics, properties, purification and killing are described (174–179). Varta(loha) or pañcaloha²⁴⁵ is an alloy of kāṃsya (bronze), arka (copper), rīti (brass), loha (iron) and ahijāta (lead);²⁴⁶ its purification and killing are dealt with (180–184ab).

v3.c51.s6.t1.22

The chapter proceeds with the preparation of bhūnāgasattva (186–197) and the properties of a finger ring (ūrmikā) of this material (198). The chapter ends with the preparation of aṅkolataila, its properties and its uses (199–229).

v3.c51.s6.t1.23

Chapter fifteen (72 verses) is concerned with the praise of mercury (2–3), its origin (4–13ab), the way of procuring it (13–15),²⁴⁷ the etymology (nirukti) of its names (16–20), the five doṣas (mala, viṣa, vahni, mada, darpa) and seven kañcukas (bhū-, śaila-, jala-, tāmra-, ayaḥ-, nāga-, and vaṅgasamudbhava) of mercury (21–27); a list of the eighteen saṃskāras and the opinions of a series of authorities on the purification of mercury (28–35); descriptions of the saṃskāras called svedana, mardana, mūrchana (36–39), ways to remove the doṣas and kañcukas (40–49), the saṃskāra called rodhana (52–53), mukhakaraṇa (54), svedana again (55–56), saṃnyāsa (57–58), dīpana (59–61), the rākṣasavaktra of mercury (62–64), and some connected subjects (65–72).

v3.c51.s6.t1.24

Chapter sixteen (98 verses) is about the jārāṇa of abhraka (mica) and some other substances. The jārāṇa of abhraka, resulting in pakṣaccheda of mercury, is the main subject (1–85);²⁴⁸ eight grāsas (doses of abhraka added to mercury) are described; additional substances are bīda (32), the form of mercury called daṇḍadhārin

v3.c51.s6.t1.25

(33–34), and chinnapakṣa mercury (44 and 75). The chapter ends with the jārāṇa of copper, iron and gold (86–98).

v3.c51.s6.t1.26

Somadeva frequently mentions his own name in his treatise;²⁴⁹ he also refers to particular chapters of his book (14.60; 15.57).

v3.c51.s6.t1.27

Several earlier authorities and other persons are referred to: Bhairava (6.3; 12.25 and 28),²⁵⁰ Bhāluki (15.33 and 54),²⁵¹ Bhāskara (15.32),²⁵² Brahmajyotis (5.61),²⁵³ Devasūnu (14.199),²⁵⁴ Dineśvara (15.33),²⁵⁵ Girīśa (14.114),²⁵⁶ Govinda (15.34),²⁵⁷ Kharpana (4.58ab),²⁵⁸ Manthānabhairava (1.44; 6.1),²⁵⁹ Mṛgacārin (4.96),²⁶⁰ Nāgārjuna (5.61; 11.91),²⁶¹ Nandikeśvara (14.58), Nandin (1.35; 5.56, 61, 77, 138; 14.128; 15.29, 35, 66),²⁶² Śambhu (8.27),²⁶³ Śiva (14.58), Somanātha (14.70),²⁶⁴ Śrīkaṇṭha (7.1),²⁶⁵ and Svacchandabhairava (4.52).²⁶⁶

v3.c51.s6.t1.28

A number of verses of the Rasendracūḍāmaṇi are also found in the Rasārṇava.²⁶⁷

v3.c51.s6.t1.29

The Rasendracūḍāmaṇi is quoted in the prakīrṇaka pariśiṣṭa of the Ānandakanda, Narendranātha’s Capalanirṇaya,²⁶⁸ Gulrājśarmamiśra’s commentary on the Āyurvedaprakāśa, Hāzārīlāl Sukul’s commentary on the Rasaratnasamuccaya, the Rasajalanidhi,²⁶⁹ Rasakāmadhenu, Rasamitra, Rasaratnākara, Rasaratnasamuccaya,²⁷⁰ Rasasindhu, the commentary on the Rasataraṅgiṇī, the Rasatattvavivecana, Rasayogasāgara, Ratnākarauṣadhayogagrantha, Rasendrasambhava, and Somadevaśarman’s commentary on the Āyurvedaprakāśa. It was one of the sources of the Āyurvedaprakāśa, Harīśaraṇānanda’s Kūpīpakvarasanirmāṇavijñāna, the Pāradasaṃhitā and Yādavjī’s Rasāmṛta.

v3.c51.s6.t1.30

The Ānandakanda contains many verses which are also found in the Rasendracūḍāmaṇi. The Rasendracūḍāmaṇi has at least two verses in common with the Dhanvantarī-yaṇighaṇṭu.²⁷¹

v3.c51.s6.t1.31

Somadeva is cited in the commentaries by Āśubodha and Nityabodha Senagupta, Hāzārīlāl Sukul, and Khare on the Rasaratnasamuccaya, in Somadevaśarman’s commentary on the Āyurvedaprakāśa, and in the Rasaprakāśasudhākara.

v3.c51.s6.t1.32

The Rasaratnasamuccaya mentions Somadeva as one of the Rasasiddhas.

v3.c51.s6.t1.33

The Rasendracūḍāmaṇi is a rasaśāstra work that had much influence on later treatises. The Rasaratnasamuccaya reproduces a large number of its verses; the lists of divyauṣadhis and rasauṣadhis are, for example, also found in the Rasaprakāśasudhākara.

v3.c51.s6.t1.34

Special features²⁷²

v3.c51.s6.t1.35

Mercury is said to cure diseases arising from the three doṣas when combined with gold, pitta diseases when combined with silver, kapha and vāta diseases when combined with copper, the various kinds of śūla when combined with iron, blood diseases when combined with lead, and meha when combined with tin (1.34). A stray verse of chapter one describes the plant called vṛścikālī (1.48). Four śaktis are distinguished: Mālinī, which gives hemaśakti, Vajriṇī, giving longevity, Kāntā, giving hema- and lohasiddhi, and Abhrā, which gives bandha of mercury (2.23–24). The verses on the construction of a maṇḍala²⁷³ mention ten Dūtīs (female messengers), associated with Śiva, whose names are Lepikā, Kṣepikā, Krāmaṇī, Rañjikā, Lohaṭī, Bandhinī, Bhūcarā, Mṛtyunāśinī, Vibhūti, and Khecarī (2.28–29).

v3.c51.s6.t1.36

Some implements that should be available in an alchemical laboratory are: kaṭatrāṇi,²⁷⁴ kṣudrakṣipra, kṣurapra,²⁷⁵ pālikā, and karṇikā;²⁷⁶ three types of strainer (cālini) are described (3.6–20ab).

v3.c51.s6.t1.37

²⁷⁴ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.38

²⁷⁵ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.39

²⁷⁶ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.40

Technical terms explained in chapter four are: dhānvantarabhāga,²⁷⁷ rudrabhāga,²⁷⁸ kajjalī,²⁷⁹ rasapāṅka,²⁸⁰ navanitapiṣṭi,²⁸¹ piṣṭi,²⁸² pātanapiṣṭi,²⁸³ hema- and tārakṛṣṭi,²⁸⁴ varaloha,²⁸⁵ svarṇarakti,²⁸⁶ tārarakti,²⁸⁷ candra- and analadala,²⁸⁸ sita- and pitadala,²⁸⁹ lohanāga,²⁹⁰ śulbanāga,²⁹¹ piñjarī,²⁹² candrārka,²⁹³ nirvāpaṇa or nirvāhana,²⁹⁴ vāritara,²⁹⁵ rekhāpūrṇa,²⁹⁶ apunarbhava,²⁹⁷ niruttha,²⁹⁸ bīja,²⁹⁹ tādana,³⁰⁰ dhānyābhraka,³⁰¹ sattva,³⁰² ekakoliśikha,³⁰³ śikhitra,³⁰⁴ hiṅgulākṛṣṭa,³⁰⁵ ghoṣākṛṣṭa-tāmra,³⁰⁶ guhyanāga,³⁰⁷ varanāga,³⁰⁸ utthāpana,³⁰⁹ dhālana,³¹⁰ capala,³¹¹ dhauta,³¹² dvandvana,³¹³ anuvarṇa,³¹⁴ bhañjini,³¹⁵ pataṅgi,³¹⁶ phalikā,³¹⁷ pataṅgirāga,³¹⁸ āvāpa (also called pratīvāpa and ācchādana),³¹⁹ nirvāpa or sapana,³²⁰ śuddhāvarta,³²¹ bījāvarta,³²² svāṅgaśita,³²³ bahihśita,³²⁴ svedana,³²⁵ mardana,³²⁶ mūrchana,³²⁷ naṣṭapiṣṭa,³²⁸ utthāpana,³²⁹ pātana,³³⁰ rodhana,³³¹ niyamana,³³² dīpana,³³³ grāsamāna,³³⁴ jāraṇa,³³⁵ cāraṇa,³³⁶ bīḍa,³³⁷ rañjana,³³⁸ sāraṇa,³³⁹ vedha,³⁴⁰ udghāṭana,³⁴² svedana, and saṃnyāsa.³⁴³

v3.c51.s6.t1.41

²⁷⁷ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.42

²⁷⁸ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.43

²⁷⁹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.44

²⁸⁰ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.45

²⁸¹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.46

²⁸² [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.47

²⁸³ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.48

²⁸⁴ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.49

²⁸⁵ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.50

²⁸⁶ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.51

²⁸⁷ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.52

²⁸⁸ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.53

²⁸⁹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.54

²⁹⁰ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.55

²⁹¹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.56

²⁹² [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.57

²⁹³ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.58

²⁹⁴ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.59

²⁹⁵ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.60

²⁹⁶ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.61

²⁹⁷ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.62

²⁹⁸ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.63

²⁹⁹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.64

³⁰⁰ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.65

³⁰¹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.66

³⁰² [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.67

³⁰³ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.68

³⁰⁴ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.69

³⁰⁵ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.70

³⁰⁶ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.71

³⁰⁷ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.72

³⁰⁸ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.73

³⁰⁹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.74

³¹⁰ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.75

³¹¹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.76

³¹² [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.77

³¹³ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.78

³¹⁴ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.79

³¹⁵ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.80

³¹⁶ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.81

³¹⁷ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.82

³¹⁸ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.83

³¹⁹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.84

³²⁰ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.85

³²¹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.86

³²² [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.87

³²³ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.88

³²⁴ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.89

³²⁵ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.90

³²⁶ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.91

³²⁷ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.92

³²⁸ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.93

³²⁹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.94

³³⁰ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.95

³³¹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.96

³³² [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.97

³³³ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.98

³³⁴ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.99

³³⁵ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.100

³³⁶ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.101

³³⁷ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.102

³³⁸ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.103

³³⁹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.104

³⁴⁰ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.105

³⁴² [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.106

³⁴³ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.107

The saṃskāra called krāmaṇa³⁴⁴ is not described in chapter four, but referred to as krāmaṇa in chapter eight (8.31–33) and as parikramavidhi in chapter fifteen (15.28). Some saṃskāras are, differently worded, dealt with again in chapter fifteen, while chapter sixteen is devoted to the saṃskāra called jāraṇa.

v3.c51.s6.t1.108

³⁴⁴ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.109

The yantras described in chapter five are: dolā-,³⁴⁵ khalva-,³⁴⁶ valabhī-,³⁴⁷ ūrdhvapātana-, adhāhpātana-, tiryakpātana-,³⁴⁸ kacchapa-,³⁴⁹ antarālika-,³⁵⁰ tāpikā-, pratigarbha-, garbha-,³⁵¹ pālikā-,³⁵² ghaṭa-,³⁵³ iṣṭikā-,³⁵³ vidyādhara-,³⁵⁵ ḍamaru-ka-,³⁵⁶ nābhi-,³⁵⁷ grasta-,³⁵⁸ tulā-,³⁵⁹ sthālī-,³⁶⁰ koṣṭhikā-,³⁶¹ vālukā-,³⁶² lavaṇa-,³⁶³ dhūpa-,³⁶⁴ kuṇḍa- or svedana-,³⁶⁵ dhekī-,³⁶⁶ somānala-,³⁶⁷ and nālikāyantra.³⁶⁸ Unusual yantras are those called grasta-, pratigarbha- and tāpikāyantra. A bhrāṣṭrayantra (14.149) and kandukayantra (14.229) are occasionally referred to by Somadeva.

v3.c51.s6.t1.110

³⁴⁵ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.111

³⁴⁶ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.112

³⁴⁷ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.113

³⁴⁸ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.114

³⁴⁹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.115

³⁵⁰ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.116

³⁵¹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.117

³⁵² [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.118

³⁵³ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.119

³⁵⁵ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.120

³⁵⁶ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.121

³⁵⁷ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.122

³⁵⁸ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.123

³⁵⁹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.124

³⁶⁰ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.125

³⁶¹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.126

³⁶² [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.127

³⁶³ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.128

³⁶⁴ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.129

³⁶⁵ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.130

³⁶⁶ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.131

³⁶⁷ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.132

³⁶⁸ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.133

The types of mūṣā (crucible) described by Somadeva are: vajramūṣā,³⁶⁹ yogamūṣā,³⁷⁰ vajradrāvaṇamūṣā,³⁷¹ gāramūṣā,³⁷² varamūṣā,³⁷³ varṇamūṣā,³⁷⁴ rūpyamūṣā,³⁷⁵ bīḍamūṣā,³⁷⁶ vṛntākamūṣā,³⁷⁷ gostanīmūṣā,³⁷⁸ mallamūṣā,³⁷⁹ pakvamūṣā,³⁸⁰ golamūṣā,³⁸¹ mahāmūṣā,³⁸² mañjūṣāmūṣā,³⁸³ and muśalamūṣā.³⁸⁴

v3.c51.s6.t1.134

³⁶⁹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.135

³⁷⁰ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.136

³⁷¹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.137

³⁷² [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.138

³⁷³ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.139

³⁷⁴ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.140

³⁷⁵ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.141

³⁷⁶ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.142

³⁷⁷ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.143

³⁷⁸ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.144

³⁷⁹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.145

³⁸⁰ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.146

³⁸¹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.147

³⁸² [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.148

³⁸³ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.149

³⁸⁴ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.150

The types of koṣṭhī³⁸⁵ are: aṅgārakoṣṭhī,³⁸⁶ pātālakoṣṭhikā,³⁸⁷ gārakoṣṭhī,³⁸⁸ and tiryakpradhamakoṣṭhī.³⁸⁹ A prakaṭakoṣṭhī is once referred to (4.97).

v3.c51.s6.t1.151

³⁸⁵ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.152

³⁸⁶ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.153

³⁸⁷ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.154

³⁸⁸ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.155

³⁸⁹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.156

The puṭas³⁹⁰ described are: mahāpuṭa,³⁹¹ gajapuṭa,³⁹² vārāhapuṭa,³⁹³ kukkuṭapuṭa,³⁹⁴ kapotapuṭa,³⁹⁵ govarapuṭa,³⁹⁶ bhāṇḍapuṭa,³⁹⁷ vālukāpuṭa,³⁹⁸ bhūdharapuṭa,³⁹⁹ and lāvakapuṭa.⁴⁰⁰

v3.c51.s6.t1.157

³⁹⁰ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.158

³⁹¹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.159

³⁹² [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.160

³⁹³ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.161

³⁹⁴ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.162

³⁹⁵ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.163

³⁹⁶ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.164

³⁹⁷ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.165

³⁹⁸ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.166

³⁹⁹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.167

⁴⁰⁰ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.168

The descriptions of the sixty-four divyauṣadhis of chapter six are important and have influenced later authors. The group consists of: akṣīrā, aparṇā, atasīvallikā, bhṛṅgavallī, bhūtakeśī, bhūtumbinī, bilvinī, bodhilatā, brāhmaṇī, camarīkā, cāṇḍālī, chattriṇī, citravallī, devadālī, gandharvī, gomārī, gonasā, gorocanalatā, gośṛṅgī, īśvarī, kākinī, karasivallikā, karavīralatā, karirī, kṛṣṇalatā, kṣīravallī, kūrmalatā, kuṭajavallī, lambinī, laśunavallī, mādhavī, madyagandhā, mahāṅgadhī, mahauṣadhī, nāginī, sahadevikā, tāmbūlī, maṇḍukalatikā, mraṅkṣaṇagandhinī, mūlakandā, munivallī, nāginī, nimbukīlatā, pattravallī, pītavallikā, raktāṅgī, raktavallī, rohiṇī, rudantikā, saptapattrī, sarpiṇī,

v3.c51.s6.t1.169

³⁴¹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.170

³⁵⁴ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.171

somakalā, somavallī, somavṛkṣa, sthalapadminī, tāmravallikā, tilakandā, tridaṇḍī, triśūlī, uccaṭā, udumbaralatā, vajravallī, vārāhī, vijayā, viśālā, and vyāghrapādī.⁴⁰¹

v3.c51.s6.t1.172

⁴⁰¹ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.173

The sixty-eight rasausadhis of chapter seven, listed without being characterized, are: ajamārī, alambuṣā, aparājitā, ardhacandrā, bhārṅgī, bhṛṅgī, bṛhatī, candrodakā, ciñcī, citrapādī, dhanvayāsaka, durgandhā, garuḍī, gojihvā, guḍūcī, halinī, haṃsapādikā, hemapuṣpī, hiriṇī, īśvarī, jalakumbhī, jalamūlakā, jalapāmārga, jalapippalī, jālinī, jalotpala, kākamācī, karmasphoṭī, kāśmarī, kukkuṭī, mālārjuna, māṃsī, māṇḍūkī, meghanādī, mohinī, mūrvā, muśalī, pāgava, pāṣāṇī, pāṭalā, paṭolī, potakī, rasā, sadacitrikā, samaṅgā, sārivā, sarpākṣī, śaṭī, śikhipādī, śīśikā, sitagandhinī, sthalaprasāriṇī, śukanāsikā, tiktakā, tulasī, tuṣāmbu, uttamā, vajrakandikā, vanakūṣmāṇḍavallī, vanamālā, vārāhī, vāsā, veṇukā, vidārī, viṣā, viṣaghnī, and vṛścikālī.

v3.c51.s6.t1.174

The forty-six plants belonging to the sarpākṣyādigaṇa are: ākhukarṇikā, āmalakī, anantā, bhṛṅgarāja, brahmadāṇḍikā, dviparṇī, ekaparṇī, gojihvā, jalabimbī, jambukī, jvālīnī, kākamācī, kapotī, kokilākṣa, kṣīriṇī, kukkuṭajaṅghā, kuraṅginī, kuraṇṭaka, mahābalā, maṇḍūkaparṇikā, matsyākṣī, meghanādā, mesaśṛṅgī, mūrvā, nāgabalā, nīlī, padmacāriṇī, pāṭhā, phaṇī, prapuṇṇāṭa, punarnavā, rāsnā, sahadevī, samaṅgā, śarapuṅkhā, sarpākṣī, śatāvarī, śikhaṇḍinī, śvetādriparṇikā, śyāmaparṇikā, tittiḍī, triparṇī, tripattrā, tulasī, vandhyakarkoṭī, and viṣṇukrāntā (8.1–8ab).⁴⁰²

v3.c51.s6.t1.175

⁴⁰² [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.176

The eighty-four plants of the vyāghrikādigaṇa are: ajamārikā, āṅganayākī, arkapuṣpikā, bākucī, bhūṣuṇḍī, brahmarañjaka, bṛhatī, cakrikā, cāṇḍālī, dantikā, devadālī, ekavīrā, gajakarṇikā, gojihvā, haṃsapādikā, hanūmantī, hemalī, hilamocaka, jagatī, kākajaṅghā, kākatuṇḍī, kañcukī, kaṅguṇī, kaṅkatī, kāravellī, karkoṭī, kārpāsī, kāsamārī, kaṭutumbikā, keśinī, koṭarākṣī, kṛṣṇadhattūra, kṛṣṇākṣiva, kumārī, kumbhinī, lakṣmī, lāṅgalī, mahākālī, mālikā, māyūra, meghapuṣpī, mesaśṛṅgī, nāgavallikā, nāginī, narajīvā, narakasā, padmacāriṇī, paṭolikā, putrajīvikā, rākṣasī, raktacitrā, raktasnuhi, rasanirjivakāri, rudantī, śakhoṭa, saktukā, saktuśṛṅgī, śambarā, śamī, śaṅkhapuṣpī, śaṭkārī, sitānkola, somavallari, śṛgālajihvikā, sūryabhaktā, śvetaguñjā, śvetārka, tuvaravallī, uccaṭā, vahnī, vahnimardarī, vahnimārī, vajriṇī, vanapīluka, viśālā, vṛkṣarāja, vyāghranakhī, vyāghrapādikā, vyāghrī, vyāghrikā, yajñavallikā, and yavacīñcā (8.9cd–20).⁴⁰³

v3.c51.s6.t1.177

⁴⁰³ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.178

The forty plants of the raktasnuhyādigaṇa consist of: aṅgāravallikā, arkapattrī, barhikā, brahmadaṇḍī, cukra, drumajyotis, hemavallarikā, jīmūta, jyotiṣmatī, kākamācī, kāladaṇḍī, kāṣṭhodumbarikā, krauñcikā, kṣīrakukkuṭī, kṣīramārjārī, lāṅgalī, mohinī, nāgajihvā, nāgakaṇṭhī, nāgakarṇī, nīlajyotis, nīlikā, raktāgni, raktasnuhi, rudantī, śakhoṭī, śaṅkhapuṣpikā, somavallikā, sthalapadminī, tāmravallarī, tridaṇḍī (mentioned twice), triparṇī, triśūlī, tṛṇajyotis, uccaṭā, udumbarī, varā, vartulaparṇā, and vṛddhadāru (8.21–28).⁴⁰⁴

v3.c51.s6.t1.179

⁴⁰⁴ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.180

The kadyādigaṇa consists of drāvaṇī, kadalī, kākamācī, kaṭukoṣātakī, kṣīrakucī, nīrapippalikā, śigrukā, sūryabhaktā (8.29–30).⁴⁰⁵ The kākamācyādigaṇa comprises arjunī, arkapattrī, brāhmī, carā, haṃsapādī, kākamācī, kāravallī, kāsamardā, kṛṣṇājīlī, kṣīranīlikā, kuruvaka, lakṣmaṇā, mahādevī, nāginī, sahadevikā, tāmbūlī, vārāhakarṇikā, and vyālikā (8.31–33).⁴⁰⁶ The bhūpāṭalyādivarga is made up of bhūpāṭalī, hemavallī, mārkava, nāgadhārī, śūkarī, and yogārī (8.45– 46ab). The pañcaratnakaṇa is composed of indīvarī, kaṅkālakhecarī, mantrasimhāsanī, niśācarī, and pāṭalā (8.46cd–47).

v3.c51.s6.t1.181

⁴⁰⁵ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.182

⁴⁰⁶ [Text of the note]

v3.c51.s6.t1.183

The viṣavarga of chapter nine consists of kālakūṭa, pīta, sāktuka, śṛṅgika, and vatsanābha (9.11).⁴⁰⁷ The upaviṣavarga consists of arka, jayā, kanaka, karavīra, lāṅgalī, nīlaka, and viṣamuṣṭi (9.13).

v3.c51.s6.t1.184

Chapter ten (10.61) mentions, like the Rasamañjarī and Rasaprakāśasudhākara, eight varieties of vaikrānta.

v3.c51.s6.t1.185

The sādhāraṇarasas of chapter eleven form a new group, not mentioned under this name in earlier treatises.

v3.c51.s6.t1.186

The connections between the nine gems and the nine grahas, as found in the Rasendracūḍāmaṇi, disagree with those mentioned in a number of other treatises (12.1–2).⁴⁰⁸

v3.c51.s6.t1.187

Chapter fourteen employs the term ariloha (14.15ab), without explaining it.⁴⁰⁹ A verse from the same chapter (14.29) asserts that tin, when it touches Rāma's sandals, turns into a kind of silver that cures all diseases. The variety of tīkṣṇaloha called tārāpaṭṭa is mentioned (14.80), but not described.

v3.c51.s6.t1.188

The minor gems (uparatnas), poisons (viṣa) and minor poisons (upaviṣa) are not dealt with as to their purification, properties, uses, etc.; the viṣas and upaviṣas are simply listed (9.11–14).

v3.c51.s6.t1.189

A complete list of the eighteen saṃskāras of mercury is found in chapter fifteen only (15.28).

v3.c51.s6.t1.190

Some noteworthy plant names are adrī (9.23), barbūra (14.66 and 143), barbūrī (11.77), karpūragandhinī (9.23), and krūravallī (9.26).

v3.c51.s6.t1.191

Important is the description of the process by means of which varanāga is prepared from a mixture of nīlāñjana (stibnite) and tīkṣṇaloha (4.52cd–53ab). The verse shows that the process by which antimony (varanāga) is obtained was known in India much earlier than in Europe.⁴¹⁰

The author

v3.c51.s6.t2.1

The author, who was a Hindu,⁴¹¹ as shown by the maṅgalas (1.1–2), addressed to Śiva and Rāma, calls himself Soma (2.1), Somadeva, and Devasūnu (14.199). He was a son of a mantrin called Nārāyaṇa⁴¹² and was of mahāvīravaṃśa (2.1).⁴¹³ Somadeva himself (15.66) and the colophons add that he was an important person (pati, varapati, puravarapati)⁴¹⁴ at Śrīkaravālabhairavapura(vara).⁴¹⁵ V. Śukla⁴¹⁶ suggested that this may be the name of a village donated to Somadeva by the king whom he served as a minister; Siddhinandana Miśra⁴¹⁷ regards it as the name of a city (śreṣṭhanagarī) or the capital (rājadhānī) of some small kingdom. V. Śukla expressed as his opinion that Somadeva may have been a vaiśya, as indicated by the name of the vaṃśa to which he belonged. The same author brought forward that he may have been born in Rājasthān and that he settled in Gujarāt or Kāṭhiāvāṛ later in life.⁴¹⁸

v3.c51.s6.t2.2

Somadeva was a person of wide learning; he states himself that he was an expert in śastra and śāstra, Nyāya, Sāṃkhya and Vedānta (nayanaguṇavidhi, satpramāṇa, sāṃkhya, śānta), rasaśāstra and medicine (vaidyavidyā) (2.1).

v3.c51.s6.t2.3

A work called Rasendraparibhāṣā is attributed to Somadeva by G. Hāldār, who also

v3.c51.s6.t2.4

asserts that Somadeva revised Vāgbhaṭa's Rasaratnasamuccaya, and that he collaborated with his teacher Acyuta in writing a joint work, the Raseśvarasiddhānta.⁴¹⁹

Cites (1)

Rasendracūḍāmaṇi — Somadeva (alchemist), Sanskrit

A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c51.s6: The Rasendracūḍāmaṇi

Contents

The Rasendracūḍāmaṇi

Contents