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A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v1.c11: The Transitional Period

A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v1.c11

Language
English

Contents

The Transitional Period

v1.c11.1

Chemistry in the Siddha Yoga of Vrinda and in Chakrapani

v1.c11.2

VRINDA

v1.c11.3

(Circa 900 A. D.)

v1.c11.4

PREPARATIONS IN WHICH SULPHIDE OF COPPER AND ÆTHIOPS MINERAL FIGURE

v1.c11.5

Sulphur, copper and the pyrites are to be pounded together with mercury and subjected to roasting in a closed crucible and the product thus obtained to be administered with honey. This is known as “parpati tāmram.¹”

v1.c11.6

¹ This preparation does not occur in the Poona edition, but is to be found in the Kásmír Ms. under रसायनधिकार:,

v1.c11.7

Take one part of sulphur and half its weight of mercury [The components to be rubbed together.] . . . . . The same to be administered with honey and clarified butter. This is called “ rasāmrita chūrnam.¹ ”

v1.c11.8

¹ Vide Kāsmīr Ms. under अम्म्रपित्ताधिकारः, omitted in the Poona edition.

v1.c11.9

Quicksilver, rubbed with the juice of *dhatura* s. or *piper betle*, and applied externally, kills lice. (Poona ed. p. 122.)

A Collyrium

v1.c11.t1.1

Compounded of 14 ingredients amongst which occur the belleric myrobalans, rock-salt, killed copper and blue vitriol—all in the powdered form. (Poona edition, p. 470.)

v1.c11.t1.2

This very preparation, in identical recension, occurs in Chakrapāni under the name of “ Nāg-ārjuna Varti.”

A Process of Killing Iron

v1.c11.t2.1

The text which occurs only in the Kāsmīr Ms. under रमायनाधिकारः। unfortunately in a mutilated from,* would seem to indicate that the iron is to be first ignited in the fire and then macerated in the juice of the emblic myrobalan, and *trewia nudiflora* and exposed to the sun, and again to be macerated in the juice of certain other plants and then to be rubbed in a mortar.

v1.c11.t2.2

CHAKRAPANI

v1.c11.t2.3

(Circa 1060 A. D.)

Black Sulphide of Mercury (Kajjali)

v1.c11.t3.1

or *Æthiops Mineral*

v1.c11.t3.2

The first process consists in the purification of mercury.

v1.c11.t3.3

“Quicksilver, rubbed repeatedly in the juice expressed from *sesbania aculeata*, *ricinus communis*, *zingiber* and *solanum nigrum*, becomes purified.”

v1.c11.t3.4

“Take one part of mercury and one part of sulphur, rub the two together in a mortar and thus prepare *kajjali* or *rasarpati*.¹”

v1.c11.t3.5

¹ Chakrapáni himself claims its discovery or at any rate its introduction : रसपर्पटिका ख्याता निवद्धा चक्रपाणिना । Vrinda, however, recommends its use as well.

Tamrayoga (lit. Powder of Copper Compound)

v1.c11.t4.1

“ Take a thin leaf of Nepalese copper and embed it in powdered sulphur. The substances are to be placed inside a saucer-shaped earthen-ware vessel and covered with another. The rims are luted with sugar or powdered rice-paste. The apparatus is heated in a sand-bath for three hours. The copper thus prepared is pounded and administered with other drugs.”

Process of Killing Iron

v1.c11.t5.1

“ I shall now describe the science of iron as promulgated by the sage Nāgārjuna.” [A tedious process given with wearisome minutiæ of which the substance only is reproduced below.]

v1.c11.t5.2

A bar of iron is to be rubbed with the levigated powder of the following vegetable products among others : the belleric myrobalans, *clitoria ternatea*, *vitis quadrangularis*, *boharhaavia diffusa* and *verbesina calend*. It is then strongly heated to the fusion point and plunged into the decoction of the myrobalans. The iron is then powdered by being beaten with an iron hammer. The powder is then digested in the decoction of the myrobalans and roasted repeatedly in a crucible.

Mandūra or Rust of Iron

v1.c11.t6.1

Rust of iron is prescribed in combination with other drugs.

Recipe for a Soap to Be Used as a Depilatory

v1.c11.t7.1

The ashes of *schrebera swiet.* and *cassia fist.* are to be mixed with lime from burnt shells and lixiviated with the urine of the ass. The lye is then to be boiled with a definite weight of mustard oil.

Preparation of Caustic Alkali

v1.c11.t8.1

[Much the same as in the Susruta]

Calx of Silver

v1.c11.t9.1

In a preparation named "yogarāja" रूप्यमल or calx of silver (probably in the shape of sulphide) figures as a component.

v1.c11.t9.2

Chemistry in Rasarnava

v1.c11.t9.3

[In Rasārnava, as in all other Tantras, knowledge is imparted in the shape of a dialogue between Bhairava (Siva) and his consort Pārvatī.]

Extracts from Book IV—On Apparatus and the Colour of Flames

v1.c11.t10.1

Sri Bhairava said :

v1.c11.t10.2

"The rasas, the uparasas (see p. 79), the metals, a piece of cloth, vidam (see p. 72), a pair of bellows, iron implements, stone pestles and mortars, the apparatus known as Koshtī (see p. 69), mouth blow pipe * * cow-dung, substantial wood (as fuel), various kinds of earthen apparatus (e. g. crucibles &c.), a pair of tongs and earthen and iron vessels, weights and balances, bamboo and iron pipes, the fats, the acids, the salts and the alkalies, the poisons—all those are to be collected and chemical operations begun.”

Dola Yantram

v1.c11.t11.1

As R. R. S.¹ borrows the description of this apparatus *verbatim*, it is unnecessary to repeat it here.²

v1.c11.t11.2

¹ R. R. S. is the abbreviation for ‘Rasaratnasamuchchaya.”

v1.c11.t11.3

² See Book ix. of R. R. S.

An Apparatus for Killing Metals

v1.c11.t12.1

“Make two iron crucibles each 12 digits in length, the one with a narrow orifice containing sulphur is inserted into the other holding mercury ; below the mercury is placed water [in a separate vessel]. The mercury and the sulphur should be carefully moistened in garlic juice, which has been filtered through a cloth. The apparatus is now lodged in an earthen pot and another placed over it, the rims being luted with cloth previously smeared with earth * * now cow-dung fire is urged. After continuing heating for three days the apparatus is taken out." [This description, in almost identical recension, occurs in R. R. S. under the name of जारणयन्त्रम्. The language is faulty and the meaning not very clear.]

Garbha Yantram

v1.c11.t13.1

"I shall now describe the Garbha Yantram for reducing *pistikā*¹ to ashes. Make a crucible 4 digits in length, and 3 digits in width, with its mouth rounded. Take 20 parts of salt and one of bdellium and pound them finely, adding water frequently; rub the crucible with this mixture. * * * Make a fire of paddy husks and apply gentle heat. In the course of one to three days the mercury is reduced to ashes." [*Vide* Illustrations.]

v1.c11.t13.2

¹ A cake of mercury and sulphur.

Efficacy of the Apparatus

v1.c11.t14.1

"For killing and colouring mercury, an apparatus is indeed a power. Without the use of herbs and drugs, mercury can be killed with the aid of an apparatus alone; hence an expert must not disparage the efficacy of the apparatus."

Hamsapāka Yantram

v1.c11.t15.1

"Take an earthen dish and fill it with sand and place another over it; apply gentle heat. Now digest in this apparatus [the ingredients] with the five alkalies (cf. pp. 45 and 69), the urines (see p. 30), and the "vida" (see p. 72). This is known as Hamsapāka Yantram by the adepts."'¹

v1.c11.t15.2

¹ R. R. S. has borrowed the descriptions of Garbha Yantram and Hamsapāka Yantram.

Crucibles

v1.c11.t16.1

"Earth of black red, yellow and white colour * * burnt husks of paddy, soot, earth from the ant-hill, well burnt excrements of the goat and the horse * * rust of iron" * * [varying proportions of the above ingredients are used for making crucibles, retorts, &c.]

v1.c11.t16.2

"There are two kinds of crucibles, *viz.*, open and covered (lit. blind) * * * the covered one resembles the nipple of a cow and is fitted with a lid, which has a raised head.

v1.c11.t16.3

"For the purification of silver, the crucible is best made of two parts of the ashes of *schrebera swietenoides*, and one part each of brick dust and earth."¹

Colour of Flames

v1.c11.t17.1

"Copper yields a blue flame.........that of the tin is pigeon-coloured ; that of the lead is pale-tinted²......that of the iron is tawny ; ...that of the "peacock" ore (*sasyaka*) is red."³

Test of a Pure Metal

v1.c11.t18.1

"A pure metal is that which, when melted in a crucible, does not give off sparks nor bubbles, nor spurts, nor emits any sound, nor shows any lines on the surface, but is tranquil like a gem.⁴"

v1.c11.t18.2

(1) The porous crucible is of the nature of a "cupel".
(2) Cf. "Lead compounds impart a pale tint to the non-luminous gas flame." (Roscoe and Schorlemmer.)
(3) The reading in the Mss. seems to be defective.
(4) Or in modern phraseology shows "signs of tranquil fusion."

Koshtī Apparatus

v1.c11.t19.1

“For extracting the essence of metals a koshtī apparatus [*Vide* Illustrations] is preferred, which is 16 digits in width and 2 cubits in length.”

Colophon to Chapter IV

v1.c11.t20.1

“Here ends Chapter fourth of Rasārnava, which treats of apparatus, crucibles and the colour of flames.”

The Alkalies

v1.c11.t21.1

“The three alkalies are the borax, trona (natron) and Yavakshāra (carbonate of potash). The ashes of sesamum, *achyranthes aspera*, *musa sapientum*., *butea frondosa*, *moringa pterygosperma*, *mochika*, (*schrebera swietenioides*), *raphanus sativus*, *zingiber officinale*, *tamarindus indicus* and *ficus relig*., respectively are regarded as the standard plant ashes (क्षारक्षाराः)। VII. 12-13

The Maharasas

v1.c11.t22.1

“Bhairava said :—“mākshika, vimala, silā, chapala, rasaka, sasyaka, darada (p. 78) and srotonjana,—these are the eight mahārasas." [Vide p. 79 and "Explanatory Notes on Minerals."] VII. 2-3

Copper from the Pyrities

v1.c11.t23.1

"Mākshika, repeatedly soaked in honey, oil of *ricinus communis*, urine of the cow, clarified butter and the extract of the bulbous root of *musa sapien-tum*, and heated in a crucible, ylelds an essence in the shape of copper."' VII. 12-13

v1.c11.t23.2

"Vimala, digested with alum, green vitriol, borax and the watery liquid expressed from *moringa pter.*, *musa s.*, and finally roasted in a covered crucible in combination with the ashes of *schrebera swiet*, yields an essence in the shape of *chandrārka*¹ (lit. copper of gold-like lustre.)"

v1.c11.t23.3

Chapala : [See under R. R. S. Bk. ii.] VII. 20-21

Brass from Calamine and Copper Mistaken for Gold

v1.c11.t24.1

"Rasaka : There are three, kinds of it; namely of yellow colour, of the appearance of treacle, and

v1.c11.t24.2

(1) R. R. S. has borrowed this description and added some more characteristics of the mineral, from which it would appear that "Vimala" is also a variety of pyrites. [Vide R. R. S. Bk. ii.]

v1.c11.t24.3

of the colour of stones. What wonder is it that Rasaka mixed with [certain organic matters] and roasted three times with copper converts the latter into gold?" VII. 31-34

Extraction of Zinc from Calamine

v1.c11.t25.1

Rasaka, mixed with wool, lac, *T. chebula* and borax and roasted in a covered crucible, yields an essence of the appearance of tin : of this there is no doubt." VII. 37-38 Sasyaka. VII. 41-44 [These couplets have been borrowed word for word by R. R. S. *Vide* Bk. ii; hence repetition is unnecessary.]

Saurāshtri

v1.c11.t26.1

Saurāshtri, alum, distillation of: (See under R. R. S., which has also borrowed this description *verbatim*.) VII. 73-74

The Metals

v1.c11.t27.1

"O goddess! listen now to what I say about the metals.

v1.c11.t27.2

‘Gold, silver, copper, iron, tin and lead’ these are the six metals and their resistance to waste [i. e. rusting] is in the order in which they have been mentioned.” VII. 89-90

The Killing of Metals—“Vida”

v1.c11.t28.1

“Hear attentively as I shall now speak of the killing of metals.

v1.c11.t28.2

“There is no such elephant of a metal which cannot be killed by the lion of a sulphur.” VII. 138-148

v1.c11.t28.3

Bhairava said : “Kāsisa¹, rock-salt, the pyrites, sauvira², the aggregate of the three spices³, sulphur, saltpetre, the juice expressed from mālati⁴—all these moistened with the juice of the root of moringa pter., makes a vida, which would kill all [the metals].” IX. 2-3

v1.c11.t28.4

“Sulphur, orpiment, sea-salt, salt, sal-ammoniac, borax—these digested with the ashes and the urines, give rise to another kind of vida.” * * * * * * Having thus collected the ingredients, O goddess ! begin the chemical operations. I have told you all, what more do you want to hear ?” IX. 4-20

v1.c11.t28.5

(1) Green vitriol. (2) Stibnite. (3) namely, black pepper, long pepper and dry ginger. (4) Echites caryophyllata, Rox.

Purification of Quicksilver

v1.c11.t29.1

“Quicksilver rubbed with the juice of the aforesaid plants (*vide* original text) and distilled seven times, becomes pure.”

v1.c11.t29.2

“Quicksilver, made into a paste by being rubbed with copper and subjected to distillation, leaves behind tin and lead [with which they are often adulterated] and becomes pure.” X. 55-56

Killing of Mercury

v1.c11.t30.1

“Green-vitriol, alum, salt, borax, mixed with the aforesaid vegetable drugs, (*vide* original text), kill mercury in an instant [in the shape of calomel.”] XI. 24

Killing of Gold

v1.c11.t31.1

“Salt-petre, green vitriol, sea-salt, rock-salt, mustard, borax, salammoniac, camphor, the pyrites—all these are to be taken in equal parts. The crucible is to be smeared with the milky juice of *euphorbia neriifolia* and *asclepias gigantea*; then, having added the powder of the aforesaid “vida,” the gold is to be killed, my beloved!” XI. 83-84

Tests for Killed Mercury

v1.c11.t32.1

"When the mercury assumes divers colours after having given up its fluidity, it is known as swooned; killed mercury is that which does not show signs of fluidity, mobility and lustre." XI. 197-198

Colouring of Metals

v1.c11.t33.1

"Iron, lead, and copper are coloured by means of calamine—the whole turns into gold." (Cf. VII. 31-34.) XII. 50

v1.c11.t33.2

"Mercury is composed of the five elements and represents Siva himself." II. 78

v1.c11.t33.3

"Take one pala of the ash of mercury and rub it with the same weight of sulphur and roast the mixture in a covered crucible : thus we get vermilion of the colour of the rising sun." XVI. 81

v1.c11.t33.4

"Take the vitriol which is of the colour of the throat of the peacock, saffron, calamine, as also the excrement of a young calf, the poisons, powdered *plumbago zeylanica*, all in equal proportions, rub them with the acids and dry in the shade. Having added honey to the above mixture, smear it on a thin sheet of lead. When roasted in a covered crucible, the lead is coloured in no time; the lead which is now of beautiful colour is fit for bedecking the persons of the gods."'¹ XVIII. 70-74

v1.c11.t33.5

(1) Refers probably to the "gold-like alloy used by watch-makers" into the composition o which copper, zinc and lead enter. See Roscoe and Schor., II. p. 494, ed. 1897.

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