A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v1.c12.t6: Book VI. Initiation into Discipleship
A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v1.c12.t6
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Book VI. Initiation into Discipleship
v1.c12.t6.1
[This chapter is full of directions for the mystic Tāntric rites after the performance of which the pupil is to be initiated into the secrets of mercurial lore.]
v1.c12.t6.2
The instructor must be wise, experienced, well-versed in chemical processes, devoted to Siva and his consort Pārvatī sober and patient. The pupil should be full of reverence for his teacher, well-behaved, truthful, hard-working, obedient, free from pride and conceit and strong in faith.. 3-7
v1.c12.t6.3
Chemical operations are to be performed under the auspices of a ruler, who is God-fearing, who worships Siva and Pārvatī and whose territory is free from anarchy; and the Laboratory, to be erected in the depth of a forest, should be spacious, furnished with 4 doors and adorned with the portraits of the Gods. 13-15
v1.c12.t6.4
Take of gold-leaf 3 niskas in weight and quicksilver 9 niskas and rub them with acids for 3 hours. Make the amalgam into a phallus (emblem of Siva, the creative principle) . . . . . the phallus to be worshipped in due form. By the mere sight of the *phallus* of mercury, the sins accumulated by the killing of 1,000 Brāhmans and 10,000 cows are redeemed. 19-22
v1.c12.t6.5
The science of mercury was communicated by Siva himself and is to be imparted by the instructor to the disciple according to the prescribed rules with closed eyes. 30
v1.c12.t6.6
[Here follows an account of certain disgusting and obscene rites borrowed from Rasārnava and other Tāntric works.]
v1.c12.t6.7
The apparatus and implements as also the ingredients required for chemical operations (see next Book) are also to be addressed in prayer . . . . . and the names of the 27 alchemists to be invoked. [See opening lines : Bk. I, p. 77.] 53-61
v1.c12.t6.8
The science of mercury is to be strictly kept a secret . . . . if it is divulged, its efficacy is gone 70
v1.c12.t6.9
BOOK VII
Linked texts (1)
- Rasārṇava — Sanskrit