A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v1.c12.t8: Book VIII. On Technical Terms

A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v1.c12.t8

Language: English

Book VIII. On Technical Terms

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For the comprehension of ignorant physicians, Somadeva¹ is now expounding the technicalities as made use of by experts. I

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¹ The author evidently reproduces this chapter from a standard work on the subject by Somadeva. There is a work

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The physician is entitled to half the share of prepared mercury and eighth part of medicated oils and ghee and seventh part of prepared iron and other metals. 2

Mercuary, on being finely rubbed with melted sulphur and other minerals, attains the tint of collyrium and is called kajjali (see p. 61), which again on being rubbed with a liquid substance is known as Rasapanka (lit. mud of mercury). 5-6

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Tests for Killed Iron

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Killed iron is that which in the shape impalpable powder floats on water and when rubbed between the thumb and the fore-finger enters the lines ; which, on being mixed with treacle, abrus p., honey and *ghee* and heated, does not revert to the natural state; which floats on water like a duck and does not sink down even when heavy things like paddy grains are placed over it. (Cf. *ante* p. 111, foot-note). 25-28

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*Killed* iron (or a general in *killed* metal) is that which on being heated with silver does not mix (or alloy) with it.¹ 29

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¹ The Poona ed. has रौप्यण चेल्लगेत् *mixes with silver*; but the Benares and the Kásmír Mss. read रौप्य न चेल्लगेत् *does not mix with silver*. The latter is no doubt the correct reading.

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Antimony from Stibnite

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Nīlāñjana,² mixed with tīkshnam (cast iron) and strongly heated several times, yields a superior kind of lead which is readily fusible and is of mild black colour. 38

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² Stibnite. A synonym for it is souvirāñjana. The "superior kind of lead" is evidently antimony.

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[Here follows a list of metaphorical expressions which are technically used.]

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named Rasendrachūdāmani by Somadeva. We hope to notice it in the second volume.

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Certain Other Technical Terms

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The resurrection of the dead is known as utthāpana (lit. raising).¹ 39

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The capacity of mercury to swallow food [i. e. to combine with certain substances or to take up the qualities inherent in them] is known as grāsamānam. 64

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Mercury, alloyed with one-sixty-fourth part of its weight of gold or silver, acquires a mouth wherewith to swallow even hard metals. 68-69

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Lepa, kshepa and kunta signify dhūma i. e. smoke. By the process of lepa is meant the conversion of iron into gold or silver. 80

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The conversion of iron into gold or silver with the aid of mercury thrown into a smoky flame, emitting vapour, is known as dhūmavedha (lit. pierced by smoke). 83

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The conversion of a small quantity of a metal into gold through the agency of mercury. . . . . .which has acquired a mouth (see sloka 68), is called sabdavedha.² 84

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(1) e.g., the conversion of killed iron into the metallic state.
(2) It is to be regretted that the details of the processes have been withheld. We have here sufficient indication of the belief in the transmutation of metals. The processes here mentioned are probably of the same nature as given in Rasārnava.

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Somadeva collected these brilliant gems of technical terms with great care from the ocean of mercurial lore and strung them into a necklace which adorns the best of physicians in assemblies.

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BOOK IX

Linked texts (2)

Rasārṇava — Sanskrit
Rasendracūḍāmaṇi — Somadeva (alchemist), Sanskrit