A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v1.c13.s1.4
A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v1.c13.s1.4
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v1.c13.s1.4
In the above sloka *surāshtrajā*, lit., begot of Surāshtra (modern Surat), is used in the sense of alum. From the ancient times the "earth of Surat" has been known to yield this mineral. Amara Simha in his Lexicon, written sometime between 400-600 A. D.,¹ gives among others the following synonyms of alum:—*kāmkshī*, *tuvarī* and *surāshtrajā*. "Rasaratnasamuchchya" also gives the same synonyms. (Bk. III., 59-62). The manufacture of alum survives to our own days, as the following description will show:
Linked texts (2)
- Rasaratnasamuccaya — Vāgbhaṭa (alchemist), Sanskrit
- Tibetan translation ('Chi med mdzod) — Classical Tibetan