A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v2.c32.s15: Chemistry in Suvarnatantra or Svarnatantra
A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v2.c32.s15
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Chemistry in Suvarnatantra or Svarnatantra
v2.c32.s15.1
The origin of the tantra is explained in the opening lines. Parasurāma having given away his worldly possessions to Kasyapa is rendered destitute, and thus has to invoke the aid of the God Siva for his very maintenance.
v2.c32.s15.2
Siva said: Listen! I shall now reveal to you the most wonderful mysteries of Svarnatantra. 1-10
v2.c32.s15.3
A kind of oil is exuded from the bulbous root of a plant; all around it within a radius of ten cubits oily water is exuded and a venomous snake lives under it. If you want to test the properties of the bulb, you should thrust a needle into it, and the needle at once dissolves. Having procured this bulb, rub it with mercury in a mortar and add the oil and subject the mixture to heat in a crucible. The mercury is at once *killed* and acquires the property of converting one hundred thousand times its own weight of the base metal into gold.* 14-18
v2.c32.s15.4
Pure orpiment is to be rubbed with this oil for 20 days, and the former is killed thereby and loses its volatility. The 8 metals in the molten state being treated with this prepared orpiment acquire the power of transmutation. When the above oil is thrown into molten copper, it is turned into gold of beautiful lustre. Tin and bell-metal similarly treated are turned into silver, and copper, iron, brass and silver into gold. 19-24
v2.c32.s15.5
∗ लक्षवेधी भवेत्.
v2.c32.s15.6
Saṅkhadrāvaka (*aqua regia*, see ante p. 24) is spoken of as an universal solvent . . . . This solvent with mercury is to be placed in a glazed crucible and subjected to heat; the mercury, thus *killed*, can convert the 8 metals into gold. By partaking of this mercury one becomes immortal; even his urine and fæces can convert copper into gold.* 1-10
v2.c32.s15.7
∗ This sort of belief was prevalent also at the time of the composition of Rasārnava.