A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v2.c32.s3: Chemistry in Rasahridaya of Bhikshu Govinda

A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v2.c32.s3

Language: English

Chemistry in Rasahridaya of Bhikshu Govinda

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Quicksilver digested with sour gruel and then subjected to distillation is freed from [the impurities of] lead and tin. 1

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Description of the apparatus for purification of mercury by sublimation and distillation: it agrees almost literally with that given in R. R. S. Bk. ix, 6 8. *Vide* Vol. i, p. 121.

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Ingredients for making a vida for killing metals. Cf. Rasārnava, IX, 2-3. Vide Vol. i, p. 72.

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Preparation of mild alkali from the ashes of plants :—

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The process must be considered as a poor one, compared to the elaborate description in Susruta. Cf. Vol. i, p. 32.

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* * * Alum, blue vitriol:—all these severally or collectively are favourable for imparting colour to quicksilver. *

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Experts [on the properties] of metals are of opinion that tin gives strength, tīkshna colour, lead unctuousness, copper all these qualities [to mercury.]

Couplets (in p. 29, Sans. texts) : The purport seems to be that when mercury is rubbed with certain sulphides, *e. g.* orpiment, pyrites &c., and sublimed, it assumes the colour of lac or *Coccinella* insect (a poetical and figurative way of expression for red colour) in the shape of the red crystalline sulphide.

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∗ The text is not very intelligible. The other ingredients mentioned are tīkshna and kānta, these being varieties of iron; but iron will not amalgamate with mercury. Tīkshna may also mean a kind of saline earth. The old alchemists racked their brains in devising ingenious processes for robbing mercury of its fluidity and imparting to it various colours. Cf. Rasārnava, IX, 2-3, XI, 197-198. *Vide* Vol. i, p. 74 and also "The Hindu method of manufacturing calomel."—*Ibid.* p. 250.

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Patala ix.

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Vaikrānta, kānta, sasyaka, mākshika, vimala, adri, darada, rasaka:—these are the 8 rasas* and their essences are well suited for chemical operations.

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Sulphur, gairika, kshiti, khechara (mica), añjana, kaṅkushtha:—these are the uparasas. Cf. Vol. i, p. 89.

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Gold and silver are the noble metals.

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Copper, brass, tīkshna and kānta (varieties of iron) are the essential or substantial metals; lead and tin emit fœtid odours. Cf. Vol. i, p. 113, foctnote (1).

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The six salts are:—Sauvarchala, saindhava, chūlika (sal-ammoniac), sāmudra, romaka and vida. The alkalies are:—Sarjikākshāra, yavakshāra and borax. (*Vide* Vol. i, Index of subjects.)

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Patala xi.

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A cupel made of boneash (goat's) and lined internally with borax &c.

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∗ Cf. Vol. i, pp. 79-81.

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Colophon giving an account of the author :— Madanaratha, King of Kirāta, teacher of mercurial lore, in whom the Goddess of the science of mercury and minerals (Chemistry), the source of all good, has taken her abode for the benefit of mankind, who can restore to the disfigured patient, afflicted with leprosy, the healthy comeliness and lustre of youth :

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Bhikshu Govinda, well versed in chemical operations and loaded with honours by the King of Kirāta, composed this tantra entitled “ Rasahridaya.”

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This tantra is written by Govinda, the grandson of Maṅgalavishnu and son of Sumanovishnu :— May Tathāgata pronounce his blessings.

Linked texts (3)

Suśrutasaṃhitā — Suśruta & Nāgārjuna (siddha/alchemist), Sanskrit
Rasaratnasamuccaya — Vāgbhaṭa (alchemist), Sanskrit
Rasārṇava — Sanskrit