A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v2.c32.s4: Chemistry in Kakachandesvari-mata Tantra
A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v2.c32.s4
- Language
- English
Contents
- v2.c32.s4.t1 Patala I — 1 part
- v2.c32.s4.t2 Patala II — 6 parts
- v2.c32.s4.t3 Patala III — 3 parts
Chemistry in Kakachandesvari-mata Tantra
Patala I
v2.c32.s4.t1.1
The first patala gives the origin (mythical) of the tantra.
Patala II
v2.c32.s4.t2.1
Kākachandesvarī said :—
* * * Please, give a brief account of the Chemistry of the metals, the killing of mercury and minerals and the fusion of the gems. 3 4
v2.c32.s4.t2.2
Srī Bhairava said :—
v2.c32.s4.t2.3
* * * Mercury rubbed with the ingredients of the vida (see Vol. i, p. 72) and roasted in a closed crucible, is killed instantly. That mercury now acquires the power of converting a base metal into 1,000 times its weight of go'd. 13-16
v2.c32.s4.t2.4
Copper, treated with the above preparation of mercury and rubbed with the acids, alkalies and the milky juice of *Calotropis gig.*, and roasted in a crucible, turns into gold. 18-20
v2.c32.s4.t2.5
Earth for making crucibles. 21-22 Cf. Vol. i, pp. 67-68.
v2.c32.s4.t2.6
Transmutation of iron into gold :—process not clear. 25-32
Patala III
v2.c32.s4.t3.1
Liquefaction of mica :—
v2.c32.s4.t3.2
Thin plates of mica are to be smeared with the 3 alkalies and borax and strongly heated in a crucible. The whole mass fuses.* * * *. 29 30
v2.c32.s4.t3.3
∗ Refractory silicates are treated similarly at the present day with the "fusion mixture".