A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v2.c32.t1.119

v2.c32.t1.119

† The mythical origin of some metals is given in the Puránas; but no reference to the astral bodies is to be found. Thus silver originated from the tears of the God Siva, copper from the semen of the God Kártikeya, lead from the semen of the Snake God Vásuki, iron from the different parts of the body of the demons called Lomilas; and gold from the semen of the God of fire. Some vague and remote connection only can be established between this sort of nomenclature and that of the old Greco-Egyptian alchemists. According to the latter mercury is sometimes designated as the semen of Hermes; whilst in the Tantras it is the semen of Siva (हरबीज). Vide "Intro. a l'étude de la chimie des anciens," p. 11.