[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956) › c18 # History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c18: Chapter Iv. Chmistry In Sarvesvararasayana History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c18 - **Language:** English ### Chapter Iv. Chmistry In Sarvesvararasayana ### [c18.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c18.1) \*(Translated from Tibetan xylograph by Pandit Vidhushekhara Bhattacharya)\* ### [c18.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c18.2) 1. In order to purify quicksilver one should first mix it with the dust of brick (\*so. phag. gyi. phye. ma. dan. sbyr\*), and crush it seven times. And in that state it is to be kept in the sun. ### [c18.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c18.3) 2. After this it should be purified seven times with the sap (\*dugdha\* or \*ksira\*, ‘O. ma) of ‘akon’ (\*Calotropis gigantea\*). In that state it is to be kept in the sun. ### [c18.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c18.4) 3. In the same way as before let one proceed with the sap of each of the following plants. ‘Varuna’ (\*sin. ba. run.\* actual \*ba. un.\*, \*Crataeva religiosa\*), ‘kantakari’ (\*Solanum jacquini\*) with its thorns, ‘kumari’ (\*Clitoria ternatea\*) ‘ghrita kumari’ (\*Aloe indica\*), as well as with the solution of a medicinal salt called \*mdzo. tshwa\* (in Tibet). The quicksilver after being treated in this way becomes fit for use. ### [c18.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c18.5) 4. Three leaves of ‘laingi’ (\*lingini\*, called \*sivalinga\* in Bengal) which is used as a medicine, and plentiful flowers and stalks of ‘katuka’ (\*katki\* in Bengal, \*Picrorrhiza kurrooa\*) together with an adequate quantity of the sap of ‘raktaphala’ (Indian fig) poured into a pot, are to be crushed, dried, and made into straight threads ### [c18.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c18.6) 5. One desirous of purifying copper is to make it thin and it is to be steeped in acid (\*amla\*, \*skyur po’i. nan. du.\*) for seven days, and likewise in whey (\*dar. ba’i. chur khu. la\*) and it becomes glossy (\*legs. par. bkra. bar. bya’o\*). Then the copper with an equal portion of sulphur is to be put in an earthen pot, so that (when it is placed in fire) no smoke can come out. And then it becomes white just like silver. ### [c18.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c18.7) This obviously leads to the formation of cuprous sulphide. ### [c18.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c18.8) 6. As regards the purification of \*ranga\*—tin, (\*gsa'. tshe\*) one is to use \*silarasa\*, gum of liquid \*Amber orientalis\* (\*bori. khu. ba\*) in the same way as before. ### [c18.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c18.9) 7. One desirous of calcination (\*marana\*, \*bsad.\*) of iron should make it thin and put it in the urine of a cow with \*triphala\*, three myrobalans (\*bru. gsum\*). ### [c18.10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c18.10) 8. One who wants to calcine (\*marana\*) mica should grind it into powder and put it into acid (\*amla\*), and then the proceed is the same way as with copper. ### [c18.11](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c18.11) 10. One who wants to root out skin diseases (\*rjo. pha. wan bsad par. ded. pao\*) is to be fumigated seven times in the sun with leaves of 'girigandhapatra' (\*gandhapatra\* = \*asvagandha\*, \*Physalis flexuosa\* of a mountain), and he should apply the scum of melted butter. Thus, like the copper mentioned before (the affected part of the body) becomes clean and pure. ### [c18.12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c18.12) 11. One who wants to purify silver is to use the fluid of the plant 'nirvisi' (\*nir bi. si'i\*) seven times, and it is to be calcined just like iron. ### [c18.13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c18.13) 12. Lead is to be calcined like quicksilver. ### [c18.14](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c18.14) 13. One who wants to purify gold is to use the fluid of the plant 'kancana', and it is to be calcined like copper ### [c18.15](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c18.15) 14. The calcination of \*supaksta\* (?) is like that of gold. ### [c18.16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c18.16) 15. Thus when purification is made they are all to be taken in equal proportion with three portions of 'haritaki', \*Terminalia chebula\*, and there being made a very fine powder of them all, pills are to be prepared. These pills, each of which is of 4 \*raktikas\* (1 \*raktika\* = 1 \*rati\* = 2 grains approx.), if given to a patient, cure all sorts of diseases. ### [c18.17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c18.17) 16. The thing mentioned before is to be soaked in acid and in it the flour of parched barley (\*phye\*) and bread are (also) to be soaked. Then if one takes only four \*raktikas\* of it, at a time, for six months, one's hoariness of hair and wrinkles of the body disappear, and one becomes (as beautiful) as the moon ......, and a lover's immeasurable love for a woman does not run away. And if a man succeeds (in using the medicine) for six months he does not become languid. ### [c18.18](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c18.18) Here ends the \*Ratnarasayanasiddhi\*. ### [c18.19](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c18.19) CHAPTER V --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c18](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c18) · Pramāṇa