[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) › c20 # History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c20: Chapter Vi. Chemistry In Rasahridaya Of Bhikshu Govinda History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c20 - **Language:** English ## Contents - [c20.s1 Patala Vii](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.s1) — 2 parts - [c20.s2 Patala Viii](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.s2) — 3 parts - [c20.s3 Patala Ix](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.s3) — 6 parts - [c20.s4 Patala Xi](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.s4) — 5 parts ### Chapter Vi. Chemistry In Rasahridaya Of Bhikshu Govinda ### [c20.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.1) Quicksilver digested with sour gruel and then subjected to distillation is freed from the impurities of lead and tin. 1 ### [c20.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.2) Much the same as above. 2 . . . . . ### [c20.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.3) A description of the apparatus for the purification of mercury by sublimation and distillation is given in the following verses with details. It consists of two vessels placed one over the other—mouth to mouth, the neck of the upper one sliding over that of the lower with their junctions luted with a composition of suitable materials. This is called \*dīpikā yantram\*. ### Patala Vii ### [c20.s1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.s1.1) Ingredients for making a \*vida\* for killing metals are given here, which are very similar to those described in Rasarnava IX. 2-3 (q.v., p. 139). ### [c20.s1.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.s1.2) The preparation of mild alkali from the ashes of plants is described in the following verses. The process given is rather a poor one, compared to the elaborate description in the Susruta (q.v., p. 63). ### Patala Viii ### [c20.s2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.s2.1) \* \* \* Alum, blue vitriol—all these severally or collectively are favourable for imparting colour to quicksilver. ### [c20.s2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.s2.2) Experts (on the properties) of metals are of opinion that tin gives strength, \*tīkshṇa\* (a variety of iron) colour; lead unctuousness, copper all these qualities (to mercury). ### [c20.s2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.s2.3) The purport of the verses that follow seems to be that when mercury is rubbed with certain sulphides, e.g. orpiment, pyrites, etc., and sublimed, it assumes the colour of lac or cochineal insect in the shape of red crystalline sulphide. ### Patala Ix ### [c20.s3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.s3.1) Vaikrānta (a mineral resembling diamond, spinel ?), kānta ‘a variety of iron’, sasvaka (‘blue vitriol’), mākshika ‘pyrites’, vimala ‘a variety of pyrites’, adri (‘bitumen ?’ \*darada\* ‘cinnabar’, \*rasaka\* ‘calamine’—these are the 8 \*rasas\*, and their essences are well suited for chemical operations. ### [c20.s3.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.s3.2) Sulphur, \*gairika\* ‘red ochre’, \*kāśīśi\* ‘red-clay earth’, \*khechara\* ‘mica’, \*añjana\* ‘sulphide of lead and antimony’, \*kānkushtha\* ‘a medical earth—possibly magnesium or sodium sulphate’;—these are the \*uparasas\* ‘subsidiary rasas’. ### [c20.s3.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.s3.3) Gold and silver are the noble metals. ### [c20.s3.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.s3.4) Copper, brass, \*tīkshṇa\* and \*kānta\* ‘varieties of iron’ are the essential or substantial metals: lead and tin emit foetid odours. ### [c20.s3.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.s3.5) The six salts are:— \*Sauvarchala\* ‘saltpetre’, \*saindhava\* ‘rock-salt’, \*chulika\* ‘sal-ammoniac’, \*sāmudra\* ‘sea-salt’, \*romaka\* (‘probably salt imported from outside’, and \*vidan\* (‘black salt’). ### [c20.s3.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.s3.6) The alkalies are:—\*Sarjikākshāra\* ‘natron’, \*yavakshāra\* (‘potash’), and borax. ### Patala Xi ### [c20.s4.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.s4.1) A cupel made of bone-ash (‘goat’s), and lined internally with borax, etc...... ### [c20.s4.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.s4.2) Giving an account of himself the author writes at the end: Madanaratha, king of Kirata ‘lands adjoining modern Bhotan’), 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, afflicted with leprosy, the healthy comeliness and lustre of youth, loaded Bhikshu Govinda, well-versed in chemical operations, with honours; and this Tantra entitled 'Rasahridaya" was composed by him (Govinda). ### [c20.s4.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.s4.3) May Tathagata pronounce his blessings! ### [c20.s4.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.s4.4) This shows that our author was Buddhist by religion. ### [c20.s4.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20.s4.5) CHAPTER VII ## Linked texts (2) - [Suśrutasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.med.samhita.susruta) — Suśruta & Nāgārjuna (siddha/alchemist), Sanskrit - [Rasārṇava](https://indike.org/pramana/in.med.rasa.siddha.rasarnava) — Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c20) · Pramāṇa