[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) › c25 # History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c25: Chapter Xi. Chemistry In Rasakalpa (Rudrayamala Tantra) History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c25 - **Language:** English ### Chapter Xi. Chemistry In Rasakalpa (Rudrayamala Tantra) ### [c25.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c25.1) Bowing to Siva, the lord of mercury, and also to the feet of Chandika, I write this Rasakalpa, the depository of mercurial lore. ### [c25.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c25.2) I. ### [c25.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c25.3) Tests for \*killed\* mercury:—\*Killed\* mercury is that which is devoid of (metallic) lustre, not so ponderous, white (calomel is probably meant by this), destroyer of metals, divested of fluidity and non-volatile when stirred over a fire. 40 ### [c25.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c25.4) Purified mercury should be preserved in the hollow of a tooth, or gem, or bamboo 42 ### [c25.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c25.5) II. ### [c25.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c25.6) Gold, silver, copper, tin, lead and iron—these are the six metals; \*vartaloha\*, etc., are simply alloys 1 ### [c25.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c25.7) Honest readers! I beseech you with folded hands to favour my book with your merciful glance. ### [c25.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c25.8) The \*maharasas\* are eight in number; e.g., mercury, cinnabar, \*sasyaka\*, \*rasaka\*, \*chapala\*, etc.... The \*rasas\* are mica, green vitriol, \*rajavarta\* (\*lapis lazuli\*), collyrium, \*vaikranta\*, borax, etc. Sulphur, orpiment, realgar, etc., are the \*uparasas\* as regarded by learned teachers. ### [c25.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c25.9) There are four kinds of sulphur:—white, black, yellow and red. ### [c25.10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c25.10) The \*saurashtris\* (alums) are of various kinds; the \*kasisas\* (vitriols) are of three kinds,—namely, \*kasisa\* proper, \*pushpa kasisa\* and \*hirakasisa\* (green vitriol). ### [c25.11](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c25.11) \*Gairika\* is stated to be of two varieties,—the one of golden hue, the other red; \*kamkushtha\* and other \*rasas\* are also described by certain teachers; but these, however, are not referred to here, as we are treading in the footsteps of sages of old. ### [c25.12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c25.12) For the purification of mercury this process is recommended by Svachchhandabhairava and Govinda. ### [c25.13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c25.13) \*Chulikalavana\* (sal-ammoniac), sulphur and the ash of ginger, etc., digested one hundred times with cow's urine,... make a \*vida\* for killing gold. This process for killing (metals) was revealed by Siva and has been transmitted by successive schools of adepts ### [c25.14](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c25.14) \*Extraction of the Essence of Copper Pyrites:\*—\*Makshikam\* (pyrites), digested hundred times with juice of plaintain leaves, and then steeped for three days in oil, clarified butter and honey, and then heated strongly in a crucible yields its essence. ### [c25.15](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c25.15) \*Extraction of Zinc from Calamine:\*—Calamine, enclosed in fourfold pieces of cloth is heated in steam in a vessel for five months Then it is powdered in a mortar and then mixed with treacle, soot, etc. The mixture is then made into balls. These are enclosed in a crucible and strongly heated. The essence possessing the lustre of tin is thereby obtained. ### [c25.16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c25.16) I have performed the (aforesaid) experiments with my own hands and have seen them with my own eyes. They are not recorded from mere heresay or from the dictation of a teacher. These are being promulgated for the benefit of mankind. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c25](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c25) · Pramāṇa