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History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c33: Book Viii. On Technical Terms

History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c33

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English

Book Viii. On Technical Terms

c33.1

(This chapter is mostly a reproduction from Rasendrachudamani of Somadeva; see p. 151.)

c33.2

For the comprehension of ignorant physicians, Somadeva is now expounding the technicalities as made use of by experts. 1

c33.3

The physician is entitled to half the share of prepared mercury, and eighth part of medicated oils and ghee, and seventh part of prepared iron and other metals. 2

c33.4

Mercury, on being finely rubbed with melted sulphur and other minerals, attains the tint of collyrium and is called *kajjali*, which again on being rubbed with a liquid substance is known as *rasapanka* (lit. mud of mercury). 5-6

c33.5

TESTS FOR KILLED IRON

c33.6

*Killed* iron is that which in the shape of impalpable powder floats on water and, when rubbed between the thumb and the fore-finger, enters the lines; which, on being mixed with treacle, *Abrus precatorius*, honey and ghee, and heated, does not revert to the natural state; which floats on water like duck and does not sink down even when heavy things like paddy grains are placed over it. 25-28

c33.7

Couplet 29, giving test for killed iron, and couplet 38, describing the extraction of antimony from stibnite, have already been reproduced before under Rasendrachudamani (see p 151).

c33.8

CERTAIN OTHER TECHNICAL TERMS

c33.9

The resurrection of the dead (the conversion of killed iron into the metallic state) is known as *Utthapana* (lit. raising). 39

c33.10

The capacity of mercury to swallow food (i e. to combine with certain substances or to take up the qualities inherent in them) is known as *grasamanam*. 64

c33.11

Mercury, alloyed with one-sixtyfourth part of its weight of gold or silver, acquires a mouth wherewith to swallow even hard metals 68-69

c33.12

*Lepa*, *kshepa*, and *kunta* signify *dhuma* i.e. smoke. By the process of *lepa* is meant the conversion of iron into gold or silver. 80

c33.13

The conversion of iron into gold or silver with the aid of mercury thrown into a smoky flame, emitting vapour, is known as *dhumavedha* (lit. pierced by smoke). 83

c33.15

Dola yantram. Svedanī yantram.

c33.16

The conversion of a small quantity of a metal into gold through the agency of mercury ..... which has acquired a mouth, is called *sabdavedha*. 84

c33.17

Somadeva collected these brilliant gems of technical terms with great care from the ocean of mercurial lore and strung them into a necklace which adorns the best of physicians in assemblies. 89

c33.18

BOOK IX

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