[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) › c33 # 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 - **Language:** English ### Book Viii. On Technical Terms ### [c33.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c33.1) (This chapter is mostly a reproduction from Rasendrachudamani of Somadeva; see p. 151.) ### [c33.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c33.2) For the comprehension of ignorant physicians, Somadeva is now expounding the technicalities as made use of by experts. 1 ### [c33.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c33.5) TESTS FOR KILLED IRON ### [c33.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c33.8) CERTAIN OTHER TECHNICAL TERMS ### [c33.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c33.15) Dola yantram. Svedanī yantram. ### [c33.16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.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](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c33.18) BOOK IX ## Linked texts (1) - [Rasendracūḍāmaṇi](https://indike.org/pramana/in.med.rasa.rasendracudamani) — Somadeva (alchemist), Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c33](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c33) · Pramāṇa